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.