Definition: Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse! It's a really interesting and somewhat mysterious passage from the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: This verse tells us about a very unusual period of time – a full month – that Shallum the son of Jabesh reigned in Samaria. Let’s unpack each part: “Shallum the son of Jabesh…” : This is a name, and it's important. It refers to a specific man named Shallum. “…began to reign…” : He started ruling. “…in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah…” : This tells us who he was reigning under. Uzziah was a king of Judah, a region in Israel. This is a long time ago – the 9th and 30th years are significant because they're the longest periods of Uzziah’s reign. “…and he reigned a full month…” : This is the really strange part! He ruled for exactly one month . It's like a very long, unusual rule. “…in Samaria.” : He was ruling in the city of Samaria – a major center of power and wealth in Judah. So, what’s the big picture? This verse is about a king who unexpectedly took over power during a really long period of time, starting in the reign of Uzziah and lasting for just one month. It's a bit unusual and raises questions – why did he do this? Possible Interpretations (These are just theories, and different people have different ideas): Divine Providence: Some believe it’s a sign that God is involved in the affairs of nations and that He chose to intervene in a particular time. A Test or Challenge: It could be seen as a test for Uzziah's leadership or perhaps even a challenge to his authority. Unexpected Shift in Power: It suggests a significant shift in power dynamics, where someone unexpectedly rose to prominence. Important Note: This is a very old passage, and its meaning has been debated by scholars for centuries. It’s not always straightforward – it's full of symbolism! --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the context of this verse in more detail? Explore a specific interpretation of this passage?