2 Kings 6

“And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.” Naming Elisha keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither…” 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.

“Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place…” 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 man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the…” Naming Beware keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto…” 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 one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in…” Naming Dothan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with…” 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 answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” Naming Fear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD , I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the…” Naming Elisha keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD , and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with…” Naming Elisha and Smite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man…” Naming Elisha and Samaria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD , open the eyes of these men, that they…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?” 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 answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword 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 he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their…” Naming Israel and Syria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was sold for fourscore…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.” Naming Help and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?” 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 unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat…” 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 we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere 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 while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of 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.