Definition: And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened [them]: and, behold, their lord [was] fallen down dead on the earth.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 3:25. It’s a really powerful and dramatic passage about a king and his followers. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes a king named Ahab who was trying to kill a person – specifically, a young man named Jezebel – but God intervened. Ahab and his followers were being tricked into staying at a place (the "parlour") for a long time, and then God decided to punish them. Let's unpack the details: “And they tarried till they were ashamed:” This means Ahab and his people stopped moving around and started feeling guilty or worried about what was happening. They weren’t trying to run away; they were reflecting on their actions. “…and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour…” This is a key part. God is saying that He – God Himself – intervened to stop Ahab from carrying out his plan. He deliberately closed the door of the “parlour” (a place of meeting or celebration) to prevent him from killing Jezebel. “Therefore they took a key, and opened [them]:” This is where it gets really significant. The people – who were initially tricked and manipulated – took a key to unlock the door. They understood that this was a way for God to stop Ahab’s evil plan. “…and, behold, their lord [was] fallen down dead on the earth.” This is the most shocking part. It means that Ahab's plan – and his life – had failed. He died, and he was defeated by God. So, what’s the big takeaway? It’s a story about: God’s Sovereignty: God is in control of everything, even when people are trying to defy Him. Divine Intervention: God doesn't just passively watch; He actively intervenes to protect His people and stop evil. The Consequences of Sin: Ahab’s actions were a sign of a larger problem – his defiance of God and his pursuit of power at any cost. In short, this verse tells us that God will ultimately punish those who are defiant and act against Him. --- Do you want me to explain anything in more detail? For example: Would you like me to go deeper into the symbolism behind the “parlour”? Are there any specific aspects of this story you'd like me to focus on (e.g., the role of the key)?