Editing Saul (section)

=== Rejection ===
[[File:Witch of Endor. Dore 1866.jpg|upright=1.13|thumb|''Saul and the [[Witch of Endor]]'' by [[Gustave Dore]]]]
During Saul's campaign against the Philistines, Samuel said that he would arrive in seven days to perform the requisite rites. When a week passed with no word of Samuel, and with the Israelites growing restless, Saul prepares for battle by offering sacrifices. Samuel arrives just as Saul is finishing sacrificing and reprimands Saul for not obeying his instructions.

Several years after Saul's victory against the Philistines at Michmash Pass, Samuel instructs Saul to make war on the [[Amalekite]]s and to "utterly destroy" them including all their livestock<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|15:3|NKJV}}</ref> in fulfilment of a mandate set out:<ref>{{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|25:19|NRSV}}</ref>
:''When the Lord your God has given you rest from all your enemies on every hand, in the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; do not forget''.
Having forewarned the [[Kenite]]s who were living among the Amalekites to leave, Saul goes to war and defeats the Amalekites. Saul kills all the men, women, children and poor quality livestock, but leaves alive the king, [[Agag]], and best livestock. When Samuel learns that Saul has disobeyed and plundered the livestock for self-gain, he informs Saul that God has rejected him as king. As Samuel turns to go, Saul seizes hold of his garments and tears off a piece; Samuel prophesies that the kingdom will likewise be torn from Saul. Samuel then kills Agag himself. Samuel and Saul each return home and never meet again after these events.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|15:33-35|HE}}</ref>