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21 The people took some of the spoil—sheep, cattle, and the best of what was to be completely destroyed—to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”

22 Samuel said,

“Does the Lord delight as much in burnt offerings and sacrifices
    as in obeying the Lord?
Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice,
    to pay attention is better[a] than the fat of rams.
23 Indeed, rebellion is the sin of divination,
    and arrogance is iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected this message from the Lord,
    he has rejected you from being king.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 15:22 The Heb. lacks is better

21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”

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.”

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