1 Samuel 7:7

7 The Philistines heard that Israel had gathered together at Mizpah. So the Philistine rulers came up to attack them. When the people of Israel heard about it, they were afraid.

1 Samuel 7:7 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 7:7

And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were
gathered together to Mizpeh
Not knowing it was upon a religious account; but supposing they met to form schemes and measures to cast off their yoke, and deliver themselves out of their hands; and were preparing to take up arms, and fall upon them:

the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel;
with forces out of their several principalities united to fight with them; judging it advisable to lose no time, but attack them before they were well prepared and provided to defend themselves:

and when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the
Philistines;
because they were unarmed, and not at all prepared for war, and having no expectation of it.

1 Samuel 7:7 In-Context

5 Then Samuel said, "Gather all of the people of Israel together at Mizpah. I will pray to the LORD for you."

6 When the people had come together at Mizpah, they went to the well and got water. They poured it out in the sight of the Lord. On that day they didn't eat any food. They admitted they had sinned. They said, "We've sinned against the Lord." Samuel was the leader of Israel at Mizpah.

7 The Philistines heard that Israel had gathered together at Mizpah. So the Philistine rulers came up to attack them. When the people of Israel heard about it, they were afraid.

8 They said to Samuel, "Don't stop crying out to the LORD our God to help us. Keep praying that he'll save us from the powerful hand of the Philistines."

9 Then Samuel got a very young lamb. He sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the LORD to help Israel. And the LORD answered his prayer.