1 Samuel 7:7-17 ▼

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).

14 The cities from Ekron (torn up by the roots) to Gath (winepress), which the Philistines (immigrants) had taken (he wrestles with God), were restored to Israel, who also delivered the surrounding territory from the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between the Israelites and the Amorites (sayers).

15 So Samuel (his name is El) judged Israel (he wrestles with God) all the days of his life.

16 Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel (house of God) to Gilgal (a wheel) to Mizpah (watchtower), judging Israel (he wrestles with God) in all these places.

17 Then he would return to Ramah (hill) because his home was there, and there he judged Israel (he wrestles with God) and built an altar to the LORD {YHWH}.