1 Samuel 7
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Samuel 7
Wiersbe - Someone has called Samuel “God’s Emergency Man,” and the name surely fits. Samuel stepped on the scene when the priesthood was decayed, when the nation was defeated, and when God’s glory had departed. (Borrow Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament) Saying, "If you return (shub/sub; Lxx = epistrepho) to the LORD with all your heart (lebab; Lxx = kardia) - These words would seem to be Samuel's summary of the previous 20 years -- Israel's heart as a nation was distant from the LORD! Note the emphasis on heart in this passage. Note also the adjective "all"! God wants ALL of our heart, not just a portion! Samuel begins with the most critical variable, their (our) heart. The IF introduces a conditional statement. All revival flows from hearts that are broken and "bent" (humble, contrite). Samuel is spelling out the necessary steps the nation must take to experience genuine repentance. It all begins in their heart, for the idols in their heart were the heart of their spiritual problem! Compare God's repeated emphasis on the condition of our heart in these passages from Deuteronomy, Israel's instructions on how to take full possession of their possessions in the Promised Land (and applicable to every believer of every age that we too might possess our possessions including every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus - Eph 1:3+, His precious and magnificent promises - 2Pe 1:4+): Deuteronomy 4:29+ (CONTEXT IS PROPHECY OF ISRAEL IN FUTURE - cf Dt 30:2+) “But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him IF you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. Deuteronomy 6:5+ “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 10:12-13+ “Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? Deuteronomy 11:13+ “It shall come about, IF you listen obediently to my commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul, Deuteronomy 13:3+ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 26:16+ “This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. In regard to presenting God our whole heart, here is a prayer I need to pray far more than I do... Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Ps 86:11NIV) Bergen comments that "Hophni and Phinehas had sought to bring victory to Israel by bringing the Lord’s ark against the Philistines. Samuel brought victory to Israel by bringing Israel back to the Lord. In chronicling the events of this section, the narrator is careful to indicate that mighty deliverance from the Philistines came about only after Israel repented and turned wholeheartedly back to God. The movement of Israel’s heart, not Yahweh’s ark, brought about true freedom from Israel’s oppressors.". (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) Remove (sur; Lxx - periaireo - take away from around - implying it has you encircled, ensnared!!! - in the aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth ('ashtaroth) from among you - The clear implication with this command is that Israel had fallen deeply into idolatry, for 20 years, since the days of the corrupt priesthood of Eli and sons (recall their immorality which was frequent in the Canaanite worship of idols)! Recall also since Eli's sons did not know the LORD, one can see how the nation turned to idolatry, for as the leaders go, so goes the nation. In calling the nation to remove the foreign gods Samuel echoes God's command in Ex 20:3+ “You shall have no other gods before Me." Samuel commands active, vigorous, immediate, total separation from false gods, which describes anything or anyone that takes the place of the LORD God. Put away your "God substitutes!" God made us for Himself, and if He does not fill us, we are left with a spiritual vacuum that other little g gods will fill (nice houses, cool cars, money, hobbies, sports, position, ambition, other people, and the list goes on!) Foreign gods indicates that Israel had a veritable plethora of idols to choose from! Ashtaroth was a horrid goddess of fertility whose worship included such illicit, abominable sexual activities one dare not even attempt to describe them (cf Eph 5:12+)! THOUGHT- Samuel's directive reminds me of the exhortation/admonition from Peter - "Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain (REMOVE THEM - PUSH AWAY FROM - ONLY POSSIBLE TO OBEY BY BEING CONTINUALLY CONTROLLED BY/FILLED WITH GOD'S SPIRIT - Eph 5:18+) from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul." (1Pe 2:11+, cf 1Cor 6:18+, 2Ti 2:21, 22+) "Anything in our lives that takes the place of God and commands the sacrifice and devotion that belong only to Him, is an idol and must be cast out. Idols in the heart are far more dangerous than idols in the temple." (Wiersbe) Bergen - Noting Israel’s godly sorrow (cf. 2 Cor 7:10+), Samuel seized the opportunity to lead Israel in a spiritual cleansing reminiscent of those instituted by great leaders in the past. He used language recalling that of Jacob (cf. Gen 35:2) and Joshua (Josh 24:14, 23) to summon the people to “rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths” (v. 3).. