1 Samuel 7:9 Study Bible: 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.

◄ 1 Samuel 7:9 ►

Then Samuel took a suckling 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.

Study Bible

Then Samuel
The name "Samuel" in Hebrew is "שְׁמוּאֵל" (Shemuel), meaning "heard of God" or "asked of God." Samuel was a pivotal figure in Israel's history, serving as the last judge, a prophet, and a priest. His leadership marked a transition from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy. Samuel's role as a mediator between God and Israel is emphasized here, highlighting his spiritual authority and dedication.

took a suckling lamb
The "suckling lamb" signifies innocence and purity, often used in sacrificial contexts to symbolize a blameless offering. In Hebrew, "טָלֶה" (taleh) refers to a young lamb. The choice of a suckling lamb underscores the sincerity and purity of the offering, reflecting the need for a pure heart in worship and intercession.

and offered it as a whole burnt offering
The "whole burnt offering" (Hebrew: "עוֹלָה" - olah) was a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication to God. This act of offering a whole burnt offering signifies total surrender and devotion, representing Israel's desire for reconciliation and renewal of their covenant relationship with God.

to the LORD
The term "LORD" in Hebrew is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the sacred, covenantal name of God. This name emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. Offering the sacrifice to the LORD signifies recognition of His sovereignty and the Israelites' dependence on His mercy and grace.

He cried out to the LORD
"Cried out" in Hebrew is "זָעַק" (za'aq), indicating a fervent, earnest plea. Samuel's intercession is marked by intensity and urgency, reflecting the desperate need for divine intervention. This highlights the power of prayer and the importance of seeking God earnestly in times of crisis.

on behalf of Israel
Samuel's intercession "on behalf of Israel" demonstrates his role as a mediator and advocate for the people. It underscores the communal aspect of faith, where leaders intercede for their communities, and the importance of collective repentance and seeking God's favor.

and the LORD answered him
The phrase "the LORD answered him" signifies God's responsiveness to sincere prayer and sacrifice. In Hebrew, "עָנָה" (anah) means to respond or reply. This assurance of divine response highlights God's faithfulness and willingness to intervene when His people earnestly seek Him, reinforcing the power of prayer and the hope of divine deliverance.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Samuel
A prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel is a pivotal figure in the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. He is known for his dedication to God and his role in anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David.

2. Suckling Lamb
The offering of a suckling lamb signifies purity and innocence. In the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system, it represents a complete and unblemished offering to God.

3. Whole Burnt Offering
This type of offering symbolizes total dedication and surrender to God. It is a sacrifice that is entirely consumed by fire, indicating the worshiper's complete devotion.

4. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is the central figure in Israel's history and the one to whom Samuel directs his prayers and sacrifices.

5. Israel
The nation chosen by God, often struggling with faithfulness, yet continually called back to repentance and renewal through leaders like Samuel.

Teaching Points

The Power of Intercession
Samuel's prayer on behalf of Israel demonstrates the importance and power of intercessory prayer. Believers are encouraged to pray for others, trusting that God hears and responds.

Total Surrender to God
The whole burnt offering signifies complete dedication. Christians are called to offer their lives as living sacrifices, wholly devoted to God's purposes.

God's Faithfulness in Answering Prayer
The LORD's response to Samuel's prayer is a testament to His faithfulness. Believers can be assured that God listens and answers according to His will.

Repentance and Renewal
Samuel's actions lead Israel back to God, highlighting the need for continual repentance and renewal in the believer's life.

Leadership and Spiritual Guidance
Samuel's role as a leader and spiritual guide is a model for Christian leaders today, emphasizing the importance of guiding others in faithfulness to God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Samuel's role as an intercessor in 1 Samuel 7:9 inspire you to pray for others in your community or church?

2. In what ways can the concept of a "whole burnt offering" be applied to your personal walk with God today?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in answering prayer. How does this encourage you in your current prayer life?

4. How can you, like Samuel, lead others towards repentance and renewal in their relationship with God?

5. Compare Samuel's intercession for Israel with Jesus' role as our intercessor. How does this comparison deepen your understanding of Christ's work on our behalf?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 1
This chapter outlines the laws concerning burnt offerings, providing context for the significance of Samuel's offering.

Psalm 50:15
This verse emphasizes calling upon God in times of trouble, paralleling Samuel's intercession for Israel.

Hebrews 7:25
This New Testament passage highlights Jesus as our intercessor, drawing a parallel to Samuel's role in interceding for Israel.

Sermons

Steps of Return to God	D. Fraser	1 Samuel 7:1-12
A City Changed by a Revival		1 Samuel 7:3-11
An Ideal Statesman	J. S. Exell, M. A.	1 Samuel 7:3-11
An Old Testament Revival	C. S. Robinson, D. D.	1 Samuel 7:3-11
Disaster Aids Repentance	H. C. Trumbull.	1 Samuel 7:3-11
Repentance and Revival	W. G. Blaikie, D. D.	1 Samuel 7:3-11
Repentance and Victory	A. Maclaren, D. D.	1 Samuel 7:3-11
Returning to Lost Experiences	J. Spencer.	1 Samuel 7:3-11
Samuel the Judge	T. D. Witherspoon, D. D.	1 Samuel 7:3-11
Samuel the Judge	M. G. Pearse.	1 Samuel 7:3-11
Samuel the Judge	Monday Club Sermons	1 Samuel 7:3-11
Solitary Power	J. Parker, D. D.	1 Samuel 7:3-11
The Brotherhood of Worship	W. L. Watkinson.	1 Samuel 7:3-11
The Revival	R. Steel.	1 Samuel 7:3-11
Three Decisive Steps	Spurgeon, Charles Haddon	1 Samuel 7:3-11
National Deliverance	W. G. Blaikie, D. D.	1 Samuel 7:7-11
The Holy War	R. Steel.	1 Samuel 7:7-11
The Victory of Ebenezer	B. Dale	1 Samuel 7:7-14

People

Abinadab, Amorites, Eleazar, Israelites, Samuel

Places

Beth-car, Bethel, Ebenezer, Ekron, Gath, Gilgal, Kiriath-jearim, Mizpah, Ramah, Shen

Topics

Answereth, Behalf, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Causeth, Cried, Crieth, Fat, Israel's, Lamb, Offered, Offering, Prayers, Samuel, Sucking, Sucking-lamb, Suckling, Taketh, Wholly

Dictionary of Bible Themes

1 Samuel 7:9

     4663   lamb
     4826   fire
     7322   burnt offering
     7773   prophets, role

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

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 Sermons

Three 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

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