Definition: And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really important passage from the Book of 2 Kings, and it describes a very serious situation. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse is about a group of people being sent to try and stop a powerful evil spirit named Elijah. It’s essentially a plea for help from those who are facing danger. Let’s unpack the parts: “And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty.” – This means there were several leaders sent out, each with a group of people. They weren't just sending one person; they were organizing a team. “And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah…” - This is where it gets significant. A specific leader – let’s call him “Captain 3” – led a group to meet with Elijah. They knelt down and pleaded for help. “…and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.” – This is the core of the message. Captain 3 was asking Elijah to serve their lives and the lives of their group. It wasn’t just about a request; it was a command – essentially, “Let us serve you!” They were offering themselves as a sacrifice or a way to be used for something greater. What does this mean? This verse speaks to a time of great peril. Elijah was a prophet who had been battling a powerful evil spirit (likely a demon). This group of people – perhaps a tribe, or a small community – were being threatened by this spirit. The verse highlights a desperate plea for protection and a willingness to sacrifice their own lives in service to someone greater. Overall Significance: It's a message about: Faith and Service: It emphasizes the importance of putting your trust in God, even when facing danger. Sacrifice: It suggests that sometimes, the best way to protect something precious is to offer yourself as a sacrifice. Loyalty & Obedience: The request for service underscores loyalty and obedience to a higher authority – Elijah. In short, this verse describes a group of people turning to God, offering themselves as servants to protect against a powerful threat. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes? Give you a little context about the time period this passage comes from (the time of Elijah)?