2 Kings 14

“In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.” Naming Joash and Amaziah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD , yet not like David his father: he did according to all…” Naming David and Joash keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.” Naming Howbeit keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto…” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the…” Naming Lebanon and Amaziah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why…” 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 Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.” Naming Israel and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD , and in the…” Naming Samaria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are…” 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 Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned…” Naming Israel and Jehoash keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen…” Naming Amaziah and Israel 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 Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?” 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 they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and…” Naming Lachish and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.” Naming David and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all the people of Judah took Azariah, which was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father…” Naming Amaziah and Azariah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.” Naming Elath and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to…” The number forty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD : he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of…” Naming Israel and Jeroboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the…” Naming Israel and Amittai keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of…” Naming Israel and Jeroboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered…” 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 Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.” Naming Israel and Jeroboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.