Final answer:
King Saul spared Agag because he misunderstood God's command to destroy the Amalekites. His decision displayed disobedience and a lack of understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the biblical account in 1 Samuel, King Saul kept Agag alive instead of killing him as God had commanded because he had misunderstood what God wanted. After defeating the Amalekites, Saul spared Agag, the king of the Amalekites, and also kept the best livestock as spoils of war. God had explicitly commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions as a punishment for their wickedness. By sparing Agag and keeping the best livestock, Saul had disregarded God's command and desired to benefit from the spoils of war.
This decision displayed Saul's disobedience and lack of understanding about God's instructions. He wanted to do things his own way rather than following God's commands. It was not about showing compassion or illustrating his own greatness, but rather a failure to fully obey God's clear instructions.
By sparing Agag, Saul was ultimately rebuked by the prophet Samuel and it contributed to his downfall as a king.
Learn more about King Saul's decision to spare Agag