1 Kings 1

“Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.” The line’s distinctive content terms include king, cherished, damsel. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen…” The number fifty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man…” 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 conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.” Naming Abiathar and Adonijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men…” Naming Adonijah and Benaiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his…” Naming Adonijah and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.” Naming Benaiah and Nathan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son 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.

“Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy…” Naming Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid…” 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.

“Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.” The line’s distinctive content terms include confirm, king, talkest. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite…” Naming Abishag and Bath keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest 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 she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:” Naming Adonijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar…” Naming Abiathar and Joab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon 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, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.” Naming Nathan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself…” Naming Nathan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?” 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 he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he…” Naming Benaiah and Jehoiada keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne 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.

“Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the…” Naming Bath and Call keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,” 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.

“Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he…” 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 Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live…” Naming Bath and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came…” Naming Benaiah and Call keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own…” Naming Gihon and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.” Naming Amen and Benaiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne…” Naming David and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and…” Naming Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth…” The line’s distinctive content terms include people, earth, piped. Its relationship to verses 39 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the…” 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 while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for…” Naming Abiathar and Adonijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king.” Naming Adonijah and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the…” Naming Benaiah and Cherethites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence…” Naming Gihon and Nathan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.” Naming Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than…” 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 also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way.” Naming Adonijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.” Naming Adonijah and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns 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.

“And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.