Definition: And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, [Is it] not because [there is] not a God in Israel, [that] thou sendest to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage together. It’s a very serious and frightening verse from the Book of 2 Kings, and it’s packed with meaning. Here’s what it’s saying in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse comes after King David has been captured by Goliath. God is warning him about a dangerous situation – he's been tricked into believing there's a false god (Baalzebub) who offers comfort and answers to his problems. Let’s unpack the key parts: “And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us…” - This refers to Goliath, a giant warrior who was challenging David for a contest of strength. “…and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, [Is it] not because [there is] not a God in Israel, [that] thou sendest to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?…” - This is the core of the warning. The people of Israel are lying about their god. They’re saying there's no real God, and they're asking Goliath to go to a false god – Baalzebub. “…therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” - This is the devastating consequence of their lies. God tells them that if they continue to believe in this false god, they will face terrible punishment and death. It’s a clear threat! What does it mean? It's about deception: The verse highlights that people can be tricked into believing something untrue. It speaks to the importance of discerning truth from falsehood. It's about God's judgment: It’s a warning from God about His righteous anger and the consequences of rejecting Him. It wasn’t just about Goliath; it was about the entire nation of Israel, who were choosing to ignore God’s presence in their lives. It's a call to faithfulness: The verse isn't just about punishing them; it's also a call to remain faithful to God and his truth. It emphasizes that true faith involves obeying God’s word and seeking Him. Important Note: This is a very old passage, and the exact meaning and context are debated among scholars. However, the overall message – that deception can have serious consequences – remains consistent across time. --- Do you want to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain the significance of Baalzebub in more detail? Discuss the context of the story surrounding Goliath and David’s challenge?