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Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/15-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/09_1Sa_15_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 15:22 - Samuel Denounces Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Samuel declared: Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? 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To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15.htm">New Living Translation</a> But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> And Samuel said, “Has 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 listen than the fat of rams. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/15.htm">New King James Version</a> So Samuel said: “Has 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 heed than the fat of rams. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Samuel said, “Does the LORD have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than a sacrifice, And to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> Samuel said, &#8220Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And Samuel said, “Has Yahweh as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of Yahweh? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obedience to the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed [is better] than the fat of rams. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Samuel said: Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Samuel said: Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Tell me," Samuel said. "Does the LORD really want sacrifices and offerings? No! He doesn't want your sacrifices. He wants you to obey him. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then Samuel said, "Is the LORD as delighted with burnt offerings and sacrifices as he would be with your obedience? To follow instructions is better than to sacrifice. To obey is better than sacrificing the fat of rams. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> Samuel said, "Which does the LORD prefer: obedience or offerings and sacrifices? It is better to obey him than to sacrifice the best sheep to him. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> Samuel said, "Does the LORD delight as much in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the LORD? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But Samuel declared: ?Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/net/1_samuel/15.htm">NET Bible</a> Then Samuel said, "Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as he does in obedience? Certainly, obedience is better than sacrifice; paying attention is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Look, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/1_samuel/15.htm">World English Bible</a> Samuel said, “Has Yahweh as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying Yahweh’s voice? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Samuel says, “Has YHWH had delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices as [in] listening to the voice of YHWH? Behold, listening is better than sacrifice; to give attention than fat of rams; <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Samuel saith, 'Hath Jehovah had delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices as in hearkening to the voice of Jehovah? lo, hearkening than sacrifice is better; to give attention than fat of rams; <a href="/slt/1_samuel/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Samuel will say, Was it pleasing to Jehovah in burnt-offerings and sacrifices as to hear to the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to hear, above a good sacrifice, and to hearken, above the fat of rams.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Samuel said: Doth 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 of rams. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Samuel said: “Does the Lord want holocausts and victims, and not instead that the voice of the Lord should be obeyed? For obedience is better than sacrifice. And to heed is greater than to offer the fat of rams. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Bible</a> But Samuel said: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to the LORD’s command? Obedience is better than sacrifice, to listen, better than the fat of rams. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of the LORD? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Samuel said, The LORD is not as well pleased with burnt offerings and sacrifices as with one who obeys his voice. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifices, and to hearken, than the fat of rams. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Shemueil said: “LORD JEHOVAH is not pleased with burnt offerings and with sacrifices as with him who listens to his voice. Behold, listening is better than sacrifice, and to obey than the fat of rams<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Samuel said: 'Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, As in hearkening to the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Samuel said, Does the Lord take pleasure in whole-burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in hearing the words of the Lord? behold, obedience is better than a good sacrifice, and hearkening than the fat of rams. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/15-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=4219" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Samuel Denounces Saul</a> …21The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” 22<a href="/hebrew/8050.htm" title="8050: šə·mū·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- Name of God, a prophet of Isr. From the passive participle of shama' and 'el; heard of God; Shemuel, the name of three Israelites.">But Samuel</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">declared:</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">“Does the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/2656.htm" title="2656: ha·ḥê·p̄eṣ (Art:: N-ms) -- Delight, pleasure. From chaphets; pleasure; hence desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence a matter.">delight</a> <a href="/hebrew/5930.htm" title="5930: bə·‘ō·lō·wṯ (Prep-b:: N-fp) -- Whole burnt offering. Or mowlah; feminine active participle of alah; a step or; usually a holocaust.">in burnt offerings</a> <a href="/hebrew/2077.htm" title="2077: ū·zə·ḇā·ḥîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- A sacrifice. From zabach; properly, a slaughter, i.e. The flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice.">and sacrifices</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: kiš·mō·a‘ (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">as much as in obedience</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: bə·qō·wl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">to His voice?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">Behold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šə·mō·a‘ (V-Qal-Inf) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">obedience</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">is better</a> <a href="/hebrew/2077.htm" title="2077: miz·ze·ḇaḥ (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- A sacrifice. From zabach; properly, a slaughter, i.e. The flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice.">than sacrifice,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7181.htm" title="7181: lə·haq·šîḇ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To incline (ears), attend. A primitive root; to prick up the ears, i.e. Hearken.">and attentiveness</a> <a href="/hebrew/2459.htm" title="2459: mê·ḥê·leḇ (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Or cheleb; from an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part.">is better than the fat</a> <a href="/hebrew/352.htm" title="352: ’ê·lîm (N-mp) -- From the same as 'uwl; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief; also a ram; a pilaster; an oak or other strong tree.">of rams.