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.
32. Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.”Agag came to Samuel in chains. Yet Agag thought, “Surely the threat of death has passed.”
33. Samuel said to him, “Your sword caused mothers to be without their children. Now your mother will have no children.” And Samuel cut Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal.
34. Then Samuel left and went to Ramah. But Saul went up to his home in Gibeah.
35. And Samuel never saw Saul again all the rest of his life. But he was sorry for Saul. And the Lord was very sorry he had made Saul king of Israel.