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7:2 The people “lamented after the Lord” (vs. 2). This means they mourned and sought Him.
7:3–17 The biblical narrative reintroduces Samuel, signaling a positive change for Israel. This passage establishes the background for Samuel’s career as a prophet, priest, and judge.
7:4 Baal was the male god and Ashtaroth his female counterpart. Ritual prostitution was often associated with their worship.
7:5-6. There are various places in the Bible named Mizpeh or Mizpah. The name simply means “lookout” or “watchtower.” This particular Mizpeh was less than ten miles north of Jerusalem and was a frequent gathering place for Israel.
The pouring of water before the Lord was symbolic of their repentance and cleansing, similar to water baptism (cf. Matt. 3:6, 11; Acts 2:38; I Pet. 3:21).
7:7-8. When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpeh, their leaders saw this as a serious challenge, they thought Israel was gathering for battle.
The Israelites though fearful, properly asked Samuel to keep praying for them. It is to their credit that they recognized that the Lord was their ultimate Deliverer.
7:9 The people’s repentance was symbolized in the animal sacrifice, and Samuel cried out to the Lord on their behalf. And God “heard”—that is, He answered—Samuel’s prayer on their behalf.
7:10 God’s voice is also depicted as thunder in the Bible (cf. Ps. 29:3-9; John 12:27-30). The Philistines were “discomfited” (I Sam. 7:10), meaning they were panicstricken and confused. This led to their defeat by the Israelites, who responded with an immediate counterattack.
7:11 Instead of just defending their position, the Israelites left Mizpeh and pursued the Philistines as far as Beth-car. Beth-car’s precise location is unknown, but this indicates that the Israelites had the Philistines on the run, back toward their own territory.
7:12 As a memorial of their victory, Samuel set up a stone between Mizpeh and a place called Shen, a location unknown to us today. Samuel named this memorial “Eben-ezer” (I Sam. 7:12), which means “stone of help.”
Press, Union Gospel. Bible Expositor and Illuminator (p. 76). Union Gospel Press. Kindle Edition. John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 1 Sa
Press, Union Gospel. Bible Expositor and Illuminator (p. 77). Union Gospel Press. Kindle Edition. 7:3–17.