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) And direct your hearts (lebab; Lxx = kardia) to the LORD - lit., “establish your hearts” The heart of the matter is usually what's the matter with one's heart. The question is to what is the heart directed, to the things above or the things of this world (Col 3:2+)? This second command means to get right, make ready, apply the heart and mind (2Chr 12:14, 19:3, 30:19, Ezra 7:10 = "Ezra had set his heart", Ps 78:8). It is a clear call for single-minded, wholehearted commItment to the LORD. THOUGHT - Samuel's charge for single hearts, pure hearts brings to mind two old song by Craig Smith - Single Heart and Pure Heart. As you listen to the lyrics of these two songs, you might ask yourself "Do the words describe my heart today?" Or do you find yourself lamenting your current spiritual state, and sensing a need for a Word centered, Spirit energized, God glorifying, Christ exalting revival? Then listen to the Man of God, Samuel, who gives us a pattern for personal revival that transcends time. The Septuagint translates direct your hearts with the verb hetoimazo meaning to put/keep in readiness or prepare your heart (kardia). While the Spirit is not mentioned often in the Old Testament, we do well to remember that He is omnipresent and is always active. In this passage there is no way for natural fallen men on their own volition to obey the command to direct their hearts to Yahweh. The fact is that our fallen flesh does not seek the LORD, for as Paul says "THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD." (Ro 3:11+). Here in 1Sa 7:3, surely the Spirit is energizing a desire and giving the power to seek Yahweh, to direct their hearts to Him (cf Phil 2:13NLT+). But of course they still had to make a conscious, volitional choice, a choice of their will, to follow through and obey Samuel's commands. Paul alludes to a similar pattern of idol removal and heart direction in his description of the pagan Gentiles who were converted in Thessalonica writing... For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols (REMOVED THE IDOLS) to serve (SERVE YOUR ONE, TRUE MASTER) a living and true God, 10 and to wait (anameno - waiting expectantly - continually = present tense - cf "DIRECTING THEIR HEART" TO YAHWEH) for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. (1Th 1:9-10+) And serve (abad; Lxx - douleuo) Him alone - Don't miss the word alone! So not just serve Him, but Him Alone! Yahweh is a jealous God (Ex 34:14+, cf Isa 42:8) and He will not share His glory with any other so-called gods. Devotion to Yahweh is to be wholehearted (cf Mk 12:30+). Another NT parallel is from the lips of our Lord Jesus teaches that "(ABSOLUTELY) No one can serve (douleuo) two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve (douleuo) God and wealth." (Mt 6:24+) God is far more interested in who we are than in what we do. THOUGHT - There is an important spiritual principle in the order of Samuel's directives - First, get your heart right, then serve from a pure heart! I fear too many in churches have the "do" mentality without the "be" mentality. We think "What can I do for Him?," and yet we have failed to purify our hearts ("be"). God is far more interested in who we are than in what we do. When we have the order correct ("be"), we will desire to "do" out of the overflow of a heart of devotion and love for God, not to earn His favor, but to glorify His Name. Jesus commands His disciples to "Let your light shine (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) before men in such a way (THAT THE LIGHT POINTS TO HIM NOT US!) that they may see your good works (VISIBLE SUPERNATURAL "Jn 15:5 WORKS"), and glorify (GIVE A PROPER OPINION OF) your Father Who is in heaven (INVISIBLE BUT "SEEN" BY OTHERS AS THEY WITNESS OUR SUPERNATURAL WORKS). (Mt 5:16+). Bergen - As they got rid of their idols and embraced the Lord wholeheartedly, they could expect the Torah-promised benefits of a right relationship with the Lord, one of which was victory over enemies (cf. Lev 26:7–8; Deut 28:7).. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) And He will deliver (natsal; Lxx = exaireo = rescue from peril, set free) you from the hand (yad - hand is keyword in 1Sa 4-7 = 13x/13v) of the Philistines - (In accord with promises in the Pentateuch - Lev 26:7-8+, Dt 28:7+) Note that will deliver is a prophecy (will identifies it as a prophecy - be alert to "will" in Scripture as it often signals a prophetic statement) but is contingent on obedience to Samuel's commands. Clearly the implication of need to make this prophetic promise is that the nation of Israel has been under the hand of the Philistines. The question arises for how long? While we cannot be dogmatic, given the fact that Israel was soundly defeated by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 4:1-3, it is very likely that Israel had been under the hand of the Philistines for 20 years (much like God repeatedly gave Israel to their enemies in the book of Judges - Jdg 2:11, 12, 13, 14,15+, Jdg 3:8+, Jdg 3:14+, Jdg 4:3+, Jdg 6:1+, Jdg 