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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.
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.
NASB But Saul said to the Kenites, 'Go, get away, go down from among the Amalekites, so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the sons of Israel when they went up from Egypt.' So the Kenites got away from among the Amalekites.
CSB He warned the Kenites, "Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came out of Egypt, go on and leave! Get away from the Amalekites, or I’ll sweep you away with them." So the Kenites withdrew from the Amalekites.
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.
KJV 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.
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.

What does 1 Samuel 15:6 mean?

Israel's army waits in a valley near the Amalekite city to attack and wipe them out (1 Samuel 15:5). Before they do so, however, Saul warns another people group to clear out of the region. The Kenites were related to the Midianites and may have been known for their metalworking. The name Kenite means "smith."

Saul tells the Kenites that they showed kindness to the Israelites when they came out of Egypt, as opposed to the Amalekites, who did evil to Israel in attacking them in that vulnerable moment. The word translated at "kindness" is from the Hebrew hesed, which is sometimes translated as "steadfast love." It can also refer to a favor or good deed. It's unknown what specific kindness the Kenites showed to Israel, but Moses' father-in-law Jethro was a Kenite (Judges 1:16). Jethro and his son helped Israel during that time (Exodus 18; Numbers 10:29–32), so it may be that their kindness was accounted to their people group.
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Context Summary
First Samuel 15:1–9 describes Saul's partial obedience to God regarding the Amalekites. Half-obedience is the same as disobedience; Saul spares the enemy king and many of the valuable animals. This is contrary to the Lord's command. As a result, God will inform the prophet Samuel that God intends to replace Saul as king over Israel.
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Chapter Summary
Samuel gives Saul a mission from the Lord: fulfill God's judgment on the Amalekites by killing all the people and all the animals. Saul and his army defeat Amalek, but they spare the king and the best animals. Samuel confronts Saul and reveals that because of his disobedience, the Lord has rejected Saul as king over Israel. Samuel worships the Lord with Saul one last time and then executes the Amalekite king Saul failed to kill.
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