1 Samuel 15:21

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.

But the people {H5971} took {H3947} of the spoil {H7998}, sheep {H6629} and oxen {H1241}, the chief {H7225} of the things which should have been utterly destroyed {H2764}, to sacrifice {H2076} unto the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} in Gilgal {H1537}.

But the people took some of the spoil, the best of the sheep and cattle set aside for destruction, to sacrifice to ADONAI your God in Gilgal."

The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.”

But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice unto Jehovah thy God in Gilgal.

Commentary

1 Samuel 15:21 captures a critical moment in King Saul's reign, revealing his and the people's partial obedience to God's explicit command concerning the Amalekites. This verse is central to understanding Saul's eventual rejection as king.

Context

God, through the prophet Samuel, had commanded King Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites—men, women, children, and all their livestock—as a judgment for their historical hostility towards Israel (see 1 Samuel 15:3). This was a divine decree known as cherem (Hebrew: חרם), meaning devotion to destruction, where spoils were to be completely consecrated to God by being wiped out, not taken for personal gain or even sacrifice. However, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen, ostensibly for sacrifice.

The setting for this intended sacrifice, Gilgal, was a significant historical site for Israel, where they had first encamped after crossing the Jordan and renewed their covenant with God (Joshua 5:9). This adds a layer of irony, as a place of covenant renewal becomes the scene of disobedience.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Partial Obedience is Disobedience: The verse highlights that taking "the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed" is not obedience, but a clear violation of God's precise instructions. God demands complete and unwavering obedience, not a selective fulfillment of His will.
  • Rationalization of Sin: The stated purpose of taking the spoil—"to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God"—reveals an attempt to justify disobedience under the guise of piety. This demonstrates a common human tendency to rationalize sin by framing it as a good or even religious act.
  • God's Priority: Obedience Over Sacrifice: This incident sets the stage for Samuel's famous rebuke in the following verses, where he declares that "to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22). God values a heart of obedience more than outward religious rituals or offerings.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Saul's failure to fully obey in this matter leads directly to his rejection as king by God (1 Samuel 15:23), underscoring the serious implications of defying divine commands.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "utterly destroyed" translates the Hebrew word ḥerem (חרם), which denotes something consecrated to God for destruction. It signifies a complete separation from common use and a dedication to God, often through total annihilation. For the Amalekites, this meant their very existence and possessions were under divine judgment, not to be plundered or repurposed by Israel.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder that:

  • God desires wholehearted obedience: We cannot pick and choose which of God's commands to follow or attempt to improve upon them with our own ideas, no matter how "good" they may seem.
  • Beware of rationalizing sin: It's easy to justify our shortcomings or disobedience by claiming good intentions or religious motives. True faith seeks to align entirely with God's revealed will.
  • Our actions have consequences: Disobedience to God, even when seemingly minor or well-intentioned, can have significant and far-reaching spiritual repercussions in our lives.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 15:15 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 32:22 (3 votes)

    And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they [are set] on mischief.

  • Exodus 32:23 (3 votes)

    For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for [as for] this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

  • Genesis 3:13 (2 votes)

    And the LORD God said unto the woman, What [is] this [that] thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.