Definition: And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay [them] here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew [them] there.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from 1 Samuel 14:34. It’s a really dramatic story about David facing a serious threat to his position as king. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: Saul is King: We’re talking about King Saul, who was a powerful and ambitious leader. David is a Servant: David was Saul's trusted advisor and a very important figure in his court. The Threat: A man named Ishmael (who was a Philistine) plots to overthrow Saul and take the throne. He believes Saul is too weak to rule effectively. What Happened Next: 1. Ishmael’s Plan: Ishmael, using some trickery, convinces Saul that he wants to eat with the blood of the people. He suggests a gruesome plan: He'll have everyone bring their livestock (oxen and sheep) to a place where they will kill them all in one night. 2. David Reacts: David, who is a skilled warrior, recognizes this as a dangerous plot. He understands that if Ishmael succeeds, he could seize the throne and become king himself. He decides to stop Ishmael from carrying out his plan. 3. The Action – A Massive Retreat: David orders all the people in Saul's court to disperse and to go to different villages. Then, he instructs them to bring every ox and sheep they have to a single location. They’re told to then kill all of these animals here and eat them. What it Means – The Moral Lesson: This passage is about temptation and the importance of obedience. It's a story about how even a righteous king can be tempted by evil, and how he needs to act decisively to protect his kingdom. “Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, slay [them] here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood.” - This is a very important verse. It's telling David to actively commit murder. He’s instructed to kill all the animals, and he must do it immediately. “And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night.” – This shows how quickly Saul's followers panicked and rushed to obey. “…and slew [them] there.” - David successfully executes this plan. He kills all the animals, demonstrating his strength and leadership. In essence, the story highlights: Divine Justice: God is watching and intervening to protect His people. The Power of Obedience: David’s willingness to follow God's instructions, even when it was difficult, demonstrates faithfulness. God's Sovereignty: It shows that God has the power to control events, and He chooses who will be saved or punished. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the story in more detail? Discuss the significance of Ishmael’s plan? Talk about the context of this passage within the larger story of David's life and his relationship with Saul?