Definition: And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 5:26. It's a pretty dramatic story about a powerful king moving people across the Middle East! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: A King from Assyria is Involved: The verse tells us that the spirit of a powerful ruler named Pul, who ruled in Assyria (a large empire in the Near East), was moved away. Assyrian kings were known for being very ambitious and often seeking to expand their power. Two Kings Moved: This wasn't just one king moving; two kings – Pul and Tilgathpilneser – were involved. Tilgathpilneser was a ruler of the ancient city of Tenochtitlan (now Mexico). Moving People Across the River: The key part is that these kings took the people – specifically, Reubenites, Gadites, and a significant portion of Manasseh (a tribe known for its wisdom) – across the river Halah (which flows into the Red Sea). They then carried them to the area around the river Gozan. The Destination: They ended up in the region near the river Gozan, which is now part of modern-day Israel. What it Means Figuratively & Symbolically: This story isn’t just about physical people moving across a river. It's a powerful metaphor for: Divine Justice and Protection: The God of Israel (represented by the spirit) was actively intervening to stop this invasion and protect the land. It highlights that God is always watching over his people and will intervene when there’s a threat. A Threat to the Land: Assyria, with its powerful king Pul, was seen as a dangerous force trying to take over the region. The story shows how divine intervention can be necessary to defend what is holy and precious. In short, it's a story about God sending his spirit to stop an invasion and protect his people. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Connect this story to other Bible stories or themes (like protection from evil)?