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Book of 1 Chronicles - Chapter 5 - Verse 26

5:26
And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

Meaning

This verse from the Book of Chronicles describes how the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of the kings of Assyria to carry away the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh to various locations. This event took place in ancient times and serves as a reminder of the consequences that the tribes of Israel faced when they turned away from God. The Assyrian kings acted as instruments of God's judgment, removing these tribes from their land and scattering them to different regions. The mention of specific places such as Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river Gozan highlights the extent of their displacement. This verse serves to illustrate the historical context of the Israelites' exile and serves as a lesson about the importance of remaining faithful to God in order to avoid his divine intervention.

Theological Overview

This verse from 1 Chronicles 5:26 describes how the God of Israel allowed the kings of Assyria to conquer and carry away the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights God's role in using foreign nations as a means of bringing judgment upon His people for their disobedience and idolatry. The use of the phrase "stirred up the spirit" suggests that God influenced the hearts and minds of these Assyrian kings to carry out His divine plan. The word study of "stirred up" reveals a sense of agitation and movement, indicating that God actively worked to achieve His purposes through the actions of these kings. The locations mentioned in the verse - Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river Gozan - were areas within the Assyrian empire where the Israelites were exiled. This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of remaining faithful to His commands.

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