21. The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder — the best of what was set apart for destruction — to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”
22. Then Samuel said:Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrificesas much as in obeying the Lord?Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.
23. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry.Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,He has rejected you as king.
24. Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned. I have transgressed the Lord’s command and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them.
25. Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the Lord.”
26. Samuel replied to Saul, “I will not return with you. Because you rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”
27. When Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore.