1 Samuel 15:23–35

23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,y

and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

Because you have rejectedz the word of the Lord,

he has rejected you as king.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned.a I violatedb the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraidc of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgived my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.”

26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejectede the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”

27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe,f and it tore.g 28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has tornh the kingdomi of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you.j 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not liek or changel his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”

30 Saul replied, “I have sinned.m But please honorn me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.”

Agag came to him in chains.c And he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

33 But Samuel said,

“As your sword has made women childless,

so will your mother be childless among women.”o

And Samuel put Agag to death before the Lord at Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel left for Ramah,p but Saul went up to his home in Gibeahq of Saul. 35 Until the day Samuelr died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourneds for him. And the Lord regrettedt that he had made Saul king over Israel.