The prophet Samuel confronted King Saul: “Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission than the fat of rams.” When engaged in Holy War (as Israel was in their fight against the Amalekites) there was to be complete destruction. Saul justified the taking of booty in battle because it was to be used to make sacrificial offerings to God. God (through the prophet) rejects this rationalization. Sacrifice is not a way to manipulate God, or appease God. Sacrifice is a response to what God has done/is doing. Saul thought he could get in God’s graces by more sacrifices. Saul seemed to want to bribe God into blessing him. He forgot that God blesses us first and all that we do is in response to divine blessings.
