1 Samuel 15:30
Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.
The plea comes from Saul's campaign against Amalek, whose assault on Israel and persistent wickedness called down a judgment held back for four hundred years. His admission that he had sinned was forced and fearful, wrung from him only when the facts could no longer be denied and after he learned that God had rejected him as king, and it contained no true confession or repentance.
He asked Samuel to uphold his honor publicly before the elders of his people and before Israel by accompanying him and joining him in worship. His object was to preserve his honor and authority and standing before the people and to prevent revolt. He was more troubled by losing Samuel's support and public honor than by displeasing God, receiving forgiveness, and regaining God's favor.
Samuel consented to go at God's direction, lest his refusal furnish occasion for revolt, yet he went only as a silent witness.