Definition: Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 5:3. It’s a really interesting and somewhat dramatic passage that speaks to a significant moment in King David’s life. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: David was leading battles: In the story, David was actively fighting and commanding armies on the borders of Israel. He was constantly defending his kingdom against enemies. He couldn’t finish a temple: David wanted to build a temple for God – a place where people could worship and offer sacrifices. However, he struggled with this for many years. It was incredibly difficult to construct a large structure like that. God intervened: Suddenly, God appeared to David and said something very special would happen. What the Verse Says - A Bit of a Metaphor: The verse says: “Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.” Let’s unpack it: “Thou knowest how…” – This is a formal way of saying “I am aware of.” “…that David my father…” - This refers to King David himself. It's about something he did in the past. "...could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God..." - He was struggling to build a temple for God, and it was taking too long. "...for the wars which were about him on every side…” – This is the key part. David was constantly fighting in battle, defending Israel from enemies around the country. It was a relentless, ongoing struggle. "...until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet." - This is the most striking part. The Lord (God) directly stopped him from completing the construction. It’s not just that he didn't finish; God actively held back his efforts, causing the temple to be completely blocked and unusable. What it Means – A Larger Picture: This verse is a powerful example of God's sovereignty and His ability to intervene in human affairs. It shows: God’s Control: It highlights that God isn't just watching from afar; He actively influences events, even when people struggle or are failing. God's Purpose: It suggests that God has a plan for things, even if those plans seem difficult to achieve in the short term. He’s not letting David fail – He’s using his struggles to lead him closer to fulfilling His purpose. Divine Intervention: It emphasizes that God doesn’t always give us what we want; sometimes, He moves in a way that’s unexpected and challenging. In essence, this verse is about a moment of profound difficulty for David and a demonstration of God's power to protect and guide his people. --- Do you have any specific questions about this passage that I can answer? For example: Are you curious about the historical context (when did this happen)? Would you like me to explain a particular aspect of the verse in more detail?