Samuel Subdues the Philistines
1Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of Yahweh and took it into Abinadab’s house on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of Yahweh.
2And from that day a long time passed, twenty years in all, as the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim. And all the house of Israel mournfully sought Yahweh.
3Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to Yahweh with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for Yahweh, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
- 1SA 7:3[DEMONIC]Israel puts away the Baals and Ashtoreths
4So the Israelites put away the Baals and Ashtoreths and served only Yahweh.
5Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to Yahweh on your behalf.”
6When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before Yahweh. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against Yahweh.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.
7When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. And when the Israelites learned of this, they feared the Philistines 8and said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to Yahweh our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
9Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to Yahweh. He cried out to Yahweh on behalf of Israel, and Yahweh answered him. 10As the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel, Samuel was offering up the burnt offering. But that day Yahweh thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel.
- 1SA 7:10[MIRACLE]Yahweh thunders and throws the Philistines into confusion
11Then the men of Israel charged out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, striking them down all the way to an area below Beth-car.
12Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far Yahweh has helped us.”
- 1SA 7:12[NOTABLE]Ebenezer means stone of help. It is the same name as the place where Israel lost the ark in chapter 4. Now the name stands for God's help. The old hymn says, Here I raise my Ebenezer.
- 1SA 7:12[NOTE]EBENEZER means stone of help. It is the same name as the place where Israel lost the ark in 4:1. The old hymn says, Here I raise my Ebenezer.
13So the Philistines were subdued, and they stopped invading the territory of Israel. And the hand of Yahweh was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14The cities from Ekron to Gath, which the Philistines had taken, were restored to Israel, who also delivered the surrounding territory from the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between the Israelites and the Amorites.
15So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. 17Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to Yahweh.