2 Samuel 20

“And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a…” Naming Belial and Benjamite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the…” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they…” Naming Bichri and Cherethites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on…” Naming Amasa and Gibeon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss…” 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 Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out…” Naming Joab and Abishai keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.” Naming Bichri and Joab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Beth-maachah, and all the Berites: and they were…” Naming Abel and Berites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the…” Naming Abel and Beth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak…” Naming Come and Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him…” 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 spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why…” 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 Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.” Naming Far and Joab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast…” Naming Joab and Bichri keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the…” Naming Benaiah and Cherethites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:” Naming Adoram and Ahilud keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:” Naming Abiathar and Sheva keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.” Naming David and Ira keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.