1 Samuel 7:8
New International Version
They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.”

New Living Translation
“Don’t stop pleading with the LORD our God to save us from the Philistines!” they begged Samuel.

English Standard Version
And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

Berean Standard Bible
and said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

King James Bible
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

New King James Version
So the children of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

New American Standard Bible
So the sons of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He will save us from the hand of the Philistines!”

NASB 1995
Then the sons of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

NASB 1977
Then the sons of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So the sons of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to Yahweh our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

Amplified Bible
And the sons of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, so that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

Christian Standard Bible
The Israelites said to Samuel, “Don’t stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, so that he will save us from the Philistines.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Israelites said to Samuel, “Don’t stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, so that He will save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

American Standard Version
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto Jehovah our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

Contemporary English Version
"Don't stop praying!" they told Samuel. "Ask the LORD our God to rescue us."

English Revised Version
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Israelites said to Samuel, "Don't turn a deaf ear to us! Don't stop crying to the LORD our God for us! Ask him to save us from the Philistines!"

Good News Translation
and said to Samuel, "Keep praying to the LORD our God to save us from the Philistines."

International Standard Version
The Israelis told Samuel, "Don't stop crying out to the LORD our God for us that he may deliver us from the hand of the Philistines."

Majority Standard Bible
and said to Samuel, ?Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.?

NET Bible
The Israelites said to Samuel, "Keep crying out to the LORD our God so that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines!"

New Heart English Bible
The children of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry to the LORD your God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry to the LORD our God for us, that he will save us from the hand of the Philistines.

World English Bible
The children of Israel said to Samuel, “Don’t stop crying to Yahweh our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the sons of Israel say to Samuel, “Do not keep silent for us from crying to our God YHWH, and He saves us out of the hand of the Philistines.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the sons of Israel say unto Samuel, 'Keep not silent for us from crying unto Jehovah our God, and He doth save us out of the hand of the Philistines.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Israel will say to Samuel, Thou wilt not keep silence from us, crying to Jehovah our God, and he will save us from the hand of Philisteim.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they said to Samuel: Cease not to cry to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they said to Samuel, “May you not cease to cry out to the Lord our God on our behalf, so that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

New American Bible
and appealed to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, to save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

New Revised Standard Version
The people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, and pray that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Do not cease to pray before the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the children of Israel said to Shemueil: “Do not cease from us to pray for us before LORD JEHOVAH our God, that he would save us from the hand of the Philistines!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the children of Israel said to Samuel: 'Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that He save us out of the hand of the Philistines.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry to the Lord thy God for us, and he shall save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samuel Subdues the Philistines
7When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. And when the Israelites learned of this, they feared the Philistines 8and said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on behalf of Israel, and the LORD answered him.…

Cross References
Exodus 14:10-14
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified and cried out to the LORD. / They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? / Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” ...

Judges 3:9
But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz as a deliverer to save them.

Judges 10:10-16
Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against You, for we have indeed forsaken our God and served the Baals.” / The LORD replied, “When the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, / Sidonians, Amalekites, and Maonites oppressed you and you cried out to Me, did I not save you from their hands? ...

2 Chronicles 20:4-12
So the people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD, and indeed, they came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him. / Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the LORD in front of the new courtyard / and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You. ...

Psalm 50:15
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”

Psalm 91:15
When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.

Isaiah 37:4
Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.”

Isaiah 37:15-20
And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: / “O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. / Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to all the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God. ...

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Jonah 2:2
saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 18:19-20
Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. / For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

Acts 12:5
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him.


Treasury of Scripture

And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry to the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

Cease, etc.

1 Samuel 12:19-24
And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king…

Isaiah 37:4
It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.

