19. Why didn’t you obey the Lord? Why did you take the best things? Why did you do what the Lord said was wrong?”
20. Saul said, “But I did obey the Lord. I did what the Lord told me to do. I destroyed all the Amalekites. And I brought back Agag their king.
21. The soldiers took the best sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”
22. But Samuel answered,“What pleases the Lord more:burnt offerings and sacrifices or obedience?It is better to obey God than to offer a sacrifice.It is better to listen to God than to offer the fat of male sheep.
23. Refusing to obey is as bad as the sin of sorcery.Being stubborn is as bad as the sin of worshiping idols.You have rejected the Lord’s command.For this reason, he now rejects you as king.”
24. Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I didn’t obey the Lord’s commands. I didn’t do what you told me. I was afraid of the people, and I did what they said.
25. Now I beg you, forgive my sin. Come back with me so I may worship the Lord.”
26. But Samuel said to Saul, “I won’t go back with you. You refused the Lord’s command. And now he rejects you as king of Israel.”
27. As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught his robe, and it tore.
28. Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today. He has given it to one of your neighbors. He has given it to one better than you.
29. The Lord is the Eternal One of Israel. He does not lie or change his mind. He is not a man. So he does not change his mind as men do.”
30. Saul answered, “I have sinned. But please honor me in front of my people’s elders. Please honor me in front of the Israelites. 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.