17
Samuel said, "Even if you think you are insignificant, aren't you the leader of Israel's tribes? The LORD anointed you king over Israel.
18
The LORD sent you on a mission, instructing you, ‘Go, and put the sinful Amalekites under the ban. Fight against them until you've wiped them out.'
19
Why didn't you obey the LORD? You did evil in the LORD's eyes when you tore into the plunder!"
20
"But I did obey the LORD!" Saul protested to Samuel. "I went on the mission the LORD sent me on. I captured Agag the Amalekite king, and I put the Amalekites under the ban.
21
Yes, the troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder—the very best items placed under the ban—but in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."
22
Then Samuel replied, "Does the LORD want entirely burned offerings and sacrifices as much as obedience to the LORD? Listen to this: obeying is better than sacrificing, paying attention is better than fat from rams,
23
because rebellion is as bad as the sin of divination; arrogance is like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected what the LORD said, he has rejected you as king."
24
Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned because I disobeyed the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the troops and obeyed them.
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But now please forgive my sin! Come back with me, so I can worship the LORD."
26
But Samuel said to Saul, "I can't return with you because you have rejected what the LORD said, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel."
27
Samuel turned to leave, but Saul grabbed at the edge of his robe, and it ripped.