21. But the people took of the plunder, sheep and cattle, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
22. Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the Lord’s voice? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected the Lord’s word, he has also rejected you from being king.”
24. Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and your words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
25. Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord.”
26. Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you; for you have rejected the Lord’s word, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”
27. As Samuel turned around to go away, Saul grabbed the skirt of his robe, and it tore.
28. Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you.
29. Also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for he is not a man, that he should repent.”
30. Then he said, “I have sinned; yet please honor me now before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and come back with me, that I may worship the Lord your God.”
31. So Samuel went back with Saul; and Saul worshiped the Lord.