Definition: And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 18:3. It's a really important and somewhat dramatic passage about a conflict in ancient Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that David, a powerful king, was stopping to kill Hadarezer, the ruler of Zobah (a region near modern-day Syria), as he was on his way to establish a new kingdom – a place where they would control the river Euphrates. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And David…” : This establishes who is involved - David, a hugely important figure in the Old Testament. “…smote Hadarezer king of Zobah…” : “Smote” means to strike someone with a blow – here, David was deliberately attacking Hadarezer. "King of Zobah" tells us he was the ruler of that region. "...unto Hamath..." : This is where it gets interesting. "Hamath" was a city near the river Euphrates. So, David was going to attack Hadarezer in Hamath, which was a strategic location. "...as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates." : This is the key part! David wasn't just attacking him randomly. He was doing it because he wanted to conquer and control that important river. Establishing a “kingdom” meant controlling that region, which would give him power and influence. What’s the Big Picture? This verse is about: Conflict and Power: It shows that David was determined to gain power and establish his kingdom – a big deal in ancient times. Strategic Location: The river Euphrates was incredibly important for trade, travel, and communication. David wanted control of this route. Divine Guidance (Potentially): Some interpretations suggest this act might be connected to God's plan for David’s kingdom – a divine purpose behind his actions. In short, it describes a strategic move driven by David's ambition and desire to establish a powerful kingdom. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Discuss the historical context of this event?