2 Samuel 7

“And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within…” Naming Nathan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.” Naming Nathan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD , Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?” 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 I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to…” Naming Egypt and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of…” 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 so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote…” Naming David and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made…” The line’s distinctive content terms include name, earth, enemies. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.” Naming According and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD , and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD ? and what is my house, that 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.

“And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD ; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great…” 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 what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD , knowest thy servant.” 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.

“For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people 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.

“For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD , art become…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And now, O Lord GOD , thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:” The verse names God and Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.