21. “But the people took of the spoil, of the sheep and cattle, the best of that which should have been put under the ban, to slaughter to יהוה your Elohim in Gilgal.”
22. Then Shemu’ĕl said, “Does יהוה delight in burnt offerings and slaughterings, as in obeying the voice of יהוה? Look, to obey is better than an offering, to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23. “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of יהוה, He also does reject you as sovereign.”
24. And Sha’ul said to Shemu’ĕl, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the command of יהוה and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.
25. “And now, please pardon my sin, and return with me, and let me bow myself to יהוה.”
26. But Shemu’ĕl said to Sha’ul, “I do not return with you, for you have rejected the word of יהוה, and יהוה does reject you from being sovereign over Yisra’ĕl.”
27. And as Shemu’ĕl turned around to go away, Sha’ul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore.
28. And Shemu’ĕl said to him, “יהוה has torn the reign of Yisra’ĕl from you today, and has given it to a neighbour of yours, better than you.
29. “Moreover, the Eminence of Yisra’ĕl does not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.”
30. Then he said, “I have sinned. But esteem me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Yisra’ĕl, and return with me, and I shall bow myself to יהוה your Elohim.”
31. And Shemu’ĕl turned back after Sha’ul, and Sha’ul bowed himself to יהוה.
32. And Shemu’ĕl said, “Bring Ag̅ag̅ sovereign of the Amalĕqites here to me.” So Ag̅ag̅ came to him delightedly, and Ag̅ag̅ said, “Truly, the bitterness of death has turned aside.”