1 Samuel 7

• The men of Kiriath-jearim who moved the ark and Eleazar were likely Levites (see 1 Samuel 6:15; Numbers 1:47–51).

• to guard the ark: The same verb describes the Levites’ duty to guard the tabernacle (Numbers 1:53; 3:7).

Twenty years passed until Samuel gathered the people at Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:5–6). Later, David moved the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1–19).

• People cannot expect God's blessing unless they remove what goes against his will (see Genesis 35:2; Joshua 24:14).

• Ashtoreth was the Canaanite goddess of fertility linked to Baal (1 Samuel 7:4). Worshiping Canaanite gods was a constant issue in Israel's history. The people began idol worship during the twenty years in 1 Samuel 7:2. It may have started in the time of the judges (1 Samuel 8:8; Judges 6:25; compare Amos 5:25–26). Israel's crushing defeat by the Philistines was not only due to the sins of Eli's two sons but also several generations of unfaithfulness to God.

Israel's victory over the Philistines was due to their improved relationship with God, not because of the ark's presence (see 1 Samuel 4:3–11).

• Mizpah was a government center and gathering place for the nation (see 1 Samuel 7:16; 10:17; Judges 20:1).

• I will pray … on your behalf: Eli’s question in 1 Samuel 2:25 is answered here; Samuel was the mediator Israel needed.

• drew water … poured it out: This ceremony is not mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament.

• Sometimes, Israelites fasted (did not eat) to show grief or seek the Lord’s favor (2 Samuel 1:12; 12:22–23; 1 Kings 21:27; Ezra 8:21–23; Nehemiah 9:1; Esther 4:3, 16; Joel 2:12; compare Luke 2:37; Acts 13:2–3; 14:23).

• Having Samuel as Israel’s judge was refreshing compared to Eli’s poor leadership (see 1 Samuel 4:18 and 1 Samuel 4:18) and the leadership of some other judges, for example:

  • Gideon (Judges 8:22–27)

  • Jephthah (Judges 11:30–12:7)

  • Samson (Judges 13:1–16:21)

• The whole burnt offering was likely for forgiveness of sin (see Leviticus 1:1–4).

• The Lord responded with a loud thunderclap (1 Samuel 7:10).

thundered loudly: See 1 Samuel 2:10. God often used thunder to confuse and defeat Israel’s enemies (for example, Exodus 14:24; 23:27; Joshua 10:10; Judges 4:15).

Ebenezer: We do not know where this stone memorial is located. The Philistines had defeated Israel and taken the ark at a place with the same name (1 Samuel 4:1; 5:1). Samuel set up this memorial to honor God's help in reversing the Philistine attacks.

• The Philistines remained inactive for a while, until Saul became king (see 1 Samuel 13:5).

• God's powerful intervention, not Samuel's talents, was crucial in freeing Israel from the Philistines.

The Amorites lived in Canaan and the region east of the Jordan River before Israel took over the promised land (see Genesis 15:16; Deuteronomy 3:8; Joshua 2:10). Some Amorites stayed in the region after the conquest (see 2 Samuel 21:2).

judged Israel all the days of his life: After Saul became king (1 Samuel 10), Samuel mainly served as a judge, not a military leader.

• Bethel and Mizpah were places where people gathered during the time of the judges (Judges 20:1, 18, 26; 21:1–2). This was the time in Israel’s history after the death of Joshua and before the beginning of the monarchy (when kings ruled). During this time, God raised up judges to lead and deliver Israel. Bethel was important even in Abraham's time (Genesis 12:8; 13:3–4; 28:10–22; 35:1–15).

• Gilgal, near Jericho, was a holy place since Joshua's time (Joshua 4:19–24; 5:2–10). From these places, Samuel guided "all the people of Israel" (1 Samuel 10:17).

Samuel was from Ramah (see 1 Samuel 1:1).