2 Samuel 3

“Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and…” Naming David and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;” Naming Ahinoam and Amnon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the…” Naming Abigail and Absalom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;” Naming Abital and Adonijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.” Naming David and Eglah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast…” 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 was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew…” 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.

“So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from…” Naming Beer and Dan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.” Naming Abner keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me…” 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 said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an…” The number hundred makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.” Naming Ish and Laish keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he…” Naming Abner and Bahurim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:” Naming Abner and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people…” Naming David and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that…” Naming Abner and Benjamin keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a…” Naming Abner and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but…” Naming David and Abner keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king…” Naming Joab and Abner keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent…” 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.

“Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to…” Naming Abner and Ner keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah…” Naming David and Abner keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there…” Naming Abner and Asahel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of…” Naming Abner and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.” 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 Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and…” Naming David and Abner keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people…” Naming Abner and Hebron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?” 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 hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all…” Naming Thy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me…” 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.

“And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.” The line’s distinctive content terms include people, pleased, king. Its relationship to verses 35 and 37 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?” 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 I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.