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There is a commandment to obliterate Amalek.

Shaul Hamelech was commanded to obliterate Amalek and failed.

Dovid continued in the process, but obviously didn't destroy them completely.

None of the later kings of Israel (including Chizkiyahu who was a righteous king, Shlomo who was a world power etc.) even went to war against them.

Why was this commandment never fulfilled?

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I'm curious why you say that David obviously didn't destroy them completely? Are they ever mentioned again after him? And what evidence is there today that they still exist to claim that it was never fulfilled? – avi Feb 5 '12 at 8:02
Well, individuals are mentioned, such as Haman, but I'm not aware of them being mentioned as a nation after King David. – LazerA Feb 5 '12 at 14:00
+1. We do find a band from the tribe of Shimon (during the reign of Chizkiyahu) fighting against "the remaining refugees of Amalek" (I Chron. 4:43), but no nationally organized attack. – Alex Feb 5 '12 at 17:44
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@LazerA, Psalms 83:8 (a chapter which Malbim states refers to events in the times of Yehoshafat) mentions Amalek as one member of the coalition threatening the Jewish people. – Alex Feb 5 '12 at 17:49
@Alex Regarding the band of Shimon, wouldn't that imply that they all get destroyed then at that time? – avi Feb 5 '12 at 18:31
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Per the Pesikta Rabosi Parsha 13 - Once Shaul was the king, Amalek can only be eradicated completely by the children of Rachel. The other kings were from the children of Leah.

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What about the kings of Yisrael? – Double AA♦ Feb 5 '12 at 20:27
Also (aside from @DoubleAA's question), does that Midrash mean that thereafter the children of Leah are exempt from this mitzvah? Don't they have to do their part, and leave the actual victory in Hashem's hands? – Alex Feb 5 '12 at 21:05
And why is that? – Jim Thio May 3 '12 at 10:48

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