The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe, historically known as one of the persistent enemies of Israel. Their origin is traced back to Amalek, a descendant of Esau, as recorded in Genesis 36:12. The Amalekites are first mentioned in the Bible during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, where they attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. This unprovoked aggression led to a divine decree of judgment against them, as God declared through Moses: "I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven" (Exodus 17:14).

The command to destroy the Amalekites was reiterated during the reign of King Saul. In 1 Samuel 15, the prophet Samuel conveyed God's explicit instructions to Saul: "Now 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 was a continuation of the divine judgment pronounced earlier, emphasizing the totality of the destruction required.

Saul's failure to fully execute God's command is a pivotal moment in his reign and is seen as a significant act of disobedience. Instead of completely destroying the Amalekites and all their possessions, Saul spared Agag, the king of the Amalekites, and kept the best of the livestock. When confronted by Samuel, Saul attempted to justify his actions by claiming that the spared animals were intended for sacrifice to the Lord. However, Samuel rebuked Saul, emphasizing that obedience to God's command was more important than 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).

As a result of his disobedience, Saul was rejected by God as king. Samuel declared to Saul, "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king" (1 Samuel 15:23). This marked the beginning of the end of Saul's reign and the rise of David, who would eventually become king.

The incident with the Amalekites highlights the importance of complete obedience to God's commands. Saul's partial obedience and rationalization of his actions serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising God's directives. The narrative underscores the principle that God's commands are to be followed fully and faithfully, without deviation or personal interpretation.1 Samuel 15:9-26
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatted calves, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 28:18
Because you obeyed not the voice of the LORD, nor executed his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore has the LORD done this thing to you this day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Snare of the Fowler
... who sought to slay him, or the Amalekites, who pounced ... If David penned it, he might
have compared Saul to the ... commit a sin that he knows is condemned even by ...
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Who were the Amalekites? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God command the extermination / genocide of the Canaanites, women and children included? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of Jehovah-Nissi? | GotQuestions.org

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