1 Samuel 7

The Ark Remains at Kiriath-Jearim

1The men of Kiriath-Jearim came and brought up the ark of the LORD. They brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. 2And it happened from the day the ark remained at Kiriath-Jearim that the days became many—twenty years—and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

Samuel Calls Israel to Return

3Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from your midst. Direct your heart to the LORD and serve him alone, and he will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.” 4So the children of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD alone.

Israel Gathers at Mizpah

5Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you.” 6They gathered at Mizpah, drew water and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day. They said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the children of Israel at Mizpah.

The LORD Thunders against the Philistines

7When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the children of Israel heard, they were afraid before the Philistines. 8The children of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not be silent from crying out for us to the LORD our God, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9Samuel took one nursing lamb and offered it whole as a burnt offering to the LORD. Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. 10As Samuel was offering the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near for battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered with a great voice on that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were struck before Israel. 11The men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them as far as below Beth-Car.

Ebenezer

12Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer. He said, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” 13So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. The hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron as far as Gath, and Israel rescued their territory from the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

Samuel Judges Israel

15Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16He went year by year in circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel at all these places. 17Then he returned to Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the LORD.