The Rise and Fall of the Amalekite Nation

The history of the Amalekites is a narrative of persistent hostility toward God and His people, beginning with their ancestral origins and concluding with their eventual destruction as a nation. 🌟

Origins and Character

The Amalekites were descendants of Esau through his grandson Amalek, the son of Eliphaz Genesis 36:12BHOTV2 86.1+1. Despite this close relation to the Israelites, they became their most bitter and relentless enemiesBHOTV2 86.1+1. As a nomadic, pastoral race, they inhabited the southern borderlands of Palestine, specifically Arabia Petraea between the Dead Sea and the Red SeaETI Amalekite.2+1. They were characterized by a total lack of the fear of God and were regarded as the "first-fruits of the heathen" in their hostility toward the divine power Numbers 24:20+1BHOTV2 86.1+1.

Conflicts with Israel in the Wilderness

Amalek was the first nation to make war upon Israel after the ExodusPP 627.3+1.

• The Battle at Rephidim: While Israel was faint and weary, Amalek launched a cowardly attack on the feeble stragglers at the rear of the host Deuteronomy 25:18BHOTV2 86.1+1. Moses directed Joshua to lead an army against them while he stood on a hill with the rod of God in his hand Exodus 17:9BHOTV2 86.1+1. When Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed, but when his hands drooped from weariness, Amalek prevailed Exodus 17:11BHOTV2 86.1+1. Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands until the sun went down and the defeat of Amalek was complete Exodus 17:12BHOTV2 86.1+1.

• The Divine Sentence: Because they attacked the throne of Jehovah by assaulting His chosen people, God declared a "war of Jehovah with Amalek from generation to generation" and vowed to utterly put out their remembrance from under heaven Exodus 17:14-16BHOTV2 86.1+1.

• The Presumption at Hormah: Later, when the Israelites rebelled and attempted to enter the Promised Land against God's command, the Amalekites and Canaanites came down and smote them even unto Hormah Numbers 14:4512LtMs, Lt 19, 1897, par. 14+1.

The Era of the Judges

During the period of the Judges, the Amalekites continued to oppress Israel by forming alliances with other nations.

• With Moab: They joined Eglon, king of Moab, to seize Jericho and subject the Israelites for eighteen years Judges 3:13-14ETI Amalekite.2+1.

• With Midian: They joined the Midianites and the "children of the east" to ravage the land of Israel like a multitude of locusts, destroying the increase of the earth until Gideon was raised up to deliver the people Judges 6:3+1PP 550.1+2.

Saul’s Command and Rejection

The final test of Saul’s fitness for the throne was the command to execute God’s long-delayed judgment upon AmalekBHOTV4 74.1+1.

• The Commission: Saul was ordered to go and smite Amalek and utterly destroy everything they had—men, women, children, and livestock—leaving nothing alive 1 Samuel 15:3YI December 1, 1898, par. 8+1.

• Saul's Disobedience: Saul defeated the Amalekites from Havilah to Shur but spared the best of the livestock and Agag, the merciless king 1 Samuel 15:7-9EP 456.3+1. He tried to justify his actions by claiming the animals were for sacrifice, but Samuel declared that "to obey is better than sacrifice" 1 Samuel 15:21-22EP 457.4+1.

• Consequence: Because of this rebellion, the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and his kingdom was rent from him 1 Samuel 15:23+1BHOTV4 74.1+1. Samuel then hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord 1 Samuel 15:33PP 632.3+1.

The Final Descendants and Destruction

Despite Saul’s victory, groups of Amalekites remained until they were finally consumed.

• David’s Campaigns: While living in Ziklag, David conducted frequent raids against the remaining Amalekites 1 Samuel 27:8ETI David.11+1. When they retaliated by burning Ziklag and taking his wives captive, David pursued and routed them, recovering everything that had been stolen 1 Samuel 30:1-20EP 502.6+1.

• The End of the Nation: In the days of Hezekiah, a band of five hundred Simeonites went to Mount Seir and smote the rest of the Amalekites that had escaped, occupying their territory 1 Chronicles 4:42-43SBD Ne-ariah.4+1.

• Haman the Agagite: Centuries later, a descendant of the Amalekite royal line named Haman sought to destroy all the Jews in the Persian Empire Esther 3:1-6SITI April 23, 1902, page 3.16+1. His defeat and execution marked the ultimate fulfillment of the prophecy that Amalek's end would be destruction Numbers 24:20BHOTV2 86.1+1.