Jeremiah 37

“And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of…” Naming Babylon and Coniah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of the LORD , which he spake…” Naming Jeremiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet…” Naming Jehucal keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people: for they had not put him into prison.” Naming Jeremiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Pharaoh’s army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them…” Naming Jerusalem and Chaldeans keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying,” Naming Jeremiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thus saith the LORD , the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of…” 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 Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thus saith the LORD ; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh’s army,” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of…” Naming Benjamin and Jeremiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah…” Naming Benjamin and Chaldeans keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took…” Naming Jeremiah and Chaldeans keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;” Naming Jeremiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any…” 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.

“Moreover Jeremiah said unto king Zedekiah, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this…” 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.

“Where are now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor…” 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 hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.