2 Samuel 12

“And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:” The line’s distinctive content terms include exceeding, flocks, herds. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for…” The line’s distinctive content terms include dress, dressed, flock. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I…” Naming Israel and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of…” Naming Israel and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD , to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite…” 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 therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thus saith the LORD , Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD . And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away…” Naming David and Nathan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very…” Naming David and Nathan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he…” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, bread, earth. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his…” 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.

“Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while…” 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, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious…” 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 now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to…” 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 David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his…” Naming Bath and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD .” Naming Jedidiah and Nathan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.” Naming Ammon and Joab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.” Naming David and Joab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city…” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, encamp, gather. Its relationship to verses 27 and 29 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.” Naming David and Rabbah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he took their king’s crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes…” Naming Ammon and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.