How can a Muslim reflect upon the Quranic verses that speak of past peoples, and connect them with the verses that describe them later, given the difficulty of recalling the people mentioned several verses prior?

Reflection upon the Quran is a divine command, for the Quran was not revealed merely for recitation, but so that people might ponder its meanings and contemplate its content. Verses have indicated this, as in His Almighty saying: (Do they not then reflect upon the Quran?) and His saying: (That they may reflect upon its verses). Al-Tabari clarified that reflection includes pondering Allah's proofs and laws for admonition and acting upon them. Al-Nawawi emphasized the importance of humility and reflection during recitation for the expansion of hearts and the enlightenment of minds, citing the actions of the Salaf (pious predecessors) who would spend nights reflecting upon a single verse. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, warned against people who recite the Quran without reflection. What aids in reflection is pausing at a verse while internalizing its meaning, considering its context, the theme of the surah, researching the wisdom of its arrangement and sequence, and utilizing reliable books of tafsir (exegesis). It is preferable to recall what has been mentioned in the hadith about the characteristics of hypocrites and others, and to focus on the verse being recited, contemplating its meaning, while remembering as much as possible.