1Samuel 13


Saul does not obey God when he makes his own offering.
 

Places in this book of the Bible

After Saul was king for 2 years, Saul picked out 3,000 men for his army. 2,000 of the soldiers were with Saul in the place called Michmash and on Mt. Bethel. 1,000 of the soldiers were with Jonathan (Saul's son) in Gibeah. Saul sent the other men back to their homes. 
[1] Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
[2] Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
 

Jonathan and his army defeated a group of Philistines at the place called Geba. Saul sent messengers all over Israel. The messengers told about the Israelites defeating the Philistines. The other Philistines heard about it. 
[3] And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.


All of Israel heard that Saul defeated some Philistines. They heard that the Philistines hated the Israelites. Saul called the Israelites to come to Gilgal.
[4] And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.


The Philistine army came east from the place called Beth-aven and camped at Michmash. There were 30,000 chariots and 6,000 soldiers on horses. There were many soldiers walking. There were as many soldiers as there are grains of sand on the beach.
[5] And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.


The Israelite soldiers saw that there were many Philistines. They were very afraid. They hid in caves, in bushes, in rocks, in holes in the ground, and up high on hills.
[6] When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.


Some of the Israelites crossed east over the Jordan River. They went to the places of Gad and Gilead to hide. Saul was still in the place called Gilgal. The people were scared and followed him there.  
[7] And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.


Saul was waiting for Samuel at Gilgal. Samuel said he would come in 7 days. The 7 days were almost finished, but Samuel did not come yet. The Israelites were starting to leave.
[8] And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.


Saul told someone to bring offerings to him. He made a burnt offering on the altar. Just after he made the burnt offering, Samuel arrived.  Saul went out to meet him.
[9] And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
[10] And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.

Samuel asked Saul what he did. Saul said that he waited for 7 days but Samuel didn't arrive. The Israelites were starting to leave, and the Philistines were getting closer. He was afraid because he thought the Philistines would attack Gilgal. He wanted to make offerings so that God would help them. He said he forced himself to make the burnt offering.
[11] And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
[12] Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.


Samuel told Saul it was wrong for him to make the burnt offering. He is not a priest. It was a foolish thing for him to do. He did not obey God's laws. If he obeyed God's laws, his family would have been king of Israel forever.  But now, his family will not be king after him. God has already picked the next king. The next king will obey God's laws and lead the army.  
[13] And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
[14] But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.


Samuel left Gilgal and went to Gibeah. Then Saul counted the people who were still there with him. There were 600 soldiers left.
[15] And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.


Saul, his son Jonathan, and the 600 Israelite soldiers also went to Gibeah. Gibeah was in the tribe of Benjamin's land.  The Philistines were camping in Michmash.
[16] And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
 

The Philistines made iron weapons and tools.


The Philistines sent soldiers out to steal from the Israelites. There were 3 groups of soldiers. One group went to the area of Ophrah in the place called Shual. Another group went to Beth-horon. The third group went to the area by the border of Zeboim.
[17] And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
[18] And another company turned the way to Beth-horon: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

The Philistines did not let the Israelites work in iron smithing. The Israelites could not make iron tools and weapons. The Philistines did not want the Israelites to make weapons to use when they fought wars. 
[19] Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
 

The Israelites had to go to the Philistines if their tools were dull (not sharp). Then the Philistines would sharpen their tools for them. 
[20] But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
[21] Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.

When it was time to fight the Philistines, the Israelites did not have any iron weapons. They did not have any swords or spears. Only Saul and his son, Jonathan, had iron weapons.
[22] So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
 

The pass in the area of Michmash. From BiblePlaces.com

The Philistines moved closer to the Israelites. They moved to the pass (place between 2 mountains) at Michmash.
[23] And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.

1Samuel 14


Jonathan and his helper attack the Philistines.


