24 Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned.aa I have transgressed the Lord’s commandab and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them. 25 Now therefore, please forgive my sinac and return with me so I can worship the Lord.”

26 Samuel replied to Saul, “I will not return with you. Because you rejected the word of the Lord,ad the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” 27 When Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the corner of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingship of Israel away from you todayae and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.af 29 Furthermore, the Eternal One of Israelag does not lie or change his mind, for he is not man who changes his mind.”ah

30 Saul said, “I have sinned. Please honor meai now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me so I can bow in worship to the Lord your God.”aj 31 Then Samuel went back, following Saul, and Saul bowed down to the Lord.