Definition: And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, [thou] man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 4:16 together. It's a really important and somewhat surprising passage in the Bible! Here's what it means, explained simply: The Core Idea: This verse speaks about a difficult situation involving a king and his wife. It's about a man who is struggling with a very serious problem – he’s facing a significant loss of life and feels overwhelmed by it. Let's unpack the parts: “And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son.” This part is about recognizing that the king is experiencing a major crisis. He’s grappling with the fact that his wife is nearing the end of her life and that he needs to plan for what comes next. “According to the time of life” suggests it's not just a normal, everyday decision; it’s tied to something much bigger. “And she said, Nay, my lord, [thou] man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.” This is the crucial part. Her response – "Nay, my lord" – is incredibly significant. She's challenging him to not lie . She’s saying that he shouldn't mislead her or anyone else about the true situation. What does this all mean? It’s about honesty and truthfulness: The verse highlights the importance of being truthful, even when it’s difficult. It’s about responsibility: The king is recognizing that he has a responsibility to his wife – to honor her life and be honest with her. It’s about facing reality: It's acknowledging a painful truth – the impending loss of someone close to him. Why is this important? This verse is often interpreted as a reminder that we should always strive for honesty in our relationships, especially when dealing with difficult situations or people who are experiencing pain. It’s about showing compassion and respect even in the face of grief. In short: The king is acknowledging his own sorrow and urging his wife to be truthful, demonstrating a sense of responsibility and perhaps even a glimmer of hope amidst hardship. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with a specific example? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail (like its historical setting)?