1 Samuel 7

1 Samuel 7:1-6

In this chapter we have, 1. The abode of the ark in Kirjath-jarain for many years, ver. 1, 2. 2. The public appearing of Samuel, as Israel’s reformer and judge. He is here active, (1.) In recovering Israel from their idolatry, ver. 3, 4. (2.) In the receiving of religion among them, ver. 5, 6. (3.) In praying for them against the Philistines, ver. 7, 8, 9. over whom God, in answer to his prayer, gave him a glorious victory, ver. 10, 11. (4.) In erecting a thankful memorial of that victory, ver. 12. (5.) In the improvement of that victory, ver. 13, 14. (6.) In the admonification of justice, ver. 15-17.

2. AND the men of Kirjath-jarain came, and fetch up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadah in the hill, and fancihed Eleazar his son, to keep the ark of the LORD. 2. And it came to pass while the ark abode in Kirjath-jarain, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel ’lamented after the LORD.

3. 2. Sam. in. 3.

v. 1, 2. Though one place throffs from it the privileges of the gospel, another will receive them. The ark which was a burdensome stone to the eyes of the men of Beth-Shemoth, is a blessing to the men of Kirjath-jarain.

1. They are no sooner called, than they come and bring it up to their city, with great reverence; provide an abode for it in the house of Abinadah, which stood on an eminence: a man, it should form, who counted himself highly honoured with faith a guest, and consecrated his son to keep it, not to offer sacrifice before it, for he was no priest; nor was there here any altar; but to keep the place clean, to prevent curious intruders, and to be ready to wait on those pious Israelites, who might desire to pray before it. Note, (1.) More zeal for God and his cause is often seen in one private Israelite, than in many a priest. (2.) When the church is under persecution, and in distress, a private house may be converted into a temple, and a common Israelite’s service be dispensed with.

2. The abode of the ark at Abinadah’s house was long, between forty and fifty years in all. During the first twenty of which, it seems to have been almost forgotten and disregarded, till probably by the ministry of Samuel, that spirit of repentance was diffused which was here taken notice of, and they began to lament after the Lord; forcible of their great provocations, and desiring the return of his presence among them. Note, (1.) Though for a time, the church, like the ark, in this city in the woods, be driven into the wilderness, and continue under a cloud, yet shall the again arise, and those bright and glorious as the sun, when the elophe is over. (2.) They who would return to God, must lament over those sins which have estranged them from him.

3. ¶ And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do ‘return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then ‘put away the strange gods, and Ahtaroth from among you, and ‘prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and ‘serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 4. Then the children of Israel did put away ‘Baalim, and Ahtaroth, and served the LORD only. 5. And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizepeh, and ‘I will pray for you unto the LORD. 6. And they gathered together to Mizepeh, and drew water, and ‘poured it out before the LORD, and ‘failed on that day, and said there, ‘We have sinned against the LORD. And ‘Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizepeh.

Though Samuel is not mentioned, yet he seems to have been instrumental in this repentance, which began to appear; and observing as he went about in circuit, symptoms of returning to God.

1. He solemnly charges them to put away their idols, their male and female deities Baalim and Ahtaroth: there could be no return unto God whilst they were kept back. He therefore calls on them to prepare their hearts for the Lord, and cleave to him alone; and then they might hope he would appear for them, and rescue them from the hand of the Philistines, who had so long oppressed them. Note, (1.) No allowed idol sin must be

referred, when we would truly turn to God. (2.) The burden of sin is heavier than the yoke of Philsias; but whoever we repent and believe, it will be lightened.

2. Great was the effect of his exhortation. A general resurrection ensued; they put away their idols, and served the Lord only. To confirm them in those good purposes, therefore, he appoints a solemn assembly in Mizepeh, to perfect what was so happily begun; and promises to pray for them there, that the Divine Blessing and Presence might return again unto them. Note, (1.) God sometimes works great and general changes in the manners of a people, and revives the work of religion, when it seems utterly decayed. (2.) A minister’s prayers should accompany his preaching, that God may make his words effectual to the conversion of men’s souls. (3.) We shall always enter the pulpit with greater comfort and confidence, when we go thither from our knees.

3. The people readily obey his Summons, and when met in Mizepeh, appear deeply affected with their sins. In times of their sorrow, sincerity, and utter renouncing them, they poured out water before the Lord, wept, stared, and made hopelessness to God, confessing their sins, and imploring forgiveness. Note, (1.) The confessions and tears of penitence are the sure forerunners of peace and joy. (2.) Naismout sins require national fasts, and public humiliation.

