Then said Samuel, Bring you here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
Perhaps Samuel consented to honor Saul by worshipping with him (1 Samuel 14:30-31) because Saul was still the king. It was good that Saul wanted to honor Yahweh in the eyes of the people by worshipping Him. Perhaps Saul’s sincere though shallow contrition moved Samuel to be more cooperative and gracious (cf. 1 Samuel 14:26). Some of the commentators believed Samuel did not sin in returning with Saul. [Note: E.g., Peter N. Greenhow, "Did Samuel Sin?" Grace Journal 11:2 (1970):34-40.] Note Saul’s continuing obsession with external appearances.