2 Chronicles 28

“Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the…” Naming Hinnom and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.” The line’s distinctive content terms include burnt, green, high. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king’s son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah…” Naming Azrikam and Elkanah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and…” Naming Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there…” 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 hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce…” The line’s distinctive content terms include brethren, captive, captives. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth…” Naming Amasa and Azariah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were…” Naming Jericho and Samaria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him.” Naming Ahaz and Assyria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh…” Naming Ajalon and Beth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.” Naming Assyria and Tilgath keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD , and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD : this is that king Ahaz.” Naming Ahaz keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and…” Naming Ahaz keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD…” Naming Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of…” Naming Israel and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the…” Naming Ahaz and Hezekiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.