1 Samuel 15:8

“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 <042402>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, (<092708>1 Samuel 27:8 30:1).”

“he took Agag . . . alive--This was the common title of the Amalekite kings. He had no scruple about the apparent cruelty of it, for he made fierce and indiscriminate havoc of the people. But he spared Agag, probably to enjoy the glory of displaying so distinguished a captive, and, in like manner, the most valuable portions of the booty, as the cattle. By this wilful and partial obedience to a positive command [Sa1 15:3], complying with it in some parts and violating it in others, as suited his own taste and humor, Saul showed his selfish, arbitrary temper, and his love of despotic power, and his utter unfitness to perform the duties of a delegated king in Israel.”

“The saving Agag alive was in direct violation of the devotion to destruction. return to 'Top of Page'”

“All - Whom he found. Now they paid dear for the sin of their ancestors. They were themselves guilty of idolatry and numberless sins, for which they deserved to be cut off. Yet when God would reckon with them, he fixes upon this as the ground of his quarrel. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 15:9”

“15:8 Agag was probably the descendant of an earlier king by the same name (see Num 24:7; cp. Esth 3:1).”

“Agag: Sa1 15:3; Num 24:7; Kg1 20:30, Kg1 20:34-42; Est 3:1 utterly: Sa1 27:8, Sa1 30:1; Jos 10:39, Jos 11:12 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 15:9”