Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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Amalek's attempt: They came out, and fought with Israel, Ex 17:8.
I. Some believe that the Amalekites were the posterity of Esau, who hated Jacob because of the birthright and blessing, and this was an effort of the hereditary enmity, a malice that ran in the blood, and perhaps was now exasperated by the working of the promise towards an accomplishment. Consider this,
1. As Israel's affliction. They had been quarrelling with Moses (Ex 17:2), and now God sends Amalekites to quarrel with them; wars abroad are the just punishment of strifes and discontents at home.
2. As Amalek's sin; so it is reckoned, De 25:17,18. They did not boldly front them as a generous enemy, but without any provocation given by Israel, or challenge given to them, basely fell upon their rear, and smote those that were faint and feeble and could neither make resistance nor escape. Herein they bade defiance to that power which had so lately ruined the Egyptians; but in vain did they attack a camp guarded and victualled by miracles: verily they knew not what they did.
II. Others believe that it is a tribe dwelling originally in the region south of Judah, the wilderness of et-Tih where the Israelites came into conflict with them. They were nomads as a people dwelling in that tract would naturally be. When they joined the Midianites to invade Israel they came "with their cattle and their tents" (Jud 6:3-5). They are not to be identified with the descendants of Esau (Ge 36:12,16) because they are mentioned earlier, in the account of the