1 Samuel 7:1-13 ▼

1 Then the men of Kiriath-jearim (city of forests) came for the ark of the LORD {YHWH} and took it into Abinadab’s (my father is willing) house on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar (God has helped) to guard the ark of the LORD.

2 And from that day a long time passed, twenty years in all, as the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim (city of forests). And all the house of Israel (he wrestles with God) mournfully sought the LORD {YHWH}.

3 Then Samuel (his name is El) said to all the house of Israel (he wrestles with God), “If you⁺ are returning to the LORD {YHWH} with all your⁺ hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths (star) among you⁺, prepare your⁺ hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you⁺ from the hand of the Philistines (immigrants).”

4 So the Israelites (God prevails) put away the Baals (lord) and Ashtoreths (star) and served only the LORD {YHWH}.

5 Then Samuel (his name is El) said, “Gather all Israel (he wrestles with God) to Mizpah (watchtower), and I will pray to the LORD {YHWH} on your⁺ behalf.”

6 When they had gathered at Mizpah (watchtower), they drew water and poured it out before the LORD {YHWH}. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel (his name is El) judged (governed) the Israelites (God prevails) at Mizpah.

7 When the Philistines (immigrants) heard that the Israelites (God prevails) had gathered at Mizpah (watchtower), their rulers marched up toward Israel. And when the Israelites learned of this, they feared the Philistines

8 and (he wrestles with God) said to Samuel (his name is El), “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu} for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines (immigrants).”

9 Then Samuel (his name is El) took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD {YHWH}. He cried out to the LORD on behalf of Israel (he wrestles with God), and the LORD answered him.

10 As the Philistines (immigrants) drew near to fight against Israel (he wrestles with God), Samuel (his name is El) was offering up the burnt offering. But that day the LORD {YHWH} thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel.

11 Then the men of Israel (he wrestles with God) charged out of Mizpah (watchtower) and pursued the Philistines (immigrants), striking them down all the way to an area below Beth-car (house of the lamb).

12 Afterward, Samuel (his name is El) took a stone and set it up between Mizpah (watchtower) and Shen [Jeshanah]. He named it Ebenezer (stone of help), saying, “Thus far the LORD {YHWH} has helped us.”

13 So the Philistines (immigrants) were subdued, and they stopped invading the territory of Israel (he wrestles with God). And the hand of the LORD {YHWH} was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel (his name is El).