1 Samuel 15:24-35

24Then Saul said to Samuel, ‘It is true, I have done a bad thing. I did not obey the Lord's command. I did not do what you told me to do. I was afraid of the army. I agreed to do what they wanted.

25Please forgive my sin. Return with me so that I can worship the Lord.’

26But Samuel said to Saul, ‘I will not return with you. You refused to obey the Lord's command. So now the Lord has decided that you will no longer be king of Israel.’

27Samuel turned away to leave Saul. But Saul pulled the edge of Samuel's coat and it tore.

28Samuel said to him, ‘The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today. He has given it to a man who is better than you.

29The great God who rules over Israel always does what he says he will do. He does not change his mind. People may change their minds, but he does not!’

30Saul said again, ‘I have done a bad thing. But please show Israel's leaders and people that you respect me. Please return with me so that I can worship the Lord your God.’

31So Samuel went back with Saul. Saul worshipped the Lord.

32Then Samuel said, ‘Bring Agag, king of the Amalekites, to me.’ Agag came to Samuel. Agag was happy because he thought, ‘I am sure that now I will not have to die a painful death.’

33But Samuel said to Agag, ‘You have used your sword to kill the children of many mothers. Now your own mother will have no children that are still alive.’ Then Samuel cut Agag into pieces at the Lord's altar in Gilgal.

34Then Samuel left Gilgal and he went to his home in Ramah. Saul went to his home in Gibeah.

35Until Samuel died, he never saw Saul again. Samuel was very sad about Saul. But the Lord was sorry that he had chosen Saul to be king of Israel.