Definition: [As] the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, [He is] not [there]; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really important and dramatic passage from the Book of Kings! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse is saying God is incredibly focused on you and that He’s not going to forget about you. Here’s a breakdown of the key parts: “As the LORD thy God liveth…” : This tells us that the speaker is speaking from a position of deep reverence and respect for God. It's like saying, "I’m talking to God as someone who truly believes in Him." “…there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee:” This means that God has completely forgotten about you! He doesn't care about your country, your kingdom, or any of the places where people live and govern. He’s completely out of sight. “and when they said, [He is] not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation…” : This is the kicker. When the people – specifically the prophets – tried to say that God wasn't there, God immediately made a promise. He promised to protect you and your nation (or kingdom). This promise was a powerful guarantee! “…that they found thee not.” : This is the crucial part. Because of this oath, God’s people – including the prophets – couldn’t find you! They were completely lost and without help. In short, this verse highlights God's absolute care for you and His commitment to protecting you from harm. It emphasizes that your existence and well-being are paramount to Him. Why is this important? This story is a foundational part of the Old Testament and speaks to themes of: Divine Sovereignty: God’s absolute control over everything. Protection & Responsibility: God's people have a responsibility to obey Him, but He also protects them fiercely. The Power of Faith: The promise of this oath demonstrates how faith can be powerful and effective in the face of adversity. Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail? Perhaps you’d like me to relate it to a specific story or theme? For example, we could talk about why this verse is significant in the Old Testament narrative?