Then Saul summoned the troops and counted them at Telaim: two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah. Saul came to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the wadi. He warned the Kenites,(A) “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came out of Egypt,(B) go on and leave! Get away from the Amalekites, or I’ll sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites withdrew from the Amalekites.

Then Saul struck down the Amalekites(C) from Havilah(D) all the way to Shur,(E) which is next to Egypt. He captured King Agag(F) of Amalek alive, but he completely destroyed all the rest of the people with the sword.(G) Saul and the troops spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and choice animals,[a] as 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.

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Footnotes

  1. 15:9 Lit and the second ones

Saul called out the troops and counted them at Telaim: two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand more troops from Judah. Then Saul advanced on the Amalekite city and laid an ambush in the valley. Saul told the Kenites, “Get going! Leave the Amalekites immediately because you showed kindness to the Israelites when they came out of Egypt. Otherwise, I’ll destroy you right along with them.” So the Kenites left the Amalekites. Then Saul attacked the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is near Egypt. He captured Agag the Amalekite king alive, but Saul placed all the people under the ban, killing them with the sword. Saul and the troops spared Agag along with the best sheep, cattle, fattened calves,[a] lambs, and everything of value. They weren’t willing to put them under the ban; but anything that was despised or of no value[b] they placed under the ban.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 15:9 LXX
  2. 1 Samuel 15:9 LXX; Heb uncertain