Definition: And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This [is] the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that [are] upon it shall be poured out.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Kings 13:3. It’s a really important part of understanding how God deals with wealth and distribution in the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes a significant event where God is directly intervening to ensure fairness and justice in how his people share their possessions. It’s about a clear, decisive action by God. Let's unpack the parts: “And he gave a sign the same day…” – This isn’t just some vague instruction. There was a specific, visible demonstration of God’s will. “…saying, ‘This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that [are] upon it shall be poured out.’” - This is where the magic happens. "The LORD hath spoken" means God has revealed this message. It's a powerful statement of what’s coming. “Altar” : An altar was a central place for sacrifices and offerings in ancient Jewish practice. “Rent” : This is a metaphorical term, but it suggests a tearing or destruction. It implies something being removed or broken down. “Ashes that [are] upon it” : These are ashes – remnants of burned things. The “that [are] upon it” part emphasizes the importance of the ashes being on the altar, implying a symbolic act of purification and judgment. What does this all mean in practical terms? This verse is a powerful example of God's justice. He’s saying: God wants to ensure fairness: He doesn’t want people to hoard all the wealth for themselves. He will punish those who are greedy: The action of tearing down the altar and pouring ashes on it signifies that those who have been hoarding wealth will face consequences – a loss of everything they have accumulated. It's about accountability: It’s a way for God to hold people accountable for their actions and ensure that what they possess is used for good. Important Context (Briefly): This verse comes after a period of famine and hardship in Israel, and it’s part of a larger story about the Israelites being led by Moses. It's a demonstration of God's power and his commitment to restoring order and justice. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Connect it to a specific biblical story or theme? Give another example of how this verse is used in the Bible?

Definition: And he laid his carcase in his own grave; and they mourned over him, [saying], Alas, my brother!

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Kings 13:30. It’s a really important and somewhat surprising part of the story of how David’s followers were to care for his remains after he died. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: After David's death, his followers, who were all equally wealthy and had been given land by him, decided to treat his body like their own. They buried it in their own homes, and they mourned over his remains. What the Verse Says: “And he laid his carcase in his own grave; and they mourned over him, saying: ‘Alas, my brother!’” Let's unpack that: “He laid his carcase in his own grave…” - This means they buried David’s body in their homes. It was a very unusual and symbolic act. “…and they mourned over him…” - They were deeply saddened by the loss of David. “Alas, my brother!” – This is the key part! The phrase "alas, my brother!" is incredibly powerful. It’s a lament, a heartfelt expression of grief and sadness. It means “Oh, my dear brother, how sad it is that our beloved David is gone.” What it's telling us: This verse highlights a crucial point about the distribution of wealth in this story. David had given land to his followers, and they were supposed to care for his body after he died. The fact that they mourned over his remains suggests that they weren’t being completely generous. They were treating it like their own personal property – a symbol of their own wealth and privilege. Overall Meaning: The verse is a warning about potential selfishness and the importance of generosity in the face of death. It emphasizes that while we should mourn for those who have passed on, we must also be mindful of how we treat the remains of our loved ones. --- Do you want me to explain any of these points further? For example, would you like me to: Discuss the context of this story in 1 Kings? Explain why this verse is considered a significant part of biblical teachings about compassion and generosity?

Definition: And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God [is] buried; lay my bones beside his bones:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 13:31. It's a really important and somewhat unusual part of the book of Kings, and it speaks to a key idea about how God sees things in the afterlife. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, King Solomon is telling his sons that after he dies, he wants to be buried alongside the dead people of Israel. Let's unpack that a little further: “After he had buried him…” : This refers to the death of King David. He was buried in Jerusalem, and this verse describes what happens after his death. “…that he spake to his sons…” : This is Solomon speaking to his sons, specifically his eldest son Rehoboam. “saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God [is] buried; lay my bones beside his bones:” This is the crucial part. “sepulchre” : A tomb or grave. “…wherein the man of God [is] buried…” : This is a really clever and symbolic phrase. "Man of God" refers to Israel . It means the people of Israel, who are God's chosen people. So, it’s saying that when he dies, he wants to be buried with those who are already in Heaven – with the rest of God’s followers. “lay my bones beside his bones” : This is the most striking part. It means Solomon wants to be laid down alongside the dead bodies of Israel. He doesn't want to be alone. He wants to be connected to them, like a member of their community in the afterlife. What’s the big idea here? This verse speaks to several important ideas: God’s Perspective: It shows that God sees all people as part of His family and community. He doesn't just see kingdoms or nations; He sees everyone, even those who are dead. Eternal Connection: It suggests a desire for lasting connection with the lives of those who have passed on to heaven. Justice & Remembrance: It’s also a way for Solomon to ensure that he won't be forgotten completely. He wants to be remembered alongside his ancestors and fellow Israelites in their eternal rest. In short, this verse is a beautiful expression of faith and a reminder that God cares deeply about all of us, even after we are gone. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Discuss its significance within the context of the Bible? Relate it to other biblical stories or themes (like afterlife)?

