Definition: For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 15:14. It's a pretty dramatic and important passage about a violent event in ancient Israel. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: Menahem is the main character. He was a man named Menahem who lived in Tirzah, a city near Jerusalem. He travels to Samaria: Samaria was a large city in southern Israel, and it was under the rule of Shallum. He kills Shallum: Menahem went to Samaria and killed Shallum, the king of Samaria. He then takes over as king: After killing Shallum, Menahem became the new king of Samaria. Let's unpack it a little further: “For Menahem the son of Gadi…” – This tells us who Menahem was. “Gadi” is a specific name, and "son of" means he was born from his father’s lineage. “…went up from Tirzah…” – Tirzah was a city that was probably important to the people of Israel at the time. It’s where Menahem came from. "...came to Samaria..." - Samaria was the capital of the kingdom of Israel. "...and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh…” – “Smote” means to kill or severely punish someone. “Shallum” was the king’s name. "The son of Jabesh" refers to a specific family member of the king. "...in his stead." - This is the key part! Menahem became the new king, and he replaced Shallum as ruler. What's the Significance? This verse describes a violent act – a killing. It highlights several things: Conflict: The story shows that conflict was brewing between different groups in Israel. Leadership: It illustrates the power of leadership and how it can be used to resolve disputes (though this one is a very serious example). Justice/Punishment: The verse implies that there was a need for punishment, and Menahem acted decisively. Important Note: This story is part of a larger narrative in the Bible about God’s judgment on Israel's leaders and the kingdom. It’s often seen as a reminder of God’s justice and a consequence for disobedience. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from this passage? Discuss the historical context of this event? Connect it to other stories in the Bible?