Definition: Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which [is] Zion.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 5:2. It’s a really significant moment in the story of building the First Temple in Jerusalem! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a big gathering of people to bring something incredibly important – the Ark of the Covenant – out of the city of David’s new home, Zion. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Then Solomon assembled…” : This means Solomon, the king of Israel, was leading this group together. He was a wise and thoughtful leader. “…the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes…” : This is a huge group – basically all the leaders from different groups within Israel. It included people like the chiefs and representatives from each tribe (like the twelve tribes). “…unto Jerusalem…” : They were going back to the city where David built his palace, which was in the area that would eventually become Jerusalem. It's a return to their ancestral home. “…to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which [is] Zion.” : This is the really important part. The “ark of the covenant” is a sacred box that held the Ten Commandments tablets – a very important piece of Jewish history and faith. “Zion” refers to Jerusalem, the holy city for Jews. Solomon was telling them to bring this ark out of the city of David’s new home, Zion – meaning the area where he built his palace. In short, it's about returning a sacred object – the Ark of the Covenant – to its rightful place in Jerusalem. Why is this important? This event was crucial for establishing the foundation of the First Temple. It marked a turning point in Jewish history and established the location where they would worship God most intensely. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about the time period this happened in? Or perhaps delve deeper into the meaning of the Ark of the Covenant?