Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today.
So Saul crushed the Amalekites, beginning at Havilah in the direction of Shur, which is to the east of Egypt.
He took Agag, king of the Amalekites, alive and, executing the curse of destruction, put all the people to the sword.
When Yahweh sent you on a mission, he told you: 'Go and put those sinners, the Amalekites, under the curse of destruction and make war on them until they are exterminated.' Why then did you not obey Yahweh's voice?
I brought back Agag, king of the Amalekites.
Samuel then said, "Bring me Agag, king of the Amalekites." Agag came towards him unsteadily, saying, "Truly, death is bitter." Samuel then butchered Agag in the presence of Yahweh at Gilgal.
"And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar."
The mention of Amalekites may be a later addition, as their prominence occurs in later texts.
Amalekites: Nomadic people who frequently warred with Israel during the Exodus and Judges period.
Biglino notes that this aligns with the general view he has been presenting for years: that a group of Elohim gave various populations—Moabites, Ammonites, Amalekites, Edomites, and Israelites—a series of rules and regulations, which also included practical teachings such as metallurgy.
Amalekites: In 1 Samuel 15:2-3, YHWH commands King Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, including men, women, children, and animals.
Destruction of the Amalekites:
Through Samuel: In 1 Samuel 15:2-3, YHWH commands Saul, through the "The Powerful Listener", to destroy the Amalekites completely.
Destruction of the Amalekites:
Command to Saul via Samuel: In 1 Samuel 15, YHWH commands King Saul, through the Samuel, to completely destroy the Amalekites, including men, women, children, infants, and animals.
This act of herem (total destruction) was intended as judgement against the Amalekites for their past actions against Israel.
The prior information sheds interesting light on Genesis 14:5-7, where Chedorlaomer “defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, and the Horites in their hill country of Seir,” in addition to defeating Amalekites and Amorites.
These groups, including the Amalekites, Amorites, and Anakim-Rephaim, were still in the land during the time of Joshua (Numbers 13:29, 33).
1 Samuel 15:3, against the Amalekites:
“Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them.