1 Samuel 15:6 kjv
And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye showed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
1 Samuel 15:6 nkjv
Then Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
1 Samuel 15:6 niv
Then he said to the Kenites, "Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.
1 Samuel 15:6 esv
Then Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart; go down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
1 Samuel 15:6 nlt
Saul sent this warning to the Kenites: "Move away from where the Amalekites live, or you will die with them. For you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up from Egypt." So the Kenites packed up and left.
1 Samuel 15 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 17:8-16 | Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim... | God's vow against Amalek for attacking Israel. |
| Deut 25:17-19 | Remember what Amalek did to you... you shall blot out the remembrance... | Command to utterly destroy Amalek. |
| Judg 1:16 | The children of the Kenite, Moses’ father in law, went up out of the city... | Kenites settled with Judah. |
| Num 10:29-32 | And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father... | Kenite guidance in the wilderness. |
| Gen 19:12-16 | And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? ...lest thou be consumed. | Separation of Lot and family from Sodom's judgment. |
| Rev 18:4 | And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people... | Divine call to separate from impending judgment. |
| Ps 5:5 | The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. | God distinguishes and rejects the wicked. |
| Ps 1:5 | Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in... | Separation of righteous and wicked in judgment. |
| Prov 2:22 | But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall... | Divine judgment for the wicked. |
| Prov 3:3-4 | Let not mercy and truth forsake thee... So shalt thou find favour and good... | Kindness (chesed) brings favor. |
| Joel 2:13 | and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to... | God's character of kindness (chesed) and mercy. |
| Isa 65:8-9 | As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for... | Preservation of the righteous remnant. |
| Jer 35:6-10 | But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab... | The Kenite Rechabites' steadfast obedience and reward. |
| Deut 11:26-28 | See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you... | Outcome depends on obedience or disobedience. |
| Matt 10:42 | And whosoever shall give to one of these little ones a cup of cold water... | Remembrance of acts of kindness to God's people. |
| Heb 6:10 | For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love... | God remembers deeds done for His name. |
| Ruth 1:8 | Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back each of you to... | The Hebrew word 'chesed' (kindness/loyal love) used. |
| Rom 11:22 | Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell... | God's goodness and severity (distinguishing justice). |
| 2 Tim 4:14 | Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him... | Divine justice for harm and retribution. |
| 2 Pet 2:9 | The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to... | God knows how to rescue the righteous. |
| Matt 25:31-33 | When the Son of man shall come in his glory... he shall separate them... | Future separation of the righteous (sheep) and wicked (goats). |
| 1 Sam 15:22-23 | Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings... To obey is better... | Obedience is more important than sacrifice. |
1 Samuel 15 verses
1 Samuel 15 6 Meaning
This verse describes King Saul's specific instruction to the Kenites to separate themselves from the Amalekites before the impending military destruction. Saul spared the Kenites due to the kindness their ancestors showed to the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. This action demonstrates Saul's understanding of historical divine favor and his ability to make discerning distinctions, even within a command for total war. It also serves as a crucial point of contrast with his later incomplete obedience regarding the Amalekites.
1 Samuel 15 6 Context
Chapter 15 of 1 Samuel narrates the pivotal command from God to King Saul through the prophet Samuel: to utterly destroy the Amalekites for their persistent enmity towards Israel since the Exodus. This was an act of cherem, meaning total devotion to destruction, allowing for no spoils of war or mercy to any living being. Saul assembled his army and, upon arriving at the Amalekite city, paused to issue a warning and an escape route to the Kenites dwelling among them. This act of distinguishing the Kenites from the Amalekites is the specific event of verse 6. This distinction, based on their ancient kindness to Israel, sets up the sharp contrast with Saul's subsequent partial obedience against the Amalekites, where he spared Agag, the Amalekite king, and the best of the livestock, leading to God's rejection of him as king.
1 Samuel 15 6 Word analysis
- And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them:
- Saul: The first King of Israel, chosen by God, but whose reign is increasingly marked by disobedience.
- Kenites (Hebrew: קֵינִי, Qēnîy): A nomadic people, often associated with metallurgy. Historically, they had a unique relationship with Israel; Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro/Reuel/Hobab, was a Kenite. They are sometimes mentioned as settling with Israel (Judg 1:16) or retaining a nomadic lifestyle (Jer 35:6).
- Go, depart, get you down (Hebrew: סוּרוּ, sûrû - a direct imperative from the verb "to turn aside, depart"): A series of strong, emphatic commands for separation and withdrawal. It conveys urgency and clarity, leaving no room for misunderstanding or delay.
- Amalekites (Hebrew: עֲמָלֵק, ʿĂmālēq): A hostile, semi-nomadic people and perpetual enemies of Israel, singled out for complete destruction by God (Exod 17:8-16; Deut 25:17-19). They represent ultimate resistance to God's chosen people.
- Lest I destroy you with them: Saul states the consequence clearly, indicating the totality of the impending judgment. The word for "destroy" (Hebrew: סָפָה, sāphāh) signifies a complete wiping out or consuming.
- for ye showed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt.
- showed kindness (Hebrew: חֶסֶד, ḥesed): This is a crucial theological term meaning loyal love, covenant faithfulness, steadfast affection, or enduring goodness. It refers to a deep, active benevolence that implies obligation and loyalty. The Kenites' hospitality and assistance during Israel's journey in the wilderness (Num 10:29-32) is remembered and honored, exemplifying divine memory and justice, where good deeds, even by non-Israelites, are not forgotten by God or His representatives.
- all the children of Israel: Emphasizes the wide-ranging scope of the kindness shown, affecting the entire nation.
- when they came up out of Egypt: Identifies the specific historical event (the Exodus) where the Kenites provided this kindness. This highlights the longevity of divine memory concerning acts of faithfulness and aid to God's people.
- So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
- So the Kenites departed: This confirms their immediate and complete obedience to Saul's warning, underscoring their good sense and the efficacy of the divine warning through Saul. It showcases their willingness to distinguish themselves and underscores the difference in outcome between those who hear and obey warnings versus those who defy God's command.
1 Samuel 15 6 Bonus section
This verse subtly introduces the principle that God's justice is precise and comprehensive, even remembering acts of kindness from previous generations, illustrating that His judgments are not arbitrary. It contrasts a small act of mercy on Saul's part, which aligns with God's character, with his large act of disobedience later in the chapter that leads to his downfall. This historical distinction of kindness shown by the Kenites becomes the basis for their preservation, underscoring the biblical concept that showing loyal love to God's people can have long-lasting, redemptive consequences.
1 Samuel 15 6 Commentary
This verse encapsulates a crucial tension within divine judgment: God's command for specific, absolute destruction alongside His remembrance of faithful kindness. Saul, though failing significantly later in this chapter, initially demonstrates discernment in separating the Kenites, who had shown "kindness" (Hebrew ḥesed – a deep, enduring loyalty) to Israel centuries prior during the Exodus. This action by Saul mirrors God’s own justice which distinguishes between the wicked deserving of utter judgment (Amalekites) and those who have shown grace and therefore deserve mercy (Kenites). It sets a backdrop against which Saul’s subsequent partial obedience against Amalek himself will be harshly judged, showing that while Saul was capable of limited discernment, he lacked the full obedience God required. The Kenites' immediate departure signifies their prudence and highlights a consistent biblical principle: God provides an opportunity for the righteous to separate from the wicked before judgment descends.