1Sa 15:6 | KingComments | STEP | Saul is preparing for battle. It seems that he obeys the LORD. He calls the people and a large army comes up. This is something else than the six hundred men he had with him some time ago in his fight against the Philistines ( ). Jonathan’s victory and its results have given the people courage to go to battle again. Saul counts them at Telaim, which means ‘lambs’. He counts them as lambs. He is not overconfident either but works with consultation. The setting of an ambush indicates this. Before attacking Amalek, he does a favor to the Kenites. The Kenites belong to the Midianites. From there also came the father-in-law of Moses ( ; ). The Kenites were associated with Israel through Moses and provided a benefit to the people in the person of Jethro. Saul acknowledges the friendliness their ancestors have shown to Israel when they came from Egypt. Jethro and his family have helped and served Israel in their journey through the wilderness ( ). From this we can learn that those who come after us can benefit from our good works when we are no longer there. God is not unjust to forget even one kindness that has been shown to His people ( ). He will reward every good deed, if it is not already on earth, then certainly in the resurrection. Another lesson is that it is dangerous to be found in the company of God’s enemies. Here the Kenites are warned to leave. This warning is still valid today. It is our duty and our interest to depart from any company that does not put the Lord Jesus in the center, so that we do not have fellowship with the sins of that company and do not receive the plagues that come upon it ( ). The Jews have a saying: Woe to the wicked, and woe to his neighbor. When the Kenites departed from the Amalekites, Saul defeats Amalek. It is more a killing of convicted criminals than a war against fighting enemies. The result cannot be questionable, because the matter is fair, and the call is clear. Saul executes the LORD’s command.

‏ 1 Samuel 15:6

Saul Defeats the Amalekites

Saul is preparing for battle. It seems that he obeys the LORD. He calls the people and a large army comes up. This is something else than the six hundred men he had with him some time ago in his fight against the Philistines (1Sam 14:2). Jonathan’s victory and its results have given the people courage to go to battle again.

Saul counts them at Telaim, which means ‘lambs’. He counts them as lambs. He is not overconfident either but works with consultation. The setting of an ambush indicates this. Before attacking Amalek, he does a favor to the Kenites.

The Kenites belong to the Midianites. From there also came the father-in-law of Moses (Jdg 1:16; Num 10:29). The Kenites were associated with Israel through Moses and provided a benefit to the people in the person of Jethro. Saul acknowledges the friendliness their ancestors have shown to Israel when they came from Egypt. Jethro and his family have helped and served Israel in their journey through the wilderness (Num 10:29-31).

From this we can learn that those who come after us can benefit from our good works when we are no longer there. God is not unjust to forget even one kindness that has been shown to His people (Heb 6:10). He will reward every good deed, if it is not already on earth, then certainly in the resurrection.

Another lesson is that it is dangerous to be found in the company of God’s enemies. Here the Kenites are warned to leave. This warning is still valid today. It is our duty and our interest to depart from any company that does not put the Lord Jesus in the center, so that we do not have fellowship with the sins of that company and do not receive the plagues that come upon it (Rev 18:4). The Jews have a saying: Woe to the wicked, and woe to his neighbor.

When the Kenites departed from the Amalekites, Saul defeats Amalek. It is more a killing of convicted criminals than a war against fighting enemies. The result cannot be questionable, because the matter is fair, and the call is clear. Saul executes the LORD’s command.