Definition: And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a pretty significant one with a lot of meaning! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very important and solemn act – cleaning a temple. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And they gathered their brethren…” - This means a group of people, likely priests and officials, were working together. “…and sanctified themselves…” - “Sanctify” means to make something holy or pure. So, these people were cleaning the temple with a special purpose – making it clean and worthy of God. It's like giving it a new, pristine appearance. “And came, according to the commandment of the king…” - This is where it gets interesting! “The King” refers to King David, who was a very important leader in ancient Israel. He gave instructions for this cleaning – he said, "Do this, and do that." So, they were following a specific set of rules or directions from God. “By the words of the LORD…” - This is crucial . It means the instructions came directly from God himself, not from anyone else. Putting it all together: Essentially, these people were being instructed by God to clean a temple (a sacred place for worship). They followed the rules given to them by David, and they did so with a deep sense of reverence and obedience. It was a very serious task meant to honor God. Why is this important? This story is often seen as a key part of understanding the Old Testament and the idea that God is in control and always works through His people. It shows how God's will is prioritized, even over personal comfort or convenience. In short: This verse tells us that God instructed his followers to cleanse a sacred place with great care and obedience, reflecting a deep commitment to worship and honoring Him. --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail? For example, would you like me to elaborate on the significance of "the King" or perhaps discuss what this story might symbolize? Just let me know!