Background and Command:

The account of Saul's attack on the Amalekites is found in 1 Samuel 15. The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe that had long been enemies of Israel. Their hostility towards the Israelites dated back to the time of the Exodus when they attacked the Israelites at Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-16). As a result, God declared through Moses that He would "blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven" (Exodus 17:14).

In 1 Samuel 15, the prophet Samuel conveys God's command to King Saul to execute divine judgment on the Amalekites. The LORD instructs Saul to "go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys" (1 Samuel 15:3). This command reflects the concept of herem, a form of holy war in which everything is devoted to God, often through complete destruction.

Saul's Disobedience:

Saul gathers his forces and attacks the Amalekites, achieving a military victory. However, he fails to fully obey God's command. Instead of destroying everything, Saul and the people spare Agag, the king of the Amalekites, and the best of the livestock. The text notes, "But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and all that was good. They were unwilling to destroy them, but everything that was despised and worthless, they devoted to destruction" (1 Samuel 15:9).

Divine Rejection:

Saul's partial obedience leads to divine rejection. The LORD speaks to Samuel, expressing regret for making Saul king, saying, "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions" (1 Samuel 15:11). Samuel confronts Saul, who initially claims to have obeyed the LORD. However, when pressed, Saul admits to sparing the best livestock to sacrifice to the LORD, attempting to justify his actions.

Samuel delivers a pivotal message, emphasizing the importance of obedience over sacrifice: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22). Samuel declares that because Saul has rejected the word of the LORD, God has rejected him as king.

Aftermath:

Following this confrontation, Samuel executes Agag, fulfilling the divine command that Saul had failed to complete. The narrative concludes with Samuel mourning for Saul, and the LORD regretting that He had made Saul king over Israel (1 Samuel 15:35).

This episode marks a turning point in Saul's reign, highlighting the serious consequences of disobedience to God's commands. It sets the stage for the rise of David, whom God chooses as a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Saul's failure to fully carry out God's judgment against the Amalekites serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of complete obedience to the LORD.