1 Samuel 15:1-3 There is another side of Purim that is rarely talked about... and that is that Haman is a descendent of Agag, King of Amalek who could of been destroyed if King Saul weren't such a woosie liberal. Also it is of interest that Haman's descendants became pious righteous Rabbis in Persia.
http://www.njop.org/html/PurimHanging.html
http://www.njop.org/html/PurimHanging.html
Amalek versus the Kingdom of Israel:
Samuel I, Chapter 15
Not long after the unified Kingdom of Israel was formed under the reign of King Saul, the king, at the direction of the prophet Samuel, gathered his troops to fulfill the Biblical commandment to wipe out Amalek. King Saul was a mighty warrior and was victorious over Amalek, virtually destroying the nation. But, "he took Agag, the king of Amalek alive...and Saul and the people had pity on Agag the king of Amalek," and on the Amalekite flocks and cattle (Samuel I 15:8-9).By having mercy on Agag, Saul went against the specific directive of G-d, who was, needless to say, less than pleased.The prophet Samuel rose early the very next morning, came to Saul and informed him that G-d was angered by his taking Amalekite sheep and cattle for spoils and for not fulfilling the commandment to utterly destroy Amalek. After a brief and futile denial by Saul, the king admitted his transgression and Samuel ordered Agag brought to him. The prophet proceeded to kill the king of Amalek and concluded the matter. The damage, however, was already done. In that one night, our sages teach us, Agag had relations with a maidservant (or his wife) who later, gave birth to a son. Thus, over a thousand years later the Jews were faced with mortal danger from Haman the Agagite.It is interesting to note that just as Haman is a direct descendant of Agag, both Mordechai and Esther are descendants of Saul.
Samuel I, Chapter 15
Not long after the unified Kingdom of Israel was formed under the reign of King Saul, the king, at the direction of the prophet Samuel, gathered his troops to fulfill the Biblical commandment to wipe out Amalek. King Saul was a mighty warrior and was victorious over Amalek, virtually destroying the nation. But, "he took Agag, the king of Amalek alive...and Saul and the people had pity on Agag the king of Amalek," and on the Amalekite flocks and cattle (Samuel I 15:8-9).By having mercy on Agag, Saul went against the specific directive of G-d, who was, needless to say, less than pleased.The prophet Samuel rose early the very next morning, came to Saul and informed him that G-d was angered by his taking Amalekite sheep and cattle for spoils and for not fulfilling the commandment to utterly destroy Amalek. After a brief and futile denial by Saul, the king admitted his transgression and Samuel ordered Agag brought to him. The prophet proceeded to kill the king of Amalek and concluded the matter. The damage, however, was already done. In that one night, our sages teach us, Agag had relations with a maidservant (or his wife) who later, gave birth to a son. Thus, over a thousand years later the Jews were faced with mortal danger from Haman the Agagite.It is interesting to note that just as Haman is a direct descendant of Agag, both Mordechai and Esther are descendants of Saul.
Note:
interesting... some say all of Haman's children were hanged.... ....but: descendants of Haman learnt the Torah in Benai Berak; descendants of Sisera taught children in Jerusalem; descendants of Sennacherib gave public expositions of the Torah. http://www.comeandhear.com/gittin/gittin_57.html