10:7, 8+, cf Dt 32:30+, 1Sa 12:9, 10+). In addition in Judges 13:1+ we read "Now the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, so that the LORD gave them into the hands of the Philistines forty years." This is the last period of oppression mentioned in Judges and it occurs in the days of Samson. Jdg 13:5 says Samson "shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” And from the timeline below (click to enlarge) notice that Samson's judgeship overlaps the early days of Samuel's judgeship, which supports the premise that this 20 years in 1 Samuel 7 is the last portion of the 40 years in Jdg 13:1. It was not until Samuel called for national revival and the nation repented that the deliverance was completed. Source: Discover the Bible for Yourself The hand refers to the power of the Philistines, implying Israelites had been subject or subjugated to their power and authority of the Philistines. The hand of the Philistines is no match for the hand of the LORD! Play the up tempo spiritual song "He Will Deliver Me!" Woodhouse - The gospel Samuel proclaimed that day was a simple but wonderful promise: return to the Lord with your whole heart (which will mean putting away your pagan gods and setting your heart on the Lord alone), and he will save you from your enemies and from judgment. (Preaching the Word: 1 Samuel—Looking for a Leader) Return (turn away or back, bring or go back, restore) (07725) shub/sub is is a common verb (over 1000x) meaning to turn, to return, to go back, to do again, to change, to withdraw, to bring back, to reestablish, to be returned, to bring back, to take, to restore, to recompense, to answer, The Lxx translates shub/sub with epistrepho which means to revert, to turn about, to turn around, to turn toward, to return and figuratively to convert. The idea is a definite turn to God in conduct as well as in one's mind as in Peter's charge to the Jewish crowd in Acts 3:19+ = "“Therefore repent (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) and return (epistrepho in aorist imperative), so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;" What a reward for returning! Remove (depart, take away)(05493) sur basically means to change direction, to turn away, to go away, to desert, to quit, to keep far away, to stop, to take away, to remove, to be removed, to make depart. Literally of turning aside or departing from the road a person is traveling (Jdg 18:3, 15) or departing from a road or path by turning aside from the original course (Ex 3:3; Dt. 2:27; Jdg. 18:3; 19:15; Ru 4:1; 1 Sam. 6:12; 1 Ki 22:32; Jer.5:23); to step out of line militarily (1 Ki 20:39); to retreat from a path (Ge 49:10; Ex 8:27; Nu 12:10; 14:9; Dt. 4:9; Jdg. 16:19; 1 Sa 6:3; 16:14)' Used figuratively, it has to do with the moral direction someone is taking; turning from the right road. Israel turned aside from the way of their ancestors walked (Jdg. 2:17) and away from God's commands (Mal 3:7). Israel's leaders exhorted them not to turn aside from the right way (Dt.77:20; Josh. 23:6; 1 Sa 12:20, 21). To stay on course is to turn neither to the right or to the left (Dt. 2:27; 5:32: Josh 1:7; 2 Ki 22:2). Ashtaroth (06252) 'ashtaroth/astarot is the name of a Canaanite goddess of sex and war, a vivid representation of paganism in its most corrupt manifestations. The goddess Astarte, as she is known in Greek transliteration, figures prominently in the religious world of the ancient Near East as a mother-goddess associated with sexual reproduction as well as warfare. Modern readers miss the import of Canaanite idolatry, which included male and female cultic prostitutes in hetero- and homosexual liaisons. R. K. Harrison, after describing the gross and savage worship system of the Canaanites, concludes that “its sordid and debased nature stand in marked contrast to the high ethical ideals of Israel. The absolute lack of moral character in the Canaanite deities made such corrupt practices as ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and licentious worship the normal expression of religious devotion and fervor. In consequence there could be no compromise between the morality of the God of Israel and the debased sensuality of Canaanite religion.” See also Article from Dictionary of Deities and Demons (this resource can be borrowed by creating a free account - just your email). Ashtaroth - 9x/9v - Ashtaroth(6), Ashtoreth(3). Jdg. 2:13; Jdg. 10:6; 1 Sam. 7:3; 1 Sam. 7:4; 1 Sam. 12:10; 1 Sam. 31:10; 1 Ki. 11:5; 1 Ki. 11:33; 2 Ki. 23:13 NET Note - The Semitic goddess Astarte was associated with love and war in the ancient Near East. The presence of Ashtarot in Israel is a sign of pervasive pagan and idolatrous influences; hence Samuel calls for their removal. See 1 Sam 31:10, where the Philistines deposit the armor of the deceased Saul in the temple of the Ashtarot, and 1 Kgs 11:5, 33; 2 Kgs 23:13, where Solomon is faulted for worshiping the Ashtarot. Hearts (03824) lebab note that this discussion also includes the closely related noun lebab -03824) sometimes refers to a literal heart (Ex 28:29, 1Sa 25:37, 2Ki 9:24), but most often is used figurative