Shaul's Sin in the Battle with Amalek/2
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Shaul Loses the Kingship
Exegetical Approaches
Kept Agag Alive
Severity of the sin:
- Shaul thought he was more just than Hashem – Bavli Yoma and Yalkut Shimoni suggest that Shahul thought he could decide who needs to be punished or saved on his own, leading to his extra mercy here but extreme cruelty in Nov.
- Consequences of deed – Bavli Megillah says that had Agag been killed immediately Haman would have never been born, suggesting that that was the problem.
- Shaul simply did not listen to Hashem's commandment. Hashem said to destroy all of Amalek so leaving over even just one person violated the directive.
Purpose of the war
"וַתַּעַט אֶל הַשָּׁלָל" – This position is missing from the text, as Shemuel rebukes in verses 14, 19, and 22-23 about the spoils that were left, and does not mention a word about keeping Agag alive. In addition, Shaul announces that he kept Hashem's words and brought Agag which would be a great insolence if that was the sin. The only hint to such a sin is in verses 32-33 where Shemuel kills Agag, and even that can be understood as a demonstration that Hashem won the battle and not Shaul.
"כִּי חַטַּאת קֶסֶם מֶרִי וְאָוֶן וּתְרָפִים הַפְצַר"
David's battle with Amalek
Shaul vs. David
Did Not Consecrate the Spoils
Severity of the sin:
- Shaul thought כוחי ועוצם ידי
- Shaul gave in to the nation
- Shaul caused the battle to be for a different purpose than it was intended to be for
Purpose of the war – Ralbag and Abarbanel suggest this battle with Amalek was for a different purpose than most wars.
"וַתַּעַט אֶל הַשָּׁלָל" – Shemuel's rebuke to Shaul focuses on the animals that he hears were left over.
"כִּי חַטַּאת קֶסֶם מֶרִי וְאָוֶן וּתְרָפִים הַפְצַר"
David's battle with Amalek
Shaul vs. David
Did Not Fight All of Amalek
Sources:Hoil Moshe
Severity of the sin:
