Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” New Living Translation Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” English Standard Version But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” Berean Standard Bible 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.” Berean Literal Bible And the people took from the plunder sheep and oxen, the first part of the devoted thing, to sacrifice to YHWH your God in Gilgal.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” New American Standard Bible But the people took some of the spoils, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things designated for destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” NASB 1995 “But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” NASB 1977 “But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” Legacy Standard Bible But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God at Gilgal.” Amplified Bible But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things [that were] to be totally destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” Berean Annotated Bible 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 {YHWH Eloheka} at Gilgal (a wheel).” Christian Standard Bible The troops took sheep, goats, and cattle from the plunder—the best of what was set apart for destruction—to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” Holman Christian Standard Bible The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder—the best of what was set apart for destruction—to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” American Standard Version But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice unto Jehovah thy God in Gilgal. Contemporary English Version All the animals were going to be destroyed anyway. That's why the army brought the best sheep and cattle to Gilgal as sacrifices to the LORD your God." English Revised Version But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. GOD'S WORD® Translation The army took some of their belongings-the best sheep and cows were claimed for God-in order to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal." Good News Translation But my men did not kill the best sheep and cattle that they captured; instead, they brought them here to Gilgal to offer as a sacrifice to the LORD your God." International Standard Version The people took some of the spoil—sheep, cattle, and the best of what was to be completely destroyed—to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal." NET Bible But the army took from the plunder some of the sheep and cattle--the best of what was to be slaughtered--to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal." New Heart English Bible But the people took of the spoil, sheep and cattle, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal." Webster's Bible Translation But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD thy God in Gilgal. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe 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.” World English Bible But the people took of the plunder, sheep and cattle, the best of the devoted things, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God in Gilgal.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the people take of the spoil of the flock and herd, the first part of the devoted thing, for sacrifice to your God YHWH in Gilgal.” Berean Literal Bible And the people took from the plunder sheep and oxen, the first part of the devoted thing, to sacrifice to YHWH your God in Gilgal.” Young's Literal Translation and the people taketh of the spoil of the flock and herd, the first part of the devoted thing, for sacrifice to Jehovah thy God in Gilgal.' Smith's Literal Translation And the people will take from the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief devoted to sacrifice to Jehovah thy God in Gilgal. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut the people took of the spoils sheep and oxen, as the firstfruits of those things that were slain, to offer sacrifice to the Lord their God in Galgal. Catholic Public Domain Version But the people took some of the spoils, sheep and oxen, as the first-fruits of those things that were slain, to immolate to the Lord their God at Gilgal.” New American Bible But from the spoil the army took sheep and oxen, the best of what had been banned, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” New Revised Standard Version But from the spoil the people took sheep and cattle, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the people took from the spoil, the best sheep and bulls, devoted that they would sacrifice them to LORD JEHOVAH your God in Galgala!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.' Brenton Septuagint Translation But the people took of the spoils the best flocks and herds out of that which was destroyed, to sacrifice before the Lord our God in Galgal. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Samuel Denounces Saul…20“But I did obey the LORD,” Saul replied. “I went on the mission that the LORD gave me. I brought back Agag king of Amalek and devoted the Amalekites to destruction. 21The 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.” 22But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.