1 Kings 11

“But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites…” Naming Ammonites and Edomites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither 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 he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD , and went not fully after the LORD , as did David his father.” Naming David and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and…” Naming Ammon and Chemosh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.” The line’s distinctive content terms include burnt, gods, incense. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy…” Naming David and Notwithstanding keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.” Naming Edom and Edomite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)” The number six makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little…” Naming Hadad and Edomites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt…” Naming Egypt and Paran keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the…” Naming Hadad and Pharaoh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house: and Genubath was in…” Naming Pharaoh and Genubath keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad…” Naming Hadad and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country…” 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 God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:” Naming Eliadah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to…” Naming Damascus and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel…” Naming Israel and Hadad keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow…” Naming Ephrathite and Jeroboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of…” Naming David and Millo keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him…” 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 came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD , the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the…” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“(But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for…” Naming David and Howbeit keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and…” Naming Egypt and Jeroboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts…” 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 the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.” The number forty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in…” Naming David and Rehoboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.