Definition: And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil [was] near them.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Judges 20:34. It’s a really important story about protecting a young man and preventing a terrible thing from happening. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: A Young Man is Being Threatened: The verse begins with a worrying situation. A young man named Saul (who was previously a judge) is being targeted by a large group of Israelites – basically, a huge army of people from Israel. They’re Coming in Force: These Israelites aren't just a few people; they’re coming in ten thousand – that's a massive number! It's like a really big, overwhelming force. The Battle is Fierce: The text describes the battle as being extremely difficult and dangerous. It’s not a simple skirmish; it's a serious struggle. They Don’t Know It’s Bad: Crucially, the Israelites don’t realize that danger is looming. They're completely oblivious to the impending threat. What's Being Said – The Core Meaning: This verse warns us about a planned attack and suggests a deliberate attempt to hide it. It's saying: A Secret Threat: There was a hidden evil or danger coming, but it wasn’t immediately obvious. They Were Prepared: These ten thousand Israelites were specifically chosen – they were prepared for this challenge. They were organized and ready to fight. God is Protecting His People: The story highlights that God is actively protecting his people from harm, even when they don't understand the danger. In essence, it’s a warning about vigilance and the importance of being aware of potential threats. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail? Give you some possible interpretations of what this story might mean?