22 So Samuel said:
^a“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, ^bto obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams. ‡

23 For rebellion is as the sin of¹ witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
^aHe also has rejected you from being king.”  ‡

26 But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, ^afor you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”  ‡

27 And as Samuel turned around to go away, ^aSaul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore.  ‡