“1 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the
LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and
sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. 2 And it came to
pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for
it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the
LORD.”
“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. 4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and
Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. 5 And Samuel said, Gather all
Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD. 6 And they
gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured [it] out before
the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against
the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.”
“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. 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. 9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and
offered [it for] a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried
unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. 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. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the
Philistines, and smote them, until [they came] under Bethcar. 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.”
“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. 14 And the cities which the Philistines had
taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath;
and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the
Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. 15 And
Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 And he went from year
to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel
in all those places. 17 And his return [was] to Ramah; for there [was]
his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto
the LORD.” (1 Samuel 7:1-17 AV)
© 2011-2018 Kathy L. McFarland. All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy