Definition: And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Samuel 15:15. It’s a really important passage about David and his mission as king. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, David is saying that the Israelites (and therefore God) are safe because he’s leaving the land of Israel. Here's a more detailed explanation: “And Saul said…” : This refers to King Saul, who was David’s rival and had been plotting against him. He was feeling insecure about David’s power. “…They have brought them from the Amalekites…” : The Amaleks were an ethnic group that lived south of Israel and were known for being enemies of the Israelites. David’s army had defeated them in a previous battle. “…for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen…” : This is where it gets interesting. The Israelites didn't all die. They were given a choice: they could sacrifice their animals (sheep and oxen) to God as an offering. They chose to do this, even though they were in danger. This shows that they valued God’s presence more than their own safety. “…to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God…” : This means they were going to offer these sacrifices to God – essentially a prayer and dedication of gratitude. "...and the rest we have utterly destroyed." : This is the crucial part. David's army completely destroyed all the Amalekites. This signifies that David was determined to protect his people and show God’s power. The overall message: David is essentially saying, "I'm leaving this land so you can live in peace and safety with God." It's a powerful statement of faith and obedience. Why is this important? This verse is often seen as the reason why David eventually became King of Israel. It demonstrates that he prioritized God’s will above his own desire for power, ultimately leading to his success and blessing the nation. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Discuss its significance in a broader context (like David's reign)?