2 Samuel 15

“And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a…” 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 Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.” Naming Absalom and See keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come…” Naming Absalom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed…” The line’s distinctive content terms include hand, kissed, nigh. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the…” Naming Absalom and Israel 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 forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.” Naming Hebron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered…” Naming Absalom and Ahithophel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.” Naming Absalom and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else…” 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 king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall…” 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 king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep…” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.” The line’s distinctive content terms include king, people, place. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six…” The number six makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with 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.

“Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may…” 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 Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones…” Naming Ittai and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the…” Naming Kidron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include delight, good, here. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons 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.

“See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.” Naming See keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.” Naming Abiathar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went…” Naming David and Olivet keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD , I pray thee…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:” Naming David and Unto keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s…” Naming Absalom and Ahithophel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou…” 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.

“Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.