“Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?” 1 Samuel 15:19

God gave King Saul special instructions through his prophet Samuel. Saul, however, was always self-willed and did things his own way. The Amalekites were a wicked people. When they were at war with Israel, God told Saul to slay every one of them and not to take any of their things.

Not only did Saul take King Agag captive, he took the best of the animals, telling Samuel he planned to give them to God as sacrifices. The lesson we should learn from this is in Samuel’s reply to Saul: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” 1 Samuel 15:22

If the slain people had gone into eternal torment (hell fire), it would have been a terrible thing for God to command that they should all be killed. But the Bible does not teach that there is such a horrible place for the “dead.” Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, all the families of the earth will be brought back to life in a resurrection. God had sentenced Adam to death which meant everyone would die. So it does not matter if people die by famine, war or illness. God will, in the kingdom, resurrect everyone and give them an opportunity to live forever under much better conditions.

The resurrection of all people is a most wonderful truth taught in the Bible (Hosea 13:14; John 5:28, 29). All who do not receive a knowledge of God in this life will have a chance to learn to know him and his marvelous plan in the next age when Messiah rules.

In the past, many people were in ignorance because they were not allowed to study God’s word or did not know how to read. During the Dark Ages there were few Bibles because they had to be hand-copied; it took months and years to complete just one. Because we have printing presses today, we have many Bibles from which to read, study, and learn of God’s plans and purposes for all mankind. Most people can now afford to have several Bibles in their home, as well as concordances, Bible dictionaries, and other study helps.

Those who died in ancient battles will all be resurrected.