17. Samuel continued, “You may not think you're very important, but the Lord chose you to be king, and you are in charge of the tribes of Israel.
18. When the Lord sent you on this mission, he told you to wipe out those worthless Amalekites.
19. Why didn't you listen to the Lord? Why did you keep the animals and make him angry?”
20. “But I did listen to the Lord!” Saul answered. “He sent me on a mission, and I went. I captured King Agag and destroyed his nation.
21. All the animals were going to be destroyed anyway. That's why the army brought the best sheep and cattle to Gilgal as sacrifices to the Lord your God.”
22. “Tell me,” Samuel said. “Does the Lord really want sacrifices and offerings? No! He doesn't want your sacrifices. He wants you to obey him.
23. Rebelling against God or disobeying him because you are proud is just as bad as worshipping idols or asking them for advice. You refused to do what God told you, so God has decided that you can't be king.”
24. “I have sinned,” Saul admitted. “I disobeyed both you and the Lord. I was afraid of the army, and I listened to them instead.
25. Please forgive me and come back with me so I can worship the Lord.”
26. “No!” Samuel replied, “You disobeyed the Lord, and I won't go back with you. Now the Lord has said that you can't be king of Israel any longer.”
27. As Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the edge of Samuel's robe. It tore!
28. Samuel said, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today, and he will give it to someone who is better than you.
29. Besides, the eternal God of Israel isn't a human being. He doesn't tell lies or change his mind.”
30. Saul said, “I did sin, but please honour me in front of the leaders of the army and the people of Israel. Come back with me, so I can worship the Lord your God.”
31. Samuel followed Saul back, and Saul worshipped the Lord.
32. Then Samuel shouted, “Bring me King Agag of Amalek!”Agag came in chains, and he was saying to himself, “Surely they won't kill me now.”