Amalekite

The Amalekites were an ancient nomadic people inhabiting Arabia Petraea — the Sinai Peninsula, the Negev, and the region between Havilah and Shur. They were among the first peoples to oppose Israel after the exodus, attacking Israel's rear guard at Rephidim (Exod. 17:8–16), an act that resulted in a divine decree of perpetual war between the Lord and Amalek. Balaam's oracle described them as the first of the nations (Num. 24:20).

Their encounters with Israel continued through the period of the judges via raids with Moab and Midian. King Saul was commanded to utterly destroy them but spared King Agag, a disobedience that cost Saul his dynasty (1 Sam. 15). David later defeated a raiding party that had sacked Ziklag (1 Sam. 30). The last recorded Amalekites are those killed by Simeonites in the time of Hezekiah (1 Chr. 4:43).