Definition: And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 3:13. It's a really important part of understanding what happened in ancient times. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Story: This verse tells us that after a period of conflict and trouble, God decided to punish Israel – a group of people living near the Sea of Galilee – with violence. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek…” This means God was focusing his attention on these two groups of people who were causing trouble. They were often seen as unruly and disruptive. “…and went and smote Israel…” “Smote” is a strong word – it means to severely harm or destroy. The verse says God deliberately attacked Israel. “And possessed the city of palm trees.” This is the most dramatic part. The "city of palm trees" refers to the important port city of Beersheba, which was a major center for trade and wealth in Israel. God chose to destroy this city – it was a significant target. So, what happened? It essentially means God deliberately provoked these two groups of people, who were causing trouble, and made them suffer greatly. He destroyed the city of palm trees, which was a very valuable place, as a result of their actions. What's the big takeaway? This story is about God’s justice – that he will punish those who are disruptive and harmful to others. It’s a reminder that God is powerful and will not tolerate evil. It also shows how God can choose to punish even groups of people who aren't necessarily responsible for the trouble, but still cause harm. In short: God deliberately targeted and destroyed the city of palm trees in Beersheba, as punishment for the mischief of Ammon and Amalek. --- Do you want me to explain anything else about this verse? For example, I could: Talk about the context of the story in Judges 3. Explain why this event is significant in biblical history. Discuss its meaning within a broader theological perspective.