Obedience is better than sacrifice

1 Samuel
Today I learned that even if we think we're doing God a favour, we aren't if we have not followed his commands.  That's where this verse comes in - 1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is better than sacrifice.  Saul had just waged war against the Amalekites, as the Lord had asked.  However, God had also told Saul to kill all the Amalekites, both the people and their animals.  Saul killed the weak ones, but left the king alive, as well as the choicest sheep and other animals.  He was going to sacrifice these animals to God, thinking he would be pleasing God. However, this is what Samuel the prophet tells Saul: "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."
God is not interested in our offerings if we can't actually follow his word.  In the end, it will go better for us, even if we can't seem to understand that right away.  Here's what happened to Saul - Samuel killed the Amalekite king, and God took the kingship away from Saul and gave it to David.
It seems to me that living within the will of God is far better than trying to get on his good side in our own way.