Later, Saul's son, Jonathan, talked to his armourbearer (a young man who carries a soldier's metal armour). Jonathan wanted to go and attack the Philistines. He wanted the armourbearer to go with him. But he did not tell Saul about his plan.
[1] Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
 

Examples of soldiers' armour From www.fromoldbooks.org

Saul was waiting in Gibeah. He was sitting under a pomegranate tree in the place called Migron. There were 600 soldiers with him.
[2] And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
 

Ahiah was wearing the priest's robe. Ahiah was Eli the priest's great grandson. The other Israelites didn't realize that Jonathan was gone. 
[3] And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I-chabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.


Jonathan was sneaking through the passage (path between 2 mountains). There was sharp rock on each side.  One rock was named Bozez.  The other rock was named Seneh.
[4] And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

One rock faced north and faced the place called Michmash. The other rock faced south and faced the place called Gibeah.
[5] The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.

Jonathan talked to the young man who carried his armour. He said they will sneak over to the Philistine camp. Jonathan said that maybe God would help the two of them the same as he helps a big army.
[6] And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.


Jonathan's armourbearer said to do whatever he thinks is best. He will be there to help Jonathan.
[7] And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
 

Jonathan said they will cross over the passage and let the Philistines see them. Maybe the Philistines will say they will come to fight with them. If they say that, Jonathan and his helper will stand there and wait for them. But the Philistines may tell them to come to their camp and fight with them. If they say that, Jonathan and his helper will go to the camp to fight. They will know that God is helping them.
[8] Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
[9] If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.
[10] But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.

Jonathan and his helper let the Philistines see them. The Philistines told them to come to the camp to fight. So, Jonathan told his helper to follow him. God will help them win.  They will defeat the Philistines.
[11] And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
[12] And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.


Jonathan and his helper climbed up on their hands and knees. They killed many Philistines.
[13] And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
 

Jonathan and his helped killed 20 men on a small area of land. The land was small enough that 2 oxen would be able to plow it.
[14] And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.

The Philistines run away.


The Philistine people in Michmash were afraid now. The Philistine army was afraid and the Philistines who were out stealing were afraid. There was an earthquake, and the earth shook.
[15] And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.


Some of Saul's soldiers were watching the Philistine camp from far away. They could see the Philistines running away. The Philistine army was shrinking and looked like melting wax.  
[16] And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.


Saul wanted to know which Israelite soldiers were not there. He told his army leaders to count the soldiers to see who was missing.  After they counted, they saw that Jonathan and his helper were not there.
[17] Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.


At that time, the Ark with the Ten Commandments was with the Israelites in Gibeah. Saul asked the priest, Ahiah, to bring the Ark.
[18] And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.


Then, Saul heard more noise from the Philistine camp. He told the priest to wait.
[19] And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
 

Saul and his army went to the Philistine camp. They could see that the Philistines were very confused. They were killing each other.
[20] And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.


There were some Israelites who had been helping the Philistine army. But now they joined Saul and Jonathan, and they started killing the Philistines, too.
[21] Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
 

The war continues. Saul makes a rule about eating.


The Israelites who were hiding in Mt. Ephraim heard that the Philistines were running away. They came to fight, too.
[22] Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.


The fighting continued.  They were near the place called Beth-aven.  Earlier in the day, Saul made a rule. He said that no one should eat any food until that night. He didn't want anyone to eat until he defeated the Philistines. The soldiers obeyed the rule, but they were feeling hungry.
[23] So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Beth-aven.
[24] And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.


Then the soldiers went into some woods. They saw honey on the ground. But no one ate the honey. They remembered Saul's rule that day.
[25] And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.
[26] And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.


Jonathan did not hear his father make the new rule. He put his walking stick into the honey and then ate the honey. He felt much better then.
[27] But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.


One of the other people told Jonathan about Saul's new rule. Saul that that no one should eat that day. All of the Israelites were hungry.
[28] Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.


