2
"Thussays the LORD of hosts, 'I will punishAmalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt.
3
'Nowgo and strikeAmalek and utterlydestroyall that he has, and do not spare him; but put to deathbothman and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.' "
5
Saulcame to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the valley.
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6
Saulsaid to the Kenites, "Go, depart, godown from among the Amalekites, so that I do not destroy you with them; for you showedkindness to all the sons of Israel when they came up from Egypt." So the Kenitesdeparted from among the Amalekites.
9
But Saul and the peoplesparedAgag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything*despised and worthless, that they utterlydestroyed.
10
Then the word of the LORDcame to Samuel, saying,
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11
"I regret that I have madeSaulking, for he has turnedback from following Me and has not carried out My commands." And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORDallnight.
12
Samuelroseearly in the morning to meetSaul; and it was toldSamuel, saying, "Saulcame to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, then turned and proceeded on down to Gilgal."
15
Saulsaid, "They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the peoplespared the best of the sheep and oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; but the rest we have utterlydestroyed."
17
Samuelsaid, "Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORDanointed you kingoverIsrael,
18
and the LORDsent you on a mission, and said, 'Go and utterlydestroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are exterminated.'
20
Then Saulsaid to Samuel, "I did obey the voice of the LORD, and went on the mission on which the LORDsent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterlydestroyed the Amalekites.
21
"But the peopletook some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the thingsdevoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal."
22
Samuelsaid, "Has the LORD as much delight in burntofferings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is betterthansacrifice, And to heedthan the fat of rams.
23
"For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king."