Definition: Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded [in my] habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 2:29. It's a really interesting and somewhat complex passage about how God sees his relationship with his people. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: God is telling Saul (a young man who was a judge) to be incredibly respectful of his sons – particularly the sons of his wife, Hannah – and to treat them differently than other people. He wants them to be wealthy and prosperous, not just for their own benefit, but for God’s glory . It's like saying, "I want you to thrive, and that’s a sign of how much I love you." Let’s unpack it word by word: “Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and mine offering…” - This is the key part. “Kick ye” means “be angry with” or “disrupt.” God is saying, "Don't be disrespectful to my offerings – my sacrifices and gifts." “…and at mine offering…” - Again, this refers to his own gifts – perhaps a special blessing he gives to his people. “which I have commanded [in] my habitation” - This means "which I have ordered" or “which I have decided upon.” It’s like God has set a rule for how to treat his people. It's important to note this is his command, not something the people are doing. “and honourest thy sons above me…” - This is where it gets more profound. “Honourest” means "to honor" or "to respect." God wants to treat his sons with a special level of respect. "...to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?” – This is the big part. “Fat” here refers to wealth, prosperity, and abundance. “The chiefest of all the offerings of Israel” means the most important or most valuable gifts he gives to his people. He wants them to be rich enough to benefit him and make him happy. So, what's the overall message? God is setting a very high standard for his people – to treat them with great respect and to use their wealth and abundance for his glory . It’s about recognizing that he is in control and that his blessing comes from him, not from anything the people do. It's a powerful statement of God's sovereignty and his desire for his people to be blessed. In short: God wants to see his sons thrive so much that they become wealthy and prosperous – not just for themselves, but because it’s a sign of how much he loves them. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give an example of how this principle might be applied today?