3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have. 15:3 Nm 24:20; Dt 20:16–18 Do not spare them. Kill men and women, infants and nursing babies, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’ " 15:3 Jos 6:17–21; 1Sm 22:19
9 Saul and the troops spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and choice animals, 15:9 Lit and the second ones as well as the young rams and the best of everything else. They were not willing to destroy them, but they did destroy all the worthless and unwanted things.
13 When Samuel came to him, Saul said, "May the Lord bless you. 15:13 Gn 14:19; 2Sm 2:5 I have carried out the Lord’s instructions."
15 Saul answered, "The troops brought them from the Amalekites and spared the best sheep, goats, and cattle in order to offer a sacrifice to the Lord your God, 15:15 Gn 3:12–13 but the rest we destroyed." 15:14–15 Ex 32:21–24
22 Then Samuel said:
Does the Lord 15:22 Ps 40:6–8; 51:16–17; Is 1:11–15; Mc 6:6–8 take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,
to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. 15:22 Heb 10:5–7
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, 15:23 Dt 18:10
and defiance is like wickedness 15:23 Gn 31:19,34 and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king. 15:23 1Sm 8:7