Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 3. Slay both man and woman] Nothing could justify such an exterminating decree but the absolute authority of God. This was given: all the reasons of it we do not know; but this we know well, The Judge of all the earth doth right. This war was not for plunder, for God commanded that all the property as well as all the people should be destroyed.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - The sentence of condemnation against the Amalekites had gone forth lon before, Ex 17:14; De 25:19, but they had been spared till they fille up the measure of their sins. We are sure that the righteous Lord doe no injustice to any. The remembering the kindness of the ancestors of the Kenites, in favour to them, at the time God was punishing the injuries done by the ancestors of the Amalekites, tended to clear the righteousness of God in this dispensation. It is dangerous to be foun in the company of God's enemies, and it is our duty and interest to come out from among them, lest we share in their sins and plagues, R 18:4. As the commandment had been express, and a test of Saul' obedience, his conduct evidently was the effect of a proud, rebelliou spirit. He destroyed only the refuse, that was good for little. Tha which was now destroyed was sacrificed to the justice of God.
Original Hebrew עתה6258 לך1980 והכיתה5221 את853 עמלק6002 והחרמתם2763 את853 כל3605 אשׁר834 לו ולא3808 תחמל2550 עליו5921 והמתה4191 מאישׁ376 עד5704 אשׁה802 מעלל5768 ועד5704 יונק3243 משׁור7794 ועד5704 שׂה7716 מגמל1581 ועד5704 חמור׃2543
