1 Samuel 7

1 Samuel 7

Meyer - Our Daily Homily - 1 Samuel 7:8 Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God. Samuel was famous for his prayers. They are repeatedly referred to in the brief record of his life. In the Psalms he is spoken of as the one “who called upon God’s name.” Indeed, he fought and won Israel’s battles by his strong intercessions. Mary of Scots said that she dreaded the prayers of John Knox more than the battalions of the King of France. So his people were accustomed to think that if the prophet’s hands were held out in importunate prayer, their foes must be restrained. In the Life of Mr. Reginald Radcliffe, one who contributes a reminiscence interjects a remark which deserves to be carefully pondered:— “The great secret of the blessing which came from God to the awakening of whole districts, the quickening of Christians, and the salvation of multitudes, was prayer, continued, fervent, believing, expectant. There was never anything striking in the addresses; but through communion with the living Christ, the word came forth with living and life-giving power. Often would the forenoon be spent in continuous prayer.” This may well convict some of us of the cause of our failure. We have expected the Lord to thunder and discomfort our Philistines, and with a great deliverance; but we have ceased to cry unto the Lord. Ye that are the Lord’s remembrancers, cease not to cry unto Him. If the judge avenged the unfortunate widow, shall not God avenge His own elect, who cry day and night? It is recorded of our Lord that He prayed early and late, and all night. He prayed when He was about to be transfigured; for His disciples; in the Garden of Gethsemane; and for His murderers. How much more do we need to “pray without ceasing”! The Power of Prayer Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us. 1 Samuel 7:8 Today's Scripture & Insight: 1 Samuel 7:7–14 One day, when I was deeply concerned about the welfare of one close to me, I found encouragement in part of the Old Testament story of Samuel, a wise leader of the Israelites. As I read how Samuel interceded for God’s people as they faced trouble, I strengthened my resolve to pray for the one I loved. The Israelites faced the threat of the Philistines, who had previously defeated them when God’s people didn’t trust in Him (see 1 Samuel 4). After repenting of their sins, they heard that the Philistines were about to attack. This time, however, they asked Samuel to continue praying for them (7:8), and the Lord answered clearly by throwing their enemy into confusion (v. 10). Though the Philistines may have been mightier than the Israelites, the Lord was the strongest of them all. When we ache over the challenges facing those we love, and fear the situation won’t change, we may be tempted to believe that the Lord will not act. But we should never underestimate the power of prayer, for our loving God hears our pleas. We don’t know how He will move in response to our petitions, but we know that as our Father He longs for us to embrace His love and to trust in His faithfulness. Father God, the way You hear and answer my prayers amazes me. Strengthen my faith, that I will always believe in Your goodness and love. Share your prayer request or pray for others at YourDailyBread.org/prayer. God hears us when we pray. 1 Samuel 7:9 Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it for a whole burnt offering to the LORD; and Samuel cried to the LORD for Israel and the LORD answered him. BGT 1 Samuel 7:9 καὶ ἔλαβεν Σαμουηλ ἄρνα γαλαθηνὸν ἕνα καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν αὐτὸν ὁλοκαύτωσιν σὺν παντὶ τῷ λαῷ τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ ἐβόησεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς κύριον περὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐπήκουσεν αὐτοῦ κύριος KJV 1 Samuel 7:9 And 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. NET 1 Samuel 7:9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. Samuel cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the LORD answered him. CSB 1 Samuel 7:9 Then Samuel took a young lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on behalf of Israel, and the LORD answered him. ESV 1 Samuel 7:9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. And Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. NIV 1 Samuel 7:9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the LORD answered him. NLT 1 Samuel 7:9 So Samuel took a young lamb and offered it to the LORD as a whole burnt offering. He pleaded with the LORD to help Israel, and the LORD answered him. NRS 1 Samuel 7:9 So Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD; Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. RSV 1 Samuel 7:9 So Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD; and Samuel cried to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. YLT 1 Samuel 7:9 And Samuel taketh a fat lamb, and causeth it to go up -- a burnt-offering whole to Jehovah; and Samuel crieth unto Jehovah for Israel, and Jehovah answereth him; NKJ 1 Samuel 7:9 And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. Then Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. NJB 1 Samuel 7:9 Samuel took a sucking lamb and presented it as a burnt offering to Yahweh, and he called on Yahweh on behalf of Israel and Yahweh heard him. NAB 1 Samuel 7:9 Samuel therefore took an unweaned lamb and offered it entire as a holocaust to the LORD. He implored the LORD for Israel, and the LORD heard him. LXE 1 Samuel 7:9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it up as a whole-burnt-offering with all the people to the Lord: and Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord heard him. ASV 1 Samuel 7:9 And 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. DBY 1 Samuel 7:9 And Samuel took a sucking-lamb, and offered it as a whole burnt-offering to Jehovah; and Samuel cried to Jehovah for Israel, and Jehovah answered him. a suckling: 1Sa 7:17 6:14,15 9:12 10:8 16:2 Jdg 6:26,28 1Ki 18:30-38 cried: Ps 50:15 99:6 Jer 15:1 Jas 5:16 1 