Definition: But his father and his mother knew not that it [was] of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse together. It’s a really important part of understanding how God worked in ancient times. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse tells us about a man named “his father and his mother” who were involved in a plan to make trouble for the Israelites – basically, to cause them hardship. They weren’t worshipping God; they were trying to provoke a fight between the Philistines (a group of people living near Israel) and the Israelites. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “But his father and his mother knew not that it [was] of the LORD…” This is key. It means these men weren’t truly worshipping God or believing in His plan. They were focused on their own plans, possibly seeking to gain an advantage or power. They didn't understand the true purpose of God's actions. “…that he sought an occasion against the Philistines…” This is what they were doing – they were deliberately trying to create a problem for the Israelites. They were actively seeking a reason to fight. “For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.” This tells us who was causing the trouble. The Philistines were powerful and controlling, ruling over the Israelites at that moment. In short: This verse describes a situation where people were deliberately trying to cause problems for the Israelites because they weren't following God’s will or believing in His plan. It highlights the importance of not seeking to upset God and instead focusing on pleasing Him. Why is this important? This story shows us that humans can sometimes be misguided and try to disrupt the peace, even if it means causing harm to others. It's a reminder to always consider the bigger picture – whether it’s from a religious perspective or a moral one – and to strive for good over evil. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about the time period this verse came from? Discuss why this story is significant in biblical history?