Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
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 [I Samuel 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.
HE SPARES AGAG AND THE BEST OF THE SPOIL. (I Samuel 15:7-9)
Saul smote the Amalekites—His own view of the proper and expedient course to follow was his rule, not the command of God.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Samuel 15:9:
Numbers 7:84-88
1 Samuel 15:7-9
1 Kings 20:34
1 Chronicles 10:13
Jeremiah 42:6
Jeremiah 48:10
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