Definition: And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, [and] hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 5:17. It's a really interesting and symbolic piece of Old Testament history! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes King David building a magnificent temple for God – the very first temple in Jerusalem. He wasn’t just building a regular house; he was constructing a special one, a place of worship and connection with God. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the king commanded…” This tells us that David was in charge and making a decision. “…and they brought great stones, costly stones…” This means he commissioned the construction of massive , heavy stones. "Costly" implies they were significant investments – perhaps representing a large amount of money or effort. “[and] hewed stones…” This is a bit more figurative. "Hewed" suggests that these stones were carefully shaped and crafted, almost as if they were being molded by skilled hands. So, what’s the big picture? David was building this temple to be a place where God could dwell with his people. It wasn't just about a beautiful structure; it was a symbol of David’s devotion and a testament to God’s presence in Israel. It’s important to note: This is a symbolic event, not necessarily a literal building of a physical temple. The stones were meant to represent the grandeur and importance of this place of worship. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or theme in the Bible? Provide context for why this event was significant at the time?