Definition: And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but [that which is] true in the name of the LORD?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Kings 22:16. It’s a really significant and somewhat shocking verse from the Old Testament. Here's my explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about King David trying to get his son, Absalom, to keep silent about something incredibly important – and potentially dangerous – that he knew. Basically, David is asking Absalom to never tell a single lie or give false information, even when it’s difficult. Let's unpack it: "And the king said unto him..." : This tells us this is a direct conversation between King David and his son, Absalom. "...How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but [that which is] true in the name of the LORD?" This is the core of it. The king is using very powerful language. He’s essentially saying: “Please, Absalom, only tell me the truth about God and what's right. Never lie to me.” What does this mean? This verse speaks to a period in David’s life where he was struggling with a serious problem – his own ambition and desire to be seen as powerful and righteous. He felt that Absalom was tempting him with lies, and he desperately wanted to stop him from doing so. It's about trust: The king is asking for absolute trust and honesty. It’s a warning: It’s a cautionary tale – a reminder of the importance of integrity and truthfulness. It highlights David's concern: David was deeply worried about Absalom’s behavior and felt it threatened his own position and the stability of Israel. Why is this important? This verse isn't just about a single conversation; it sets the stage for much later events in the Old Testament, especially concerning the fall of King Absalom. It highlights the importance of honesty and truthfulness as foundational principles for leadership and faith. In short: The king was trying to stop Absalom from lying, and he's asking him to only speak the absolute truth about God. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a particular story or event in the Bible?