7:8-10 A Matter of Obedience The people of Judah had convinced themselves that God would not let their city fall because his Temple was located there. They lived lives of hypocrisy—worshiping idols and false gods beyond the Temple walls and then running back to pledge their allegiance to God in times of distress. “Obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam 15:22), and none are exempt from the consequences of sin.