Definition: And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Kings 22:35. It’s a really powerful and dramatic passage about a king’s death. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: A Battle is Happening: The verse describes a significant battle between the Israelites and the Syrians. King Staying Up: King David, who was already struggling with his sons, stayed up in his chariot (a large vehicle) all night defending his palace. This shows he was deeply worried about his safety. The Battle Intensifies: The battle becomes incredibly fierce – it’s escalating rapidly. King Dies at Even (or Near Even): This is the most shocking part. King David dies right at the midpoint of the night . It's not a slow, gradual decline; he dies in just a few minutes. Blood Runs Out: As the battle continues, blood spills out of the wounds of the chariot. What it Means – A Symbolic Story: This verse is rich with symbolism and has several layers of meaning: Loss of Power & Authority: The king’s death symbolizes the loss of his power and authority. It's a dramatic end to his reign. The Battle as a Symbol of Opposition: The battle represents the ongoing struggle between good and evil, or sometimes, between different factions within Israel. Blood as a Symbol of Sacrifice: Blood is often used in biblical stories as a symbol of sacrifice – offering something precious to appease a deity or to cleanse something impure. In this case, David’s blood is spilled, representing a sacrifice to God for his people's safety. Divine Justice and Protection: God is intervening to protect his people from harm. The spilling of blood suggests that God is actively intervening to ensure the Israelites’ survival. Important Note: It’s important to remember this verse is from a very old text (the Old Testament) and often interpreted symbolically. --- To help me explain it even better, could you tell me: What are you hoping to understand about this verse? (e.g., its historical significance, its symbolic meaning?)