2 Samuel 5

“Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.” Naming David and Hebron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD…” Naming Israel and Also keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.” The number thirty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David…” Naming David and Except keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.” Naming David and Nevertheless keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an…” Naming David and Hiram keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his…” Naming Israel and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons…” Naming David and Hebron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,” Naming Jerusalem and Nathan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,” Naming Elishua and Ibhar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.” Naming Eliada and Eliphalet keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek…” Naming David and Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.” Naming Philistines and Rephaim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David enquired of the LORD , saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? 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.

“And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies…” Naming Baal and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.” Naming Philistines and Rephaim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when David enquired of the LORD , he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon…” Naming David and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.