Worthy.Bible » STRONG » 1 Samuel » Chapter 7 » Verse 8-12

1 Samuel 7:8-12 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

8 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 said H559 to Samuel, H8050 Cease H2790 not to cry H2199 unto the LORD H3068 our God H430 for us, that he will save H3467 us out of the hand H3027 of the Philistines. H6430

9 And Samuel H8050 took H3947 a H259 sucking H2461 lamb, H2924 and offered H5927 it for a burnt offering H5930 wholly H3632 unto the LORD: H3068 and Samuel H8050 cried H2199 unto the LORD H3068 for Israel; H3478 and the LORD H3068 heard H6030 him.

10 And as Samuel H8050 was offering up H5927 the burnt offering, H5930 the Philistines H6430 drew near H5066 to battle H4421 against Israel: H3478 but the LORD H3068 thundered H7481 with a great H1419 thunder H6963 on that day H3117 upon the Philistines, H6430 and discomfited H2000 them; and they were smitten H5062 before H6440 Israel. H3478

11 And the men H582 of Israel H3478 went out H3318 of Mizpeh, H4709 and pursued H7291 the Philistines, H6430 and smote H5221 them, until they came under Bethcar. H1033

12 Then Samuel H8050 took H3947 a H259 stone, H68 and set H7760 it between Mizpeh H4709 and Shen, H8129 and called H7121 the name H8034 of it Ebenezer, H72 saying, H559 Hitherto hath the LORD H3068 helped H5826 us.

Commentary on 1 Samuel 7 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 7

1Sa 7:1, 2. The Ark at Kirjath-jearim.

1. the men of Kirjath-jearim—"the city of woods," also Kirjath-baal (Jos 15:60; 18:14; 1Ch 13:5, 6). It was the nearest town to Beth-shemesh and stood on a hill. This was the reason of the message (1Sa 6:21), and why this was chosen for the convenience of people turning their faces to the ark (1Ki 8:29-35; Ps 28:2; Da 6:10).

brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill—Why it was not transported at once to Shiloh where the tabernacle and sacred vessels were remaining, is difficult to conjecture.

sanctified … his son—He was not a Levite, and was therefore only set apart or appointed to be keeper of the place.

2. the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim … twenty years—It appears, in the subsequent history, that a much longer period elapsed before its final removal from Kirjath-jearim (2Sa 6:1-19; 1Ch 13:1-14). But that length of time had passed when the Israelites began to revive from their sad state of religious decline. The capture of the ark had produced a general indifference either as to its loss or its recovery.

all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord—They were then brought, doubtless by the influence of Samuel's exhortations, to renounce idolatry, and to return to the national worship of the true God.

1Sa 7:3-6. The Israelites, through Samuel's Influence, Solemnly Repent at Mizpeh.

3-6. Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel—A great national reformation was effected through the influence of Samuel. Disgusted with their foreign servitude, and panting for the restoration of liberty and independence, they were open to salutary impressions; and convinced of their errors, they renounced idolatry. The re-establishment of the faith of their fathers was inaugurated at a great public meeting, held at Mizpeh in Judah, and hallowed by the observance of impressive religious solemnities. The drawing water, and pouring it out before the Lord, seems to have been a symbolical act by which, in the people's name, Samuel testified their sense of national corruption, their need of that moral purification of which water is the emblem, and their sincere desire to pour out their hearts in repentance before God.

6. Samuel judged … Israel in Mizpeh—At the time of Eli's death he could not have much exceeded twenty years of age; and although his character and position must have given him great influence, it does not appear that hitherto he had done more than prophets were wont to do. Now he entered on the duties of a civil magistrate.

1Sa 7:7-14. While Samuel Prays, the Philistines Are Discomfited.

7-11. when the Philistines heard, &c.—The character and importance of the national convention at Mizpeh were fully appreciated by the Philistines. They discerned in it the rising spirit of religious patriotism among the Israelites that was prepared to throw off the yoke of their domination. Anxious to crush it at the first, they made a sudden incursion while the Israelites were in the midst of their solemn celebration. Unprepared for resistance, they besought Samuel to supplicate the divine interposition to save them from their enemies. The prophet's prayers and sacrifice were answered by such a tremendous storm of thunder and lightning that the assailants, panic-struck, were disordered and fled. The Israelites, recognizing the hand of God, rushed courageously on the foe they had so much dreaded and committed such immense havoc, that the Philistines did not for long recover from this disastrous blow. This brilliant victory secured peace and independence to Israel for twenty years, as well as the restitution of the usurped territory.

12. Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen—on an open spot between the town and "the crag" (some well-known rock in the neighborhood). A huge stone pillar was erected as a monument of their victory (Le 26:1). The name—Eben-ezer—is thought to have been written on the face of it.