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Samuel Chapter 7
1 So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and
took up the ark of the LORD . They took it to Abinadab's house on the hill and consecrated
Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the LORD .
Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah
2 It was a long time, twenty years in all, that the ark remained at Kiriath
Jearim, and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD . 3 And
Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all
your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit
yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the
Philistines." 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and
served the LORD only.
5 Then Samuel said, "Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede
with the LORD for you." 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew
water and poured it out before the LORD . On that day they fasted and there they
confessed, "We have sinned against the LORD ." And Samuel was leader of Israel
at Mizpah.
7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of
the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it, they were
afraid because of the Philistines. 8 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." 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a
whole burnt offering to the LORD . He cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the
LORD answered him.
10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near
to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the
Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11
The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them
along the way to a point below Beth Car.
12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it
Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us." 13 So the
Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again.
Throughout Samuel's lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines. 14
The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored
to her, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the power of the Philistines.
And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
15 Samuel continued as judge over Israel all the days of his life. 16
From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in
all those places. 17 But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and
there he also judged Israel. And he built an altar there to the LORD .
