Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
Now go and attack the Amalekites, and completely destroy everything they have. Don't spare anyone or anything—kill every man and woman, every baby and nursing child, every ox and sheep, every camel and donkey.
God is commanding King Saul through Samuel to completely destroy the Amalekite nation and all their possessions as divine judgment.
📚 Historical Context
This command came after the Amalekites had repeatedly attacked Israel during their wilderness wandering and showed no mercy to the weak and vulnerable among God's people. In the ancient Near East, such complete destruction (called 'herem' in Hebrew) was understood as divine judgment carried out through human agents. God had promised this judgment on Amalek generations earlier because of their unprovoked attacks on Israel when they were fleeing Egypt.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.