1 Samuel 15:22-35 ▼

22 And Samuel said, The LORD is not as well pleased with burnt offerings and sacrifices as with one who obeys his voice. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifices, and to hearken, than the fat of rams.

23 For divination is a rebellion, and divination is a grievous iniquity. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.

24 And Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

25 Now therefore, pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.

26 And Samuel said to Saul, I will not return home with you; for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.

27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, Saul laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it tore.

28 And Samuel said to him, The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.

29 And also his Excellency the LORD of Israel will not lie nor seek counsel; for he is not a human being, that he should seek counsel.

30 Then Saul said, I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return again with me, that I may worship the LORD your God.

31 So Samuel returned again with Saul, and Saul worshipped the LORD.

32 Then said Samuel, Bring Agag the king of the Amalekites here to me. And Agag said, Surely death is bitter.

33 And Samuel said, As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women. And Samuel cut King Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel went to Ramtha; and Saul went up to his house to Ramtha of Saul.

35 And Samuel saw Saul no more until the day of his death; nevertheless, Samuel grieved for Saul; and the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.