Jonathan said that Saul's rule was not good. Jonathan ate just a little honey, and he felt much better. If the other soldiers had been allowed to eat, they could have killed more Philistines. They could have eaten the Philistines' food, but they weren't allowed because of Saul's new rule.
[29] Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
[30] How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?


The Israelites killed many Philistines that day. They chased them from the place called Michmash to the place called Aijalon.  They soldiers were very hungry and weak.
[31] And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.

The Israelites were so hungry that they killed the Philistines' sheep, oxen, and cows. They ate them fast and didn't drain out the blood first.
[32] And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.


Someone told Saul about the soldiers eating the meat with the blood in it. Saul said they were sinning. He asked someone to bring him a big rock.
[33] Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.


Saul told his helpers to go to all of the people. They should tell them to bring their animals to the rock. They should kill the animals on the rock.  They should drain the blood out and then eat the meat. Then they won't sin. So, all of the people brought their animals there to the rock.
[34] And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.


Saul built an altar for God. It was the first altar that he built.
[35] And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.


It was night. Saul wanted to go attack the Philistines again. He wanted to kill them and steal their things until the morning. The other people said that was fine. But the priest said they should ask God what to do.
[36] And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.


Saul asked God what he should do. He asked if he should go attack the Philistines. He wanted to know if God will help him defeat the Philistines.  But God did not answer.
[37] And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.


Saul told his priest to bring the people together. The priest should ask who sinned. Saul swore an oath--strong promise. He swore in God's name. He said that God lives, and God saves Israel. Saul said that no matter who sinned, that sinner will die. He said even if Jonathan is the sinner, he will die. No one answered him.
[38] And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
[39] For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.


Then Saul told everyone to divide.  He said that he and Jonathan will be on one side. Everyone should go on the other side. The people said that was fine.
[40] Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.


Saul asked God to show the sinner. They cast lots (like a lottery). The lots showed the sinner was on Saul and Jonathan's side. The other side was safe.
[41] Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.


Then Saul asked the priest to cast lots for him and Jonathan.  The lots showed that Jonathan was the sinner.
[42] And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.


Saul asked Jonathan what he did. Jonathan told Saul that he ate a little honey. He told Saul he put some honey on the end of his walking stick. Jonathan says that now he must die.
[43] Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.


Saul said yes that Jonathan must die.
[44] And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.


But the other people said Jonathan should not die. Jonathan fought the Philistines and killed many of them. God helped Jonathan win the wars and save Israel. The people said they will not let Saul kill Jonathan.  So, Jonathan did not die.
[45] And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

 

The Philistines leave.


Saul stopped chasing the Philistines. Then the Philistines left and went home.
[46] Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.


When Saul became the king, he led the Israelite army. They fought wars with other groups of people. They fought wars with the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the king of Zobah (in Syria),  the Philistines, and the Amalekites.
[47] So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
[48] And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.

Saul's family


Saul had 3 sons and 2 daughters. Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishui, and Melchi-shua.  Saul's daughters were Merab and Michal.
[49] Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchi-shua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
 

Saul's wife's name was named Ahinoam. Ahimoam's father was named Ahimaaz. 
Saul's uncle was named Ner.  Ner's son was named Abner. Abner was the leader of Saul's army.
[50] And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.

Saul's father's name was Kish. Kish's brother was named Ner. Kish and Ner's father was named Abiel.
[51] And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
 

All of Saul's life, the Philistines fought wars with the Israelites. When Saul saw any strong or brave Israelite men, he forced them to join the Israelite army.
[52] And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.

1Samuel 15


God tells Saul to destroy the Amalekites, but Saul does not obey.


Samuel talked to Saul.  He said that God told him to make Saul the king. Now Saul should listen to God's words.
[1] Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.

God told Samuel about the Amalekite people. Back in the past when the Israelites left Egypt, the Amalekites attacked them. Now, God wants Saul to attack the Amalekites. He should destroy everything. He should kill every man, woman, baby, and animal.
[2] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
[3] Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.


