Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 15:21. It’s a really important passage about repentance and seeking forgiveness. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us that after a big problem or disaster – likely involving a bad harvest or a wrong decision – the people of Israel (and specifically, Samuel) are allowing some of their valuable possessions – sheep and oxen – to be offered as a sacrifice to God. Let’s unpack it: “But the people took…” : This means that the people were willingly giving away their goods. They weren't just letting them fall into someone else’s hands; they were actively participating in the sacrifice. “…of the spoil, sheep and oxen…” : They were taking things – animals – that were meant to be completely destroyed as a sign of respect and devotion to God. Think of it like a ritual offering. “the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed…” : This is a key part. The verse specifically mentions “the chief things” - meaning the most important or valuable possessions. It's not just any thing they were giving away, but things that were meant to be completely abandoned. “…to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.” : This is where it gets really significant. “Gilgal” was a place in Israel – a small town – that was chosen as the location for this offering. They were physically bringing the animals and things to be destroyed to be offered to God in that specific place. What’s the point? The verse is essentially saying: “We're acknowledging our mistakes and taking responsibility for them.” It’s a powerful message about turning away from wrong behavior and seeking forgiveness. It’s not just about not doing something bad, but about acknowledging it and offering a sign of repentance. Why is this important? This story is part of a larger pattern in the Bible – it's about a time when Israel was experiencing a period of trouble (perhaps due to a bad king or a wrong decision). God sent Samuel to remind them that they needed to repent and return to Him, demonstrating their commitment to follow His will. In short: The verse is saying, "We need to show God we're sorry for our past mistakes by giving away what was meant to be completely destroyed." --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect this story to another Bible passage?