2 Samuel 17

“Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after…” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.” Naming Absalom and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall…” 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 Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.” Naming Absalom and Ahithophel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown…” Naming Absalom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of…” Naming Absalom and Ahithophel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders…” Naming Abiathar and Absalom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily…” Naming David and Lodge keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and…” Naming Ahimaaz and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in…” Naming Absalom and Bahurim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not…” The line’s distinctive content terms include spread, corn, covering. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman…” 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 it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his…” Naming Ahithophel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.” Naming Absalom and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an…” Naming Amasa and Joab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.” 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 David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and…” Naming Brought keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.