Samuel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Psalm 99:6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called on His name; They called upon the LORD and He answered them. SAMUEL'S SACRIFICE AND INTERCESSION ANSWERED BY YAHWEH Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it for a whole burnt offering ('olah; Lxx = holokautosis = "holocaust" whole burnt offering - see related word holokautoma) to the LORD - According to Lev. 22:27, no animal could be sacrificed until it was at least eight days old. There is a touch of irony in this offering for the offerings of Hophni and Phinehas (1Sa 2:17+) were part of the reason for God's wrath against Israel! Recall that one of the basic functions of the burnt offerings was to make atonement, Moses declaring "‘He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, that it may be accepted for him to make atonement on his behalf." (Lev 1:4+; cf 2Sa. 24:25; Job 1:5; Job 42:8) Bergen - Samuel’s appeal to the Lord included a blood sacrifice of a “suckling lamb” as a “whole burnt offering to the Lord” (v. 9, restatement in v. 10)—an undertaking usually carried out by an Aaronic priest—and a wholehearted prayer “to the Lord on Israel’s behalf.. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) And Samuel cried to the LORD for Israel and the LORD answered him. (Ps 99:6): God heard Samuel’s prayers, and the people knew it (1Sa 7:8; 12:19) and so did the Philistines for they too heard God's answer in the form of thunder from Heaven! So before the Israelites even began to fight, the Lord thundered against the Philistines, and they were routed before the Israelites (cf 1Sa 2:10; 2Sa 22:14, 15). Beloved, to wait on God is not a waste of time. Samuel took time to intercede for the people (1Sa 8:6, 21, 22). Woodhouse observes that "This is an extraordinary moment. In the story that 1 Samuel tells, this is the first time that the Lord has acted positively toward Israel or an Israelite since 1Sa 1:19 when he heard and answered Hannah’s prayer and Samuel was born! Now, after all these years, he heard and answered Samuel’s prayer, and Israel was delivered." (Preaching the Word: 1 Samuel—Looking for a Leader) Burnt offering (05930) 'olah rom 'alah = to ascend and thus the picture of going up in smoke) refers to a whole burnt offering (one which goes up in smoke), which was voluntary, was understood as a sacrificial gift to God, resulting in a pleasing aroma acceptable to Jehovah (Lev 1:9). The presenter laid hands on the sacrifice which many feel signifies they saw the animal sacrifice as their substitute. The blood was sprinkled on the altar (Lev 1:6) When this offering was properly carried out (including a right heart attitude not just a "going through the motions," [which was not pleasing to God - Jer 6:20, Jer 7:21, 23, 24, see David - Ps 51:16-17-note] not just an external "work," but an internal submission and obedience to Jehovah), they made atonement and were acceptable before Jehovah. The total burning indicated (or should have indicated) total consecration of the presenter's heart and soul and life to Jehovah. 1 Samuel 7:10 Now Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, and the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were routed before Israel. BGT 1 Samuel 7:10 καὶ ἦν Σαμουηλ ἀναφέρων τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν καὶ ἀλλόφυλοι προσῆγον εἰς πόλεμον ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐβρόντησεν κύριος ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους καὶ συνεχύθησαν καὶ ἔπταισαν ἐνώπιον Ισραηλ KJV 1 Samuel 7:10 And 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. NET 1 Samuel 7:10 As Samuel was offering burnt offerings, the Philistines approached to do battle with Israel. But on that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines. He caused them to panic, and they were defeated by Israel. CSB 1 Samuel 7:10 Samuel was offering the burnt offering as the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel. The LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines that day and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel. ESV 1 Samuel 7:10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. NIV 1 Samuel 7:10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. NLT 1 Samuel 7:10 Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the LORD spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. NRS 1 Samuel 7:10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel; but the LORD thundered with a mighty voice that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion; and they were routed before Israel. RSV 1 Samuel 7:10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel; but the LORD thundered with a mighty voice that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion; and they were routed before Israel. YLT 1 Samuel 7:10 and Samuel is causing the burnt-offering to go up -- and the Philistines have drawn nigh to battle against Israel -- and Jehovah doth thunder with a great noise, on that day, upon the Philistines, and troubleth them, and they are smitten before Israel. NKJ 1 Samuel 7:10 Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel. thundered : 1Sa 2:10 12:17 Ex 9:23-25 Jdg 5:8,20 Ps 18:11-14 77:16-18 97:3,4 Rev 16:18-21 confused: De 20:3,4 Jos 10:10 JdG 4:15 5:20 Zec 4:6 1 Samuel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: 1 Samuel 2:10+ “Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed.” GOD ANSWERS WITH THUNDER FROM HEAVEN Now Samuel was offering up the burnt offering ('olah) and the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel - This might have caused a touch of trepidation and angst, but Samuel continues his act of worship to Yahweh. But - This a dramatic and well-timed term of contrast. The strong enemy was drawing near, but God was about to show up! The LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused (hamam; Lxx = sugcheo/sugchunno) them, so that they were routed before Israel - In a literal manner, the Lord did to His enemies what Hannah had prophesied in her prayer (1Sa 