17. Samuel continued, “You may not think you're very important, but the Lord chose you to be king, and you are in charge of the tribes of Israel.
18. When the Lord sent you on this mission, he told you to wipe out those worthless Amalekites.
19. Why didn't you listen to the Lord? Why did you keep the animals and make him angry?”
20. “But I did listen to the Lord!” Saul answered. “He sent me on a mission, and I went. I captured King Agag and destroyed his nation.
21. All the animals were going to be destroyed anyway. That's why the army brought the best sheep and cattle to Gilgal as sacrifices to the Lord your God.”
22. “Tell me,” Samuel said. “Does the Lord really want sacrifices and offerings? No! He doesn't want your sacrifices. He wants you to obey him.
23. Rebelling against God or disobeying him because you are proud is just as bad as worshipping idols or asking them for advice. You refused to do what God told you, so God has decided that you can't be king.”
24. “I have sinned,” Saul admitted. “I disobeyed both you and the Lord. I was afraid of the army, and I listened to them instead.