2 Samuel 16

“And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride…” 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, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he…” 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 said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech…” Naming Ziba and Mephibosheth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was…” Naming Bahurim and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:” Naming Belial and Come keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD…” Naming Absalom and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I…” 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, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath 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 David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life…” 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.

“It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, affliction, cursing. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he…” Naming David and Shimei keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.” The line’s distinctive content terms include king, people, refreshed. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.” Naming Absalom and Ahithophel 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 Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?” 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 Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD , and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I…” Naming Absalom and Hushai keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s…” 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 said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God…” Naming Ahithophel and Absalom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.