The Kenites

In today’s passage, the Kenites receive special treatment from Saul. This too can only be understood in the context of the Abrahamic Covenant. The Amalekites were cursed for cursing Israel, while the Kenites were blessed for blessing Israel. (1) Saul gathered a large army at Telaim, comprising 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 soldiers from Judah. The practice of distinguishing and counting the soldiers of the tribe of Judah was already established. (2) Saul marched to the city of Amalek but did not attack immediately. Instead, he advised the Kenites to flee before the battle. (3) The Kenites were descendants of Moses’ brother-in-law Hobab (Judg. 4:11). Thus, the Kenites were related to Moses by marriage. (4) They had helped Israel during the Exodus and continued their friendship with Israel after settling in the land (Num. 10:29-32, Judg. 1:16). Therefore, Saul showed goodwill towards them. This was a fulfillment of the provision of blessing of the Abrahamic Covenant. What lessons can you learn from the way the Kenites lived? The Lord did not forget the good deeds of the Kenites and sought to save them. It is dangerous to live among those who are hostile to God, as there is a risk of being caught up in God’s judgment. If today you hear the voice of the Lord saying, “Leave this place,” let’s obey immediately.

Fierce attack

Saul struck Amalek and reached as far as the east of Egypt. Up to this point, he acted faithfully according to the Lord’s command. However, his actions thereafter were a problem. (1) Saul captured Agag, the king of the Amalekites, alive and did not kill him. (2) Regarding the livestock, he spared the best of the sheep, the oxen, the lambs, and all that was good, and did not completely destroy them, but the despicable and weak he destroyed. Partial obedience does not please the Lord. The root of Saul’s problem lay in his arrogance and unbelief. While pretending to obey the Lord’s command, Saul ultimately prioritized his own desires. What can you learn from Saul’s failure?