Definition: Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do [that which is] right in mine eyes, and [to keep] my statutes and my judgments, as [did] David his father.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 11:33. It’s a really important passage about obedience and God’s judgment. Here's a simplified explanation: What’s Happening? This verse is describing a serious problem with the Israelites – they were disobeying God’s laws and directions, and it led to terrible consequences. It’s essentially saying that they had completely strayed from the path He set for them. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Because that they have forsaken me…” - This means they stopped following God’s commands. They weren’t obeying Him, and they were not listening to His guidance. It was a deliberate choice to ignore what He wanted them to do. “…and worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians…” – This is a really significant point. Ashtoreth was a goddess who was associated with fertility and prosperity – essentially, she was seen as powerful and important. The Israelites were worshipping her , which meant they weren't honoring God’s true authority. “…and Chemosh the god of the Moabites…” - This is another key point. Chemosh was a Canaanite god (a deity from outside the Jewish faith). The Moabites were a group of people living in southern Israel, and they worshiped Chemosh. So, they were aligning themselves with an idol that wasn't God’s. “…and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon…” - Similar to the previous point, these were other deities worshipped by the Moabites. “and have not walked in my ways, to do [that which is] right in mine eyes…” – This is where the real problem lies. They weren't following God’s moral principles . They weren’t living according to His laws and commandments. Basically, they were making choices that went against what He wanted for them. “…and [to keep] my statutes and my judgments…” - This refers back to the rules and regulations God set down in the Old Testament – things like honoring Him, being righteous, and following specific practices. "...as David his father." – This is a crucial part. It's saying that David , the King of Israel, was living in accordance with God’s laws. He was a good example of obedience. What happened as a result? Because they weren’t following these rules, God became angry. He sent judgment upon them – exile, war, and ultimately, the destruction of their kingdom. It's a stark warning about the importance of obeying God and living according to His will. In short: This verse is a story about disobedience leading to severe consequences because the Israelites prioritized false gods and didn’t listen to God’s guidance. It emphasizes that true faith and obedience are essential for a relationship with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Give you an analogy to help understand it better (like comparing it to a family)? Discuss the significance of this verse within the broader context of the Old Testament?