2 Samuel 13

“And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for…” Naming Amnon and Tamar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.” Naming Jonadab and Amnon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said…” 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 Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee…” Naming Jonadab and Lay keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.” Naming Amnon and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me…” Naming Amnon and Have keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes…” Naming Amnon and Tamar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.” Naming Come keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this…” Naming Israel and Nay keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now…” 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.

“Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.” Naming Howbeit keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had…” Naming Amnon and Arise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto…” The line’s distinctive content terms include cause, didst, evil. Its relationship to verses 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after…” Naming Put keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins…” The line’s distinctive content terms include apparelled, bolted, colours. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her…” Naming Tamar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is…” 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.

“But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his…” Naming Absalom and Amnon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and…” Naming Absalom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go…” 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.

“But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.” Naming Absalom and Amnon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto…” 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 the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat…” 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 came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes…” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, clothes, earth. Its relationship to verses 30 and 32 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all…” Naming Absalom and Amnon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for…” Naming Amnon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much…” Naming Absalom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.” Naming Jonadab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.” Naming Absalom and Ammihud keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.” Naming Absalom and Amnon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.