Definition: And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 22:22. It's a really fascinating and dramatic passage about David’s role in the story of Samuel and God’s plan for his future. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: David is being tested: The verse describes a moment where God is testing David, essentially gauging his character and how he will respond to God's commands. God wants him to be a liar: God isn’t just asking David to be honest; He wants him to deliberately lie – to deliberately deceive people. This is a significant shift from the way David was previously seen as truthful. He’s given a specific task: God tells David, “Go forth and persuade [him]” – meaning, go and convince this person (likely Samuel) of something important. The key instruction: Persuade and prevail. This is the core of the verse. It means David needs to be incredibly persuasive and win over this person through his words. He has to succeed in convincing him of a specific truth or action. Putting it Together – What’s happening? David, who was already known for his bravery and leadership, is being given a tremendous opportunity to influence someone very important – Samuel. He's being asked to deliberately mislead Samuel, using deceitful words. God wants David to succeed in this task. Why is this significant? This verse shows that God doesn’t just want honesty; He’s willing to use deception as a tool for his purposes. It speaks to themes of: Divine Providence: God has a plan, and sometimes plans involve challenging our understanding. Testing Character: God is testing David's strength of character – how he will handle difficult situations and make tough decisions. Manipulation & Control: The verse hints at a potential for manipulation, suggesting that God might be using David’s deceit to achieve his own goals. Important Note: This passage is complex and has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. It's important to read it with context and understand the theological themes behind it. --- To help me tailor this explanation further, could you tell me: What specifically are you interested in knowing about this verse? (e.g., its historical context, its meaning for modern people, or something else?)