Definition: According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Samuel 8:8. It’s a really significant moment in the story of David and God’s relationship with his people. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that for a long time, the Israelites (the people David led) had been disobeying God's commands and worshiping other gods. They’d abandoned him and started serving other deities. God was very angry with them. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them out of Egypt..." – This is a long, slightly poetic way of saying "for many years," “over many decades,” or “since the beginning of time.” It’s emphasizing how long this pattern of disobedience has been going on. It shows that their behavior wasn't just a temporary thing; it was a consistent pattern. "...even unto this day..." – This is a crucial part. It means right now , they are still continuing to disobey God. They haven’t stopped. "...wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods..." – This is the core of the verse. They've completely abandoned God and started worshipping other gods. "Forsaken me" means they've ignored his commands and rejected him. “Served other gods” means they’re now dedicating themselves to these new deities. "...so do they also unto thee." – This is the punchline. Because of their continued disobedience, God is now turning his back on them again . He's choosing to not listen to them and will no longer offer them any favor or protection. In short, it’s a warning: God has been patiently waiting for a time when they would truly turn away from him and return to him. This verse shows that he is extremely disappointed with their behavior. What does this mean for us today? This story is often used as a reminder of: The importance of obedience: God wants us to follow his commands and rules, and disobeying them can have serious consequences. God’s faithfulness: Even though they've been disrespectful, God remains faithful and will ultimately return to his people. Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, I could: Explain the context of the story (the Israelites leaving Egypt). Discuss the significance of the "Egypt" reference – it highlights their initial faith and dependence on a powerful god.