Definition: And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down that passage from Judges 13. It’s a really important story about a period of hardship and a turning point for Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: A Bad Situation Begins: The Israelites were facing a terrible problem – they were being treated unfairly by the Philistines, who were a fierce people living near their land. They Did Something Wrong: The story says the Israelites repeatedly disobeyed God’s commands and acted in a way that was against his will. It's like they were making choices that weren't right according to God's plan. God Delivered Them: God, who had been watching over Israel, decided that the Israelites needed to be removed from their land. He sent them into the hands of the Philistines – a group of people who were considered enemies and often treated poorly by the Israelites. This was a very long time – forty years! What it’s saying about God's Perspective: God is Watching: The verse highlights that God is always watching over his people, even when they make mistakes. Judgment and Consequences: When a nation chooses to disobey him, God will inevitably bring about negative consequences – in this case, being removed from their home and facing hardship. Important Note: This story isn't about Israel causing the problem. It’s about them reacting in a way that displeased God and ultimately led to suffering for them. It’s a reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God’s rules. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of it in more detail? Give you some context about why this story is significant in biblical history?