Definition: And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which [was] in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 2 Kings 23:11. It’s a really dramatic and significant verse that describes a terrible event. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: This verse tells us about the aftermath of King David’s death and the subsequent chaos in Judah after his demise. Basically, a group of kings from Judah (a tribe of Israel) gave a large quantity of horses to the temple – specifically, to the royal palace – as a gift to God. They were hoping for a blessing or favor from the Lord. What Happened Next: The Fire: A massive fire was set ablaze! It wasn’t just a small spark; it was a huge, intense blaze that consumed all of those horses. The Horses Burned: The fire completely destroyed the horses. The Kings Are Furious: The kings of Judah, who were responsible for the horses, are incredibly angry and distraught. They're blaming each other. What Does It Mean? This is a very powerful message about: Loss and Grief: It speaks to the deep pain and grief that can come from losing someone you love – in this case, David. Divine Justice: The burning of the horses symbolizes divine justice being served. God is punishing those who were foolish enough to give gifts to him without reverence or proper regard. The Importance of Obedience: It highlights the importance of obedience to God's laws and commands. Giving gifts to the Lord, especially to the temple, was a sacred act that required respect and humility. In short, it’s a story about a king's anger, a divine punishment for greed, and a reminder that God is watching over his people. Important Note: This passage is part of a larger narrative of conflict and upheaval in the Bible. It’s important to read these verses within their context alongside other biblical stories to fully understand their meaning. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific aspect of the verse in more detail? Provide some background on the time period this passage comes from? Offer a different perspective on the message of the verse?