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Origin of the Amalekites
The Amalekites were a nomadic people from the Sinai and Negeb area. Amalek was son of Eliphaz and the grandson of Esau. His mother was Timna, a concubine of Eliphaz. Amalek becomes one of the clans of the sons of Esau (Gen 36:12,16, 1 Chr 1:36). The name 'Amalek' is often used in the OT for his descendants the Amalekites (eg Ex 17:8). The mention of the land of the Amalekites in the war of the Kings (Gen 14:7) is most probably a later editorial addition, possibly by Moses or Ezra.
Battle against the Amalekites
The first battle after the exodus was against the Amalekites at Rephidim in the wilderness of Sinai, when the Amalekites attacked the Israelites (Ex 17:8-13, Deut 25:17-19). As long as Aaron and Hur held up Moses' hands Israel were victorious. The Lord promised to utterly wipe out Amalek (Ex 17:14). This was a major defeat, as no archaeological evidence for the Amalekites has been found after this date.
The twelve spies
The twelve spies reported finding Amalekites in the Negeb (Num 13:29). When some Israelites disobeyed Moses and enter the land, they were defeated by Amalekites and Canaanites at Hormah (Num 14:39-45). Balaam prophesied that Amalek, the first of the nations, meaning either in origin or in status) will come to destruction (Num 24:20).
Time of the judges
King Eglon of Moab gathered Ammonites and Amalekites to defeat and oppress Israel, until judge Ehud delivered Israel by assassinating Eglon while he was relieving himself (Judges 3:13). The Amalekites later raided Israel with the Midianites, taking their flocks and grain, like locusts, until God raised up Gideon as the deliverer, who drove out the Amalekites (Judges 6:3-5,33, 7:12, 10:12). From this time, the Amalekites lived in the Negeb, south of Judah, but during the time of Jephthah, they lived within the tribal area of Ephraim (Judges 12:15).
Saul and David
The Amalekites caused king Saul's final downfall when he disobeyed God by failing to kill them all, and sparing king Agag (1 Sam 15). Samuel later killed Agag and rebuked Saul for his failure to obey God. The Amalekites raided Ziklag, showing that Saul had spared more than just their king. While David took refuge from Saul with king Achish in Ziklag in the land of the Philistines (30:1-20). David pursued them, killing all but 400 and recovering his wives (1 Sam 30). An Amalekite brought David news of Saul's death, saying he had killed Saul himself. David killed him for slaying the Lord's anointed (2 Sam 1:1).
Time of Hezekiah
Although the number of Amakekites had declined, a remnant still lived until the days of king Hezekiah. The Simeonites destroyed the remnant of the Amalekites in the stronghold of Mt. Seir (Edom) (1 Chr 4:43).
Esther
In the story of Esther, Haman, the enemy of Mordecai, is described as an Agagite, possibly because he was a descendent of king Agag (Esther 3:1). Saul's disobedience possibly almost lead to a tragedy 600 years later, when the Jews were threatened with extinction.
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