Definition: And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 21:7. It’s a really important and sobering passage about God's judgment. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse comes from a time when the Israelites were deeply troubled and rebellious. They had been disobeying God’s commands, and God was very angry with them. Here’s what’s happening, broken down: “And God was displeased with this thing” : This means that God felt deeply uncomfortable or upset by something the Israelites were doing. It wasn't just a minor transgression; it was a serious problem. “Therefore he smote Israel” : This is the key part! “Smote” means to strike, to punish, or to destroy. God decided to punish the Israelites – to bring about a terrible outcome. What did "smote" mean in this context? The word "smote" isn't just about physical violence. It’s a metaphor for a very serious and profound consequence. It meant that God was causing significant hardship, suffering, and ruin for the Israelites. It wasn’t just a punishment; it was a destruction of their way of life. What was the result? The verse describes a massive period of devastation: Israel was devastated, broken, and exiled from their land. It's essentially a description of a catastrophic loss for them. Important Note: This is a very difficult verse to understand because it speaks about God’s judgment on his people. It’s important to remember that this isn’t about blame – it’s about God’s righteous anger and desire to protect his relationship with humanity. In short, the verse tells us that God was extremely angry with the Israelites because they disobeyed him, and as a consequence, he brought about a terrible and devastating outcome for them. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Give you more context about what happened in 1 Chronicles 21? Discuss the meaning of this verse in relation to other biblical stories?