1 Samuel7
King James Version · Public Domain
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.
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 Ashtoreth 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.
4Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtoreth, and served the Lord only.
5And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you unto the Lord.
6And they gathered together to Mizpah, 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 Mizpah.
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.
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.
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 the Lord helped us.
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.
16And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth–el, and Gilgal, and Mizpah, 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.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 7.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The ark removed to Kirjath-jearim. (1–4). The Israelites solemnly repent. (5, 6). The Lord discomfits the Philistines. (7–12). They are subdued, Samuel judges Israel. (13–17).
vv1-4
God will find a resting-place for his ark; if some thrust it from them, the hearts of others shall be inclined to receive it. It is no new thing for God's ark to be in a private house. Christ and his apostles preached from house to house, when they could not have public places. Twenty years passed before the house of Israel cared for the want of the ark. During this time the prophet Samuel laboured to revive true religion. The few words used are very expressive; and this was one of the most effectual revivals of religion which ever took place in Israel.
vv5-6
Israel drew water and poured it out before the Lord; signifying their humiliation and sorrow for sin. They pour out their hearts in repentance before the Lord. They were free and full in their confession, and fixed in their resolution to cast away from them all their wrong doings. They made a public confession, We have sinned against the Lord; thus giving glory to God, and taking shame to themselves. And if we thus confess our sins, we shall find our God faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
vv7-12
The Philistines invaded Israel. When sinners begin to repent and reform, they must expect that Satan will muster all his force against them, and set his instruments at work to the utmost, to oppose and discourage them. The Israelites earnestly beg Samuel to pray for them. Oh what a comfort it is to all believers, that our great Intercessor above never ceases, is never silent! for he always appears in the presence of God for us. Samuel's sacrifice, without his prayer, had been an empty shadow. God gave a gracious answer. And Samuel erected a memorial of this victory, to the glory of God, and to encourage Israel. Through successive generations, the church of God has had cause to set up Eben-ezers for renewed deliverances; neither outward persecutions nor inward corruptions have prevailed against her, because “hitherto the Lord hath helped her:” and he will help, even to the end of the world.
Key Words
אֱנוֹשׁ: a man in general (singly or collectively)
קִרְיַת יְעָרִים: Kirjath-Jearim or Kirjath-Arim, a place in Palestine
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עָלָה: to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אָרוֹן: a box
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבִינָדָב: Abinadab, the name of four Israelites
גִּבְעָה: a hillock
קָדַשׁ: to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
Cross References
1 Samuel 7Samuel's miraculous answer from God via thunder parallels his later calling for thunder in chapter 12.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Fulfills Hannah's prophetic song that the Lord will thunder out of heaven upon His adversaries.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Traces the continuation of the ark's stay in Kirjath-jearim until David's eventual removal of it.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explicitly highlights Samuel's famous intercessory role alongside Moses as a powerful, crying advocate.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Eben-ezer, the site of previous crushing defeat, is now consecrated as the monument of glorious victory.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies Kirjath-jearim under its alternative ancient names of Kirjath-baal or Baalah.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct geographical link explaining why the men of Kirjath-jearim were summoned to fetch the ark.
Supported by JFB
The specific false gods, Baalim and Ashtaroth, are the same ones Israel repeatedly served in Judges.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jacob's similar command to put away strange gods before returning to Bethel to seek the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Mizpah as the traditional, historical location for national assemblies of Israel in times of crisis.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Names Samuel among those who call upon God's name and whom He faithfully answered.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Reinforces Samuel's lifelong, unceasing priestly commitment to pray for the people of Israel.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The metaphorical idiom of 'water spilt on the ground' illuminating Israel's symbolic pouring of water.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Israel's fear of approaching enemies parallels the Red Sea crisis, prompting urgent cries to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry