Definition: And he brought forth the people that [were] therein, and put [them] under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really important and somewhat surprising passage about how David treated his people. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Situation: David was feeling incredibly proud: In this verse, David is talking about a very specific and harsh punishment he's giving to the people of Ammon. He’s using brutal methods: He’re not just punishing them – he’s actively breaking them down physically. He’s putting them under saws (like a wood-cutting tool), harrows (heavy tools for pulling), and axes of iron. Basically, he’s treating them like inanimate objects. He’s making them work tirelessly: “And thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon” means he’s forcing everyone to do this work for a very long time. It's not a fair or just punishment. It’s a demonstration of his power: This is designed to show off his strength and control, even though it’s incredibly cruel. What the Verse Means – A Deeper Look: This verse isn’t about David being a bad king; it's a very unusual moment in history. It shows that he was feeling very arrogant and powerful. He was using his authority to inflict severe suffering on his people, seemingly without any regard for their well-being. It highlights a moment where David's pride and power overshadowed his responsibility as a leader. What Happens Next? The verse then says that “David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.” This is the crucial part – it’s like he’s using this harsh treatment to force them back to their home city, Jerusalem. It's a symbolic act of returning them to a place where they belong and are under his control. In Short: David was punishing his people with incredibly brutal methods, essentially making them work as if they were inanimate objects, and then forcing them back to their home. It’s a dramatic moment that reveals the potential for abuse of power. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific part in more detail? Connect this verse to other stories or themes in the Bible? Talk about the historical context (which is a bit debated)?