Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
I remember - I am reminded of what Amalek did; perhaps by the still remaining trophy or memorial erected by Moses (Exodus 17:15-16).
Amalek - the powerful tribe which inhabited the country immediately to the eastward of the northern Cushites. Their territory extended over the whole of the eastern portion of the desert of Sinai to Rephidim. They were the earliest opponents (Deuteronomy 25:18; Exodus 17:8-16), the hereditary and restless enemy of Israel (Numbers 14:45; Judges 3:13; Judges 6:3), and had not repented (1 Samuel 14:48) of their bitter and sleepless hatred during the 500 years that had elapsed since their doom was pronounced. Being a people of nomadic habits, they were as plundering and dangerous as the Bedouin Arabs, particularly to the southern tribes. The national interest required, and God, as KING OF ISRAEL, decreed, that this public enemy, who had now filled up the measure of their iniquity, should be removed. Their destruction was to be without reservation or exception.