1 Samuel 7

King James Version

Full text for 1 Samuel Chapter 7

1¶ And the men of Kirjathjearim 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 Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

3¶ 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.

4Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

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.

7¶ 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.

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 Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until [they came] under Bethcar.

12Then Samuel took a stone, and set [it] between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

13¶ 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.

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 Bethel, 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

After twenty years, the Ark of the LORD was brought to Kirjathjearim. Samuel called Israel to repent from idolatry, and they gathered at Mizpeh, confessing their sin. When the Philistines attacked, the LORD thundered, discomfiting them, leading to Israel's victory. Samuel then set up a stone called Ebenezer, signifying God's help.

Medium Summary

Following its return to Kirjathjearim, the Ark remained there for twenty years, during which Israel lamented after the LORD. Samuel urged the people to put away their foreign gods and serve the LORD only, promising deliverance from the Philistines. Israel repented, gathering at Mizpeh to confess their sins and fast. As the Philistines advanced, Samuel offered a burnt offering, and the LORD intervened with thunder, causing the Philistines to be routed. Israel pursued and defeated them, leading Samuel to erect a stone named Ebenezer, marking divine assistance. This victory established peace and Samuel continued to judge Israel throughout his life.

Long Summary

After the Ark of the LORD was brought to the house of Abinadab in Kirjathjearim and Eleazar was sanctified to keep it, it remained there for twenty years, during which the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. Samuel then addressed the people, instructing them to return to the LORD with all their hearts, putting away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and serving Him only for deliverance from the Philistines. The children of Israel obeyed, removing their idols and serving the LORD alone. Samuel gathered all Israel at Mizpeh, where they drew water, poured it out, fasted, and confessed their sins, with Samuel judging them there. When the Philistines heard of this gathering, their lords advanced against Israel, causing fear among the Israelites. Israel implored Samuel to pray for their salvation, and Samuel offered a sucking lamb as a burnt offering. As he offered it, the LORD thundered mightily upon the Philistines, discomfiting them, and they were smitten before Israel. The men of Israel pursued and smote the Philistines, leading Samuel to erect a stone between Mizpeh and Shen, naming it Ebenezer, meaning "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us." Consequently, the Philistines were subdued and no longer encroached upon Israel's territory, and cities previously taken were restored. Peace was also established between Israel and the Amorites. Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life, traveling annually in circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and returning to Ramah, where he had his house and built an altar to the LORD.

Core Concepts

  • Ark's AbodeThe Ark of the LORD was brought to Kirjathjearim and remained in the house of Abinadab for twenty years, signifying a period of national lament and spiritual longing.
  • National RepentanceSamuel called Israel to put away foreign gods and serve the LORD exclusively, leading to a collective act of confession, fasting, and removal of idols at Mizpeh.
  • Divine InterventionAs the Philistines attacked, the LORD directly intervened by thundering with a great thunder, discomfiting the enemy and securing a decisive victory for Israel.
  • Samuel's LeadershipSamuel served as a prophet and judge, guiding Israel to repentance, interceding for them through prayer and sacrifice, and establishing justice throughout the land.
  • EbenezerA stone set up by Samuel between Mizpeh and Shen, named "Ebenezer" (Stone of Help), serving as a memorial to commemorate the LORD's assistance in Israel's victory over the Philistines.
  • Philistine SubjugationFollowing the divine victory, the Philistines were subdued, ceased their incursions into Israelite territory, and were forced to return cities they had captured.
  • Circuit JudgingSamuel established a system of annual circuit travel to various locations like Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh, to administer justice and judge Israel throughout his lifetime.