Definition: And Saul said, Cast [lots] between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Samuel 14:42. It’s a really dramatic moment in the story of David and his struggle with King Saul. Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, David is being asked to choose between himself and his son, Jonathan. “And Saul said…” : This tells us that Saul, the king, is actively trying to trick David into doing something he shouldn’t. He wants to create a situation where David has to make a difficult choice. “…Cast [lots] between me and Jonathan my son.” : This is the key part. “Cast lots” means to randomly select or choose someone from a set of options. Saul is essentially asking David to pick between him and his son, Jonathan. “And Jonathan was taken.” : This tells us that David chooses to take Jonathan's side. He decides to stay with Jonathan, even though Saul wants him to go with the enemy (the Israelites). What’s the big picture? This is a pivotal moment in the story because it shows: David's ambition and desire for power: Saul isn’t just trying to trick David; he's trying to manipulate him into doing something that could potentially lead to his downfall. David’s loyalty and devotion: Despite Saul's attempts, David chooses to stick with his son, demonstrating his commitment to his family and his faith. It's a classic example of a strategic maneuver in ancient times – a king trying to use trickery to gain an advantage. --- Do you want me to explain why this happened or explore any related concepts? For instance, we could discuss: The context of the story (the Israelites were facing a dangerous threat from Philistine enemies). The significance of Jonathan's role in the narrative.