Matthew Poole and continuators on Numbers 24:20

20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever .

From the top of Pisgah, which was exceeding high, and gave him the prospect of the parts of all these kingdomes.

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 implyed above, ver. 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 battel Exod. 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 Am[illegible: 1+ letters]k himself, 1 Sam. 15. 3.

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, Exod. 17. 14. so that Saul lost his kingdom for not executing this decree and Gods command pursuant thereunto, 1 Sam. 15.

Marginal references: The first [illegible: 1 word] nations [illegible: 1 word] warred [illegible: 1 word] Israel, Exo▪; Or, [illegible: 1 word] even to [illegible: 1 word] o[illegible: 1+ letters].