²⁰“I did obey the Lord,” Saul replied. “I went out as he told me to, brought back King Agag, and killed all the Amalekites. ²¹But my men did not kill the best sheep and cattle that they captured; instead, they brought them here to Gilgal to offer as a sacrifice to the Lord your God.”

²²Samuel said, “Which does the Lord prefer: obedience or offerings and sacrifices? It is better to obey him than to sacrifice the best sheep to him. ²³Rebellion against him is as bad as witchcraft, and arrogance is as sinful as idolatry. Because you rejected the Lord’s command, he has rejected you as king.”

²⁴“Yes, I have sinned,” Saul replied. “I disobeyed the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of my men and did what they wanted. ²⁵But now I beg you, forgive my sin and go back with me, so that I can worship the Lord.”

²⁶“I will not go back with you,” Samuel answered. “You rejected the Lord’s command, and he has rejected you as king of Israel.”

²⁷^*Then Samuel turned to leave, but Saul caught hold of his cloak, and it tore. ²⁸^*Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today and given it to someone who is a better man than you.

Read in Logos

1 Samuel 15:22: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”

Cross references

*15.27, 28: 1 S 28:17; 1 K 11:30, 31
*15.27, 28: 1 S 28:17; 1 K 11:30, 31