1 Samuel 15:21-24

Context
15:21 But the army took from the plunder some of the sheep and cattle – the best of what was to be slaughtered – to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”

15:22 Then Samuel said,

“Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices

as much as he does in obedience?¹

Certainly,² obedience³ is better than sacrifice;

paying attention is better than⁴ the fat of rams.

15:23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,

and presumption is like the evil of idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,

he has rejected you as⁵ king.”

15:24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have disobeyed what the Lord commanded⁶ and what you said as well.⁷ For I was afraid of the army, and I followed their wishes.⁸

[15:22] ¹tn Heb “as [in] listening to the voice of the Lord.”

[15:22] ²tn Heb “look.”

[15:22] ³tn Heb “listening.”

[15:22] ⁴tn The expression “is better” is understood here by ellipsis (see the immediately preceding statement).

[15:23] ⁵tn Or “from [being].”

[15:24] ⁶tn Heb “the mouth of the Lord.”

[15:24] ⁷tn Heb “and your words.”

[15:24] ⁸tn Heb “and I listened to their voice.”