Definition: Ye mountains of Gilboa, [let there be] no dew, neither [let there be] rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, [as though he had] not [been] anointed with oil.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 2 Samuel 1:21. It's a really dramatic and important verse in the story of David’s rebellion against his own king, Saul. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: David’s Rebellion: In this section of the Bible, David is leading an army to attack Jerusalem. He’s essentially challenging Saul, the king of Israel, and attempting to take over the throne. Gilboa – A Place of Evil: The Gilboa people are a group of fierce warriors who live in a remote area called Gilboa. They’re known for being incredibly hostile and rebellious. The Storming of Gilboa: David's army attacks Gilboa, and it’s a terrible battle. They completely destroy the city, and all the offerings made to God are stolen. What the Verse Says – A Harsh Warning: “Ye mountains of Gilboa, [let there be] no dew, neither [let there be] rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, [as though he had] not [been] anointed with oil.” Let’s unpack that: "Ye mountains of Gilboa..." – This refers to the Gilboa people. They are portrayed as being extremely bitter and resentful. "[let there be] no dew, neither [let there be] rain..." - This means it's a terrible, barren time. There’s absolutely no water or rain falling on the mountains. It’s a desolate and lifeless place. "...upon you, nor fields of offerings:" – This is key. The Gilboa people are being deliberately robbed of their sacrifices to God. They're not just robbed; they’re being destroyed through this theft. "for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away..." - The "shield of the mighty" refers to Saul, the king of Israel. David’s army is attacking him! "...the shield of Saul, [as though he had] not been anointed with oil." – This is the most shocking part. It suggests that Saul was already in a state of weakened faith and unpreparedness. David is saying that Saul’s shield, which represented his authority and protection from God, has been completely destroyed. He’s implying that Saul wasn't ready to rule, and David is deliberately causing this destruction as a sign of his triumph. Overall Meaning – A Warning about Disobedience: This verse isn’t just about a bad storm. It's a warning about the dangers of disobeying God's commands. It shows that when people are defiant and rebellious, they become a threat to those who are ordained by God. David is using this imagery to highlight that his actions were wrong and that he was deliberately trying to upset the established order. In short, it’s a message about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of obeying God's will. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes? Give you a simpler analogy to help understand it better?