Definition: And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 21:7. It's a really significant passage that speaks about a shift in power and a growing focus on idolatry – the worship of false gods. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: God is Watching: The verse starts with God looking down upon David and Solomon, two powerful kings. David Creates a Graven Image: David builds a statue or image (a "graven image") within his house in Jerusalem – essentially a representation of himself. This was a big deal because it meant he was prioritizing himself over God. God Says No More: God then tells David, “You must stop this.” He’s saying that David's focus is shifting away from worshiping Him and starting to worship himself . What This Means – It’s About a Shift in Worship: Idolatry is Bad: The verse highlights the idea that worshipping false idols (representations of people or things) is wrong. It's a warning against focusing on anything other than God. God’s Chosen Place: The crucial part is that God has chosen Jerusalem as his central place of worship – a city he’s carefully selected out of all the tribes of Israel. This shows that God values His people and their connection to Him above all else. Forever Worshiping God: The phrase “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel…” This means David is committing himself to a lifelong devotion to God. He’s establishing Jerusalem as a permanent temple – a place where he will constantly worship Him. In short, this verse describes a significant change in David's priorities. He's moving from being a king who worshiped God to a king who worshipped God. Important Note: This passage is part of a larger story of conflict and division in the Bible. It’s about the rise of idolatry and the eventual consequence for those who prioritize their own power over God's will. --- Would you like me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage within the broader history of Israel? Give a slightly more detailed explanation of the concept of idolatry?