</a> 23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16-17</a> For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a> To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a> “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ... <a href="/jeremiah/7-22.htm">Jeremiah 7:22-23</a> For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices, / but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a> “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ... <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a> But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” <a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7</a> If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/mark/12-33.htm">Mark 12:33</a> and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” <a href="/hebrews/10-5.htm">Hebrews 10:5-9</a> Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. / In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. / Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” ... <a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a> Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. <a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22</a> Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. <a href="/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17</a> So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. <a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a> If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Samuel said, Has 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 listen than the fat of rams.Hath the Lord<a href="/psalms/50-8.htm">Psalm 50:8,9</a> I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me… <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16,17</a> For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering… <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a> To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.obey<a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5</a> Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:<a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1</a> Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.<a href="/jeremiah/7-23.htm">Jeremiah 7:23</a> But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/14-30.htm">Better</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-10.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-12.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-15.htm">Burnt-Offerings</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-1.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-1.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-19.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/joshua/10-14.htm">Hearkening</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-20.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-20.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/judges/2-17.htm">Obeying</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-9.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-20.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-11.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/joshua/6-13.htm">Rams</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-21.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-15.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-20.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-20.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-28.htm">Better</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-30.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-3.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-17.htm">Burnt-Offerings</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-22.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-6.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-3.htm">Hearkening</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-2.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-18.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/psalms/103-20.htm">Obeying</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-21.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-35.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-4.htm">Rams</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-2.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-12.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 15</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/15-1.htm">Samuel sends Saul to destroy Amalek</a> 6. <a href="/1_samuel/15-6.htm">Saul favors the Kenites</a> 7. <a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm">He spares Agag and the best of the spoil</a> 10. <a href="/1_samuel/15-10.htm">Samuel denounces unto Saul God's rejection of him for his disobedience</a> 24. <a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">Saul's humiliation</a> 32. <a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">Samuel kills Agag</a> 34. <a href="/1_samuel/15-34.htm">Samuel and Saul part</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But Samuel declared: Samuel, the last judge and a prophet of Israel, speaks with authority as God's representative. His role is crucial in guiding Israel during a time of transition from judges to monarchy. Samuel's declarations often carry divine weight, as seen in his anointing of kings and his role as a mediator between God and the people.Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? This rhetorical question challenges the Israelites' understanding of worship. In the ancient Near East, sacrifices were a common religious practice, but God emphasizes that ritual without obedience is meaningless. This theme is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> and <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a>, where God prioritizes mercy and justice over ritualistic offerings.Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, Obedience to God's commands is paramount, surpassing the value of ritual sacrifices. This principle is foundational in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where adherence to God's law is a sign of faithfulness. Jesus Christ exemplifies perfect obedience, fulfilling the law and the prophets, as seen in <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>.and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. Attentiveness, or heeding God's word, is more valuable than the choicest parts of sacrificial animals. The "fat of rams" symbolizes the best offerings one could give, yet God desires a heart that listens and responds to His will. This concept is reinforced in <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16-17</a>, where a contrite heart is preferred over burnt offerings.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a> A prophet and judge in Israel who anointed the first two kings, Saul and David. He serves as God's spokesperson in this passage, delivering a message of correction to King Saul. 2. <a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a> The first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience. In this chapter, Saul fails to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who values obedience over ritualistic sacrifices. His character and desires are central to understanding this passage. 4. <a href="/topical/b/burnt_offerings_and_sacrifices.htm">Burnt Offerings and Sacrifices</a> Rituals commanded in the Law of Moses, symbolizing atonement and devotion. However, they are not a substitute for genuine obedience to God. 5. <a href="/topical/a/amalekites.htm">Amalekites</a> A people whom God commanded Saul to completely destroy as an act of divine judgment. Saul's failure to fully carry out this command leads to his rejection as king.