Definition: And he said, Take the arrows. And he took [them]. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 13:18. It’s a really dramatic and unsettling passage about King Hezekiah of Judah and his response to a devastating attack on Jerusalem. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Situation: A Giant Army Attacks: A massive army, led by the giant Hanozzah, comes to attack Jerusalem. They’re incredibly powerful and seem unstoppable. Hezekiah Reacts: King Hezekiah of Judah, who was already in charge of Israel, is forced to react. He's essentially giving a command to take action. What the Verse Says – The Details: “Take the arrows.” This is key. Hezekiah’s soldiers are being instructed to take arrows. It doesn’t mean he’s taking physical arrows; it means he’s taking arrows of vengeance – powerful, destructive arrows meant to strike and defeat the enemy. “He took [them].” Hezekiah literally takes these arrows. “And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground.” This is where it gets serious. Hezekiah delivers a direct command: "Smote upon the ground." This means to inflict massive punishment – to strike the earth with fire and destruction. He’s telling the king to punish Jerusalem severely. “And he smote thrice, and stayed.” This is the most chilling part. Hezekiah orders the arrows to be fired three times , and then… they stopped . It's as if the arrows are magically neutralized or deflected by some unseen force. What it Means – The Significance: This verse is considered one of the most terrifying parts of the Old Testament, and it carries a very important message: Divine Justice: It shows that God’s justice is absolute. He will not tolerate evil and destruction. The Power of God: It highlights the incredible power of God to punish those who defy Him. A Warning: It's a warning against defiance and rebellion – because if you threaten God, you will face devastating consequences. In short, this verse describes a moment of extreme crisis where Hezekiah's response was a brutal punishment delivered with the chilling certainty of divine wrath. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage? Discuss the historical context (when and why did this happen)? Compare it to other stories involving divine judgment?