to refer to what I term the "control center" of our being. Think of an Air Traffic Controller and how dysfunctional, even destructive it is when the controllers fail to function as they should. Just as a healthy human heart is at the center of the body and absolutely essential for physical life and health, so too a healthy spiritual heart (intellect, emotion, will) is at the center of one's inner being (soul) and is vital for a healthy soul, serving as the "fountain" of all moral attitudes and actions. Our spiritual heart thus controls out actions and our actions determine our habits, which in turn determine our character. When God measures the ''worth'' of a man's life He puts the measuring tape around his heart, not around his head. Be a man after God's Own heart (Acts 13:22) We must continually "post a guard" at the doorway of our heart, so that every avenue for sin's entry is blocked. John
1 Samuel 7
Wiersbe has an interesting note - Two considerations suggest that this meeting occurred during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. First, the people poured out water before the Lord, which became a practice at the Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating the times the Lord provided water in the wilderness (John 7:37–39). Second, the people fasted, and this was required only on the annual Day of Atonement, which preceded the Feast of Tabernacles. The pouring out of the water could also be seen as a drink offering, symbolizing total devotion to the Lord, for liquids poured out can’t be recovered again. See Psalm 62:8; Lamentations 2:19; Philippians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:6. The only official fast on the Jewish calendar was on the Day of Atonement, but that didn’t prevent the people from fasting at other times. The situation was critical, and the nation needed to “come clean” with the Lord. The key activity that day was their confession, “We have sinned against the Lord.” God’s covenant promise to Israel was that He would forgive their sins if they sincerely confessed them to Him (Lev. 26:40–45), for no amount of sacrifices or rituals could wash away their sins. (Bible Exposition Commentary - Old Testament) Bergen - Thus at Mizpah began the ministry of Israel’s most venerable judge/prophet since Moses. In his role as judge, Samuel’s task was to bring Israelite society into conformity with the Lord’s judgments and to mobilize the covenant people in the task of bringing God’s judgments to bear on his enemies. Gordon draws parallels between Samuel’s activities at Mizpah and those of Moses in Exodus 17–18.. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) Judged (08199) shaphat is a verb that means to judge or govern. While it frequently translated judge, this is somewhat misleading as shaphat is not typical of the modern concept of judge (as in a court of law), but is much more inclusive -- to function as ruler or governor - individuals (Jdg. 16:31; 1 Sa 7:16), king (1 Ki. 3:9); even God Himself (Ps. 50:6; 75:7) because He is the source of authority and will eventually conduct all judgments (Ps. 96:13). In a judicial sense shaphat could refer to the arbitration of civil, domestic, and religious disputes (Dt. 25:1), fulfilled by the congregation (Nu 35:24), by individual judges (Ex 18:16; Dt. 1:16), by the king (1 Sa 8:5, 6, 20) or by God Himself (Ge 16:5; 1 Sa 24:12, 15). Shāpaṭ refers to the activity of a third party who sits over two parties at odds with one another. This third party hears their cases against one another and decides where the right is and what to do about it (he functions as both judge and jury). Shaphat in 1 Samuel thru 2 Chronicles - 1 Sam. 3:13; 1 Sam. 4:18; 1 Sam. 7:6; 1 Sam. 7:15; 1 Sam. 7:16; 1 Sam. 7:17; 1 Sam. 8:1; 1 Sam. 8:2; 1 Sam. 8:5; 1 Sam. 8:6; 1 Sam. 8:20; 1 Sam. 12:7; 1 Sam. 24:12; 1 Sam. 24:15; 2 Sam. 7:11; 2 Sam. 15:4; 2 Sam. 18:19; 2 Sam. 18:31; 1 Ki. 3:9; 1 Ki. 3:28; 1 Ki. 7:7; 1 Ki. 8:32; 2 Ki. 15:5; 2 Ki. 23:22; 1 Chr. 16:33; 1 Chr. 17:6; 1 Chr. 17:10; 1 Chr. 23:4; 1 Chr. 26:29; 2 Chr. 1:2; 2 Chr. 1:10; 2 Chr. 1:11; 2 Chr. 6:23; 2 Chr. 19:5; 2 Chr. 19:6; 2 Chr. 20:12; 2 Chr. 22:8; 2 Chr. 26:21 J J Knap - And Poured It Out 1 Samuel 7:6 From of old it has been the need of the human heart to express the feelings it was full of by an outwardly-visible action. The bride appears in her white garment as an reflection of the happiness of her heart, and the sorrowing one wraps himself in the sombre colour of mourning. It is this impulse that led the gathered people at Mizpeh to the symbolical action of which the text of today speaks. The Philistines made them bow before them. Samuel urged them to turn with their whole heart to the Lord and to put away the strange gods from among them, because of which the Lord had chastised them by the hand of the Philistines. The people indeed humbled themselves, so that they unanimously confessed to have sinned against the Lord. Behold now how they symbolically presented their inner shatteredness: they drew water in a vessel, and afterwards poured it out before the Lord’s countenance. Like that water disappeared upon the