Definition: And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as [did] the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from 2 Kings 17:11. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling verse in the Book of Judges, and it speaks about a significant event involving King Solomon. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a ritual that was performed by the Israelites – specifically, King Solomon – to try and provoke God's anger. It’s essentially a desperate attempt to test God’s judgment on them. Let’s break it down word-by-word (a little bit): “And there they burnt incense…” - This refers to the burning of incense, which was a common religious practice in ancient Israel and Judah. Incense was used to honor God and create a holy atmosphere. “…in all the high places…” – “High places” means prominent locations – temples, palaces, etc. This suggests it wasn’t just any incense burning; it was being done in several important places. “…as [did] the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them…” - This is where it gets interesting. The "heathen" refers to foreign peoples who were brought into Israel as captives – often enslaved people from other nations. The verse describes what they were doing with this incense: they were carrying them away. “…before them…” – They were bringing these foreign people before the Israelites, essentially showing them off or making a point. So, what was happening? King Solomon, in this moment, was attempting to provoke God’s anger . He was trying to make God look bad by displaying his power and perhaps hinting at something unsettling about his kingdom. The “wicked things” they were doing – that’s the key part. What does it mean? It suggests a period of intense anxiety and potentially fear within the Israelites, possibly due to their relationship with foreign peoples. It's a moment where they were trying to test God's judgment in a way that felt like a challenge. Important Context: This passage is part of a larger story about the covenant between God and Israel. It’s often interpreted as a sign that Israel was struggling with its relationship with the rest of the world – particularly with their foreign neighbors. It’s a reminder that even in times of great power, there can be moments of tension and potential for conflict. In short: King Solomon was attempting to provoke God's anger by showing off his power, specifically by bringing foreign people before him. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with a specific focus (e.g., its historical context)? Give you an analogy to help understand the idea?