Bible Figure
Agag
human biblical figure in 1 Samuel 15:8-33, king of the Amalekites
Agag was the Amalekite king captured alive by Saul despite God's command concerning Amalek and later executed by the prophet Samuel.
Biography
First Samuel 15 records God's command through Samuel that Saul strike Amalek. Saul defeated the Amalekites but spared King Agag and the best livestock. When Saul claimed obedience, Samuel confronted him and declared that obedience was better than sacrifice and that God had rejected him as king. Agag was then brought before Samuel, who executed him. The name Agag also appears earlier in Balaam's oracle and may have functioned as a royal name or title. Esther later calls Haman an Agagite, evoking the older conflict with Amalek.
Biblical Significance
Agag's story is central to Saul's rejection as king because sparing him demonstrated Saul's refusal to carry out God's command fully. The episode becomes part of the biblical memory of conflict with Amalek.