earth and could not be collected from it again, so had all inward stubbornness, all pride, and all strength disappeared from their innermost, now that they had been discovered to themselves. Poured out water is gone. Likewise they were helpless and had become as nothing before Him, whose anger they had kindled. No, they no longer wanted to maintain themselves before the highest Majesty. Inwardly they had surrendered before Him, who was so holy and spotless and, besides, so powerful and glorious. And now this molten and feeble soul was before Him as poured out water! What is our humility in comparison to this? Too often we seek the strength of our confession of guilt in an accumulation of condemning phrases under which the heart not seldom remains unbroken. This does not mean that the uttered confession of guilt should be lacking. When we remain silent, our bones turn old and we torture the soul. However, the true humiliation is not contained in the language of the lips only, but rather in the inner brokenness of the heart, of which the Psalmist sings somewhere: “Lord, I feel my strength diminish and depart; Hasten to my rescue now; Save me, Patron, Lord of lords; Comfort me in my miseries, Thou great Hearer of prayer!” Oh, let us not be satisfied by pouring out the content of our soul before the Lord’s countenance in self-accusation and supplication, no matter how indispensable it is. Let us also not be content with complaining to Him about guilt and misery, and asking Him for mercy and redemption as if this were all that was needed. Rather, let our soul itself be poured out like running water before the most high God,—in such a manner that she flows away powerlessly like water, however, to be afterwards comforted and blessed by Him. 1 Samuel 7:7 Now when the Philistines heard that the sons of Israel had gathered to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the sons of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. BGT 1 Samuel 7:7 καὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι ὅτι συνηθροίσθησαν πάντες οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ εἰς Μασσηφαθ καὶ ἀνέβησαν σατράπαι ἀλλοφύλων ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἀκούουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν ἀπὸ προσώπου ἀλλοφύλων KJV 1 Samuel 7:7 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. NET 1 Samuel 7:7 When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, the leaders of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the Israelites heard about this, they were afraid of the Philistines. CSB 1 Samuel 7:7 When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. When the Israelites heard about it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. ESV 1 Samuel 7:7 Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. NIV 1 Samuel 7:7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. NLT 1 Samuel 7:7 When the Philistine rulers heard that Israel had gathered at Mizpah, they mobilized their army and advanced. The Israelites were badly frightened when they learned that the Philistines were approaching. NRS 1 Samuel 7:7 When the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it they were afraid of the Philistines. RSV 1 Samuel 7:7 Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it they were afraid of the Philistines. YLT 1 Samuel 7:7 And the Philistines hear that the sons of Israel have gathered themselves to Mizpeh; and the princes of the Philistines go up against Israel, and the sons of Israel hear, and are afraid of the presence of the Philistines. NKJ 1 Samuel 7:7 Now when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. afraid: 1Sa 13:6 17:11 Ex 14:10 2Ch 20:3 1 Samuel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FEAR OF THE PHILISTINES Now when the Philistines heard that the sons of Israel had gathered to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. - This event harkens back 20 years to the same threat Israel experienced at Ebenezer (1Sa 4:1,2+). But now their hearts had changed so that Ebenezer ("Stone of help") would not be the place of defeat but the place of victory! The Philistines went up against Israel because they may have expected an attack from Israel in view of such a large gathering. And when the sons of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines - Don't miss the fact that in gathering to confess and repent, the nation of Israel was hardly prepared for physical warfare which helps explain why they were fearful (contrast the situation of the Philistines fear in 1Sa 4:7+!). God had Israel right where He wanted them - in their inadequacy, for then they could experience His adequacy and He would receive the glory (cf 2Cor 12:9,10+) (IS THIS NOT A BASIC CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLE? cf 2Cor 3:5-6+, 2Cor 4:7+, etc). We are also reminded of Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 10:3+ "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses." Sooner or later God will bring self-sufficient people to the place where they have no resource but Him—no strength, no answers, nothing but Him. -- Unknown Woodhouse