1 Samuel told Saul, "The Lord sent me to anoint you king of his people Israel. So now pay attention to what the Lord has to say. 3 Go and attack the Amalekites and exterminate all of them. Don’t spare anyone, but kill every man, woman, child, and baby; every ox, sheep, camel, and donkey."
9 Saul and his army spared Agag, together with the best sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and everything else that was any good. They didn’t want to destroy those, but they completely destroyed all that was unwanted and worthless.
13 When Samuel caught up with him, Saul said, "The Lord bless you! I have done what the Lord ordered."
15 "The army brought them from the Amalekites," Saul replied. "They spared the best sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we completely destroyed the rest."
22 "Does the Lord prefer burnt offerings and sacrifices, or obedience to what he says?" Samuel asked. "Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice. Paying attention is more important than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as bad as witchcraft, and arrogance is as bad as the sin of idolatry. Because you have rejected the Lord’s commands, he has rejected you as king."