22 Then Samuel said:

Does the Lordv take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices

as much as in obeying the Lord?

Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,

to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.w

23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,x

and defiance is like wickednessy and idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,

he has rejected you as king.z