Definition: And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people [that were] present with him, about six hundred men.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Samuel 13:15. It’s a really important story about God’s protection and a crisis in Israel’s leadership. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: A Threat is Coming: God was worried about Saul, the king of Israel, because he was becoming increasingly ambitious and threatening to his own people. He feared that Saul might try to take over the throne. Samuel’s Action: Samuel, a trusted judge, had to act quickly. He grabbed someone – a man named Gilgal – up from Gibeah (a district near Jerusalem) and brought him to court. Counting the People: The next thing we learn is that Saul was counting all the people present in the crowd. He counted about 600 men. What Does it Mean? This verse tells us that God was sending a message to show how serious the situation was. It’s saying: "God knows about Saul's plans and is intervening to protect his people." The fact that Samuel had to bring someone up from Gibeah, and then count the crowd, suggests a significant event – something that needed to be addressed immediately. Why is this important? This story is often cited as an example of God’s providence – meaning He has a plan for things even when we don't understand them. It shows that God isn't just watching from afar; He actively intervenes to protect those who are vulnerable and in danger. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Tell you about the historical context of this story? Give you a more detailed explanation of what it might mean in terms of God’s plan?