Bible Discussion Thread

in 1 samuel 15;21 i thought sacrifices were to be made at the temple

Richard, you are correct that sacrifices were conducted at the Temple court, however in this era, they would have normally been conducted at the Tabernacle or at a dedicated Altar. Yet, if you read that portion carefully, when the people saved the best of the cattle of the enemy (the Amalekites), Saul was severely chastised by God through Samuel the prophet for not destroying all living creatures even though Saul had assumed that the cattle would come in handy for sacrificial purposes.

But Saul was rejected because of his disobedience (rebellion) in this matter, his sin being likened to the evil of witchcraft & idolatry. Saul then realized his error but his disobedience even meant that "God repented that He made Saul a king over Israel". So, I understand that the cattle saved as part of the booty, were probably meant for sacrifice at Gilgal, which was a special (sacred) place (Joshua chap 4) where Joshua erected the 12 stones (representing the 12 tribes). Then they sacrificed at Shiloh, a short distance away, where the Tabernacle was set up ( Joshua 18:1).