Definition: And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Samuel 15:33. It’s a really significant passage about forgiveness and turning away from sin. Here's what it means in plain language: Basically, Samuel is telling God that he needs to completely cut off the source of his people’s problems. Let’s unpack each part: “As thy sword hath made women childless…” – This refers to a time when Israel was plagued by famine and hardship. Samuel was essentially saying that because he had been so focused on punishing sin and leading the Israelites, God had made it impossible for them to have children – meaning, they couldn’t prosper or continue their way. "...so shall thy mother be childless among women." – This is the core of the verse. It means that Israel would become completely barren – no more births, no more families – because of their disobedience and the consequences of their actions. “And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD…” – This is a very powerful phrase. "Hewed" means to cut or break something with an axe. “Agag” was a leader of a tribe of Ishmael, who was known for being a violent and rebellious person. Samuel is saying that he deliberately and decisively broke Agag in pieces before God. This symbolizes the complete destruction of Israel's ability to produce children and flourish. So, what’s the big takeaway? This verse is about atonement and forgiveness. Samuel is pleading with God to forgive Israel for their sins and to allow them to move on from their problems. It's a request for God to completely remove the cause of their suffering. Why was this important in the Bible? It’s a crucial part of the Old Testament narrative surrounding the Israelites' exile in Babylon. It shows God’s willingness to forgive even the most rebellious and wicked people when they are truly repentant and willing to turn away from sin. It highlights God's mercy and desire for reconciliation. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail? Explore its significance within the larger story of Israel’s history?