And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.

1 SAMUEL 15:6KJV
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1 Samuel 15:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 15:6 mean?

1 Samuel 15:6 describes how Saul warned the Kenites to separate themselves from the Amalekites before Saul attacked, so the Kenites would not be harmed. Saul did this because the Kenites had previously shown kindness to the Israelites when they left Egypt.

In this verse, Saul, the king of Israel, is speaking directly to the Kenite people. The situation is that Saul is about to carry out God’s command to destroy the Amalekites, but he wants to spare the Kenites because of their past good relationship with Israel. The verse highlights Saul’s recognition of the Kenites’ kindness and his effort to avoid punishing the innocent along with the guilty.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 15:6

  • חֶסֶד (chesed, H2617) — "kindness": This word often describes loyal love or steadfast kindness. Here, it emphasizes the genuine goodwill the Kenites showed to Israel, which Saul honors.
  • שָׁחַת (shachat, H622) — "destroy": This word means to destroy or ruin. Saul’s warning shows his intent to completely wipe out the Amalekites, making it urgent for the Kenites to leave.
  • בֵּין (bein, H8432) — "among": The Kenites were living in the midst of the Amalekites, so Saul’s instruction to "depart from among" them is a practical call to physically separate themselves for their safety.

Why 1 Samuel 15:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul was careful to avoid harming those who had not wronged Israel, showing a sense of justice and gratitude.
  • It connects the story to Israel’s earlier history, reminding the reader of the Kenites’ positive role during the Exodus.
  • The verse sets up the coming destruction of the Amalekites by showing that Saul’s actions were targeted and not indiscriminate, which is important for understanding the fairness of the judgment described in the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“Kenites” Hebrew H7017 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 15:19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,
  • Judges 4:11 Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
  • 1 Samuel 27:10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.

“Amalekites” Hebrew H6003 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 14:7 And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.
  • Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.
  • 1 Samuel 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

“Amalekites” Hebrew H6002 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 36:12 And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.
  • Deuteronomy 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
  • 1 Samuel 15:8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.