8 and he catcheth Agag king of Amalek alive, and all the people he hath devoted by the mouth of the sword; 9 and Saul hath pity—also the people—on Agag, and on the best of the flock, and of the herd, and of the seconds, and on the lambs, and on all that 'is' good, and have not been willing to devote them; and all the work, despised and wasted—it they devoted.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:8-9
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.