1 Samuel 15 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Samuel said to Saul, "Yahweh sent me to anoint you as king over his people Israel. So now, listen to what Yahweh has to say.

This is what Yahweh, Commander of angel armies, says: 'I've kept account of what Amalek did to Israel — how they ambushed them on the road as they were coming up out of Egypt.

Now go and strike down Amalek. Completely destroy everything they have. Don't spare them — put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.'"

So Saul summoned the troops and counted them at Telaim — two hundred thousand foot soldiers plus ten thousand men from Judah.

Saul went to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the ravine.

Saul sent word to the Kenites: "Leave! Get away from the Amalekites so I don't destroy you along with them. You showed loyalty to all the Israelites when they came up from Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

Then Saul struck down the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt.

He captured Agag king of the Amalekites alive, but completely destroyed all the rest of the people with the sword.

But Saul and the army spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep, cattle, fattened calves, and lambs — everything that was good. They weren't willing to completely destroy those. They only destroyed what was worthless and weak.

Then Yahweh's word came to Samuel:

"I deeply regret that I made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and hasn't carried out my instructions." Samuel was furious, and he cried out to Yahweh all night long.

Samuel got up early to meet Saul the next morning, but he was told, "Saul went to Carmel, and look — he set up a monument to himself. Then he turned and went down to Gilgal."

When Samuel reached Saul, Saul said to him, "Yahweh's favor on you! I've carried out Yahweh's instructions."

But Samuel said, "Then what's this sound of sheep in my ears? And the sound of cattle I'm hearing?"

Saul said, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites. They spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to Yahweh your God. But the rest we completely destroyed."

Samuel said to Saul, "Stop! Let me tell you what Yahweh said to me last night." Saul said, "Go ahead."

Samuel said, "Even though you see yourself as insignificant, aren't you the head of the tribes of Israel? Yahweh anointed you king over Israel.

Yahweh sent you on a mission and said, 'Go and completely destroy those corrupt Amalekites. Fight against them until they are finished off.'

So why didn't you listen to Yahweh? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do what was wrong in Yahweh's eyes?"

Saul said to Samuel, "But I DID listen to Yahweh! I went on the mission Yahweh sent me on. I brought back Agag king of the Amalekites and completely destroyed the Amalekites.

But the soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder — the best of what was supposed to be destroyed — to sacrifice to Yahweh your God at Gilgal."

Samuel replied, "Does Yahweh take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as he does in obedience to his voice? Look — obedience is better than sacrifice, and paying attention is better than the fat of rams.

Because rebellion is just like the corruption of divination, and stubbornness is like wickedness and idol worship. Because you rejected Yahweh's word, he has rejected you as king."

Then Saul said to Samuel, "I've failed. I violated Yahweh's command and your instructions because I was afraid of the people and gave in to their demands.

Now please forgive my failure and come back with me so I can bow down to Yahweh."

But Samuel said to Saul, "I won't go back with you, because you rejected Yahweh's word, and Yahweh has rejected you as king over Israel."

As Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the edge of his robe, and it tore.

Samuel said to him, "Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today and given it to someone better than you.

And furthermore, the Eternal One of Israel does not lie and does not change his mind. He's not a human being who changes his mind."

Saul said, "I've failed. But please, honor me in front of the elders of my people and in front of Israel. Come back with me so I can bow down to Yahweh your God."

So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul bowed down to Yahweh.

Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites." Agag came to him in chains but with a confident stride, and Agag said to himself, "Surely the bitterness of death has passed."

Samuel said, "Just as your sword made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women." And Samuel cut Agag to pieces before Yahweh at Gilgal.

Then Samuel left for Ramah, and Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.

Samuel never went to see Saul again for the rest of his life, though Samuel grieved deeply over Saul. And Yahweh deeply regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.