I Samuel 7: A Turning Point for Israel
And the men of Kirjath–jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.
And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath–jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.
And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only.
And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord.
And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.
And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him.
And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.
And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth–car.
Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben–ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.
So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth–el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the Lord.
I Samuel 7 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, a transition from a period of spiritual decline and Philistine oppression to one of repentance, revival, and renewed hope. This chapter beautifully illustrates God's faithfulness in responding to genuine repentance and His power to deliver His people. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing God above all else and the blessings that come from seeking His guidance.
The Ark's Silent Sojourn (I Samuel 7:1-2)
Following its dramatic return from the Philistines (I Samuel 4-6), the Ark of the Covenant resided in Kiriath-jearim for twenty years. This period of silence for the ark serves as a poignant reminder of the spiritual state of Israel. While the symbol of God's presence was physically among them, their hearts were far from Him. They continued to engage in idolatry, worshipping foreign gods and goddesses, such as Baal, the Canaanite sky god, and Ashtoreth, the goddess of fertility. This twenty-year period underscores the futility of possessing religious symbols without genuine devotion and obedience.
Samuel's Call to Repentance (I Samuel 7:3-6)
After two decades, the people of Israel began to long for the Lord (I Samuel 7:2). Samuel, now emerging as a prominent leader and prophet, recognized the deep-seated spiritual issues plaguing the nation. He issued a clarion call for repentance, urging them to rid themselves of their foreign gods and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the Lord (I Samuel 7:3). Samuel understood that true repentance involved not merely outward actions but a complete turning of the heart towards God.
The people responded positively to Samuel's call, demonstrating a willingness to turn away from their idolatrous practices. Samuel then gathered the nation at Mizpah, a location about seven miles north of Jerusalem, for a solemn assembly of repentance (I Samuel 7:5-6). There, they fasted, poured out water before the Lord as a symbol of repentance or cleansing, and confessed their sins against God. This act of national repentance and unity was crucial in preparing them for the deliverance that was to come. This was Samuel's first publicly recorded ministry appearance.
Divine Intervention at Ebenezer (I Samuel 7:7-12)
The Philistines, viewing Israel's gathering at Mizpah as a potential revolt, mobilized their forces to suppress it. Faced with this threat, the Israelites pleaded with Samuel to intercede with the Lord on their behalf (I Samuel 7:7-8). Samuel, acting as both priest and prophet, offered a young lamb as a burnt offering and cried out to God for Israel (I Samuel 7:9).
God answered Samuel's prayer in a powerful and dramatic way. As the Philistines approached, the Lord thundered against them, throwing them into confusion and disarray (I Samuel 7:10). This divine intervention allowed the Israelites to decisively defeat the Philistines and drive them out of their territory.
To commemorate this victory and acknowledge God's help, Samuel set up a stone and named it "Ebenezer," meaning "stone of help," declaring, "Thus far the Lord has helped us" (I Samuel 7:12). This stone served as a lasting reminder of God's faithfulness and His unwavering support for His people. God became Israel's Ebenezer, their "stone of help."
A Time of Peace and Samuel's Ministry (I Samuel 7:13-17)
The Lord's victory at Ebenezer ushered in a period of peace and stability for Israel. The Philistines were subdued, and the Israelites even regained some of the territory that had been lost to them (I Samuel 7:13-14). God's hand remained against the Philistines throughout Samuel's lifetime.
Samuel continued to serve as judge over Israel, traveling a circuit that included Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, as well as his hometown of Ramah, where he built an altar to the Lord (I Samuel 7:15-17). He provided leadership, guidance, and spiritual direction to the nation, helping them to remain faithful to God.
I Samuel 7 demonstrates the transformative power of repentance and the unwavering faithfulness of God. When the Israelites turned away from their idols and sought the Lord with all their hearts, He responded with compassion and delivered them from their enemies. This chapter serves as a timeless reminder that true revival begins with a sincere turning towards God and that He is always ready to help those who call upon Him.
