Definition: And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as [the heart of] one man; so that they sent [this word] unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Samuel 19:14. It’s a really important part of understanding a difficult situation in ancient Israel. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes a moment of intense grief and despair when the people of Judah – a group of tribes within Israel – were deeply upset about a terrible event. They were so distraught that they essentially begged the king to send a message back to him, demanding he return and their servants. Let’s unpack it: “And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah…” : This is key. The word "bowed" means to bend down or lower one's head. It suggests a profound shift in emotion – a complete lowering of their spirit. The entire community was feeling incredibly sad and remorseful. “…even as [the heart of] one man…” : This is where it gets powerful. The verse says that every single person in Judah felt this way, to the point where they were thinking about one specific person – a leader or a prominent figure – and their feelings were mirrored in that individual’s heart. It's like everyone was experiencing the same overwhelming sadness. “…so that they sent [this word] unto the king…” : This is what they were desperately pleading for. They weren’t just feeling sad; they were actively sending a message – a request, a command – to the king. "...Return thou, and all thy servants." : This is the crucial part. They were asking the king to send back their people, including their servants (people who worked for the king). They were begging him to take action to stop what had happened. What’s the significance? This verse paints a picture of immense suffering and collective guilt. It highlights: A terrible tragedy: The verse comes after a significant event that caused deep pain and loss (we don't know exactly what it was, but it’s clearly devastating). Collective Guilt: It shows the community was holding each other responsible for this sorrow. Their shared grief created a powerful sense of shame and burden. In short, it's a story about overwhelming sadness, collective remorse, and a desperate plea for help from the king. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse in 2 Samuel? Discuss the context of this event (e.g., why was Judah experiencing this level of grief)? Talk about the symbolism behind the image of a bowed heart?