8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
8 He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword.
8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword.
8 He captured Agag, king of Amalek, alive. Everyone else was killed under the terms of the holy ban.
8 He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
8 He captured Agag, the Amalekite king, but completely destroyed everyone else.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:8
Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:1-9
(Read 1 Samuel 15:1-9)
The sentence of condemnation against the Amalekites had gone forth long before, Revelation 18:4. As the commandment had been express, and a test of Saul's obedience, his conduct evidently was the effect of a proud, rebellious spirit. He destroyed only the refuse, that was good for little. That which was now destroyed was sacrificed to the justice of God.