Definition: Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 20:36 together. It’s a pretty dramatic passage about a man who disobeyed God. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse is part of a story about King Solomon. He was incredibly proud and refused to listen to the advice of the elders, who warned him against making a large altar. Because he didn’t obey them, God sent a terrifying lion to attack him! Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD…” This is the core of the problem. "The voice of the Lord" refers to God's commands and guidance – his rules and instructions. It means King Solomon failed to listen to what God told him to do. "...a lion shall slay thee." This is a very serious warning from God. It’s saying that if he continues to disobey, this lion will actively attack him. “And as soon as he was departed from me…” This is important! "Departed from me" means he left God's presence – he went away and wasn’t listening. "...a lion found him, and slew him." This is the result of his disobedience. A lion, a powerful and dangerous beast, attacked King Solomon. The lion killed him! Overall Meaning & Significance: This verse is a story about consequences for disobedience. It’s a warning to everyone to listen carefully to God's guidance and not ignore his commands. It shows that disobeying God can lead to terrible things happening. Important Note: This is a very symbolic passage. It’s not meant to be taken literally as a description of a real lion attacking a human being. It's a powerful metaphor for the dangers of rejecting God’s will. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss the symbolism behind it (like lions and danger)? Talk about its context in the Bible (where did it happen, what was happening at the time)?