Definition: And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 20:14. It's a really interesting and somewhat unsettling passage about a man named Abimelech and his strange behavior. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: Abimelech is a King: In this story, Abimelech is a powerful king in Israel. He’s Searching for Someone: He's on a very unusual mission – he's searching for a lost man named Abel. It seems like he's looking for someone who vanished without a trace. He Goes Far Away: Abimelech travels all the way to Abel (a place in Israel), then to Bethmaachah, and then to the Berites – a group of people in Israel. This is a significant distance from his home. They Gather Together: As he moves further away, the people are gathered together. What’s the Meaning? The verse suggests something very strange is happening: He's Following Someone Else: This isn’t just a simple search for someone lost. The verse implies that Abimelech wanted to follow this person – he was drawn by his presence and perhaps a desire to understand him. It Feels Like a Trap: The fact that they are gathered together, and then he continues to go further away, suggests he’s caught in a situation where he is being led somewhere. It feels like he's being manipulated or controlled. Important Context (What it might suggest): This story is part of a larger narrative within the Bible that deals with themes of: Divine Providence: The Bible often uses stories to illustrate God’s plan and how He works in the world. Manipulation & Deception: The verse hints at a possible scenario where someone might be intentionally leading people astray, perhaps for their own purposes. Seeking Truth: It could also represent a deeper journey of understanding – Abimelech is trying to find out who this person is and what’s going on. In short, the verse describes a king's unusual journey that leads him into a potentially difficult or unsettling situation where he's being followed. --- Disclaimer: I want to emphasize that this interpretation is based on understanding biblical symbolism and storytelling within the context of the Bible. It’s not necessarily meant to be a definitive explanation of everything happening in the story. Do you have any specific questions about this verse that I can answer? For example, would you like me to: Explain a particular symbol or meaning associated with it? Discuss its connection to other biblical stories?