Editing King Shaul (section)

== His Kingship and Removal ==
King Shaul was chosen by the word of Hashem through Shmuel HaNavi, but his kingship was taken from him after he had mercy on the animals of Amalek and did not kill them as required. This caused many Amalekites to be saved as they disguised themselves through sorcery as animals.

At that time, there was a debate between Shmuel HaNavi and King Shaul, where Shmuel told him in the name of Hashem, "So says Hashem Tzvaot, I have remembered what Amalek did to you etc. and you shall destroy etc." When the people had mercy on the best of the flock, Shaul contemplated the reason for the mitzvah, whose main purpose was to destroy Amalek from the world. For this reason, he kept the best of the flock "to sacrifice to Hashem," to elevate them through offerings and sacrifices, thinking: what difference does it make if he kills them or sacrifices them to Hashem, as either way they would be destroyed from the world. About this Shaul said, "I have fulfilled the word of Hashem."

To this Shmuel responded: "Does Hashem desire burnt offerings and sacrifices etc., behold obedience is better than sacrifice etc." The Alter Rebbe explains that the word "desire" hints that one must fulfill the mitzvah not only through its simple reason but specifically to fulfill His simple will without any reason or explanation at all.