Definition: Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a pretty dramatic description of a very challenging situation in ancient times. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes King Ahab’s disastrous military strategy against the Israelites after the fall of Jerusalem. It’s saying he deliberately and massively provoked the people to such a point that they were utterly defeated. Let’s unpack it part by part: “Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz…” – This means King Ahab didn't allow the Israelites to escape or flee. He actively kept them captive and trapped. “…but fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen…” – This is a huge number of soldiers! It’s a massive army being deployed. Think of it like a very large, well-equipped military force. "...for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.” - This is the crucial part. The King of Syria (a powerful Syrian ruler) had utterly annihilated the Israelites with his army. He didn’t just defeat them; he completely ruined them by making them into a mass of dust – essentially, they were broken and lifeless. “Threshing” is a figurative term for breaking something down to its smallest parts. In short, it's a story about a king who deliberately provoked a huge military force to such a point that he completely destroyed the Israelites. Why is this important? This event is described as a terrible omen and a sign of impending doom for the Jewish people. It’s a stark example of how a ruler can use his power to inflict immense suffering on his followers. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse was significant in biblical history? Give you some context about the time period when this happened? Talk about the symbolism behind this imagery (like the dust)?