And the men of Kirjath–jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.
And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath–jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.
And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only.
And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord.
And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.
And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him.
And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.
And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth–car.
Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben–ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.
So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth–el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the Lord.
I Samuel 7 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, a transition from a period of spiritual decline and Philistine oppression to one of repentance, revival, and renewed hope. This chapter beautifully illustrates God's faithfulness in responding to genuine repentance and His power to deliver His people. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing God above all else and the blessings that come from seeking His guidance.
The Ark's Silent Sojourn (I Samuel 7:1-2)
Following its dramatic return from the Philistines (I Samuel 4-6), the Ark of the Covenant resided in Kiriath-jearim for twenty years. This period of silence for the ark serves as a poignant reminder of the spiritual state of Israel. While the symbol of God's presence was physically among them, their hearts were far from Him. They continued to engage in idolatry, worshipping foreign gods and goddesses, such as Baal, the Canaanite sky god, and Ashtoreth, the goddess of fertility. This twenty-year period underscores the futility of possessing religious symbols without genuine devotion and obedience.
Samuel's Call to Repentance (I Samuel 7:3-6)
After two decades, the people of Israel began to long for the Lord (I Samuel 7:2). Samuel, now emerging as a prominent leader and prophet, recognized the deep-seated spiritual issues plaguing the nation. He issued a clarion call for repentance, urging them to rid themselves of their foreign gods and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the Lord (I Samuel 7:3). Samuel understood that true repentance involved not merely outward actions but a complete turning of the heart towards God.
The people responded positively to Samuel's call, demonstrating a willingness to turn away from their idolatrous practices. Samuel then gathered the nation at Mizpah, a location about seven miles north of Jerusalem, for a solemn assembly of repentance (I Samuel 7:5-6). There, they fasted, poured out water before the Lord as a symbol of repentance or cleansing, and confessed their sins against God. This act of national repentance and unity was crucial in preparing them for the deliverance that was to come. This was Samuel's first publicly recorded ministry appearance.
Divine Intervention at Ebenezer (I Samuel 7:7-12)
The Philistines, viewing Israel's gathering at Mizpah as a potential revolt, mobilized their forces to suppress it. Faced with this threat, the Israelites pleaded with Samuel to intercede with the Lord on their behalf (I Samuel 7:7-8). Samuel, acting as both priest and prophet, offered a young lamb as a burnt offering and cried out to God for Israel (I Samuel 7:9).
God answered Samuel's prayer in a powerful and dramatic way. As the Philistines approached, the Lord thundered against them, throwing them into confusion and disarray (I Samuel 7:10). This divine intervention allowed the Israelites to decisively defeat the Philistines and drive them out of their territory.
To commemorate this victory and acknowledge God's help, Samuel set up a stone and named it "Ebenezer," meaning "stone of help," declaring, "Thus far the Lord has helped us" (I Samuel 7:12). This stone served as a lasting reminder of God's faithfulness and His unwavering support for His people. God became Israel's Ebenezer, their "stone of help."
A Time of Peace and Samuel's Ministry (I Samuel 7:13-17)
The Lord's victory at Ebenezer ushered in a period of peace and stability for Israel. The Philistines were subdued, and the Israelites even regained some of the territory that had been lost to them (I Samuel 7:13-14). God's hand remained against the Philistines throughout Samuel's lifetime.
Samuel continued to serve as judge over Israel, traveling a circuit that included Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, as well as his hometown of Ramah, where he built an altar to the Lord (I Samuel 7:15-17). He provided leadership, guidance, and spiritual direction to the nation, helping them to remain faithful to God.
I Samuel 7 demonstrates the transformative power of repentance and the unwavering faithfulness of God. When the Israelites turned away from their idols and sought the Lord with all their hearts, He responded with compassion and delivered them from their enemies. This chapter serves as a timeless reminder that true revival begins with a sincere turning towards God and that He is always ready to help those who call upon Him.