Definition: And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this passage from 1 Kings 15:34. It's a really important verse that describes a significant turning point in Israelās history. Hereās the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse tells us that King Solomonās son Rehoboam made a terrible mistake ā he followed the advice of Jeroboam, a powerful king who was known for being rebellious and selfish. Let's unpack it word by word: āAnd he did evil in the sight of the LORDā : This means that King Solomonās actions were so wrong that God Himself saw them as sinful. Itās not just that he wasnāt perfect; God was actively disapproving of his choices. āand walked in the way of Jeroboamā : Jeroboam was a king who challenged Solomon's rule and decided to do things differently ā often defying Solomonās commands. He was seen as a disruptive force. āand in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sinā : This is the crucial part. Rehoboam, driven by his own desire for power and independence, disobeyed Godās instructions regarding worship and allowed his people to stray from the path of righteousness. He essentially created a situation where Israel began to disobey God's laws, leading to sin. What does this mean? It signifies a period of significant disobedience and moral failure within Israel. It shows that even with good intentions, human pride and a desire for control can lead to terrible consequences. Itās a cautionary tale about the dangers of challenging divine authority. In short: King Solomonās son made a grave mistake by following a rebellious king, leading to widespread disobedience and ultimately, suffering for Israel. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a warning against unchecked power and independent rule ā a message that resonates even today! --- Do you want me to explain any of these points in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of this passage within the larger story of Israelās history? Discuss what "sin wherewith he made Israel to sin" means in a more nuanced way?