Definition: And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD [is] God of the hills, but he [is] not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 20:28. It’s a really significant passage about divine intervention and power. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes God directly intervening in a situation of great trouble – the Israelites being besieged by the Syrians. God is saying, “I’m going to use my power to take control of this situation.” He’s essentially telling the king that he's going to deliver the people into his hands. Let’s look at it piece by piece: “And there came a man of God…” – This refers to a figure associated with the Old Testament, likely Elijah, who was known for his prophetic abilities and connection to the divine. “…and spake unto the king of Israel…” – He’s speaking directly to King Ahab, the ruler of Israel. “And said, Thus saith the LORD…” - This is a very important part. “Thus saith the Lord” means God is speaking truthfully and powerfully. “…Because the Syrians have said, The LORD [is] God of the hills, but he [is] not God of the valleys…” – This is where it gets really interesting. The Syrian people are claiming that the LORD is connected to mountains (representing strength and power). However, God says, “He [is] not God of the valleys.” “Therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.” - This is the core message. God declares that He will actively take control – he’s going to deliver the people. He's declaring his authority and power over the situation. And finally, He says, “I am the LORD.” This emphasizes that he is the ultimate source of all power. What it means in a broader sense: This verse highlights several key themes: Divine Sovereignty: God is in complete control of events, even when things seem chaotic or difficult. God’s Power: He’s not just allowing things to happen; he's actively intervening and wielding power. The Importance of Obedience: It’s a warning – if the people disobey God’s commands, it will lead to disaster. In short, this is a declaration of God’s absolute authority and his willingness to act decisively. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of the story? Discuss what “the great multitude” refers to? Expand on the symbolism of "mountains" and "valleys"?