22. Then Samuel said,“Is the Lord as delighted with burnt offerings and sacrificesas he would be with your obedience?To follow instructions is better than to sacrifice.To obey is better than sacrificing the fat of rams.
23. The sin of black magic is rebellion.Wickedness and idolatry are arrogance.Because you rejected the word of the Lord,he rejects you as king.”
24. Then 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.
25. Now please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.”
26. Samuel 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.”
27. When Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore.
28. Samuel 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.
29. In addition, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind, because he is not a mortal who changes his mind.”
30. Saul replied, “I have sinned! Now please honor me in front of the leaders of my people and in front of Israel. Come back with me, and let me worship the Lord your God.”
31. Then Samuel turned and followed Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.
32. “Bring me King Agag of Amalek,” Samuel said.Agag came to him trembling. “Surely, the bitterness of death is past,” Agag said.
33. But Samuel said, “As your sword made women childless, so your mother will be made childless among women.” And Samuel cut Agag in pieces in the presence of the Lord at Gilgal.
34. Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went to his home at Gibeah.
35. Samuel didn’t see Saul again before he died, though Samuel mourned over Saul. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king of Israel.