adds "In the accounts of both of the battles at Aphek/Ebenezer (1Sa 4+) there is no indication that the Israelites were afraid of their adversary, although events proved that they had every reason to be. On this occasion we notice at least this difference in the people of Israel. They were afraid. I do not think that it is reading too much into the account to suggest that there was a new humility in Israel now. The earlier confidence can now be seen to have been presumption. They now knew better—and they were afraid." (Preaching the Word: 1 Samuel—Looking for a Leader) Robert Bergen offers another suggestion as to why the Philistine hornet's nest is being stirred up - In all likelihood the Philistines had forbidden the Israelites to hold public assemblies since such meetings could easily be used to mobilize the tribes for war. Thus “the rulers of the Philistines” dispatched a large military force to Mizpah “to attack them.”. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) 1 Samuel 7:8 Then the sons of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines." BGT 1 Samuel 7:8 καὶ εἶπαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ πρὸς Σαμουηλ μὴ παρασιωπήσῃς ἀφ᾽ ἡμῶν τοῦ μὴ βοᾶν πρὸς κύριον θεόν σου καὶ σώσει ἡμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς ἀλλοφύλων KJV 1 Samuel 7:8 And 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. NET 1 Samuel 7:8 The Israelites said to Samuel, "Keep crying out to the LORD our God so that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines!" CSB 1 Samuel 7:8 The Israelites said to Samuel, "Don't stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, so that He will save us from the hand of the Philistines." ESV 1 Samuel 7:8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines." NIV 1 Samuel 7:8 They said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines." NLT 1 Samuel 7:8 "Don't stop pleading with the LORD our God to save us from the Philistines!" they begged Samuel. NRS 1 Samuel 7:8 The people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, and pray that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines." RSV 1 Samuel 7:8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry to the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines." YLT 1 Samuel 7:8 And the sons of Israel say unto Samuel, 'Keep not silent for us from crying unto Jehovah our God, and He doth save us out of the hand of the Philistines.' NKJ 1 Samuel 7:8 So the children of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines." NJB 1 Samuel 7:8 They said to Samuel, 'Do not stop calling on Yahweh our God to rescue us from the power of the Philistines.' NAB 1 Samuel 7:8 and said to Samuel, "Implore the LORD our God unceasingly for us, to save us from the clutches of the Philistines." LXE 1 Samuel 7:8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry to the Lord thy God for us, and he shall save us out of the hand of the Philistines. ASV 1 Samuel 7:8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto Jehovah our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. DBY 1 Samuel 7:8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry to Jehovah our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. Cease : etc. Heb. Be not silent from us from crying, 1Sa 12:19-24 Isa 37:4 62:1,6,7 Jas 5:16 1 Samuel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Psalm 20:7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. 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. ISRAEL PROMPTED TO ASK FOR INTERCESSION Then - When? What prompted their request for Samuel to intercede? Fear of the enemy. When fear drives us to Jehovah, that is a good response. What a contrast with their response to the Philistines in 1Sa 4:3+ "Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies.” Now they go to Samuel to go to the God of the Ark in intercession! What a difference 20 years has made in Israel's response to the Philistines! And note that in both situations the outcome that Israel hoped for was the same - deliverance, victory! But now with a repentant, humbled, renewed, God focused mindset they have come to understand that victory is in the hand of the LORD, not the Ark of the LORD! The sons of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry to the LORD our God for us - It is notable that this is the first record of Israel "crying out" for deliverance even though the Philistine rule was the longest (40 years)! This is the response that the Lord wants. His people must look to Him as the only Source of deliverance. In Jeremiah 15:1, Moses and Samuel are cited as men of prevailing prayer. Don't miss Israel's use of the possessive pronoun "OUR," for now in view of their confession and repentance and return, they can truly claim Him as "our God" (which they did not do in 1 Samuel 4)! THOUGHT - Beloved, this same principle applies to our lives -- if you are immersed in sin (secret or open), don't think that just because He has promised never to leave you or forsake you, you can claim His power and presence in your life without first confessing and repenting! But once you have come clean with Him, then you can truly cry out to "your God" for deliverance from your enemies! God's children when they are obeying their Father can expect Him to answer their cry for help! Bergen - Prophets were attested as individuals who had a special relationship with Yahweh. Thus, during times of distress prophets were regularly sought out to deliver up efficacious prayers in behalf of individuals and nations. Cf. Gen 20:7; Num 11:2; 21:7; Jer 37:3; 42:2–4.. