Definition: The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These [were] the chief of the fathers of Laadan.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 23:9. It’s a really important part of understanding how things went wrong in ancient Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse tells us about a group of people who were the leaders of Laadan – that was a powerful and rebellious tribe of people living near Jerusalem during the time of King David. They were the most influential and responsible for many of the problems that led to Israel's downfall. Let’s look at each part: “The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran…” – This names these specific people. "Shimei" was a prominent leader in Laadan. “Shelomith” and “Haziel” were other key figures within their group. "Haran" is the name of a city near Jerusalem. "...and three." - This tells us there were three of these individuals who held that position of leadership. “These [were] the chief of the fathers of Laadan.” – This is the key part. It means these three people were the most powerful and respected leaders among the ancestors of Laadan. They had a significant influence on the tribe's decisions and actions. What does this tell us about the past? Historically, this verse points to a period where Laadan was very rebellious and acted against God’s laws. The fact that they were chosen as the leaders suggests that they were prioritizing their own desires over obedience to God's will. It highlights a situation where a group of people chose to defy divine authority. In short, this verse describes a group of influential leaders within Laadan who were responsible for challenging God’s rule and contributing to Israel's problems. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant? Give you an example of how this story relates to the Bible as a whole?