Perhaps the most well-known Amalekite is Haman from the Purim story in Megillat Esther.
Haman is described as the Agagite – which is understood as being a descendant of Agag, the evil king of Amalek during the time of King Shaul.
Haman rises to power in Ahashverosh’s court by promising to pay the Persian king a handsome amount of money.
Incensed by Mordechai’s refusal to bow down to him, Haman plans to wreak revenge on Mordechai and Mordechai’s nation by orchestrating a royal decree to annihilate the Jewish People.
Haman also harbors ambitions to wrest more and more power from the king.
Haman’s decree of annihilation for the Jewish People is overturned by the end of the Megilla. The complete reversal, resulting in the demise of Haman and his men and the ascendance of Mordechai, a descendant of Shaul is very symbolic.
Not only does Mordechai take Haman seriously and prevents him from future evil, the Megilla emphasizes that the Jews fighting for their self defense take no spoils whatsoever. In contrast to Shaul’s allowing the people to take Amalekite sheep to offer as sacrifices, and in contrast to Amalekite raiders who would take spoils- including human “spoils”, the battle against Amalek in the Megilla sends a clear message that it is about defense against evil- and defeating evil, not about spoils or loot.
Amalek exemplifies cruel opportunism throughout Tanakh – ruthlessly attacking the weak and weary vulnerable ex-slaves beginning their desert journey; calmly accepting the bitterness of death without remorse for the widows put into that situation; coldly discarding a sick slave and leaving him to die without food or water; setting fire to cities, burning, looting, and kidnapping; seizing an apparent chance to gain points with the new monarch by finishing off the dying previous king (Shaul); and, in Megillat Esther, grasping at the reigns of power and using it to intimidate, exploit, and vengefully seek to destroy personal enemies and the extended family and nation of those personal enemies.
Throughout Tanakh, Amalek preys on, exploits and tramples on the vulnerable simply because it is possible and easy. Shaul had an opportunity to send a clear message and perhaps to put an end to Amalek the predator. But he let his opportunity slip away, and as a result he lost his own power to continue as king.
In Megillat Esther, Haman is in a position of considerable power when he zeroes in on Mordechai for refusing to bow down to him. His response is not only revenge against Mordechai, but to cause further hurt and destruction by planning to crush Mordechai’s nation.
Mordechai does what he can to stand up to Haman, and tells Esther that she must consider her position as queen as part of a greater purpose. Her life in the palace is not random, though it may not have been the life she chose. She must use her power to save her people. She risks her life multiple times to speak to Ahashverosh and does what she can to avert the evil decree.
Haman and his followers are killed as their plans fail. Mordechai and Esther rise in power and esteem, as a battle against evil has successfully ended, giving hope and strength for future generations.