This is an interesting passage in many ways. First, why would God demand that Saul totally destroy Amalek? This goes back to Exodus 17, after the Israelites had just crossed the Red Sea. The Amalekites attacked them while they were weak and pretty much weaponless. And as it says in Deuteronomy 25, they were ‘enemies of God.’ Because of their lack of fear of God, and their willingness to destroy the Israelites when they were at their weakest, they were to be destroyed.
The second interesting thing was Saul’s response. He destroyed the Amalekites, but not utterly. He kept the king, Agag, as a trophy prisoner, and the best of the animals. He told Samuel that it was for offering to the Lord, but in reality it was because his men had convinced him that they should keep the best for themselves. Saul failed the test to see if he was a Godly leader, and because of that failure the kingdom would be removed not only from him, but from his family as well.
True Godly leaders listen to God above everyone else. They are not swayed by popular opinion or even their own opinions or desires. Godly leaders are truthful. When confronted by someone, they willingly tell the truth, even if it means showing their own faults. May God help us to be Godly leaders in our homes, work, and church!