2 Kings 4

“Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.” The line’s distinctive content terms include borrow, vessels, abroad. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those…” The line’s distinctive content terms include aside, door, full. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And…” Naming Elisha and Shunem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.” The line’s distinctive content terms include chamber, fell, turned. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.” Naming Call and Gehazi keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.” Naming Call keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord…” Naming About keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.” Naming Elisha keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.” The line’s distinctive content terms include child, father, fell. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.” Naming Carry keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.” The line’s distinctive content terms include died, knees, mother. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid…” Naming Drive keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away…” Naming Gehazi keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man…” Naming Gehazi and Gird keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include liveth, arose, child. Its relationship to verses 29 and 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor…” Naming Gehazi and Wherefore keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.” Naming Elisha keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD .” The line’s distinctive content terms include door, LORD, prayed. Its relationship to verses 34 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands…” The line’s distinctive content terms include child, eyes, hands. Its relationship to verses 33 and 35 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said…” Naming Call and Gehazi keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bowed, feet, fell. Its relationship to verses 36 and 38 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before…” Naming Elisha and Gilgal keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat…” Naming Pour keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD .” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.