Midrash for I Samuel 15:19

The Israelites said to our teacher Moses: Moses ! One Scripture text says, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Ex. 20:8); and it is written, "Remember what Amalek did unto thee" (Deut. 25:17). How can these two texts be fulfilled? He said to them: The cup of spiced wine is not to be compared to the cup of vinegar. This "Remember" is in order to observe and to sanctify the Sabbath day, and the other "Remember" is in order to destroy and to cut off all the seed of Amalek, as it is said, "Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies… thou shalt not forget" (Deut. 25:19). || Israel forgot to destroy and to cut off all the seed of Amalek, but the Holy One, blessed be He, did not forget. When Saul reigned, Samuel said to him: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I have marked that which Amalek did to Israel…. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have" (1 Sam. 15:2, 3). What is the meaning of "all that they have"? Even all the living male creatures. "Spare them not, but slay" (ibid.). Saul took the men of war, and he went out to meet Amalek. When Saul came to the crossing of the ways, he stood still, and thought in his heart, as it is said, "And Saul came to the city of Amalek, and argued in the valley" (1 Sam. 15:5). Saul said: If the men have sinned, what have the beasts done amiss? A Bath Ḳol came forth, saying to him: Saul ! Be not more righteous than thy Creator, as it is said, "Be not righteous overmuch" (Eccles. 7:16).