Definition: And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old menâs counsel that they gave him;
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 12:13. It’s a really important moment in the story of David and his rise to power – it’s about arrogance and ignoring wise advice. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Situation: David was King: We know this because he’s the subject of the verse. He’s the powerful leader of Israel. He Was Arrogant: David started to act in a very bad way – he was being rude and disrespectful towards the people. Think of it like someone who is overly proud or believing they are better than everyone else. He Turned Away from Advice: He began to disregard the advice given to him by older, wiser men (the "old men"). What Did He Do? He Gave Him a Bad Name: The verse says he “answered the people roughly” – meaning he spoke out loud and angrily. He Left Behind Wise Counsel: The old men gave David advice. They were experienced and had seen things in the past that helped guide him. He Dismissed Them: He essentially ignored them completely, choosing to listen to his own thoughts instead of the wisdom of those who’d been around longer. Why is this important? This is a key part of how David became king – and it's a significant warning about the dangers of pride and refusing to listen to others. It sets the stage for later events in the Bible, where David’s arrogance leads to problems. It shows that even though he was powerful, he needed to be mindful of the wisdom of those who had come before him. In short: David became a king by being arrogant and ignoring the advice of experienced people – it's a cautionary tale about how pride can lead to mistakes. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Go into more detail about the context of this passage?