Definition: And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made [it] against king Ahaz came from Damascus.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling passage in the Bible. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: This verse comes from the Book of 2 Kings, a chapter about the reign of King Ahab and his downfall. It describes a crucial moment in the story – a betrayal that leads to a significant loss for the Israelites. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And Urijah the priest built an altar…” - Urijah was a high-ranking priest, responsible for offering sacrifices and rituals. He was tasked with building something important. “…according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus.” – This is where it gets interesting. King Ahaz ruled in Judah (a region of Israel). “Sent from Damascus” means he sent someone to this area. The specifics of what the king sent are not fully clear, but it’s significant because Damascus was a city known for its pagan worship and often associated with strange or foreign influences. “So Urijah the priest made [it] against king Ahaz came from Damascus.” - This is the core of the verse. Urijah actively started to build something that was deliberately opposing King Ahaz. He built it, and in doing so, he challenged the authority of King Ahaz. It’s like a deliberate act of defiance. What does this all mean? This is a story about: Political Intrigue: King Ahab was trying to weaken the power of the monarchy. He likely saw Urijah's actions as an attempt to undermine his authority. Religious Conflict: The mention of "Damascus" suggests a conflict between religious traditions. Ahab may have been concerned with maintaining a strong, traditional religion, and Urijah’s building could be interpreted as a challenge to that faith. Divine Punishment: It's possible this act was a sign of God's displeasure with Ahab’s actions and the kingdom he ruled. It's a warning about the consequences of disobedience. In short, it describes a deliberate act of defiance by a priest against a king, which had significant repercussions. Important Note: The exact details surrounding this event are somewhat shrouded in mystery. The Bible doesn’t provide a complete explanation of why Urijah built the altar. It's a pivotal moment that sets up events that lead to a major downfall for King Ahab and the kingdom. --- Would you like me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes?