1 Samuel 15 21

1 Samuel 15:21 kjv

But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

1 Samuel 15:21 nkjv

But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal."

1 Samuel 15:21 niv

The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."

1 Samuel 15:21 esv

But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal."

1 Samuel 15:21 nlt

Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal."

1 Samuel 15 verses

1 Samuel 15 21 Meaning

This verse recounts how the Israelites, at Saul's implicit command, took the choicest of the captured animals (sheep and oxen) from the Amalekites, claiming their intent was to sacrifice them to the Lord at Gilgal. This act was in direct defiance of God's clear command through Samuel to utterly destroy (devote to destruction, cherem) everything belonging to the Amalekites. It highlights Saul's attempt to shift blame to the people and the grave error of believing a religious act can compensate for disobedience.

1 Samuel 15 21 Context

This verse is set in 1 Samuel chapter 15, a pivotal narrative illustrating King Saul's disobedience and God's subsequent rejection of him as king. The preceding verses (1 Sam 15:1-3) record God's clear, uncompromising command through Samuel to Saul: "Go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey." This command for cherem (utter devotion to destruction) was God's judgment against the Amalekites for their unprovoked attack on Israel during the Exodus (Exo 17:8-16, Deut 25:17-19).

Despite this unambiguous instruction, Saul and "the people" spared Agag, the Amalekite king, and "the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fat animals and the lambs, and all that was good" (1 Sam 15:9). Verse 21 then presents Saul's flimsy justification for this disobedience, blaming the people and claiming pious intentions. This partial obedience demonstrates Saul's failure to fear God supremely and highlights his preference for human approval or personal gain. Gilgal, the stated location for these sacrifices, holds significance as the place where Saul was confirmed king and also where he had previously acted presumptuously by offering a sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel (1 Sam 13).

1 Samuel 15 21 Word analysis

• But: (Hebrew: וְאָלָה, v'alah - often conjunction "and," here acts as a strong contrast or opposition to the previous instruction). It signals a turning point or a divergence from the divine command. This 'but' underscores the rebellion, contrasting what was commanded with what was done.
• the people: (Hebrew: הָעָם, ha'am). Saul consistently attempts to deflect personal responsibility onto the Israelite populace, suggesting it was their initiative rather than his as the king and commander. This phrase is a subtle hint at his leadership failure and moral cowardice.
• took: (Hebrew: לָקַח, lakach - "to take," "to seize," "to acquire"). This action was deliberate and contrary to the instruction for cherem. It implies a conscious act of acquisition where utter destruction was commanded.
• of the spoil: (Hebrew: מִשָּׁלָל, mi-shalal - "from the spoil," "from the plunder"). This was material gain, tempting them to disregard the cherem. It represents resources that were divinely proscribed from use.
• sheep and oxen: (Hebrew: צֹאן, tzon and בָּקָר, bakar). Specific mention of livestock, which were valuable commodities and explicitly included in the cherem command for destruction.
• the best: (Hebrew: מֵיטָב, meitab - "the choicest," "the finest," "the prime"). This detail emphasizes that they intentionally selected the most desirable and valuable items, not merely an oversight. It reflects an covetous act disguised as piety.
• of the things devoted to destruction: (Hebrew: הַחֶרֶם, ha-cherem - "the devoted thing," "the banned thing," "the consecrated thing set apart for destruction"). This is a critical theological term. Cherem means something totally given over to God, typically by destroying it because it is either unclean, defiling, or meant as judgment. To take from cherem was sacrilege, a violation of God's holiness. It indicated an unwillingness to fully relinquish control to God's will.
• to sacrifice: (Hebrew: לִזְבֹּחַ, lizboach - "to slaughter for sacrifice," "to offer"). This outwardly pious intention serves as the justification, but it is deeply flawed. They intended to worship God with what was already His in a destructive sense, and through a disobedient act.
• to the LORD: (Hebrew: לַיהוָה, la-Yahweh). Identifying the divine recipient of the intended sacrifices. This makes the offense graver—professing devotion to God while directly disobeying His clear word.
• your God: (Hebrew: אֱלֹהֶיךָ, eloheycha - "your God"). Saul's way of addressing Samuel, implicitly acknowledging God as Samuel's (and Israel's) God, yet simultaneously demonstrating his own practical rebellion against Him. It points to a covenant relationship being violated.
• in Gilgal: (Hebrew: בַּגִּלְגָּל, bagilgal - "in Gilgal"). A place of spiritual significance to Israel (circumcision, renewal of covenant) and to Saul (his first major act of disobedience, and confirmation as king). Its mention highlights a recurring pattern of spiritual failure in a significant holy place.

1 Samuel 15 21 Bonus section

• The Problem of Partial Obedience: Saul's actions exemplify "partial obedience," which is, in essence, complete disobedience. He followed God's command in part (attacking Amalek) but then picked and chose which parts he would follow (sparing Agag and the best spoil). God requires total surrender to His will.
• Misconception of Sacrifice: The people, likely influenced by Saul, viewed sacrifice as a transactional act to appease God, rather than an expression of a truly obedient and worshipful heart. They believed bringing a costly offering could substitute for uncompromising faithfulness.
• Human Tendency to Justify Sin: This verse is a timeless example of humanity's inclination to rationalize sinful choices by attributing them to a 'higher' purpose or deflecting blame onto others. Saul feared the people's disapproval more than God's judgment, revealing misplaced fear.

1 Samuel 15 21 Commentary

1 Samuel 15:21 perfectly illustrates the fundamental conflict between outward religious observance and true heart obedience. Saul, through his defensive statement, attempts to rationalize the violation of God's cherem command by claiming the choicest animals were spared for sacrifice to the Lord. This excuse reveals a profound misunderstanding of God's nature and demands. God desires wholehearted submission to His explicit will far more than ritualistic offerings made in disobedience. An act of worship, no matter how outwardly grand or well-intentioned, is an abomination when it originates from a place of direct defiance against divine instruction. This verse is a crucial lead-up to Samuel's iconic declaration that "to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams" (1 Sam 15:22). It underscores that human wisdom, convenience, or even misguided piety can never override God's specific commands.