1 Samuel 17

“Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth…” Naming Shochoh and Azekah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array…” Naming Elah and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits…” The number six makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.” The line’s distinctive content terms include brass, greaves, legs. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one…” The number six makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array…” 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.

“If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill…” 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 Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” Naming Israel and Philistine keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” Naming Israel and Philistine keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man…” The number eight makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Beth-lehem.” Naming Beth and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.” The number forty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and…” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.” Naming Elah and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the…” Naming David and Gath keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall…” 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 David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and…” 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 people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth 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 Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he…” 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 David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” 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 turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include manner, former, people. Its relationship to verses 29 and 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.” Naming David and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” Naming David and Philistine keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth…” Naming David and Philistine keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out…” Naming David and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him…” The line’s distinctive content terms include smote, arose, beard. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will…” Naming David and Philistine keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of…” Naming David and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul…” Naming David and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.” Naming David and Philistine keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a…” Naming David and Philistine keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by…” 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 Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts…” Naming Come and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s , and he…” 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, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead…” Naming David and Philistine keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and…” Naming Ekron and Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.” Naming Israel and Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.” Naming David and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son…” 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 king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.” Naming Enquire keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head…” Naming Philistine and Abner keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse 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.