2 Kings 20

“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him…” Naming Amoz and Hezekiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD , saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include face, LORD, prayed. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“I beseech thee, O LORD , remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done…” Naming Hezekiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD , the God of David thy father, I have…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of…” Naming Assyria and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.” Naming Isaiah and Take keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into 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 Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD , that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: 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 Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return…” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD : and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down…” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“At that time Berodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he…” Naming Hezekiah and Babylon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and…” Naming Hezekiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they…” 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 said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house 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.

“And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD .” Naming Hear and Hezekiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if…” 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 rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into…” 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 Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.” Naming Hezekiah and Manasseh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.