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The S 2 p 3/2 2 p 1/2 spin-orbit splitting of H 2 S has earlier been assigned different values by Auger and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. We resolve this apparent ambiguity by presenting very high resolution synchrotron radiation excited Auger and photoelectron spectra, where the molecular field splitting in the ‘‘S 2 p 3/2’’photoelectron line is observed to be 110 (5) meV. The difference in spin-orbit splitting is explained in terms of a new strong propensity rule for Auger decay from molecular field split levels. A value of 70 (10) meV for the S 2p lifetime width in H 2 S is also obtained.