1 Chronicles 17

“Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of…” 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.

“Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD , Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:” Naming David and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my…” 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.

“Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote…” Naming David and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include name, earth, enemies. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.” Naming According and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David the king came and sat before the LORD , and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou…” 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 yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.” 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.

“O LORD , for thy servant’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known…” The line’s distinctive content terms include greatness, heart, known. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“O LORD , there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee…” 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.

“For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD , becamest their God.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Therefore now, LORD , let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And now, LORD , thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou…” 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.