Definition: For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which [are] in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 13:32. It’s a really important part of understanding God’s plan for how people should live and what happens when they are truly righteous. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is about justice and sharing . It’s saying that God will eventually bring about a time where everyone receives what they have earned honestly, and it’s going to be shared fairly. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel…” – This refers to a very specific event that happened long ago. It was a time when people were being unjust and taking more than their fair share. God, in His righteous anger, cried out (uttered a powerful command) against those who were breaking God’s rules and taking advantage of others. Think of it like someone yelling at a group of thieves! “…and against all the houses of the high places which [are] in the cities of Samaria.” – This tells us where this injustice happened. It was happening in the cities of Samaria, which were important and wealthy settlements. It’s saying that those who were rich and powerful were taking advantage of others by being unfair to them. “shall surely come to pass.” – This is the key part. It means this event will eventually happen. God's plan is for this injustice to be resolved. What does it mean in a nutshell? God wants a fair and just world. He’s establishing a system where everyone gets what they deserve, based on their honest work and contributions. This verse speaks about a time when the rich and powerful will have to give back and share with those who are less fortunate. It's a promise that God is working towards this outcome. Important Context: This verse is part of a larger story in the Old Testament, detailing God’s plan for Israel. It’s about establishing a righteous society where people are accountable for their actions and contribute to the well-being of all. In short, this verse is a prophecy – a prediction about a future time when justice will be restored. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of 1 Kings 13? Give you some examples of what “righteous” means in the context of this verse?

Definition: After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became [one] of the priests of the high places.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 13:33. It’s a really important passage about how God intends to handle justice and distribution of resources within his kingdom – which is essentially the biblical story of Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse says that after Jeroboam messed up and started behaving badly, he tried to reinstate priests who were previously allowed to oversee the temple and high places. Let's unpack it further: “After this thing”: This tells us this is happening after something specific happened – Jeroboam’s behavior. “Jeroboam returned not from his evil way”: This means Jeroboam was still behaving badly, and he wasn’t turning things around or reversing his actions. He continued to be problematic. “…made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places”: This is the key part. Jeroboam, wanting to regain power and control, tried to make again of the people who were previously allowed to oversee the temple – the high priests. He essentially created a new group of priests to manage the temple’s resources, but with a specific role assigned to those who weren't traditionally priests. “Whosoever would, he consecrated him…” This is where it gets interesting. God selected these people to be priests of the high places. He chose them specifically for this purpose – to manage and oversee the temple’s wealth and privileges. He essentially gave them a special, elevated position. The overall message: This verse highlights God's plan to ensure fairness and justice . It says that after Jeroboam’s bad behavior, God will use those who are considered “lowest of the people” – those typically not priests – to manage and oversee the temple’s resources. This is a way for God to control wealth and power within his kingdom and make sure it's distributed according to His plan. Important Context: This verse is part of a larger story about how God wants to establish a just and righteous society. It emphasizes that God doesn't just want to punish wrongdoing, but also uses those who are marginalized or considered less important to achieve His purposes. --- Do you want me to explain any specific aspect of this verse in more detail? For example: What does "lowest of the people" mean in the context of biblical times? Why is this passage significant within the larger story of Israel’s history?

Definition: And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut [it] off, and to destroy [it] from off the face of the earth.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that passage from 1 Kings 13:34. It’s a really important part of understanding how God sees things in His kingdom – a kingdom that’s built on fairness and justice. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very serious situation where someone is being deliberately and systematically ruined or destroyed. It's saying that Jeroboam, a king, was being allowed to take advantage of the people in his kingdom – essentially, he was letting them suffer. Let’s unpack it word by word: “And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam…” - This means that Jeroboam , the king, was engaging in a behavior that was morally wrong and damaging to his people. It wasn't just a simple mistake; it was actively causing harm. “…even to cut [it] off, and to destroy [it] from off the face of the earth.” – This is the shocking part. The verse uses strong words: “Cut it off” : This suggests that Jeroboam was deliberately dismantling or removing something important – perhaps a system of distribution, a way of managing resources, or even the very foundations of his rule. “Destroy [it] from off the face of the earth.” - This is a very strong statement. It means that Jeroboam was actively wiping out everything he had built and established. He was completely eliminating the entire system that supported him. What’s the message? The verse conveys a powerful warning about: Justice: God is watching over His people and will not tolerate injustice. Careful Governance: God demands that rulers be just and fair, and that they don't allow their power to be used to harm others. The Consequences of Wickedness: When people act unjustly, it brings about a devastating outcome – the destruction of everything they’ve built. In essence, this verse describes a moment when Jeroboam’s actions were so destructive that God considered it a sin for him to continue. --- Important Note: This passage is from an ancient text and its meaning was often interpreted in a way that emphasized the need for strict obedience and punishment. However, throughout history, Christians have understood this verse to mean that God’s justice will ultimately prevail, even over evil actions. Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail?