10
Then the word of the LORDcame to Samuel, saying,
r{mael lea.Wm.v -l,a h'wh.y -r;b.D yih.y;w
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.
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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."
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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."
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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,
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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.
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"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."
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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.
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"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."
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Then Saulsaid to Samuel, "I have sinned; I have indeedtransgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.
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But Samuelsaid to Saul, "I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from beingkingoverIsrael."
30
Then he said, "I have sinned; but pleasehonor me nowbefore the elders of my people and beforeIsrael, and goback with me, that I may worship the LORD your God."
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Then Samuelsaid, "Bring me Agag, the king of the Amalekites." And Agagcame to him cheerfully. And Agagsaid, "Surely the bitterness of death is past."
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But Samuelsaid, "As your sword has madewomenchildless, so shall your mother be childlessamongwomen." And SamuelhewedAgag to piecesbefore the LORD at Gilgal.