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/o/obedience_over_ritual.htm">Obedience Over Ritual</a> God values our obedience to His commands more than our religious rituals. True worship is demonstrated through a life of obedience. <a href="/topical/a/attentiveness_to_god's_voice.htm">Attentiveness to God's Voice</a> Listening and responding to God's guidance is crucial. We must prioritize His instructions over our own desires or traditions. <a href="/topical/h/heart_condition.htm">Heart Condition</a> God looks at the heart. Our actions should stem from a genuine relationship with Him, not merely external compliance. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a> Saul's account warns us of the serious consequences of disobedience. Partial obedience is still disobedience in God's eyes. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ's_teachings.htm">Reflecting Christ's Teachings</a> Jesus emphasized the importance of mercy and obedience, aligning with the message of <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>. Our lives should reflect His teachings.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 15</a> <a href="/q/how_does_1_sam_15_22_align_with_ot_laws.htm">How does 1 Samuel 15:22, emphasizing obedience over sacrifice, reconcile with the sacrificial laws emphasized elsewhere in the Old Testament? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_'obedience_over_sacrifice'_mean.htm">What does "obedience is better than sacrifice" mean?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_god_use_a_forbidden_method.htm">Why would God, who had stopped answering Saul (1 Samuel 28:6), allow this forbidden method to convey His message? </a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_definition_of_religion.htm">What is the definition of religion?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.--In this answer it would seem that the Spirit of the Lord descended upon Samuel, and that he here gave utterance to one of those rapt expressions which now and again in the course of each of these Hebrew prophets' lives these famous men were commissioned by the Divine power to give out to their fellows. The words of Samuel here were reproduced, or at least referred to, by other prophets and teachers of the old dispensation; for example, see <a href="/context/psalms/50-8.htm" title="I will not reprove you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.">Psalm 50:8-14</a>; <a href="/context/psalms/51-16.htm" title="For you desire not sacrifice; else would I give it: you delight not in burnt offering.">Psalm 51:16-17</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm" title="To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to me? said the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.">Isaiah 1:11</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/6-20.htm" title="To what purpose comes there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet to me.">Jeremiah 6:20</a>; <a href="/context/micah/6-6.htm" title="With which shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?">Micah 6:6-8</a>; <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm" title="For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.">Hosea 6:6</a>. Our Lord himself, in His words recorded in Matt. ix, 13, if not actually referring to this passage, makes substantially the same declaration. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 22, 23. - The rebuke of Samuel contains one of those pregnant sayings which mark the high moral tone of the teaching of the prophets, and soon became a fundamental principle with them. To obey is better than sacrifice is a dictum reproduced by Hosea (<a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a>), the most ancient of those prophets of Israel whose lessons have been preserved in writing; it is referred to in still earlier psalms (see <a href="/psalms/50-13.htm">Psalm 50:13-14</a>; <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16, 17</a>); by other prophets (<a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20</a>; <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6, 8</a>); and finally received our Lord's special approbation (<a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a>; <a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7</a>). It asserts in the clearest terms the superiority of moral to ritual worship, and that God can only be really served with the heart. Witchcraft is in the Hebrew divination, a sin always strongly condemned in the Old Testament. Iniquity literally means nothingness, and so is constantly used for "an idol;" and this must be its signification here, as the word coupled with it, and rendered idolatry, is really teraphim. These were the Hebrew household gods, answering to the Roman Lares, and were supposed to bring good luck. Their worship, we see from this place, was strictly forbidden. The verse, therefore, means, "For rebellion is the sin of divination (i.e. is equal to it in wickedness), and obstinacy (i.e. intractableness) is an idol and teraphim." Samuel thus accuses Saul of resistance to Jehovah's will, and of the determination at all hazards to be his own master. With this temper of mind he could be no fit representative of Jehovah, and therefore Samuel dethrones him. Henceforward he reigns only as a temporal, and no longer as the theocratic, king. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/15-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But Samuel שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל (šə·mū·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8050.htm">Strong's 8050: </a> Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel declared: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Does the LORD לַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel delight הַחֵ֤פֶץ (ha·ḥê·p̄eṣ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2656.htm">Strong's 2656: </a> Pleasure, desire, a valuable thing, a matter in burnt offerings בְּעֹל֣וֹת (bə·‘ō·lō·wṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5930.htm">Strong's 5930: </a> Whole burnt offering and sacrifices וּזְבָחִ֔ים (ū·zə·ḇā·ḥîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2077.htm">Strong's 2077: </a> A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice as much as in obeying כִּשְׁמֹ֖עַ (kiš·mō·a‘) Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently the voice בְּק֣וֹל (bə·qō·wl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> A voice, sound of the LORD? יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Behold, הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! obedience שְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ (šə·mō·a‘) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently is better ט֔וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good than sacrifice, מִזֶּ֣בַח (miz·ze·ḇaḥ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2077.htm">Strong's 2077: </a> A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice [and] attentiveness לְהַקְשִׁ֖יב (lə·haq·šîḇ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7181.htm">Strong's 7181: </a> To prick up the ears, hearken is better than the fat מֵחֵ֥לֶב (mê·ḥê·leḇ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2459.htm">Strong's 2459: </a> Fat, richest, choice part of rams. אֵילִֽים׃ (’ê·lîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_352.htm">Strong's 352: </a> Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 15:22 Samuel said Has Yahweh as great delight (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/15-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>