Isaiah 62:1,6,7
For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth…

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Cease Children Cry Crying Hand Israel Philistines Rescue Safe Samuel Save Silent Stop
1 Samuel 7
1. They of Kiriath Jearim bring the ark to Abinadab, and sanctify Eleazar as guard
2. After twenty years,
3. the Israelites, by Samuel's means, solemnly repent at Mizpeh
7. While Samuel prays and sacrifices,
10. the Lord thwarts the Philistines by thunder at Ebenezer
13. The Philistines are subdued
15. Samuel judges Israel














Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us
Do not stop
This phrase indicates a sense of urgency and persistence. In the Hebrew context, the word used here can be understood as a continuous action, emphasizing the need for ongoing intercession. The Israelites recognized the importance of relentless prayer, reflecting a deep dependence on divine intervention. This teaches us the value of perseverance in prayer, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, encouraging believers to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

crying out
The Hebrew root for "crying out" is often associated with a loud, earnest plea. This is not a quiet, passive request but a fervent, heartfelt appeal to God. It reflects the desperation and sincerity of the Israelites' situation. Historically, this kind of crying out is seen in times of distress, where God's people seek His immediate attention and aid. It reminds us of the power of earnest prayer and the importance of approaching God with sincerity and urgency.

to the LORD
The use of "LORD" in all capitals signifies the covenant name of God, Yahweh. This is a personal name, highlighting the relationship between God and His people. The Israelites are not calling upon an unknown deity but their covenant God, who has been faithful throughout their history. This underscores the importance of knowing and calling upon God personally and relationally, trusting in His covenant promises.

our God
By saying "our God," the Israelites affirm their collective identity and relationship with Yahweh. This possessive pronoun indicates a shared faith and reliance on God as their protector and provider. It reflects the communal aspect of faith, where the people of God come together in unity to seek His face. This phrase encourages believers to remember their identity as God's people and the strength found in communal prayer and worship.

for us
The phrase "for us" highlights the intercessory nature of the request. The Israelites are asking Samuel to stand in the gap on their behalf. This reflects the biblical principle of intercession, where one person prays earnestly for the needs of others. It points to the role of leaders and prophets in the Old Testament as mediators between God and His people. For Christians, this foreshadows the ultimate intercessor, Jesus Christ, who continually intercedes for us before the Father (Hebrews 7:25). It inspires believers to both seek and offer intercessory prayer within the community of faith.

(8) Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us.--The fear on the part of Israel was very natural Unarmed--or, at least, very poorly armed and equipped--the assembled Israelites saw from the heights the advancing Philistine army. What hope was there for their ill-disciplined masses when they joined battle with that trained host of fighting men? But they remembered the days of old, and how, when Moses prayed, "the Angel of His presence" saved them. Had they not then with them there a seer equal to Moses, greater than Joshua, one with whom the Eternal of Hosts was wont to speak, as friend speaketh with friend? So in that supreme hour of danger they turned to Samuel the seer. We are just going, they said, all unarmed to meet that armed host; "cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us," And Samuel, we read in the brief and graphic account before us, hurriedly--for the time was short, and the foe close at hand--and with rites somewhat different from those enjoined in the Law--for the occasion was indeed a critical one--offered up a sacrifice, and raised that weird piercing cry which many in Israel had heard before when Samuel the seer prayed; and while the prophet-statesman was sustaining that loud imploring cry, while the smoke of the slain lamb was still ascending, the first line of the Philistine army appeared on the topmost slope of Mizpeh. Once more, as in old days, the glorious Arm fought with no earthly weapons for the people; an awful thunderstorm burst over the combatant hosts, the storm probably beating in the faces of the advancing Philistines. The tribes welcomed it as the answer to their prophet's prayer, and with a wild enthusiasm charged down and broke the serried ranks of their oppressors. Josephus tells us of an earthquake, which added fresh horrors to the scene of battle. Each crash of thunder, each wild and furious gust of hail and rain, the men of Israel welcomed as a fresh onslaught on the part of an unseen army fighting by their side. The dismayed Philistines fled, and the rout was complete; the defeated army hurried panic-stricken over the same ground in the neighbourhood of Aphek illustrious twenty years before for their signal victory. The scene of carnage now received the significant name of Eben-ezer, or The Stone of Help.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[and]
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

said
וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Samuel,
שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל (šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

stop
תַּחֲרֵ֣שׁ (ta·ḥă·rêš)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise

crying out
מִזְּעֹ֖ק (miz·zə·‘ōq)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2199: To shriek, to announce, convene publicly

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

our God
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

for us,
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ (mim·men·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

so that He will deliver us
וְיֹשִׁעֵ֖נוּ (wə·yō·ši·‘ê·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

from the hand
מִיַּ֥ד (mî·yaḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the Philistines.”
פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia


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OT History: 1 Samuel 7:8 The children of Israel said to Samuel (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 7:7
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