… Cross References The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, 1 Samuel 30:20 And he took all the flocks and herds, which his men drove ahead of the other livestock, calling out, “This is David’s plunder!” Numbers 31:32-35 and this plunder remained from the spoils the soldiers had taken: 675,000 sheep, / 72,000 cattle, / 61,000 donkeys, … Deuteronomy 20:14 But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. the best of the things devoted to destruction, Joshua 6:18-19 But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it. / For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury.” Deuteronomy 13:15-17 you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock. / And you are to gather all its plunder in the middle of the public square, and completely burn the city and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. The city must remain a mound of ruins forever, never to be rebuilt. / Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands, so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger, grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as He swore to your fathers, Leviticus 27:28-29 Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. / No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death. in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God Exodus 10:25-26 But Moses replied, “You must also provide us with sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the LORD our God. / Even our livestock must go with us; not a hoof will be left behind, for we will need some of them to worship the LORD our God, and we will not know how we are to worship the LORD until we arrive.” Deuteronomy 16:2 You are to offer to the LORD your God the Passover sacrifice from the herd or flock in the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for His Name. Deuteronomy 12:5-7 Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you. at Gilgal.” 1 Samuel 10:8 And you shall go before me to Gilgal, and surely I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do.” 1 Samuel 11:14-15 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” / So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly. Joshua 5:9-10 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So that place has been called Gilgal to this day. / On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they kept the Passover. 1 Samuel 13:13-14 “You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. / But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 14:32-35 So they rushed greedily to the plunder, taking sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them on the ground and ate meat with the blood still in it. / Then someone reported to Saul: “Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.” “You have broken faith,” said Saul. “Roll a large stone over here at once.” / Then he said, “Go among the troops and tell them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep, slaughter them in this place, and then eat. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.’” So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there. … 1 Samuel 28:18 Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today. 2 Samuel 6:6-7 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God. Treasury of Scripture But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal. the people 1 Samuel 15:15 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. Genesis 3:13 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. Exodus 32:22,23 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief… Jump to Previous Best Cattle Chief Choicest Curse Destroyed Destruction Devoted Herd Offering Oxen Part Plunder Sacrifice Sheep Soldiers Spoil UtterlyJump to Next Best Cattle Chief Choicest Curse Destroyed Destruction Devoted Herd Offering Oxen Part Plunder Sacrifice Sheep Soldiers Spoil Utterly1 Samuel 15 1. Samuel sends Saul to destroy Amalek6. Saul favors the Kenites 7. He spares Agag and the best of the spoil 10. Samuel denounces unto Saul God's rejection of him for his disobedience 24. Saul's humiliation 32. Samuel kills Agag 34. Samuel and Saul part The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder This phrase highlights the actions of Saul's soldiers after the battle against the Amalekites. In the context of ancient warfare, it was common for victors to take spoils from the defeated, including livestock. However, God had commanded through Samuel that everything should be destroyed (1 Samuel 15:3). This disobedience reflects a failure to fully adhere to God's instructions, emphasizing the importance of complete obedience to divine commands. The taking of plunder contrasts with the concept of herem, or things devoted to destruction, which were to be completely annihilated as an offering to God. the best of the things devoted to destruction in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. He was commanded by God to completely destroy the Amalekites and all they possessed. 2. Samuel The prophet who anointed Saul as king and delivered God's commands to him. He plays a crucial role in conveying God's displeasure with Saul's disobedience. 3. Amalekites A nomadic tribe that was a longstanding enemy of Israel. God commanded their complete destruction as a form of divine judgment. 4. Gilgal A significant location in Israel's history, often associated with renewal and covenant. It is where Saul intended to offer sacrifices with the plunder. 5. The Troops The soldiers under Saul's command who took the plunder, rationalizing their disobedience by intending to offer sacrifices to God. Teaching Points Obedience Over SacrificeGod desires our obedience more than our rituals. True worship is reflected in our willingness to follow His commands. Rationalizing Disobedience Like Saul's troops, we often justify our disobedience with seemingly good intentions. We must be vigilant against self-deception. The Consequences of Partial Obedience Partial obedience is still disobedience. We must strive for complete adherence to God's instructions. The Role of Leadership Leaders bear responsibility for guiding others in obedience to God. Saul's failure highlights the importance of godly leadership. The Heart of Worship Genuine worship stems from a heart aligned with God's will, not merely external acts of sacrifice. