1 Samuel 7:7-11
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Summary
- The Philistines attacked Israel (while they gathered in Mizpah for a time of repentance); and God used a providential miracle of nature to help defeat them.
Details and/or Comments
- In the past, God had told them that he would protect them from enemies, when they gathered together before God (Exo 34:24). In that case, their enemies would not enter the land to attack it.
- There were other instances, in which they saw God fight for them - such as the various battles that occurred while the Israelites were entering the land of Canaan. In fact, by themselves, they were too weak to win the battles, according to God (Deuteronomy 9:1-3 and other places)!
- They also had God's general promise to bless them and protect them from their enemies, if they served him (Deuteronomy 28:7) - and they were gathered here for that very purpose.
- They had every reason to trust God... but they needed to trust him, and not doubt his ability to do what he promised.
Scripture
1 Samuel 7:7-11
| Scripture Passage | Comments and Links |
| 1Sa 7:7 When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. | The Philistines attacked; Israel's initial reaction: fear. |
| 1Sa 7:8 The children of Israel said to Samuel, "Don't cease to cry to Yahweh our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines."
1Sa 7:9 Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh: and Samuel cried to Yahweh for Israel; and Yahweh answered him. |
Calling out to God; a sacrifice to God; God delivers them.
The focus is on trust in the God of Israel, the God over all creation. |
| 1Sa 7:10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but Yahweh thundered with a great thunder on that day on the Philistines, and confused them; and they were struck down before Israel. | God sent thunder to confuse the Philistines, resulting in their defeat. |
| 1Sa 7:11 The men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and struck them, until they came under Beth Kar. |
Scripture Passages
(Only books that have relevance to this study have active links. The others are in italics.)
Genesis • Exodus • Leviticus • Numbers • Deuteronomy • Joshua • Judges • Ruth • 1 Samuel • 2 Samuel • 1 Kings • 2 Kings • 1 Chronicles • 2 Chronicles • Ezra • Nehemiah • Esther • Job • Psalms • Proverbs • Ecclesiastes • Song of Solomon • Isaiah • Jeremiah • Lamentations • Ezekiel • Daniel • Hosea • Joel • Amos • Obadiah • Jonah • Micah • Nahum • Habakkuk • Zephaniah • Haggai • Zechariah • Malachi Matthew • Mark • Luke • John • Acts • Romans • 1 Corinthians • 2 Corinthians • Galatians • Ephesians • Philippians • Colossians • 1 Thessalonians • 2 Thessalonians • 1 Timothy • 2 Timothy • Titus • Philemon • Hebrews • James • 1 Peter • 2 Peter • 1 John • 2 John • 3 John • Jude • Revelation |
—— To avoid any copyright issues, all Scripture is either from a public domain translation (such as the World English Bible), my own translation, or a combination of these. ——
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The name "Yahweh," when present in an Old Testament passage, represents the Hebrew name for the God of the Bible.
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Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.
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