The Amalakites were a wicked and idolatrous people. They were a fierce race of nomads who inhabited the desert south of the Judean area towards Egypt. They were a cruel people who lived off raiding, robbing and murdering other tribes. They made life miserable for people who lived near them. When Israel had left the bondage of Egypt, and passed through the Red Sea, the Amalakites came from behind and ambushed the weary, hungry and thirsty Israelites who were lagging behind (Exodus 17:8-16, Deut. 25:17-19).
The Children of Israel were to never forget what the Amalakites did (Deut. 25:19). As soon as Israel took possession of the Promised Land they were to rid themselves of the Amalakites. The Lord commissioned King Saul to destroy the Amalakites: “Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not” (1 Sam. 15:1-3). Saul partially obeyed the Lord, in that he spared the Amalakite king, Agag, and kept back the best of their flocks (1 Sam. 15:7-9). Saul’s lack of obedience led to his tenure as Israel’s king to be shortened. Not only would his failure to destroy all of the Amalakites end his reign as king, but it would also end his life. For it would be an Amalakite who would deliver the final death blow to Saul (2 Sam. 1:1-13).
Saul didn’t remember what the Amalakites did previously. He forgot that the Amalakites had destroyed his ancestors and forefathers in the wilderness. He forgot how ruthless they treated his own family.
Saul didn’t want to completely destroy the Amalakites and King Agag, he instead wanted to pamper and preserve them. Saul wanted to tame the Amalakite king. Agag and the Amalakites are representative of sin. Therefore, you have a much better chance of taming a mountain lion or a rattlesnake than you do of taming sin. We will never tame our flesh and its desires. We must deal with it quickly and severely.
Furthermore, we better never forget what sin has done to families, friends and acquaintances. Sin waited and attacked while they lagged behind, and were at their weakest. Sin will not treat you and I any different. If we don’t destroy sin now, chances are great that it will kill us later.