1 Samuel 15:1–9

Saul Rejected as King

15Samuel told Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you as king over His people Israel. ^lNow, listen to the words of the Lord. ²This is what the Lord of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed ^mwhat the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them along the way as they were coming out of Egypt. ⁿ³Now go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have. ^oDo not spare them. Kill men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’ ” ^p

⁴Then Saul summoned the troops and counted them at Telaim: 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men from Judah. ⁵Saul came to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the wadi. ⁶He warned the Kenites, ^q“Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came out of Egypt, ^rgo on and leave! Get away from the Amalekites, or I’ll sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites withdrew from the Amalekites.

⁷Then Saul struck down the Amalekites ^sfrom Havilah ^tall the way to Shur, ^uwhich is next to Egypt. ⁸He captured Agag ^vking of Amalek alive, but he completely destroyed all the rest of the people with the sword. ^w9Saul and the troops spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, cattle, and choice animals, ^xas well as the young rams and the best of everything else. They were not willing to destroy them, but they did destroy all the worthless and unwanted things.