The Book of First Samuel

Chapter 7

[1] And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
[2] And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

1) Years (Vs 1,2)

The ark is returned by the Philistines to Kirjathjearim

The ark is welcomed, reverenced and respected

The ark was taken to the house of Abinadab

It was not in a public building BUT was properly in a home

Eleazar kept the ark.

Remember the ark contained the rod that budded, the 10 commandments & the pot of manna

All of these items represent Jesus. Jesus is to be kept in our heart and shared in our lives.

The ark abode here for 20 years

Israel lamented after the Lord

2) Yoke (Vs 2)

Israel had 20 years of bondage to the Philistines

20 years under burden of false worship

They thought they could serve the Lord God and other gods as well

Serving Baal (god of weather & strength) & Ashtaroth (goddess of love & sex)

Together these two were thought to make Philistines fertile & strong

[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 Ashtaroth 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 Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

3) Yearning (Vs 3,4)

Samuel is burdened and for 20 years yearns for Israel to repent

His message- Repent (inward w/ all your heart and outward by put away false gods)

“Serve Him Only” - they thought they could serve God and other gods Mt 6:24

Israel did just that, they repented

[5] And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.
[6] And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

4) Yea (Vs 5,6)

Samuel said “gather at Mizpeh” - the place of separation (Jacob & Laban Gen 31:49)

YES, they did gather (Heb 10:25)

They drew water and poured it out before God

Pouring out one’s soul by wanting rid of sin and expressing emptiness and the need to be filled (Lam 2:19)

Fasted- they afflicted their soul, showed remorse, repentance and devotion

Expression of sorrow over sin and turning away

Confessed

YES, “We have sinned” NOT if, we made a mistake

From the heart, repentance (! Jn 1:9 if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive)

[7] And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, 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, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.
[9] And Samuel took a sucking 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 Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.
[12] Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

5) Young Lamb (Vs 7-12)

Philistines hear Israel has come together and they come to attack during prayer

The devil always wants to break up your humility and prayer

Israel was afraid but prepared to meet their enemy *unarmed for physical war but spiritually ready

Samuel is asked to make intercession, call upon God, that He will save us (not the ark, but God)

Samuel takes a young lamb, offers it and calls on GOD...... God hears this prayer

God answers with great thunder and discomfitted them, confused them and Israel slew them

Reminds me of (Lk 9:35) This is my beloved Son...... Behold the Lamb of God Jn 1:29

Stone of Ebenezer-“Hitherto, hath the Lord helped us” (to this point, geographically & spiritually)

There is still a work to complete……. The future belongs to HIM

[13] So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into 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 Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
[17] And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.

6) Yield of Repentance

The Philistines, who oppressed them over 20 years are gone

The hand of God is back upon Israel

The cities and coasts were delivered & returned back to Israel (Rights restored)

Peace with enemy (Prov 16:7)

Samuel went about promoting (Heb 12:11) righteousness

(1 Sam 12:23) teaching good & right way)

Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.......Unlike Eli, Samuel started well and will end well

Samuel built an altar unto the Lord