King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 15:6 Mean?

1 Samuel 15:6 in the King James Version says “And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 15:6 · KJV

Context

4

And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

5

And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. laid: or, fought

6

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.

7

And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.

8

And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

Read 1 Samuel 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Saul's failure demonstrates that partial obedience is disobedience, and religious activity cannot substitute for heart surrender. His pattern of excuses, blame-shifting, and selective compliance while maintaining outward religious appearance warns against external religion without internal transformation. The pronouncement that 'to obey is better than sacrifice' establishes that God desires humble submission over impressive religious performance. Saul's rejection teaches that prolonged disobedience, even mixed with apparent faithfulness, eventually results in God's withdrawal of calling and blessing.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The establishment of monarchy around 1050-1010 BCE represented a dramatic political and theological shift for Israel. Unlike surrounding nations where kings were considered divine or semi-divine, Israel's kings were supposed to function under God's ultimate authority as laid out in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The Benjamite tribe occupied strategic territory between Ephraim and Judah, making Saul's selection a politically astute choice to balance tribal rivalries. Archaeological remains from this period show increased fortification and centralization of settlements, confirming the transition to state-level organization.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage clarify the relationship between genuine faith and concrete obedience, and what does it teach about partial compliance?
  2. Are there areas where you practice selective obedience, substituting religious activity for heart-level surrender to God's commands?
  3. How does this passage connect to the larger biblical narrative of redemption and point toward Christ and the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 25

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁא֣וּל2 of 25

“And Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶֽל3 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קֵינִ֖י4 of 25

“So the Kenites”

H7017

a kenite or member of the tribe of kajin

לְכוּ֩5 of 25
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וַיָּ֥סַר6 of 25

“depart”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

רְד֜וּ7 of 25

“get you down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מִתּ֥וֹךְ8 of 25

“from among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

עֲמָֽלֵקִ֗י9 of 25

“the Amalekites”

H6003

an amalekite (or collectively the amalekites) or descendants of amalek

פֶּן10 of 25
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

אֹֽסִפְךָ֙11 of 25

“lest I destroy”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

עִמּ֔וֹ12 of 25
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְאַתָּ֞ה13 of 25
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עָשִׂ֤יתָה14 of 25

“you with them for ye shewed”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

חֶ֙סֶד֙15 of 25

“kindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

עִם16 of 25
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

כָּל17 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּנֵ֣י18 of 25

“to all the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל19 of 25

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בַּֽעֲלוֹתָ֖ם20 of 25

“when they came up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם21 of 25

“out of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וַיָּ֥סַר22 of 25

“depart”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

קֵינִ֖י23 of 25

“So the Kenites”

H7017

a kenite or member of the tribe of kajin

מִתּ֥וֹךְ24 of 25

“from among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

עֲמָלֵֽק׃25 of 25

“the Amalekites”

H6002

amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 15:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 15:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 1:16Numbers 10:29-32Numbers 24:21-22Judges 4:11Exodus 18:19Judges 5:24

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 15 →

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