FROM SMITH’S BIBLE DICTIONARY (1884)

Smith’s Bible Dictionary (1884) — public domain, printed whole.

a nomadic tribe of uncertain origin, which occupied the peninsula of Sinai and the wilderness intervening between the southern hill-ranges of Palestine and the border of Egypt. (Numbers 13:29; 1�Samuel 15:7; 27:8) Their wealth consisted in flocks and herds. Mention is made of a "town" (1�Samuel 15:5) but their towns could have been little more than stations or nomadic enclosures. The Amalekites first came in contact with the Israelites at Rephidim, but were signally defeated. (Exodus 17:8-16) In union with the Canaanites they again attacked the Israelites on the borders of Palestine, and defeated them near Hormah. (Numbers 14:45) Saul undertook an expedition against them. (1�Samuel 14:48) Their power was thenceforth broken, and they degenerated into a horde of banditti. Their destruction was completed by David. (1�Samuel 30:1-17)

THE TOPICAL BIBLE — from Nave’s Topical Bible

Nave’s Topical Bible — public domain, printed whole.

→ A people inhabiting the country south of Idumea and east of the Red Sea Nu 13:29; 14:25; 1Sa 15:7; 27:8

→ Defeated by Chedorlaomer Ge 14:7

→ Defeated by Joshua Ex 17:8,13

→ Defeated by Gideon Jud 7

→ Defeated by Saul 1Sa 14:47,48; 15:1-33

→ Defeated by David 1Sa 27:8,9; 30:1-20

→ Defeated by the Simeonites 1Ch 4:42,43

→ Defeat the Israelites Nu 14:45; Jud 3:13

→ Israel commanded to destroy De 25:17-19; 1Sa 28:18

→ Prophecies against Ex 17:14,16; Nu 24:20