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) That He may save (yasha: Lxx - sozo, - save, deliver) us from the hand (yad - hand is keyword in 1Sa 4-7 = 13x/13v) of the Philistines - Their prayer request was not general ("Lord bless us") but specific ("Lord save us"). The Israelites did not want to engage in battle unless Samuel was praying for victory. This is a good principle to practice beloved because our warfare is spiritual not physical! (2Cor 10:3-5+) In contrast to the debacle at Aphek (1 Samuel 4:1-2+), the Israelites did not seek the Ark of God but the God of the Ark! They now wanted to depend solely on the power (hand) of God accessible through prayer. Now Israel had a proper understanding of deliverance mediated by a godly man (Samuel praying) but ultimately by the strong hand of the omnipotent LORD of Sabaoth (of hosts or of the armies). The salvation here is primarily physical deliverance from the Philistines, but it is surely also a picture of spiritual salvation; and both the word save (yasha), and the concept of salvation are very prominent in 1 Samuel. The name “Joshua” (Yehoshua) in the OT and “Jesus” (Iesous) in the NT come from this word and mean “Jehovah is salvation.” When we cry out to the Lord to save us from our sins, Jehovah Who is Salvation will deliver us. Save (deliver, help) (03467) yasha' (See also yeshua from which we get our word "Jesus") is an important Hebrew verb which means to help, to save, to deliver. The root in Arabic is "make wide" which underscores the main thought of yasha' as to bring to a place of safety or broad pasture in contrast to a narrow strait which symbolizes distress or danger. TWOT adds that the concept of "wide" "connotes freedom from distress and the ability to pursue one’s own objectives. To move from distress to safety requires deliverance. Generally the deliverance must come from somewhere outside the party oppressed. In the OT the kinds of distress, both national and individual, include enemies, natural catastrophies, such as plague or famine, and sickness. The one who brings deliverance is known as the “savior.” Thus yasha' connotes protection that produces freedom from a present danger (2Sa 22:3, Job 5:4), salvation or deliverance in a religious sense (Ps 51:12), a title of God (Savior - 2Sa 22:47; 1Chr 16:35; Ps 18:46; Ps 24:5; Ps 25:5; Ps 27:9; Ps 65:5; Ps 79:9; Ps 85:4; Isa 17:10; 62:11; Mic 7:7 Hab 3:18), victory as an act or a result of conquering (2Sa 22:36; Ps 18:35) It is notable that almost 20% of the uses of yasha' are found during the dark days of Judges (dominated by the heart attitude of Jdg 21:25), which surely speaks of the undeserved lovingkindness of God! F B
1 Samuel 7
Wiersbe - Whenever God’s people depend on their own plans and resources, their efforts fail and bring disgrace to God’s name; but when God’s people trust the Lord and pray, He meets the need and receives the glory. A man or woman of prayer is more powerful than a whole army! No wonder King Jehoash called the Prophet Elisha “the chariots and horsemen of Israel” (2 Kings 13:14), a title Elisha had used for his mentor Elijah (2 Kings 2:12 and see 6:17). Do we have such men and women of prayer today? (Bible Exposition Commentary - Old Testament) 1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." BGT 1 Samuel 7:12 καὶ ἔλαβεν Σαμουηλ λίθον ἕνα καὶ ἔστησεν αὐτὸν ἀνὰ μέσον Μασσηφαθ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς παλαιᾶς καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Αβενεζερ λίθος τοῦ βοηθοῦ καὶ εἶπεν ἕως ἐνταῦθα ἐβοήθησεν ἡμῖν κύριος KJV 1 Samuel 7:12 Then 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. NET 1 Samuel 7:12 Samuel took a stone and placed it between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Up to here the LORD has helped us." CSB 1 Samuel 7:12 Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it upright between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, explaining, "The LORD has helped us to this point." ESV 1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, "Till now the LORD has helped us." NIV 1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us." NLT 1 Samuel 7:12 Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means "the stone of help"), for he said, "Up to this point the LORD has helped us!" NRS 1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." RSV 1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, "Hitherto the LORD has helped us." YLT 1 Samuel 7:12 And Samuel taketh a stone, and setteth it between Mizpeh and Shen, and calleth its name Eben-Ezer, saying, 'Hitherto hath Jehovah helped us.' NKJ 1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." NJB 