Saul brought the army together in the place called Telaim.  There were 210,000 soldiers in Saul's army.
[4] And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.


Saul and the army went to a low place near one of the Amalekite cities.
[5] And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.


The Kenite people lived in the same place as the Amalekites. Saul told the Kenites to leave. Saul did not want to destroy the Kenites. The Kenites helped the Israelites when they left Egypt. So, the Kenites left the area of the Amalekites.

[6] And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.


Saul attacked the Amalekites. He attacked them from the place called Havilah to the place called Shur (near Egypt).
[7] And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.


Saul caught the Amalekite king named Agag. Saul killed every Amalekite man, woman, and child, but he did not kill Agag.  Saul also did not kill some of the animals. He kept the best sheep and cows.
[8] And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
[9] But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.


God talked to Samuel. God said that Saul did not obey Him. God was not happy with Saul. Samuel was sad, and he prayed to God all night.
[10] Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
[11] It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.


Samuel got up early in the morning. He went to meet Saul. Saul was not there. Someone told Samuel that Saul went to Carmel.  At Carmel, Saul made a monument. Then Saul went to Gilgal.
[12] And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.


Samuel found Saul and talked to him. Saul said that Samuel was blessed. Then Saul said that he did what God told him to do.
[13] And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.


Samuel asked Saul why he was hearing sheep and cattle.
[14] And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

Saul said the animals were from the Amalekites. He said that the army did not kill the best sheep and cows. They brought them back for sacrifices.  Saul said they destroyed everything else.
[15] And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.


Samuel told Saul to stop. He wanted to tell Saul something. He asked him to stay there. Saul told him to go ahead.
[16] Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.


Samuel reminded Saul that God made him to be the king of Israel. God had told Saul to kill all of the Amalekites. But Saul did not obey God. He kept the cows and sheep.
[17] And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
[18] And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
[19] Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?


Samuel said that he obeyed God. He destroyed all of the Amalekite people. He brought their king back. He blamed the other people for not killing the Amalekites' sheep and cows. He said they planned to sacrifice the animals.
[20] And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
[21] But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.


Samuel said God prefers that people obey Him. He prefers obeying more than sacrifices.
[22] And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
 

Samuel said if a person does not obey God, it is the same as a person worshiping false gods or sinning with witchcraft. Saul did not obey God. Now God will not let him be the king anymore.
[23] For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.


Saul said that he sinned. He did not obey God. He said that he obeyed his army because he was afraid of them. He asked Samuel to come with him and help him worship God.
[24] And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
[25] Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.


Samuel said no. He will not go with Saul now. Saul did not obey God, and now God will not let Saul be Israel's king.
[26] And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

 

Saul rips Samuel's robe From www.wels.net

Samuel turned around to leave. Saul grabbed Samuel's robe, and the robe tore.
[27] And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.


Samuel said that God has torn Israel away from Saul. Saul will not be the king of Israel. God will make another king for Israel. The new king will be better than Saul. Samuel said that God is not human. He never lies or changes his mind.
[28] And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
[29] And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.


Saul said that he had sinned. But he wanted Samuel to show honor to him in front of the Israelite leaders. He wanted Samuel to worship God with him again.
[30] Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.


Samuel went with Saul, and Saul worshiped God.
[31] So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.


Samuel asked them to bring Agag (the king of the Amalekites) to him. Agag was nervous, but he thought maybe he would be safe now. He thought the Israelites wouldn't kill him now.
[32] Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.


Samuel said that Agag killed many people. He killed people, and then their mothers did not have children anymore. He said now Agag's mother will not have children left. He killed Agag and cut him into pieces.
[33] And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.


Then Samuel went to his home in Ramah, and Saul went to his home in Gibeah.
[34] Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.


Samuel never saw Saul again for the rest of his life. Samuel continued to feel sad for Saul. God was not happy with Saul. God will make a new king over Israel.
[35] And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.