31 That day, after they had fought the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the troops were completely exhausted.
32 So the troops tore into the plunder, taking sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them right on the ground and devoured them with the blood still in them.
33 When it was reported to Saul, "The troops are sinning against the Lord by eating meat with blood in it," Saul said, "All of you are traitors! Roll a large stone over here right now.
34 Go among the troops and say to them, ‘Everyone must bring their ox or sheep, and slaughter them here with me. Don’t sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood still in it.’" So everyone brought whatever they had and slaughtered it there.
35 And Saul built an altar to the Lord. It was the first altar he had built to the Lord.
36 "Let’s go after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until morning," Saul said. "We won’t leave them a single survivor!""Do whatever you think is best," the troops replied.But the priest said, "Let’s ask God first."
37 So Saul questioned God: "Should I go after the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?" But God did not answer him that day.