4. Samuel judged them there, reformed them from idolatry, punished the incorrigible, established the true worship of God, and administered justice.

5. And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizepeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel: and when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8. And the children of Israel said to Samuel, ‘Cause not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hands of the Philistines. 9. ¶ And Samuel took a fucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt-offering wholly unto the LORD; and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel, and ’the LORD heard him. 10. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but ’the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them, and they were smitten before Israel. 11. And the men of Israel went out of Mizepeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car. 12. Then Samuel took a stone, and let it between Mizepeh and Shen, and called the name of it: Eben-ezer, saying, ‘Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

1 Samuel 7:7-12

Satan will begin to roar, when sinners begin to pray.

1. No sooner was Israel assembled at Mizepeh to repent, than the Philistines take the alarm, and assemble to crash them, subjecting (as the subjectious are ever ready to do) that their designs were evil, and construing their repentance towards God, into rebellion against them. Note, The first struggles for glory are often the hardest.

2. The news terrifies the people; broken with their long servitude, though they had never less reason to fear, than when thus found on their knees before God, they cry to Samuel to help them with his prayers; more dependant now on the arm of God for their safety, than on the arm of Beth. Note, Weak as we are to encounter the numerous hosts of our spiritual enemies, we have a prevailing advocate with the Father, and if he prays for us, it is impossible we should finally fail or fail.

3. Samuel is in ready to pray, as they to deject him, deeply interred in Israel’s safety; a fucking lamb he offers for a burnt-offering, and with the blood of atonement to plead, in faith and prayer approaches the throne of grace. Note, (1.) Jesus Christ is the slain lamb, offered up to God for us sinners. (2.) Thus the efficacy of his sacrifice, we may come before God; assured whatsoever we all, believing, we shall receive.

4. God hears, and answers his request. The Philistines drew near, whilst the sacrifice was offering, and never was an attack so ill-timed for them, so critical for Israel. Armed with not thunder-bolts, in wrath the God of Israel arose, and who can stand before the blasting breath of his displeasure? The flushing lightnings glare around, the terrible thunder roll above them, terror and amaze seize their affrighted loods, they turn, they fly; whilst the men of Israel, shouting, pursue their defenceless foes, and finite them down, like they appointed for the slaughter. Note, (1.) When God arises, his enemies must be scattered. (2.) Glorious and instant are the answers God often gives to the prayer of faith.

5. Samuel commemorates the glorious victory, by setting up a great stone on the foot, and ending it liberated, The Stone of help. And it is remarkable, this was the very place where Israel, chap. iv. 1. were defeated by the Philistines, in which passage

this Chap. VIH.

this name is given it by anticipation. Note, (1.) Answers of prayer, defieve memorials of gratitude. (2.) Every christian may, by experience, set up his Ebenezer, and whilst he acknowledges past help, confidently depend on the continuance of the same protection.

13. ¶ So the Philistines were Subdued, and they came no more unto the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines, all the days of Samuel. 14. And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath, and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines: and ’there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. 15. And Samuel judged Israel ‘all the days of his life. 16. And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mirpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. 17. And his return was to Ramah; for there our his house: and there he judged Israel, and there he built an altar unto the LORD.

1 Samuel 7:13-17

Great were the blessings which followed this victory, under Samuel’s wife and spirited administration.

1. The Philistines were so broken and intimidated, that they gave Israel no more disturbance, whilst Samuel precinct; but quitted all the cities, which they had taken between Ekron and Gaza peaceably to them. And the Amorites, now struck with terror, were glad to be left quiet, so that peace was perfectly restored within their borders. Note, (1.) When a man’s ways pleade the Lord, he maketh his enemies to be at peace with him. (2.) Prayer and penitence can do more for a nation, than the sword.

2. The internal peace of the people was secured to them by the regular administration of justice. Samuel went his yearly circuit, to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mirpeh, where he heard and determined the causes which were brought before him; and at his residence in Ramah, judged Israel, who brought their complaints thither, and abode by his decisions; and perhaps came thither on worship and offer sacrifices, and to hear his preaching, and partake of his prayers: for Samuel had built an altar at Ramah, as no other place was yet fixed for fared offerings to God. As a prophet raised up of God, he might be authorized to offer his own and the people’s sacrifices there, till the ark and tabernacle-worship should be again set up. Note, (1.) The administration of impartial justice is among the greatest blessings any land can enjoy. (2.) They will be upright in their decisions among men, who, like Samuel, keep God always before them, and walk in his fear and worship. An irrtitious judge cannot be truly impartial.