Definition: And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people [were] come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 9:43. It’s a really important passage about God’s judgment and how He responds to wickedness. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: God is sending a strong punishment to a group of people who are being unruly and defiant. He's essentially saying, “You’ve been causing trouble, and now you need to be dealt with.” Let’s unpack the details: “And he took the people…” : This means God was actively involved in managing and overseeing the situation – perhaps guiding or even directly intervening. “…and divided them into three companies…” : He wasn't just throwing everyone together; he separated them into groups. This suggests a deliberate strategy to handle the problem more effectively. “And laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people [were] come forth out of the city…” : This is the key part. He watched them. He was observing what was happening. “The people” refers to a specific group – likely a large population that was causing trouble. "Came forth out of the city" means they were moving into a populated area, indicating they were becoming visible and active. “And he rose up against them, and smote them.” : This is the action God took. He attacked and defeated them. “Rose up against” means he actively challenged and fought back. "Smote" means to strike with a powerful blow – this implies a forceful punishment. Overall Meaning: The verse describes a period of conflict where God was watching over a group of people who were defiant and causing trouble. He then decisively confronted them, sending them to be dealt with through a violent attack. It’s a picture of God's righteous judgment in action – He doesn’t hesitate to punish those who are acting wrongly. Important Context: This verse comes from a time when the Israelites were experiencing significant rebellion and disobedience. It’s often seen as part of a larger story about God’s plan to bring justice and restore order. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage? Discuss what this verse might symbolize in a broader biblical context? Give you some related stories or examples from the Bible?