Definition: And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 12:21. It's a pretty serious warning about a potential conflict. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says that after Rehoboam, the king of Israel, gathered a large army – around 100,000 men – to attack the Israelites again. Let's unpack it a little further: Rehoboam: This was King Rehoboam who ruled over Israel. He’s known for being a bit rebellious and making poor decisions. Assembly of Men: He brought together a large group of warriors, basically all the men from Judah (a tribe within Israel) and Benjamin (another tribe). 100,000 Chosen Men: This is the key part. He specifically asked for 100,000 chosen men . This indicates a significant and potentially dangerous plan. "Chosen" means they were selected by God or a powerful leader. Fight Against the House of Israel: This is the main conflict – it’s about a war against the Israelites themselves. Bring the Kingdom Again to Rehoboam: The goal of this battle was to restore the kingdom of Israel, which had been lost under Rehoboam's rule. What does this verse tell us about the situation? It's a warning that there’s a serious threat looming. It suggests a potential for a major conflict between the Israelites and their enemies. The verse highlights a moment of crisis and a difficult decision that King Rehoboam had to make. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a sign that Rehoboam's decisions were wrong, and leading to disaster for Israel. It’s a significant event in the Old Testament and points to potential problems with leadership and divine guidance. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about this period of history? Discuss what this verse might mean in a broader sense (like its symbolism)?