Definition: And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 28:20. It’s a really important and somewhat mysterious passage in the Bible. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where a powerful ruler – Tilgathpilneser, who was the king of Assyria – came into contact with King David and became worried about him. However, the verse doesn’t say Tilgathpilneser helped or supported David. Instead, he simply distressed him. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “2 Chronicles 28:20” : This is a specific passage from the Book of Chronicles in the Bible. It’s a significant event within the history of ancient Israel and Judah. “And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria” : This identifies the person involved – King Tilgathpilneser, who lived in Assyria, a powerful empire in the East. He was known for being a harsh and often troublesome ruler. “came unto him” : This means he traveled to David’s court or his kingdom. “and distressed him” : This is the key part. The verse describes Tilgathpilneser feeling uneasy, worried, and perhaps even angry about David’s rise in power. “but strengthened him not” : This is the crucial part – he didn't help or support David . It suggests that Tilgathpilneser was actively hindering David’s progress. What does this all mean? It paints a picture of a powerful, potentially hostile ruler who deliberately tried to undermine a rising leader. It’s often interpreted as a sign of the impending doom of Israel under David's reign. It suggests that Tilgathpilneser was trying to cause chaos and instability in the region. Why is this important? This verse is significant because it’s part of a larger story about the rise of David and the potential for conflict between empires. It foreshadows a period of turmoil and challenges that would ultimately lead to Israel's exile. --- In short, this verse tells us that King Tilgathpilneser was actively trying to make things difficult for David, and his actions were unsuccessful. Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse in more detail? Discuss its historical context? Connect it to other biblical stories?