22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as when the voice of the Lord is obeyed? behold, (A)to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken is better than the fat of rams.

23 For [a]rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and transgression is wickedness and idolatry. Because thou hast cast away the word of the Lord, therefore he hath cast away thee from being king.

24 Then Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the Commandment of the Lord, and thy words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 15:23 God hateth nothing more than the disobedience of his Commandment, though the intent seems never so good to man.

22 But Samuel replied:

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
    as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,(A)
    and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,(B)
    and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected(C) the word of the Lord,
    he has rejected you as king.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned.(D) I violated(E) the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid(F) of the men and so I gave in to them.

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