Definition: Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 17:6. It’s a really interesting and somewhat surprising passage! Here's the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about a king who was deeply connected to his people and felt they weren't fulfilling their responsibilities. He was feeling frustrated and even a little angry. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel…” : This means the king spent a lot of time with the Israelites – he traveled with them, listened to them, and interacted with them. It’s about a long period of connection. “…spake I a word…” : The king spoke to someone important – likely a judge. “to any of the judges of Israel…” : He addressed a specific leader within the community. “whom I commanded to feed my people…” : This is key! The king was telling the judge that he expected them to do something for him - to build a temple or something important for the Israelites. “…saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?” – This is the really strange part. The king was asking, "Why aren't you building me a temple? Why aren’t you dedicating resources to this?" What does it mean? The most common interpretation is that the king felt neglected and unimportant. He wasn’t receiving the respect or attention he expected from his people. He was feeling like he was being treated as an afterthought, and he wanted a tangible sign of recognition – a temple – to show his importance and devotion to Israel. Why is this important? This verse highlights a tension between: The King's Power: The king held significant authority over the Israelites. Their Responsibility: The Israelites were responsible for building up the nation, including a temple that represented their faith. In short, it’s a story about a king feeling undervalued and demanding a tangible demonstration of his importance. --- Disclaimer: I'm an AI assistant and this explanation is based on common interpretations of biblical texts. Different theological perspectives might offer slightly different understandings. Would you like me to: Explain another part of the verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage?