Definition: And [he took] all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 25:24. It’s a really important story about how King David handled his wealth after he died. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: David was incredibly wealthy: Before he died, David had amassed a huge amount of gold and silver, as well as many valuable items from the royal house – like chests filled with treasures and even the king's own belongings. He gave them away: Instead of keeping all this wealth for himself, David decided to give it to the people of Samaria. He wanted to help rebuild their city and make it prosperous again. He returned everything: David took all that money and precious things back to Samaria and brought them back to his kingdom. Let's unpack it a little further: “And [he took] all the gold and the silver…” : This is a straightforward statement about David’s actions – he gathered a lot of valuable items. “…and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom…” : "Vessels" refers to things like chests, jars, and containers. “The house of God” means the royal palace or temple. “Obededom” is David's name – it’s a reference to him as the king of Israel. So, he took these items from his own home and place of worship. "...and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also…” : This means he took even more valuable things that were stored in the royal treasury – like jewels, precious stones, and other important objects. “The hostages” likely refers to people who were being held as a gift or reward by David for his service. "...and returned to Samaria." : This is the key part! He brought everything back to Samaria, which was in need of rebuilding. What's the big takeaway? This verse highlights David’s generosity and wisdom. It shows that he wasn't just a powerful king; he was also a compassionate leader who used his wealth to benefit others. It’s a reminder that true wealth isn’t about hoarding, but about using it for good. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this story is significant in the Bible? Discuss the symbolism of the gold and silver? Compare it to another biblical example of generosity?