Divine intervention is when the gods do something 'against the rules' to help someone. I'm not sure what book you're talking about but a regular example would be if someone prayed while someone else was banging on the doors and the doors magically turned to stone
Divine intervention refers to instances in which a God interferes in a mortal's life in order to bring him some benefit. The idea of divine intervention carries a connotation of not being allowed according to divine rules.
In <em>The Odyssey</em>, there are many examples of Athena interfering with the characters in order to help them. Athena helps Odysseus during the shipwreck in Book 5 and in the battle of Book 22. She also intervenes by sending Telemachus to Pylos and Sparta, and by appearing to Penelope in dreams.
