G-d ordered Saul to exterminate the entire nation of Amalek, including women, children, and animals. The Talmud has Saul disputing the command. As part of his argument, Saul refers to the 'Egla Arufa,' a ritual done when a murder victim is found in the wild, Exodus 21:1-9. It is a rather strange ritual where a cow's neck is broken, and the elders of the nearest city wash their hands over the cow, pleading for expiation. Here's the story:
When the Holy One, Praised be G-d, told Saul, "Go attack Amalek ( I Samuel, 14:3), Saul said, "If the Torah commands us to perform the Egla Arufa ritual for just one dead person, how much more so should we be concerned with an entire nation! Even if the people sinned, what did the animals do? Even if the adults sinned, what did the children do?" A Bat Kol [a divine voice, quoting Ecclesiastes 7:16 ] emerged and stated, "Don't be excessively righteous!"
Saul's argument clearly recalls Abraham arguing with G-d over the destruction of Sodom in Genesis 18. To close with a question: Why does Abraham get such a different response than Saul?
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