1 Samuel 15:25
Verse 25 of 35. The 15th of 31 chapters in 1 Samuel, in History.
21But the people took of the plunder, sheep and cattle, the best of the devoted things, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.”
22Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the LORD’s voice? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected the LORD’s word, he has also rejected you from being king.”
24Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
25Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.”
26Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you; for you have rejected the LORD’s word, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.”
27As Samuel turned around to go away, Saul grabbed the skirt of his robe, and it tore.
28Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you.
29Also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for he is not a man, that he should repent.”
World English Bible. Public domain. Set as prose throughout, including the poetry, because the text is published to us without its lines.