Definition: So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O [thou] man of God, [there is] death in the pot. And they could not eat [thereof].
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse together. It’s a really important and sobering passage from the Bible. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: This verse comes from the Book of 2 Kings, which tells us about the aftermath of a terrible tragedy involving King Hezekiah and his family. Here’s the gist: A Messy Situation: The men were eating a stew (a type of porridge) when they discovered something horrifying – death. The Cry Out: They cried out in distress, "O God, man of God, there is death in this!" They were clearly terrified and pleading with God to help. The Discovery: The stew was poisoned! Someone had deliberately added a deadly substance to it. What’s Happening – A Moral Warning: This verse isn't just about a bad meal; it’s a powerful message about the dangers of deception and the importance of trusting God. Here’s what it’s saying: God is Watching: The men were seeking God, pleading with him. This shows they were aware that something was wrong. The Devil's Trickery: The verse suggests that evil people (likely the Devil or his agents) are trying to trick people into believing something bad when it isn’t true. They are using deceit and poison to cause suffering. Trusting in God is Crucial: The men were so distraught by the discovery that they couldn't even eat the stew – they were overwhelmed with fear and a lack of trust in God's protection. This highlights how easily we can be fooled or misled when we don’t trust in God’s truth and guidance. In short, it’s a warning to stay vigilant against deception and always rely on God's word and protection. --- Do you want me to: Explain the context of this verse within the larger story? Discuss what this verse might symbolize in general (like temptation or evil)?