Definition: And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Kings 13:7. It’s a really important and slightly surprising passage about how to handle wealth and distribution in the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse speaks about a king offering a reward to those who have been generous with their possessions – particularly land and resources – and are now living modestly and humbly. It’s essentially saying, “If you’ve been kind and shared your wealth generously, we want to help you live a simpler life.” Let's unpack it: “And the king said unto the man of God…” : This tells us who is being addressed – a king or ruler. It’s referring to someone who has been generous with their resources. “…Come home with me, and refresh thyself…” : The king is inviting this person to come live with him, perhaps temporarily. "Refresh thyself" means to live a simpler, less extravagant life - maybe focus on community or simple living. “and I will give thee a reward.” : This is the key part! The king promises to give them something in return for their generosity. What does this mean practically? Historically, this was a way for the kings of ancient Israel and Judah to distribute wealth and resources after a period of prosperity. It wasn't about accumulating wealth for themselves; it was about ensuring that those who had helped the community prospered as well. It was a system designed to ensure fairness and prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few. Important Context: This verse is part of a larger story in the Book of Kings, which describes a period of famine and hardship. The king’s leadership was seen as crucial for restoring order and ensuring that everyone had enough to survive. It highlights themes of generosity, fairness, and the importance of community. In short: This verse encourages those who have been generous to live modestly and share their blessings with others, and in return, they receive a reward - essentially, a blessing or benefit from the king's generosity. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Connect it to a specific historical event? Give you another example of how this principle applies in other stories?