Definition: And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, [and] to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Samuel 10:8. It’s a really important part of understanding the Old Testament story of Samuel and God’s plan for the people of Israel. Here's a simple explanation: Basically, it’s about God setting a specific time for a special offering. Let's unpack it word by word: “And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal…” – This means we're moving to a place called Gilgal. It’s a location in Israel. “…and, behold, I will come down unto thee…” – This is a very dramatic phrase! “Behold” means "look" or "notice." It’s saying God is directly approaching us. “to offer burnt offerings, [and] to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings:” – This tells us what God intends to do. He wants to give a special offering – called “burnt offerings.” He also wants to make "sacrifices of peace offerings." These are rituals that were designed to show reverence and gratitude to God. “seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee…” – This is the key part! God says we need to wait seven days. It’s a time of waiting and preparation. “and shew thee what thou shalt do.” – This means God will reveal something important to us during this waiting period. What's the Big Picture? This verse is about God establishing a pattern for how he wants to interact with his people. It’s a symbolic representation of a time when God will be present and offer guidance and blessings. Think of it as a carefully orchestrated moment where God’s presence is emphasized. Why is this important? It sets the stage for Samuel, who is chosen to be a prophet. God wants to communicate with him and show his care for Israel through these rituals. It's about recognizing that God is active and involved in our lives, even when we don’t see him directly. In short: God is setting up a special time for a symbolic offering, and he wants to show us what He intends to do during this period of waiting. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the passage? Connect this verse to a larger story or theme in the Bible?