“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel "15":22
The greatest of God’s demands upon man is not for him to bear the cross, to serve, to make offerings, or to deny himself. The greatest demand is for him to obey.<br/><br/>The sacrifices offered here by Saul were those called in Leviticus sweet-savor offerings. These had nothing to do with sin, for the sin offerings were never described as a sweet-savor offering to the Lord. These were offered to God for His acceptance and satisfaction. Why then did Samuel insist that it would have been better to have obeyed rather than to offer them? Because as the story makes clear, even in a sacrifice, there can be an element of self-will, and that can never honor or please God. Obedience alone is absolutely honoring to Him, for obedience makes God’s will its only center.