2:10). The thunder is especially significant since it was Baal whom the Canaanites thought to be the god of the thunderstorm. Only the Lord is God! It is interesting to recall that when the Ark came into the camp of Israel, they shouted so much that the ground shook (1Sa 4:5) and this outcry caused the Philistines to fear (1Sa 4:6), and motivated them to even greater courage. Here the LORD "shouts" with great thunder and causes confusion. Note the contrast with 1Sa 4:2 where Israel was defeated before the Philistines and not the latter were defeated before Israel (1Sa 7:10ESV)! As Woodhouse says "In chapter 4 God was acting in judgment against his apostate people. In chapter 7 he was acting in deliverance of his repentant people." (Preaching the Word: 1 Samuel—Looking for a Leader) Confused (02000) hamam means to make a noise, move noisily, confuse, throw into commotion. "The basic meaning of this word seems to be "to give attention to" in the negative sense, that is, "harass," "trouble," often with the purpose of creating panic." Of the 13 uses below God is the subject in 10 verses. Of these, five times the object is Israel's enemy whom God strikes with panic for their sake. (See 1 Sa 7:10; Ex 14:24; Ex 23:27; Josh 10:10; Jdg 4:15; and also 2 Chr 15:6 with a more general subject.) Thus it denotes an important aspect of holy war. The verb is used parallel to "scatter" in 2 Sa 22:15; Ps 18:14, and Ps 144:6 (parallel passages). God uses arrows and lightnings to trouble his enemies. (Some would translate hāmam as "set in motion" referring to the arrows and lightning.) The word is also used to indicate the effect of a cart wheel on grain (Isaiah 28:28). But some make wheel the object and translate "set in motion." The word describes God's treatment of the Israelites over forty until they died in the wilderness. He made sure of their death (Dt. 2:15). Other subjects of this verb are: Nebuchadnezzar, against Jerusalem (Jeremiah 51:34), and Haman against the Jews (Esther 9:24)(TWOT online) James Butler - VICTORY OVER THE PHILISTINES 1 Samuel 7:10 “As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistine 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” (1 Samuel 7:10). Samuel had led Israel in a spiritual revival. The revival was followed by an attack by the enemy, the Philistines, who were a constant pain in the neck for the Israelites. But being right with God has its advantages and the Philistines were defeated by unique Divine providence. FIRST—THE REVERENCE OF ISRAEL “Samuel was offering up the burnt offering.” Revival had affected the religious practices of the Israelites. They were no longer worshiping their idols but are worshiping Jehovah as the “offering up the burnt offering” indicates. True worship will involve an offering and the offering is called a sacrifice which says true worship will see sacrifice for the Lord by the worshipers. By the looks of the offering place many in our churches need revival. SECOND—THE RAID ON ISRAEL “As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle.” When their is spiritual improvement, the devil will see to it that their is opposition. The Israelites were being revived and Samuel making an offering was part of the fruit of the revival. Satan had had enough of this spiritual revival. It was affecting his work, and so he sent the Philistines to do his dirty work. When we get right with God, the enemy often counters by sending us trouble. The more you grow spiritually the more animosity from the enemy you will experience. However, do not let that discourage you, as God will work mightily for you, as the thundering evidences, which we will see more about in our next point. THIRD—THE RUMBLING FOR ISRAEL “But the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them.” Satan may stir up animosity against you, but God will more then compensate you because of your spiritual revival. Here, God worked in a storm and that so upset the Philistines that they were unable to fight the Israelites effectively. God can use any means He wishes to defend His people. God can even make the “wrath of men” to work to His glory (Psalm 76:10). We may not see how God can help us, but do not worry about that, be more concerned about being right with God. FOURTH—THE ROUTING BY ISRAEL “They were smitten before Israel.” Getting right with God (which was a result of the revival) gave Israel the great help from God (which they had hitherto not had) and they were able to rout the enemy. The Philistines were “subdued” (1 Samuel 7:13) by the Israelites. If you are having trouble overcoming evil in your life, try getting right with God. It will help you rout the devil. 1 Samuel 7:11 The men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and struck them down as far as below Beth-car. 1 Samuel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries YAHWEH GIVES TOTAL VICTORY The men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and struck them down as far as below Beth-car - When the LORD is fighting for you, there is no question about the outcome of the battle. Note again the stark contrast with the first battle when "the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent; and the slaughter was very great, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers." (1Sa 4:10)! What a difference confession, repentance and intercession make! Bergen - Because the peoples of the ancient Near East believed that every military combat involved a conflict being played out on two planes, the human (terrestrial) and the divine (atmospheric), any unusual meteorological phenomenon during a military operation would naturally be interpreted as evidence of a deity at work (cf. Josh 10:11; Judg 5:4, 20–21). The loud, unexpected thunder was immediately understood by the Philistines as a bad omen, and it “threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.” Emboldened by their enemies’ flight, the newly rededicated soldiers of the Lord “rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to Beth Car” (v. 11),. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary)