Definition: And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 19:41. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic part of the story of David and the Israelites. Here's what it means in plain language: The Basic Situation: David is being besieged: The verse describes a situation where a large group of Israelites – specifically, the men of Judah – are coming to King David’s palace to confront him. They’re demanding answers: They’re asking why David has taken his men away and brought them all to his palace. The core accusation: The central point is that the Israelites, particularly the Judahites, have stolen David's men. Let’s unpack it further: “And, behold…” : This is a dramatic introduction – it’s like saying "And here's what’s happening..." It sets up a significant event. "All the men of Israel came to the king…" : This means everyone from the Israelites is involved – not just a small group. It suggests a widespread problem. “…and said unto the king, Why have our brethren…” : The King is directly addressing him. He’s asking for an explanation. "...the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?" This is the crucial part. It describes exactly what the Israelites are doing: “stolen thee away” : This phrase suggests a deliberate act – they've taken something that belongs to David. “…brought the king, and his household…” : They’re bringing David’s family and his entire entourage (his counselors, guards, etc.) with them. "...over Jordan?" : This is the most shocking part. Jordan is a crucial location for the Israelites – it's where they were originally established. Bringing them over Jordan implies a significant move – they’re leaving their homeland and relocating to a new area. Overall Meaning & Significance: This verse paints a picture of a serious crisis. It’s a situation of betrayal, perhaps even a significant act of aggression against David. It highlights: Disloyalty: The Judahites are actively defying David's authority. Potential for Conflict: Bringing David's men to the palace suggests they might be planning something – possibly a rebellion or an attempt to overthrow David. A Turning Point: It marks a pivotal moment in history, setting the stage for further conflict and potentially leading to significant consequences for both Israel and its rulers. In short, this verse describes a troubling situation where the Israelites are acting against their own king and bringing him and his family to his palace – a move that could have serious repercussions. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Provide context about what happened before or after this verse?