As far as I am concerned, far be it from me to sin against the <sc>Lordsc> by ceasing to pray for you! I will instruct you in the way that is good and upright.

Here is what the <sc>Lordsc> of hosts says: &#8216;I carefully observed how the Amalekites opposed<n id="1" /> Israel along the way when Israel<n id="2" /> came up from Egypt.

The <sc>Lordsc> sent you on a campaign<n id="1" /> saying, &#8216;Go and exterminate those sinful Amalekites! Fight against them until you<n id="2" /> have destroyed them.&#8217;

David restrained his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and started down<n id="1" /> the road.p>

Now if a man finds his enemy, does he send him on his way in good shape? May the <sc>Lordsc> repay you with good this day for what you have done to me.

Now it&#8217;s your turn to listen to your servant! Let me set before you a bit of bread so that you can eat. When you regain your strength, you can go on your way.&#8221;p>

Then the cows went directly on the road to Beth Shemesh. They went along, mooing as they went; they turned neither to the right nor to the left. The leaders of the Philistines were walking along behind them all the way to the border of Beth Shemesh.p>

<p class="bodytext">Then Saul said to Samuel, &#8220;But I have obeyed<n id="1" /> the <sc>Lordsc>! I went on the campaign<n id="2" /> the <sc>Lordsc> sent me on. I brought back King Agag of the Amalekites after exterminating the Amalekites.

<p class="bodytext">Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward, shouting a battle cry.<n id="1" /> They chased the Philistines to the valley<n id="2" /> and to the very gates of Ekron. The Philistine corpses lay fallen along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.