Definition: But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 2 Kings 11:15. It's a really important and complex verse, so we’ll take it step-by-step. Here’s what it means in plain language: “But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.” Let’s unpack it: “But Jehoiada the priest commanded…” : This tells us we're talking about a leader – likely a high-ranking priest – who made a specific order. “…the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host…” : This refers to leaders of groups or units within the army. Think of them as commanders. "...and said unto them..." : He was giving instructions to these leaders. “Have her forth without the ranges:” This is a crucial part. "Ranges" in this context means a safe distance away from the city walls and defenses. Jehoiada wanted the priest to lead the people outside of the protective perimeter of the city. He was essentially telling them to move away from the danger. “And him that followeth her kill with the sword.” : This is the core of the command. It means to kill anyone who follows along with the priest – anyone who isn’t part of the group he's instructed to lead. “For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.” : This is a very important piece of context from earlier in the book. The Bible says that God has commanded King David to not allow his people to die in the temple. This verse is a direct response to David’s actions – he was allowing the people to go to war, and the Lord told him not to do so. This verse emphasizes the seriousness of this prohibition. What's the bigger picture? This passage is about a serious situation: David is leading his army into battle, and the king wants to ensure that everyone who follows him – including those who are supposed to be loyal to him – doesn’t become a target for attack. It highlights a conflict between obedience to God's commands and the potential dangers of the battlefield. In essence, it’s a command to protect the people and prevent them from being harmed. --- Important Note: Biblical texts can be complex and open to interpretation. This explanation is based on general understanding of the text and historical context. Would you like me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific event or story in the Bible?