Definition: Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Kings 16:21. It’s a really important part of understanding how God’s plan for Israel worked during a difficult time. Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, God decided to split the Israelites into two groups based on their loyalty. “Then were the people of Israel divided…” – This means that after a period of conflict or trouble, God was looking at how the people were reacting to him. He needed to understand their feelings and trust in him. “…into two parts: half followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.” – This is where it gets interesting. Let’s look at each part: Tibni the son of Ginath: This was a powerful and influential leader in Israel back then. He was known for being ambitious and wanting to be recognized as king. Omri: This was another important leader, who was also ambitious but perhaps more focused on maintaining stability and peace within his kingdom. “to make him king” : God decided that the people would choose which group would become the new king. So, what's the point of this? It’s a bit complicated, but it suggests a plan for divine order in Israel. It shows that God wanted to establish a ruling system, and he chose two groups – one with Tibni and one with Omri – to be leaders. Important Note: This passage is part of a larger story about the kings of Israel. It’s important to remember that it's not necessarily about who was chosen as king, but rather about God’s plan for establishing a kingdom under his guidance. --- Do you want me to explain any of this further? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of this passage in the Bible? Discuss why it's considered a significant event?