The prophet said to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Because you released from your hand the man I had set apart for destruction, it will be your life in place of his life and your people in place of his people.” ’
Saul and the troops spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and choice animals, as well as the young rams and the best of everything else. They were not willing to destroy them, but they did destroy all the worthless and unwanted things.
‘But I did obey the Lord! ’ Saul answered. ‘I went on the mission the Lord gave me: I brought back King Agag of Amalek, and I completely destroyed the Amalekites.