2 Samuel 24

“And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel…” Naming Israel and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and…” 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.

“Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the…” Naming Joab and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river…” Naming Aroer and Gad keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtim-hodshi; and they came to Dan-jaan, and about to Zidon,” Naming Dan and Gilead keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to…” Naming Beer and Canaanites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand…” The number eight makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD , I have sinned…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying,” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD , I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt…” 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 unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD ; for his mercies are…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to…” Naming Araunah and Jebusite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have…” 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 Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah…” Naming Araunah and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself…” Naming Araunah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of…” 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 Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen…” Naming Araunah and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept…” Naming Araunah and All keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings…” The number fifty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And David built there an altar unto the LORD , and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was…” Naming David and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.