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 15:21?2. How does 1 Samuel 15:21 illustrate the danger of partial obedience to God? 3. What lessons can we learn from Saul's justification of disobedience in 1 Samuel 15:21? 4. How does 1 Samuel 15:21 connect to the concept of sacrificial obedience in Scripture? 5. In what ways can we avoid rationalizing disobedience like Saul in 1 Samuel 15:21? 6. How can we ensure our actions align with God's commands, as seen in 1 Samuel 15:21? 7. Why did Saul disobey God's command in 1 Samuel 15:21? 8. How does 1 Samuel 15:21 reflect on obedience versus sacrifice? 9. What does 1 Samuel 15:21 reveal about human nature and temptation? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 15? 11. How do we reconcile 2 Samuel 21:19 (attributing Goliath's death to Elhanan) with David's victory in 1 Samuel 17? 12. 1 Chronicles 20:5: Why does this text say Elhanan killed Goliath's brother, whereas 2 Samuel 21:19 seems to conflict about who killed Goliath? 13. Why are the census figures in 1 Chronicles 21:5 different from those in 2 Samuel 24:9? 14. Who killed Goliath? (1 Samuel 17:49 vs. 2 Samuel 21:19) What Does 1 Samuel 15:21 Mean The troops took- The verse begins by pointing to the soldiers, not Saul alone. This spreads the blame yet does not remove Saul’s responsibility as commander (1 Samuel 15:19, 24). - By acting collectively, the army exposes how quickly people will follow a leader into disobedience when clear orders from the LORD are ignored (Exodus 32:1–2). sheep and cattle - These animals were prime economic assets in Israel’s agrarian society, representing wealth and security (Genesis 13:2; Job 1:3). - The attraction of tangible gain made God’s command feel costly, revealing hearts that valued prosperity over obedience (Matthew 6:24). from the plunder - “Plunder” underscores that the livestock belonged to God the moment He declared Amalek under the ban (herem). Keeping it was stealing from the LORD (Joshua 7:1). - Scripture repeatedly shows that unauthorized plunder brings judgment, whether in Jericho (Joshua 6:17–18) or Nineveh (Nahum 3:1). the best of the things devoted to destruction - “Best” signals deliberate selection. They did not merely spare random animals; they picked the choicest, the exact opposite of wholehearted obedience (Malachi 1:8). - Everything under the ban was already “devoted” to God for destruction (Leviticus 27:28–29; Deuteronomy 13:17). Retaining it broke covenant terms. in order to sacrifice them - The soldiers’ excuse sounds spiritual, yet God had not authorized it. Obedience is better than sacrifice (the lesson Samuel states in 1 Samuel 15:22). - Similar attempts to mask rebellion with ritual appear in Isaiah 1:11–15 and Micah 6:6–8. God values a yielded heart, not token offerings. to the LORD your God - Saul’s wording distances himself: “your God,” not “our” or “my.” This subtle shift betrays how disobedience strains intimacy with the LORD (1 Samuel 15:30). - When Moses confronted Pharaoh, the pagan king also spoke of “your God” (Exodus 9:27); distancing language often signals a heart that is not fully surrendered. at Gilgal - Gilgal had been a place of covenant renewal and earlier victories (Joshua 5:9; 1 Samuel 11:14–15). - Choosing that location may have been an attempt to cloak disobedience with the memory of past faithfulness, yet past victories cannot legitimize present sin (Jeremiah 7:4). summary 1 Samuel 15:21 exposes how partial obedience is full disobedience. The troops, led by Saul, knowingly spared the best livestock that God had ordered destroyed, justifying their sin with religious language and plans for sacrifice. Their actions reveal that when we treasure gain, reputation, or ritual above God’s clear Word, we drift into rebellion. True worship begins with unqualified obedience; anything less, no matter how pious it sounds, falls short of honoring the LORD. Hebrew The troopsהָעָ֧ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock took וַיִּקַּ֨ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take sheep צֹ֥אן (ṣōn) Noun - common singular Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock and cattle וּבָקָ֖ר (ū·ḇā·qār) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd from the plunder, מֵהַשָּׁלָ֛ל (mê·haš·šā·lāl) Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7998: A prey, spoil, plunder, booty the best of which רֵאשִׁ֣ית (rê·šîṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 7225: The first, in place, time, order, rank was devoted to destruction הַחֵ֑רֶם (ha·ḥê·rem) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2764: A net, a doomed object, extermination to sacrifice לִזְבֹּ֛חַ (liz·bō·aḥ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice to the LORD לַֽיהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative at Gilgal.” בַּגִּלְגָּֽל׃ (bag·gil·gāl) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1537: Gilgal -- 'circle (of stones)', the name of several places in Palestine Links 1 Samuel 15:21 NIV1 Samuel 15:21 NLT 1 Samuel 15:21 ESV 1 Samuel 15:21 NASB 1 Samuel 15:21 KJV 1 Samuel 15:21 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 15:21 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 15:21 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 15:21 French Bible 1 Samuel 15:21 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 15:21 But the people took of the spoil (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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