1 Samuel 4

“And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside…” Naming Israel and Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day…” 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.

“So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the…” 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 when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in 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 Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath…” Naming Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians…” 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.

“Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been…” Naming Hebrews and Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great…” The number thirty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth…” Naming Benjamin and Shiloh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when…” Naming Eli keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in…” 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 Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.” 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 man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is…” 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 messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And his daughter in law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the…” Naming Phinehas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she…” Naming Fear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And she named the child I-chabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.