John Gill Commentary 1 Samuel 15:5

"And Saul came to the city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley." — 1 Samuel 15:5 (ASV)

And Saul came to a city of Amalek With his army, perhaps the nearest city of it to the land of Israel; though some think that Amalek was the name of the city, and was the metropolis of the nation, and had its name from thence.

And laid wait in the valley; which was near the city, to intercept the inhabitants when they should come out against him: or "he contended" ^F23 as some render it, he fought with them there; the Targum, ``he ordered his army,'' set them in battle array, or pitched his camp there.

---

FOOTNOTES:

• F23: (bryw) "et certavit Pagninus"; "ut contenderet with eo", Junius & Tremellius.