Definition: And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 18:24. It’s a pretty dramatic and mysterious passage! Here's what it essentially means, explained in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes a moment of intense observation by David, the King of Israel, while he was overseeing security at the two gates of Jerusalem. He was watching something happening alone . Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And David sat between the two gates…” : This tells us that David was in a position of authority and responsibility – guarding the entrances to the city. “…and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall…” : The watchman is tasked with looking out and monitoring the area. He’s positioned on top of a section of the gate, giving him a panoramic view. “and lifted up his eyes, and looked…” : This is the key part. David was looking intently at something. “…and behold a man running alone.” – This is where it gets interesting. A lone man appeared in the scene. What does this all mean? The Bible doesn’t explicitly say what the man was doing, but it suggests that he was fleeing or escaping something. It's a moment of intense observation and potential danger. It implies: Danger: The man is running away from a threat. Secret: He was observing something secretive or hidden. Opportunity: Perhaps this man was trying to avoid being discovered by someone. Symbolic Meaning (Possible Interpretations): This verse has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. It’s often seen as a symbolic representation of: David's own struggle with temptation: He was looking at the outside world, and perhaps the future, while he was focused on his own concerns. The importance of vigilance and watchful eyes: David was being aware of potential dangers. In short, this verse is a vivid snapshot of a moment of intense observation and a hint of something significant happening in David's life. --- Do you want me to: Explain another biblical passage? Discuss the historical context of this verse? Explore a specific interpretation of the meaning?