1 Samuel 7:12 Samuel then took a stone and erected it between Mizpah and the Tooth, and gave it the name Ebenezer, saying, 'Yahweh helped us as far as this.' NAB 1 Samuel 7:12 Samuel then took a stone and placed it between Mizpah and Jeshanah; he named it Ebenezer, explaining, "To this point the LORD helped us." LXE 1 Samuel 7:12 And Samuel took a stone, and set it up between Massephath and the old city; and he called the name of it Abenezer, stone of the helper; and he said, Hitherto has the Lord helped us. ASV 1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath Jehovah helped us. took a stone: Ge 28:18,19 31:45-52 35:14 Jos 4:9,20-24 24:26,27 Isa 19:19 Ebenezer - Stone of help - 1 Sam 4:1 1 Sam 5:1 1 Sam 7:12 Dt 33:26 Heb 13:5-6 Heb 2:18 Hitherto (KJV): Ps 71:6,17 Isa 46:3,4 Ac 26:22 2Co 1:10 1 Samuel 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Genesis 28:20-22 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear, 21 and I return to my father’s house in safety, then the LORD will be my God. 22 “This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” Genesis 35:14 Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He had spoken with him, a pillar of stone, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. Joshua 4:9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan at the place where the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant were standing, and they are there to this day. Location of Mizpeh south & east of Ebenezer near Aphek Therefore this appears to be a different Ebenezer in 1Sa 7:12 LORD HONORED AT EBENEZER THE STONE OF HELP Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen (see possible location), Samuel followed Joshua’s practice of commemorating the victories of God for His people with stone markers (Joshua 4). This is the same place Israel was soundly defeated in recent past (1 Sa 4:1). While it may not be the same Ebenezer, the name is the same, and yet Israel suffered defeat because they failed to confess their sins. At this Ebenezer event, they confessed their sins and called upon God of the Ark, not the Ark, and God gave them a resounding victory over their strong enemies. Keep in mind that the Philistines very likely had iron chariots and iron weapons (cf 1Sa 13:5). The odds, humanly speaking, were very much against Israel, but God plus one is always a majority! The victory at Ebenezer was so decisive that the Philistines made no more attacks against the Israelites during Samuel’s judgeship. Bergen - The location of Shen (Hb. haššēn = “The Tooth”; LXX, Syriac “Jeshanah”) is unknown, but the Hebrew name implies that it was a jagged rock outcropping rather than a settlement.. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) and named it Ebenezer (eben + ezer), saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped (azar; Lxx = boetheo - come to the aid of) us." - Eben-ha-Ezer = (ha = definite article) = "Stone of the Help" NLT = "Up to this point the LORD has helped us!" HOW? He answered Samuel's prayer with thunder and this resulted in confusion among the Philistines and led to a rout by Israel. (1Sa 7:10) The memorial stone would therefore be a reminder that Yahweh had helped them this far with the implication that He would continue to help them if they would trust and obey Him. The verb boetheo is used in Hebrews 2:18+ "For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of (boetheo) those who are tempted." This verb is from two words meaning "to cry" (boe) and "to run" (théo) giving us the picture that Jesus is (willing and) able to run to our side and give us aid when we cry out to Him! THOUGHT - Ebenezer should be to us a "memory jogger" so when you sing Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (haunting Celtic version), remember your Ebenezer! When (not "if" but "when") you are being tested/tempted, do you call out for Ebenezer? Jesus is our "Ebenezer" our Stone of Help, the Rock of our salvation, Who will run to our side and give us aid WHEN we cry out (boe) to Him. Cry out to your Heavenly Father. Woodhouse - While it is possible, it seems unlikely that this Ebenezer is the same as the Ebenezer of 1 Samuel 4:1. That location seems too far north. Giving this memorial stone the name of the earlier locality, however, and drawing attention to the meaning of the name underlines the reversal that had taken place. The earlier Ebenezer had a terribly ironic name. At “stone of help” Israel had not been helped! Now, however, the new Ebenezer stood as a testimony to the Lord’s help, which was once again enjoyed by Israel. (Preaching the Word: 1 Samuel—Looking for a Leader) Bergen - Uncertainty exists whether the Ebenezer mentioned in 4:1b is an anachronistic reference to the site where Samuel’s monument was erected or whether there are two different geographic locations named “Ebenezer.” In either case, the writer seems to be drawing deliberate contrasts between the narratives of chaps. 4–6 and 7:3–13. All that was lost through sin in the first Ebenezer event was restored through repentance in the second.. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary)