and said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines." and said to SamuelThe Israelites addressed Samuel, who was recognized as a prophet, judge, and leader in Israel. Samuel's role as a mediator between God and the people is significant, as he was dedicated to God from birth ( 1 Samuel 1:11, 28). His leadership marked a transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. Samuel's authority and spiritual leadership were acknowledged by the people, who sought his intercession. “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us
The Israelites implored Samuel to continue interceding on their behalf. This reflects their recognition of the power of prayer and the necessity of divine intervention. The phrase "crying out" indicates earnest and persistent prayer, a common biblical theme (Exodus 14:15, Psalm 34:17). The use of "our God" signifies a covenant relationship, emphasizing that the LORD is not a distant deity but one who is personally involved with His people. that He may save us
The Israelites sought deliverance from their enemies, acknowledging that salvation comes from the LORD. This plea for salvation is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where God is often depicted as a deliverer (Exodus 14:30, Judges 2:16). The request for salvation underscores the Israelites' dependence on God for protection and victory. from the hand of the Philistines.”
The Philistines were a constant threat to Israel during this period, often oppressing them and engaging in battles (Judges 13:1, 1 Samuel 4:1-2). The phrase "from the hand of" is a Hebrew idiom indicating power or control. The Philistines' military strength and strategic locations along the coastal plain made them formidable adversaries. This request for deliverance highlights the ongoing struggle between Israel and the Philistines, which is a significant aspect of the historical context of 1 Samuel. Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelA prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel was instrumental in leading the Israelites back to God. He served as a mediator between God and the people. 2. IsraelitesThe people of Israel, who were in a state of repentance and seeking deliverance from their enemies, the Philistines. 3. PhilistinesA perennial enemy of Israel, the Philistines were a powerful group that often oppressed the Israelites. 4. MizpahThe location where the Israelites gathered to seek the Lord and where Samuel offered sacrifices and prayers on their behalf. 5. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, whom the people sought for deliverance and protection. Teaching Points The Power of IntercessionSamuel's role as an intercessor highlights the importance of praying for others. We are called to stand in the gap for those in need, trusting in God's power to deliver. Dependence on GodThe Israelites' request for Samuel to cry out to God underscores the necessity of relying on God rather than human strength or strategies in times of trouble. Repentance and DeliveranceThe context of this verse shows that true repentance precedes divine deliverance. The Israelites turned back to God, and He responded to their cries. Community in PrayerThe gathering at Mizpah illustrates the strength found in communal prayer and seeking God together as a body of believers. Faith in God's SovereigntyThe Israelites' plea reflects a deep faith in God's ability to save. We are reminded to trust in God's sovereignty over our circumstances. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Samuel's role as an intercessor in 1 Samuel 7:8 inspire you to pray for others in your life? 2. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper dependence on God during challenging times, as the Israelites did? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's deliverance after a period of repentance. How did that shape your faith journey? 4. How can you encourage and participate in communal prayer within your church or community, following the example of the Israelites at Mizpah? 5. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in God's sovereignty, especially when facing "Philistine-like" challenges in your life? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:11-13This passage describes how Moses interceded for Israel during a battle with the Amalekites, similar to how Samuel interceded for the Israelites against the Philistines. James 5:16This New Testament verse emphasizes the power of righteous prayer, which is exemplified by Samuel's intercession for Israel. Psalm 34:17This verse highlights that the Lord hears the cries of the righteous, paralleling the Israelites' plea for Samuel to cry out to God on their behalf. People Abinadab, Amorites, Eleazar, Israelites, SamuelPlaces Beth-car, Bethel, Ebenezer, Ekron, Gath, Gilgal, Kiriath-jearim, Mizpah, Ramah, ShenTopics Cease, Cry, Crying, Hands, Philistines, Rescue, Safe, Samuel, Save, Silent, Sons, StopDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 7:8 6738 rescue 1 Samuel 7:3-9 7734 leaders, spiritual 1 Samuel 7:3-13 6634 deliverance 1 Samuel 7:5-9 8611 prayer, for others 1 Samuel 7:7-12 5597 victory, act of God 1 Samuel 7:7-14 4207 land, divine gift
5607 warfare, examples 1 Samuel 7:8-9 7435 sacrifice, in OT
8614 prayer, answers Library Sermon at the Faribault Celebration of the Centennial of the Inauguration of George Washington, 1789-1889.
"Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebeneser, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."-- 1 SAMUEL vii. 12. No words are more fitting on this Centennial day. One hundred years ago George Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States. Words are powerless to express the grateful thoughts which swell patriot hearts. Save that people whom God led out of Egypt with His pillar of fire and His pillar of cloud, I know of no nation …
H.B. Whipple—Five SermonsThree Decisive Steps
"And 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. 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. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 Ebenezer!
I beg you, therefore, dear friends, for a little time this morning, to fix your thoughts upon your God in connection with yourselves; and, while we think of Samuel piling the stones and saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us," let us lay the emphasis upon the last word and say, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped US," and if you can put it in the singular, and say, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped ME," so much the better. Again, it is a very delightful exercise to remember the various ways in which the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 9: 1863 Ebenezer 1Sam 7:12
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns Faithlessness and Defeat
'And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. 2. And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. 3. And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines? …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
"From Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly."--It was sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.--"To eight hundred only, dismissed the army, (Vespasian) gave a place, called Ammaus, for them to inhabit: it is sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem." I inquire, whether this word hath the same etymology with Emmaus near Tiberias, which, from the 'warm baths,' was called Chammath. The Jews certainly do write this otherwise... "The family (say they) of Beth-Pegarim, and Beth Zipperia was out of Emmaus."--The …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 7:8 NIV1 Samuel 7:8 NLT1 Samuel 7:8 ESV1 Samuel 7:8 NASB1 Samuel 7:8 KJV
1 Samuel 7:8 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
