²⁰“But I did obey the Lord,” Saul told Samuel. “I went where the Lord sent me, brought ⸤back⸥ King Agag of Amalek, and claimed the Amalekites for God. ²¹The army took some of their belongings—the best sheep and cows were claimed for God—in order to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”

²²Then Samuel said,

“Is the Lord as delighted with burnt offerings and sacrifices

as he would be with your obedience?

To follow instructions is better than to sacrifice.

To obey is better than sacrificing the fat of rams.

²³The sin of black magic is rebellion.

Wickedness and idolatry are arrogance.

Because you rejected the Lord’s word,

he rejects you as king.”

²⁴Then Saul told Samuel, “I have sinned by not following the Lord’s command or your instructions. I was afraid of the people and listened to them. ²⁵Now please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.”

²⁶Samuel told Saul, “I will not go back with you because you rejected what the Lord told you. So the Lord rejects you as king of Israel.” ²⁷When Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore. ²⁸Samuel told him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today. He has given it to your neighbor who is better 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.”