1 Samuel 15:14-35

14But Samuel said, “1What then is this 2bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the 3bellowing of the oxen which I hear?” 15Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for 4the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God; but the rest we have completely destroyed.” 16Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop, and let me inform you of what the Lord said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak!”

17So Samuel said, “5Is it not true, 6though you were 7insignificant in your own eyes, that you became the head of the tribes of Israel? For the Lord anointed you as king over Israel. 18And the Lord sent you on a 8mission, and said, ‘9Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are eliminated.’ 19Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? 10Instead, you loudly rushed upon the spoils and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord!”

20Then Saul said to Samuel, “11I did obey the voice of the Lord, for I went on the 12mission on which the Lord sent me; and I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have completely destroyed the Amalekites. 21But 13the people took some of the spoils, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things designated for destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal.” 22Samuel said, “14Does the Lord have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, 15to obey is better than a sacrifice, And to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.23For rebellion is as reprehensible as the sin of 16divination, And insubordination is as reprehensible as 17false religion and idolatry. Since you have rejected the word of the Lord, 18He has also rejected you from being king.”

24Then Saul said to Samuel, “19I have sinned, for 20I have violated the 21command of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice. 25Now then, 22please pardon my sin and return with me, so that I may worship the Lord.” 26But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you; for 23you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” 27Then Samuel turned to go, but 24Saul grasped the edge of his robe, and it tore off. 28So Samuel said to him, “25The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you. 29Also the 2627Glory of Israel 28will not lie nor change His mind; for He is not a man, that He would change His mind.” 30Then Saul said, “I have sinned; 29but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before all Israel, and go back with me, 30so that I may worship the Lord your God.” 31So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

32Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag, the king of the Amalekites.” And Agag came to him 31cheerfully. And Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is gone!” 33But Samuel said, “32As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel cut Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal.

34Then Samuel went to 33Ramah, but Saul went up to his house at 34Gibeah of Saul. 35And 35Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, though Samuel 36mourned for 37Saul. And the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.