The Amalekites, a nomadic tribe often associated with the desert regions south of Canaan, have a long and tumultuous history with the Israelites. They are first mentioned in the Bible during the time of Abraham and are later depicted as perennial enemies of Israel. The Amalekites are descendants of Esau's grandson, Amalek, as noted in Genesis 36:12. Their hostility towards Israel is first recorded in Exodus 17:8-16, where they attacked the Israelites at Rephidim shortly after the Exodus from Egypt. This unprovoked aggression led to a divine decree of perpetual enmity between the two nations, with God declaring through Moses, "I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven" (Exodus 17:14).

Throughout the period of the Judges and the early monarchy, the Amalekites continued to harass Israel. They are mentioned in the context of various battles and raids, often aligning with other hostile groups to oppress the Israelites. In 1 Samuel 15, King Saul is commanded by God, through the prophet Samuel, to completely destroy the Amalekites as an act of divine judgment. However, Saul's incomplete obedience—sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock—led to his rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:9-23).

Despite Saul's failure, the Amalekites were significantly weakened, yet remnants of the tribe persisted. During the reign of King David, further campaigns were conducted against them, as recorded in 1 Samuel 30, where David defeated the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag.

The final destruction of the Amalekite remnant is recorded during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. In 1 Chronicles 4:41-43, it is noted that the Simeonites, under the leadership of certain princes, went to Mount Seir and struck down the remaining Amalekites who had escaped previous conflicts. The passage states, "They struck down the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped, and they have lived there to this day" (1 Chronicles 4:43). This event marks the fulfillment of the divine decree against Amalek, as the Simeonites, acting in accordance with God's longstanding judgment, eradicated the last vestiges of this ancient foe.

The complete destruction of the Amalekite remnant during Hezekiah's reign underscores the biblical theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of God's promises. The Amalekites serve as a symbol of opposition to God's people and His purposes, and their ultimate demise illustrates the certainty of divine retribution against persistent wickedness.1 Chronicles 4:41-43
And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly to this day, and dwelled in their rooms: because there was pasture there for their flocks.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... or in strongholds on the mountains.1 During one of ... Jeremiah 47:4 calls them "the
remnant of the ... Caphtorim which came forth out of Caphtor destroyed the Avvim ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

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