Definition: In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, [and reigned] forty and one years.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a bit about wealth and power – here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that after a long period of time, Israel (specifically, the kingdom under King David) started to become wealthier and more powerful. It describes a shift in leadership and a significant increase in resources for the king, Jeroboam. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “In the fifteenth year…” : This tells us this happened during a specific time – fifteen years ago. “Amaziah the son of Joash…” : This is a name – Amaziah was a king of Judah (part of Israel). He was the son of Joash, who was a king of Judah before him. “…king of Israel…” : Later, Jeroboam became king of Israel, which means he ruled over the entire kingdom of Israel. “began to reign in Samaria…” : Samaria is an important city-state in Israel. This means Amaziah started ruling there. “[and reigned] forty and one years.” : He reigned for a period of 40 and one years – which is about 41 years! What does it tell us about the relationship between the kingdoms? This verse suggests that after a time, Israel’s wealth and power began to grow. Amaziah's reign was significant because he became king in a place with a lot of resources - Samaria. It hints at a growing divide and potential tension between the two kingdoms (Israel and Judah) as they both started accumulating wealth. Important Note: The Bible often deals with complex situations. This verse is about a shift in leadership and wealth, but it doesn't necessarily explain why things changed that dramatically. It’s more about the fact of the change. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this verse within the context of biblical history? Answer any specific questions you have about it?