Definition: And king Rehoboam made in their stead brasen shields, and committed [them] unto the hands of the chief of the guard, which kept the door of the king’s house.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 14:27. It’s a bit complex, but here's the gist in plain English: Basically, this verse describes how King Rehoboam, after making some changes to his kingdom, decided to protect his palace with elaborate, expensive shields. Here’s a more detailed explanation: “And king Rehoboam made in their stead…” – This means the king replaced something old with something new. He wasn't just changing things; he was completely rebuilding the security around his home. “…brasen shields…” – “Brasen” is a Hebrew word that means “gold.” So, the shields were made of gold! This shows how important the protection was to him. “…and committed [them] unto the hands of the chief of the guard…” - This is where it gets interesting. The chief of the guards – basically the most trusted and responsible people in the kingdom – were given these shields. They were entrusted with protecting the king’s house. "...which kept the door of the king's house." – This tells us that these shields weren’t just for show. They were specifically designed to keep the royal palace safe and prevent anyone from entering without permission. What does this tell us about the time period? This verse comes from a time when the Hebrew Bible describes a kingdom with a lot of power and a king who wasn't always wise. It suggests that King Rehoboam made a big, potentially risky decision – replacing the traditional security measures with expensive gold shields to ensure his own safety and the security of his home. Overall Significance: It’s a reminder that sometimes, even good intentions can lead to unintended consequences. This verse shows how the king prioritized security above all else, which could have had some negative implications for the kingdom as a whole (it highlights the potential for arrogance). --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail? Would you like me to: Give you an example of what the "chief of the guard" might have been doing with these shields? Discuss the context of this verse within the larger story of the Old Testament?