1 Samuel 7:12-17

12 Then Samuel ¹took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named * it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."

13 ²So the Philistines were subdued and ³they did not come anymore within the border of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

14 The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. So there was peace between Israel and ⁴the Amorites.

Samuel's Ministry

15 Now Samuel ⁵judged Israel all the days of his life.

16 He used to go annually * on circuit to ⁶Bethel and ⁷Gilgal and ⁸Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places.

17 Then his return was to ⁹Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel; and he ¹⁰built there an altar to the LORD.

1 Samuel 7:12-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 7

This chapter gives an account of the ark being brought to Kirjathjearim, where it continued twenty years, 1Sa 7:1,2 of the exhortation of Samuel to the people of Israel to reform from idolatry, and which had its desired effect, 1Sa 7:3,4 of Samuel's praying for the people, and offering sacrifices for them, and of the success thereof, victory over their enemies, 1Sa 7:5-14, and of his administration of justice to them, and constancy in it, 1Sa 7:15-17.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 35:14; Joshua 4:9; Joshua 24:26
• 2. Judges 13:1-15
• 3. 1 Samuel 13:5
• 4. Numbers 13:29; Joshua 10:5-10
• 5. 1 Samuel 7:6
• 6. Genesis 28:19; Genesis 35:6
• 7. Joshua 5:9, 10
• 8. 1 Samuel 7:5
• 9. 1 Samuel 1:1, 19; 1 Samuel 2:11
• 10. Judges 21:4

Footnotes

• [a]. I.e. The stone of help