Bible Chapter Summary
1 Samuel 7 Summary
Samuel's Leadership and Victory
The ark rests in Kirjath-jearim for twenty years while Israel laments after the Lord. Samuel calls all Israel to turn back to the Lord with their whole hearts, put away strange gods and Ashtaroth, and serve Him only; the people obey. Samuel gathers Israel to Mizpeh where they draw water, fast, and confess their sins. When the Philistines march against them, Samuel offers a lamb as burnt offering and cries to the Lord, who thunders mightily and confuses the Philistines in battle. Israel pursues and defeats them, and the Philistines are subdued and no longer come into Israel's coast. Samuel judges Israel all his days, traveling in circuit from Ramah to Beth-el, Gilgal, and Mizpeh.
Key themes
Key verses
1 Samuel 7:3
“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.”
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.”
1 Samuel 7:13
“So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.”
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