The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe, often considered one of the most persistent adversaries of the Israelites in the Old Testament. They are first mentioned in Genesis 14:7 and are descendants of Esau's grandson, Amalek (Genesis 36:12). The Amalekites are notorious for their unprovoked attack on the Israelites at Rephidim shortly after the Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16). This act of aggression led to a divine decree of perpetual enmity between the Lord and Amalek, culminating in the command to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven (Deuteronomy 25:17-19).

Agag, King of the Amalekites

Agag was a king of the Amalekites during the reign of King Saul, the first king of Israel. His name is often used to represent the Amalekite kingship, and he is a central figure in the narrative of Saul's incomplete obedience to God's command. In 1 Samuel 15, God commands Saul, through the prophet Samuel, to utterly destroy the Amalekites, including Agag, as a fulfillment of the divine judgment pronounced in Exodus 17:14 and Deuteronomy 25:19.

Saul, however, fails to fully execute God's command. While he defeats the Amalekites, he spares Agag and the best of the livestock, rationalizing his disobedience by claiming the animals were kept for sacrifice to the Lord (1 Samuel 15:9, 15). This act of partial obedience is met with divine displeasure, and Samuel confronts Saul, declaring that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22-23): "But Samuel replied: '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.'"

Samuel's Execution of Agag

In a dramatic and symbolic act of divine justice, Samuel himself executes Agag. 1 Samuel 15:32-33 recounts the event: "Then Samuel said, 'Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.' Agag came to him cheerfully, thinking, 'Surely the bitterness of death is past.' But Samuel declared: 'As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.' And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal."

This execution underscores the seriousness of God's command and the consequences of Saul's disobedience. Samuel's actions serve as a stark reminder of the divine mandate to eradicate the Amalekite threat and the importance of complete obedience to God's will. The narrative of Agag's death highlights the theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of God's promises, even when human leaders fail to carry out His commands fully.

The account of Agag and the Amalekites is a poignant illustration of the ongoing spiritual battle between God's people and the forces that oppose His purposes. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and the dire consequences of compromising God's commands.1 Samuel 15:32,33
Then said Samuel, Bring you here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came to him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The History of Saul
... God? And then said Saul to Samuel: I have taken Agag, king of the Amalekites,
and brought him with me, but I have slain Amalek. The ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... and, above all, the most barbarous of all cruelties, that of Haman the Agagite,
or one of the posterity of Agag, the old king of the Amalekites, Esther 3 ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

Book 4 Footnotes
... to go and "destroy the sinners, the Amalekites;" plainly implying ... third, the reason
is given why king Agag was not ... was dead before, or rather was slain in this ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 4 footnotes.htm

Canaan
... Then the Amalekites were pursued into their desert domain and ... was the "city" of tents
of which Agag was shekh ... which the troops of the Israelitish king burnt and ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... of their father, (1 Samuel 2:25); Saul, to spare the king of the Amalekites, (1
Samuel 15:8 ... Agag, also, was afterwards hewed in pieces before the Lord by the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the covenant"The Philistine dominion over Israel; Samuel, Saul, the ... had a secret
errand to the king, who thereupon ... warrant the view that he was slain "in the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... Thus saith the Lord," and bade him destroy the Amalekites. ... cattle and the sheep,
and brought home Agag; and what ... Church, who have left all to follow King Jesus ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

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