Definition: And [so] return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 8:48. It’s a really important and significant passage about returning to God and restoring something precious. Here's a simple explanation: The Core Idea: This verse is essentially saying, “We need to go back to God and reconnect with Him, and we need to do it in a way that honors what He gave us.” Let’s break it down word by word: “And [so] return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul…” – This means "Return to Him with your entire being." It's not just a simple visit; it suggests a deep commitment and a complete surrender. “With all their heart” is the most important part - it’s about genuine devotion. “With all their soul” emphasizes the spiritual intensity of this return. “…in the land of their enemies…” – This is where it gets interesting. “Land of their enemies” means a place where they are being treated unfairly, perhaps by a foreign power or someone who doesn’t respect God's laws. “…which led them away captive…” - This is the cause of the problem. The people were being allowed to stray from God's guidance and rules. They weren’t listening to His voice. “…and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen…” – This is where it gets really important. “Pray unto Thee” means to humbly ask for God's help and guidance. “Their land” refers to the land that God chose for them. "Thou gavest unto their fathers" means He gave this land to their ancestors. "The city which thou hast chosen" - This is a very powerful statement – it suggests that God has given this land specifically to His people, and that He has chosen this place for them as a special home. "...and the house which I have built for thy name:" - “The house which I have built” refers to the temple or shrine dedicated to God. "For thy name" is a direct expression of reverence and devotion – it’s a way of saying, "I am devoted to you." Putting it all together: This verse is essentially a plea for repentance and restoration. It says: “We need to go back to God with our entire being, acknowledging that we have strayed from His path and are now seeking Him again. We need to reconnect with what He has given us - this land – and show our devotion by praying to Him.” Why is it important? This passage highlights the importance of: Reverence: Showing deep respect for God. Submission: Listening to His guidance and obeying His laws. Restoration: Seeking to return to a righteous path, which was lost through disobedience. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Give an example of how this verse might be used in a story or situation?