Samuel’s Revival
January 25, 2025
Commentary
Israel mourned for 20 years as the ark was stored, like an unwanted box, in Abinadab’s house in Kiriath-jearim (vv. 1-2). Eleazar, for all practical purposes, was the priest over it but Samuel was the real leader during this time period. He no doubt performed the functions of a priest, military leader, judge, and king, but his main task was to bring the people back to God. Samuel told the people to turn away from their strange God’s and serve only the Lord, which they did (vv. 3-4).
Mizpah, which is located just north of Jerusalem, became an important site. It was there that the Israelites had gathered to mobilize against the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 20:1). It was there that Samuel prayed for the people and they confess their sins (vv. 5-6). The Philistines heard about Samuel’s convocation and determined that they would squelch a possible revolution by attacking the Israelites. Samuel did what the people asked and offered a lamb for a burnt offering. The Lord accepted the sacrifice, answered the prayer for deliverance and saved his people. The Philistines were decisively defeated and came no more into the coast of Israel (vv. 7-11). God gave Israel a great victory, and it was the first one they had for along time. Samuel took a stone and places it between Mizpah and Shen, giving it the name of Ebenezer which means “stone of help” (v. 12). We all need an Ebenezer stone. God was able to use Samuel because he was genuinely dedicated to God.
It can be said that from this time on the Philistines were never again as dominant a foe as they had been before (vv. 13-14). This was a significant battle, and a stone now stands in memory of it. This is the story. Samuel was a prophet and a judge of Israel. He was a circuit judge. He went from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah and back to Ramah which was all north of Jerusalem. He Judged Israel in all of those places. (vv. 15-17).
Application
It is easy for me to complain about my problems and refuse to change and do what He requires, as the Israelites did under Samuel’s leadership. I should not seek new guidance from God until I have acted on His previous directions.
1 Samuel 7:1– 17 (NET)
1 Then the people of Kiriath Jearim came and took the ark of the Lord; they brought it to the house of Abinadab located on the hill. They consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord.
2 It was quite a long time—some twenty years in all—that the ark stayed at Kiriath Jearim. All the people of Israel longed for the Lord. 3 Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you are really turning to the Lord with all your hearts, remove from among you the foreign gods and the images of Ashtoreth. Give your hearts to the Lord and serve only him. Then he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites removed the Baals and images of Ashtoreth. They served only the Lord.
5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord on your behalf.” 6 After they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. They fasted on that day, and they confessed there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” So Samuel led the people of Israel at Mizpah.
7 When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, the leaders of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the Israelites heard about this, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 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!” 9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. Samuel cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him.
10 As Samuel was offering burnt offerings, the Philistines approached to do battle with Israel. But on that day the Lord thundered loudly against the Philistines. He caused them to panic, and they were defeated by Israel. 11 Then the men of Israel left Mizpah and chased the Philistines, striking them down all the way to an area below Beth Car.
12 Samuel took a stone and placed it between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Up to here the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were defeated; they did not invade Israel again. The hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
14 The cities that the Philistines had captured from Israel were returned to Israel, from Ekron to Gath. Israel also delivered their territory from the control of the Philistines. There was also peace between Israel and the Amorites. 15 So Samuel led Israel all the days of his life. 16 Year after year he used to travel the circuit of Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; he used to judge Israel in all these places. 17 Then he would return to Ramah, because his home was there. He also judged Israel there and built an altar to the Lord there.