John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive , etc.] This name seems to be a common name of the kings of these people, as Pharaoh was of the Egyptians, (see Numbers 24:2). When this king fell into the hands of Saul, he did not put him to death, as he should have done, but preserved him; for what reasons, see in the following verse: and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword ; that is, all that came in his way, or fell into his hands; all between Havilah and Shur; all excepting those that made their escape, for we after read of Amalekites, and that in large bodies, ( 1 Samuel 27:8 30:1).
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 ויתפשׂ8610 את853 אגג90 מלך4428 עמלק6002 חי2416 ואת853 כל3605 העם5971 החרים2763 לפי6310 חרב׃2719
