Definition: Tell [it] not in Gath, publish [it] not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 1:20. It’s a really important and slightly tricky passage about protecting God's people. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse is telling us to keep a secret – a very sensitive and valuable secret – that shouldn't be shared with anyone who isn’t meant to know it. Let’s unpack the parts: “Tell it not in Gath…” – “Gath” was a city in Philistine territory, a place known for being a bit…unstable and filled with pride. So, this means don't tell this secret to anyone in that area . It’s deliberately hidden from the people who live there. “Publish it not in the streets of Askelon…” – “Askelon” was another city in Philistine territory. This reinforces the idea that this secret shouldn’t be revealed publicly or openly. “…lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice…” - This is the key part. "Daughters of the Philistines" refers to women from the tribe of Benjamin, who were known for being proud and boastful. The verse warns that if this secret were revealed, it could cause them to become happy or triumphant (meaning they would feel better about themselves). “…lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.” – “Uncircumcised” means people who weren’t circumcised as part of Jewish law. This emphasizes that this secret is important because it's a challenge to those who are not Jewish. It’s a threat to their pride and power. In short, the verse is a warning against sharing a significant and potentially dangerous secret – one that could cause problems or threaten the people God has chosen to protect. It highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable groups and guarding important truths. Why is this passage significant? This verse often gets misinterpreted as a warning about not telling anyone about Israel's future, which is true. However, it’s more nuanced. It’s about protecting this specific secret from being revealed to those who might be envious or try to undermine God's people. Do you want me to: Explain the context of this verse in a bit more detail? Discuss what kind of secrets this verse is typically associated with in the Bible?