Definition: Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this [man] seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 20:7. It’s a really important passage about God’s judgment and the king’s actions. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: A Wicked King: The verse describes a king named Jehoram who was incredibly selfish and cruel. He was obsessed with his own desires – specifically, he wanted to marry his wives and get their money and gold. Sending Messages: Jehoram sent messages to God, pleading for permission to do whatever he wanted. He essentially asked God to let him have these things. God’s Response: God immediately responded with a very powerful and frightening punishment. Let's unpack the key parts: “Then the king of Israel…” : This tells us who is involved – the king of Israel, who was known for his wickedness. “…called all the elders of the land…” : He summoned everyone important to the kingdom. “…and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this [man] seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.” This is the core of the verse. Let’s break down each part: “I pray you…” : This is a plea from the king to God. He's asking for God’s help. “…seeketh mischief” : He was actively trying to cause trouble and harm. “…sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold…” : He was demanding these things – his wives, his children, and his wealth - as gifts to him. This is the heart of the problem: he wanted them as rewards for his own desires. “I denied him not” : This is a crucial part. The king refused to listen to God’s warnings or to obey God's commands. He was defiant and unwilling to do what God asked him to do. Overall Meaning & Significance: This verse highlights the dangers of pride, greed, and disrespecting God. It shows that when a person becomes obsessed with their own power and wealth, they can lose their way and become a source of trouble for everyone around them. It's a warning against seeking things that are not from God. In short: The king was trying to manipulate God and get his own desires fulfilled through trickery and disrespect. God’s response was devastating – He sent a punishment to punish the king and his people. --- Do you want me to explain anything in more detail, or would you like me to connect this verse to a specific theme or story? For example: Are you curious about why this happened in the Bible? Would you like to know how this story relates to other stories about God’s judgment?