He looked from the top of Pisgah, which was exceeding high, and gave him the prospect of parts of all these kingdoms. The first, Heb. the first-fruits; so called either,
1. Because they were the first of all the neighbouring nations which were embodied together in one government. Or,
2. Because they were the most powerful and eminent of them, as is implied above, Numbers 24:7, the best things in each kind being oft signified by the name of first-fruits. Or,
3. Because he was the first who fought against Israel, and was vanquished by them, in that famous battle Exo 17, which victory was an earnest and first-fruits of that large harvest of victories which the Israelites should in due time get over all their enemies, and, among others, over Amalek himself, 1 Samuel 15:3. That he perish for ever: he began with God and with Israel. but God will end with him; and the firm purpose and will of God is, that he shall be utterly destroyed, Exodus 17:14; so that Saul lost his kingdom for not executing this decree and God's command pursuant thereunto, 1Sa 15.