Definition: And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 21:19. Itās a really important and somewhat surprising passage about King David. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: David was very sick and dying. He had a serious illness that made him very weak and painful. His people were grieving, and they were worried about burning him (meaning putting him to death). What the Verse Says: āAnd it came to pass that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases.ā āIn process of timeā : This means gradually over a period of time. It wasnāt an instant death. āHis bowels fell outā : This is a bit figurative, but it means David's body started to decay and his insides (his digestive system) began to break down. Think of it like the intestines starting to empty out. āBy reason of his sicknessā : This explains why it happened ā because of his illness. āSo he died of sore diseasesā : This is a general way of saying that he passed away from a painful and debilitating illness. What the Verse Says About the People: "And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.ā This is where it gets interesting. The verse says the people didn't burn Davidās body. Hereās what that means: āBurningā : Burning was a very serious and often brutal punishment in ancient times. It meant a complete destruction of a person's body ā their flesh and bones were destroyed. āLike the burning of his fathersā : This is a powerful metaphor. It suggests that the people werenāt burning David because they respected him, feared him, or admired him. They weren't trying to inflict a terrible punishment. Instead, they were offering prayers for comfort and remembrance. What It Means ā The Bigger Picture: This verse is a bit of an anomaly in biblical history. It suggests that David wasnāt seen as a threat to God. He was a beloved king who was very close to God. The people didn't want to inflict such a severe punishment, which implies a deep respect and affection for him. In short: King David died peacefully of a painful illness, and the people showed their love and respect for him by not burning his body. Itās a reminder that even in death, people can be remembered with care and reverence. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the historical context (like when this passage was written)? Explore what this verse might teach us about faith and remembrance?