Definition: And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish [it in] the house of their idols, and among the people.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 31:9. It’s a pretty dramatic passage about a betrayal! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse describes a violent act – King David is being brutally attacked and killed. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And they cut off his head…” This means David was murdered. He was deliberately shot or stabbed. “…and stripped off his armour…” David’s armor, which symbolized his power and leadership, was taken away. It meant he was vulnerable and exposed. “…and sent into the land of the Philistines round about…” The Philistines were a group of people who lived in the area around modern-day Israel. David was banished to this region – essentially exiled from his kingdom. “Round about” means he was sent towards them, implying a deliberate move away from home. “…to publish [it] in the house of their idols…” This is the key part. He was instructed to tell everyone about the story of David’s sin – that he had broken God’s laws by marrying Bathsheba and having children with her. “Publish it” means to tell it widely, perhaps through a message or a public announcement. “…and among the people.” He was tasked with revealing this truth to the wider population of Israel. What's the overall meaning? This verse is a story about betrayal and consequence. David’s actions were seen as a major offense against God, leading to his downfall. It highlights themes of: Disobedience: David broke God’s laws by marrying Bathsheba. Violence: The act of killing him was violent and shocking. Consequences: David's actions had serious consequences for both him and the kingdom. It’s a powerful example of how even seemingly small transgressions can have huge repercussions. --- Do you want to explore any aspect of this verse in more detail? For example, we could talk about: The context of the story (David's life before his betrayal) What the Philistines were like and why they were important The significance of the phrase “publish it”