To obey is better than sacrifice

I'm reading the Bible in one year and the Old Testament reading for May 24 is 1 Samuel 14:24-15:35.

"But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."" - 1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)

After defeating the Amalekites in battle, 'Saul and the army spared Agag [king of the Amalekites] and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs - everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed' (1 Samuel 15:9, NIV). This was contrary to the LORD's instructions to 'attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys' (1 Samuel 15:3, NIV).

God does not desire dead sacrifices. He desires living sacrifices - our obedience to His will!

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)