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
God had commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions as judgment for their attack on Israel during the exodus from Egypt. This was a 'herem' or ban of destruction, meaning everything was to be devoted to God through complete annihilation. Saul's selective obedience showed he valued material gain over God's explicit instructions.
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