But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
But Saul and his people spared King Agag and kept the best sheep, cattle, fat calves, lambs, and everything else that was valuable. They refused to completely destroy these good things, but they did completely destroy everything that was worthless and unwanted.
Saul and his army disobeyed God's clear command by keeping the valuable livestock and the enemy king alive, only destroying what was worthless to them.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of ancient Israel, God commanded King Saul through the prophet Samuel to completely destroy the Amalekites as divine judgment for their unprovoked attacks on the Israelites during the Exodus. Saul led his army to victory but disobeyed by sparing King Agag and the most valuable livestock, choosing to keep them for personal gain. This event underscores the ongoing theme in the biblical narrative of Israel's struggle with full obedience to God's instructions.
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