th the Lord desire holocausts and victims, and
not rather that the voice of the Lord should be obeyed? For obedience is
better than sacrifices: and to hearken rather than to offer the fat or
rams.

15:23. Because it is like the sin of witchcraft, to rebel: and like the
crime of idolatry, to refuse to obey. Forasmuch, therefore, as thou hast
rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord hath also rejected thee from
being king.

15:24. And Saul said to Samuel: I have sinned, because I have
transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words, fearing the
people, and obeying their voice.

15:25. But now bear, I beseech thee, my sin, and return with me, that I
may adore the Lord.

15:26. And Samuel said to Saul: I will not return with thee, because
thou hath rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee
from being king over Israel.

15:27. And Samuel turned about to go away: but he laid hold upon the
skirt of his mantle, and it rent.

15:28. And Samuel said to him: The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel
from thee this day, and hath given it to thy neighbour who is better
than thee.

15:29. But the triumpher in Israel will not spare, and will not be moved
to repentance: for he is not a man that he should repent.

15:30. Then he said: I have sinned: yet honour me now before the
ancients of my people, and before Israel, and return with me, that I may
adore the Lord thy God.

15:31. So Samuel turned again after Saul: and Saul adored the Lord.

15:32. And Samuel said: Bring hither to me Agag, the king of Amalec. And
Agag was presented to him very fat, and trembling. And Agag said: Doth
bitter death separate in this manner? 15:33. And Samuel said: As thy
sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among
women. And Samuel hewed him in pieces before the Lord in Galgal.

15:34. And Samuel departed to Ramatha: but Saul went up to his house in
Gabaa.

15:35. And Samuel saw Saul no more till the day of his death:
nevertheless, Samuel mourned for Saul, because the Lord repented that he
had made him king over Israel.

Saw Saul no more till the day of his death... That is, he went no more
to see him: he visited him no more.

1 Kings Chapter 16

Samuel is sent to Bethlehem, where he anointeth David: who is taken into
Saul's family.

16:1. And the Lord said to Samuel: How long wilt thou mourn for Saul,
whom I have rejected from reigning over Israel? fill thy horn with oil,
and com