1 Kings 12

“And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.” Naming Shechem and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,” Naming Israel and Jeroboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke…” Naming Thy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How…” 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 they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer…” The line’s distinctive content terms include answer, good, people. Its relationship to verses 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown…” The line’s distinctive content terms include consulted, counsel, forsook. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make 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 the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that…” 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 whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with…” The line’s distinctive content terms include father, yoke, chastise. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;” The line’s distinctive content terms include counsel, forsook, gave. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your…” The line’s distinctive content terms include father, yoke, chastise. Its relationship to verses 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD , that he might perform his saying…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have…” 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.

“But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.” Naming Israel and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died…” Naming Rehoboam and Adoram keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.” 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, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred…” The number hundred makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,” Naming Shemaiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the…” Naming Judah and Benjamin keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thus saith the LORD , Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.” Naming Ephraim and Jeroboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he set the one in Beth-el, and the other put he in Dan.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.” Naming Levi keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in…” Naming Beth and Jeroboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.