2 Samuel 19

“And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.” Naming Absalom and Joab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king…” The line’s distinctive content terms include people, grieved, king. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in…” The line’s distinctive content terms include people, ashamed, battle. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” Naming Absalom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which…” Naming Joab and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest…” Naming Absalom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD , if thou go not…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of…” Naming Absalom and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king…” 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 king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye…” 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.

“Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?” 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 say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain…” 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 bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king…” Naming Bahurim and Benjamite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons…” The number thousand makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the…” Naming Gera and Jordan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did…” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the…” 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 David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? 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.

“Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard…” Naming Mephibosheth and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may…” The line’s distinctive content terms include servant, king, deceived. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that…” 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 king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.” 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 Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto…” Naming Mephibosheth and Yea keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.” Naming Jordan and Barzillai keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay…” Naming Barzillai and Mahanaim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.” Naming Barzillai and Come keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?” 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.

“I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I…” 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.

“Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a…” 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.

“Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my…” 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 king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and…” Naming Barzillai and Jordan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and…” Naming Chimham and Gilgal keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah…” 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 all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry…” 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 men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right…” 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.