1 Samuel
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1 Samuel 7
1 Samuel 7
1And the men of Kiriath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of Jehovah, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of Jehovah.
2And it came to pass, from the day that the ark abode in Kiriath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after Jehovah.
1And 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.
2And 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.
Commentary · verses 1-2
3And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto Jehovah with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts unto Jehovah, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
3And 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.
Commentary · verse 3
Samuel told Israel if they returned to God they needed to remove their gods and prepare their hearts for God and serve Him only. If they really wanted to serve God it would be proven by their actions, not just their lamenting. Samuel was acting as Israel's Judge.
4Then the children of Israel did put away the Baalim and the Ashtaroth, and served Jehovah only.
4Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.
Commentary · verse 4
The Israelites were led by Samuel. They removed their "gods" and served the Lord.
5And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you unto Jehovah.
6And they gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before Jehovah, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against Jehovah. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah.
5And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.
6And 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.
Commentary · verses 5-6
Samuel served as Judge to Israel in Mizpeh.
7And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
7And 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.
Commentary · verse 7
The Philistines were threatened by Israel yet Israel still feared them. How would the Israelites, now a repentant people, handle the Philistines?
8And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto Jehovah our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.
9And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt-offering unto Jehovah: and Samuel cried unto Jehovah for Israel; and Jehovah answered him.
10And as Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but Jehovah thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten down before Israel.
8And 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.
9And 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.
10And 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.
Commentary · verses 8-10
While Samuel was offering to God, God smote the Philistines. God "thundered with a great thunder." This massive amount of noise and vibration caused confusion and fear in the Philistines.
11And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.
12Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath Jehovah helped us.
11And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth–car.
12Then 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.
Commentary · verses 11-12
"Eben-ezer" meant "stone of help." This stone would have helped Israel remember this great victory that God gave to Israel that day.
13So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more within the border of Israel: and the hand of Jehovah was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
14And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the border thereof did Israel deliver out of the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
15And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
13So 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.
14And 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.
15And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
Commentary · verses 13-15
God led Israel through Samuel.
16And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places.
17And his return was to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel: and he built there an altar unto Jehovah.
16And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth–el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
17And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.
The men of Kiriath-jearim went to Beth-shemesh to get the Ark. It remained in Kiriath-jearim for twenty years. All of Israel lamented (mourned) after God. This twenty year period allowed for Samuel to mature, marry, and have children.