Definition: And the LORD was with him; [and] he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really important one that speaks about God’s presence and a significant shift in how things are handled. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where God is directly involved with the person of King Solomon. It’s saying that while Solomon was ruling over Israel (and therefore a powerful nation), God actively supported him and made him prosper. However, he also disobeyed God's commands and started to serve Assyria – a powerful neighboring kingdom – instead of obeying his king. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD was with him…” This means that God wasn’t just watching from afar; He was actively present alongside Solomon. “…and he prospered whithersoever he went forth:” This is a fancy way of saying “he was successful and thrived.” It suggests that because God was with him, his kingdom and his people flourished. Think of it like a positive outcome – things were going well for him. “And he rebelled against the king of Assyria…” This is the key part. Solomon had disobeyed God's instructions, specifically regarding how to treat foreign kings. He started to be disrespectful and even try to interfere with Assyrian affairs. “…and served him not.” This means that instead of obeying his king and following God’s laws, he began to serve the Assyrians. He was acting in a way that contradicted what was expected of him as King. What's the Significance? This verse is significant because it illustrates a few key points: God's Sovereignty: It shows that God has ultimate authority and control over everything – even the rulers of nations. He doesn’t just passively watch; he actively influences events. Disobedience vs. Obedience: It highlights the difference between obeying God’s commands (which is good) and disobeying them (which is wrong). The Importance of Faithfulness: It emphasizes that true faithfulness to God requires obedience, even when it's difficult or unpopular. In short, this verse tells us that while Solomon was successful, his disobedience ultimately led him to act against God’s will, and that this disobedience demonstrates a lack of true devotion. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Provide context about the time period when this verse was written? Give you some examples of how this story has been interpreted over time?