Samuel said to Saul, Yahweh sent me to anoint you to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore listen you to the voice of the words of Yahweh.
"Go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy  ..."  (1 Samuel 15:3).  The Amalekites were the first pagan nation to attack the Jews following their deliverance from Egypt; "And God at that time threatened them with extermination as a consequence  (Exodus 17:8-16)."[5]  Centuries had elapsed since then.  "God often bears long with those who are marked for ruin, but he will not bear always."[6]  So it proved to be in the case of the Amalekites.  "God had sworn that in the process of time, he would utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek.  This was bloody work; and Saul was chosen to do it."[7]  As we shall see, Saul did not do as he was commanded.