Definition: And [there was] a man in Maon, whose possessions [were] in Carmel; and the man [was] very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 25:2. It’s a really interesting story about a king and a man named Maon! Here's the explanation in simple terms: Basically, this verse tells us that King Saul of Israel was very wealthy and had a huge herd of livestock – sheep and goats – and he was actively working on them. “And [there was] a man in Maon…” - This refers to a specific town called Maon. It’s a place located near the Carmel Valley, which is an important area in Israel for its beautiful landscapes. “…whose possessions were in Carmel” - "Carmel" means "the green hills" – it's a beautiful and fertile valley known for its lush greenery. So, this man had a lot of land and property in that area. “And the man was very great…” - This shows how rich he was. “…and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats:” – He owned a huge amount of livestock! Three thousand sheep and a thousand goats would be incredibly valuable at the time. “And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.” - This is the key part. The man was actively working on his sheep, trimming them and preparing them for sale. It suggests he was focused on managing his livestock – a very important task for a king! So, what’s the big takeaway? This story highlights that King Saul was incredibly wealthy and powerful. It shows how he used his wealth to manage his livestock, which might have been a way to show off his power and wealth to his people. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from 1 Samuel? Discuss the context of this story in more detail (like why it’s significant)?