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?