1 Samuel 7:11-17

11 The Israelites marched out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines almost as far as Bethcar, killing them along the way.

12 Then Samuel took a stone, set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and said, "The Lord has helped us all the way" - and he named it "Stone of Help."

13 So the Philistines were defeated, and the Lord prevented them from invading Israel's territory as long as Samuel lived.

14 All the cities which the Philistines had captured between Ekron and Gath were returned to Israel, and so Israel got back all its territory. And there was peace also between the Israelites and the Canaanites.

15 Samuel ruled Israel as long as he lived.

16 Every year he would go around to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and in these places he would settle disputes.

17 Then he would go back to his home in Ramah, where also he would serve as judge. In Ramah he built an altar to the Lord.

1 Samuel 7:11-17 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.