If you heed the word of Mortimer Adler...

Though I tend to mock Mortimer Adler's classic work, I agree with him that reading a book multiple times is the way to go. The first time I read something, I want to know how it ends, or what the author's overall point is. I don't want to form an opinion with partial information or waste time on the unimportant. Once that suspense is over, I can read the book again, taking my time to enjoy the writing and picking up on more subtle details. This especially applies for me when I read fiction, but I think it can apply to the Bible too. The smaller pieces make more sense when you have a sense of the overall work. When you see how the story is moving, you can pick up on the symbolism and imagery forshadowing what's to come. You're also less likely to misinterpret individual verses. Just a thought.