I Samuel 15:22 “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.”
In speaking to king Saul, “Samuel” strongly emphasized that “to obey” “the LORD” “is better than sacrifice”. Furthermore, “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (I Samuel 15:23); that is, “rebellion” and “stubbornness” against the “LORD” are on the same detestable level as “witchcraft” and “idolatry”. In Saul’s case, the “LORD” gave him specific instructions for warfare against the “Amalekites”, but Saul had his own ‘good ideas’, and he disobeyed “the LORD”. Consequently, “Samuel” told “Saul” that “the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel”, and from that moment forward “Saul” failed miserably as king and ultimately died in shame (I Samuel 31:3-6). On the other hand, obedience to the “Lord” is a practical demonstration of our “love” for Him (John 14:15)!