Old Testament · 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 7

Samuel Subdues the Philistines

1And the men^a of Kiriath-jearim came, and brought up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.

2And it came to pass, from the day that the ark dwelt in Kiriath-jearim, that the days became many, and they were twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

3And Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying: "If with all your heart you are returning to the LORD, put away the foreign gods from your midst, and the Ashtaroth, and prepare your heart to the LORD, and serve^b him alone; and he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines."

4And the children of Israel put away the Baalim and the Ashtaroth, and served the LORD alone.

5And Samuel said: "Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you to the LORD."

6And they gathered to Mizpah, 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 Mizpah.

7And the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered to Mizpah, and the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And the children of Israel heard, and feared before the Philistines. 8And the children of Israel said to Samuel: "Do not be silent from us, from crying to the LORD our God, that he may save^c us from the hand of the Philistines."

9And Samuel took one sucking lamb, and offered it up as a whole burnt-offering to the LORD; and Samuel cried to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. 10And it came to pass, as Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering, that the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but the LORD thundered with a great voice on that day upon the Philistines, and confused them, and they were smitten before Israel.

11And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them as far as below Beth-car.

12And Samuel took one stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Eben-ezer, saying: "Hitherto has the LORD helped us."

13And the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more again into the border of Israel; and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and their border Israel delivered from the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorite.

15And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life^d. 16And he went from year to year, and went around to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. 17And his return was to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and he built there an altar to the LORD.