Remembering kindness
1 Sam. 15:6
As Saul was about to attack the Amalekites, he asked the Kenites to withdraw from the Amalekites, and they did. This was because, “you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt” (1 Sam. 15:6).
The Bible does not clearly tell us in detail what the Kenites did. But we know that they have done something good. Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses was a Kenite who went to Moses, to the Israelites and was with them for a time. The Kenites were known to have lived with the Amalekites, but were in good terms with Israel (cf. Ex. 18:12; Num. 10:31).
Because of this, even after many years had passed, their kindness was remembered and were saved from destruction.
- The kindness of a man or a few people goes a long way. Not only is this remembered by men, but also by God all the more. Many of us today think only of the present age and generation, and err because of this. The LORD remembers the kindness (or goodness) of people for generations (cf. Ex. 34:7; Num. 14:18; Sam 79:8; Sam 109:4).
- On the other hand, to remember what others did for us during our sufferings is a good thing to do. But this is something many of us tend to forget. King David remembered Mephibosheth, the son of his friend Jonathan (2 Sam. 9)
Therefore, let us be careful in our conducts against others before the LORD as it will last forever. Likewise, let us also remember the kindness of others in our good times too.
