1 Samuel 7

1Sa 7:1, 2.

THE

ARK AT

KIRJATH-JEARIM.

1. the men of Kirjath-jearim--"the city of woods," also Kirjath-baal

(Jos 15:60; 18:14;

1Ch 13:5, 6).

It was the nearest town to Beth-shemesh and stood on a hill. This was

the reason of the message

(1Sa 6:21),

and why this was chosen for the convenience of people turning their

faces to the ark

(1Ki 8:29-35;

Ps 28:2;

Da 6:10).

brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill--Why it was not

transported at once to Shiloh where the tabernacle and sacred vessels

were remaining, is difficult to conjecture.

sanctified . . . his son--He was not a Levite, and was therefore only

set apart or appointed to be keeper of the place.

2. the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim . . . twenty years--It appears, in

the subsequent history, that a much longer period elapsed before its

final removal from Kirjath-jearim

(2Sa 6:1-19;

1Ch 13:1-14).

But that length of time had passed when the Israelites began to revive

from their sad state of religious decline. The capture of the ark had

produced a general indifference either as to its loss or its recovery.

all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord--They were then

brought, doubtless by the influence of Samuel's exhortations, to

renounce idolatry, and to return to the national worship of the true

God.

1Sa 7:3-6.

THE

ISRAELITES, THROUGH

SAMUEL'S

INFLUENCE,

SOLEMNLY

REPENT AT

MIZPEH.

3-6. Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel--A great national

reformation was effected through the influence of Samuel. Disgusted

with their foreign servitude, and panting for the restoration of

liberty and independence, they were open to salutary impressions; and

convinced of their errors, they renounced idolatry. The

re-establishment of the faith of their fathers was inaugurated at a

great public meeting, held at Mizpeh in Judah, and hallowed by the

observance of impressive religious solemnities. The drawing water, and

pouring it out before the Lord, seems to have been a symbolical act by

which, in the people's name, Samuel testified their sense of national

corruption, their need of that moral purification of which water is the

emblem, and their sincere desire to pour out their hearts in repentance

before God.

6. Samuel judged . . . Israel in Mizpeh--At the time of Eli's death

he could not have much exceeded twenty years of age; and although his

character and position must have given him great influence, it does not

appear that hitherto he had done more than prophets were wont to do.

Now he entered on the duties of a civil magistrate.

1Sa 7:7-14.

WHILE

SAMUEL

PRAYS, THE

PHILISTINES

ARE

DISCOMFITED.

7-11. when the Philistines heard, &c.--The character and importance of

the national convention at Mizpeh were fully appreciated by the

Philistines. They discerned in it the rising spirit of religious

patriotism among the Israelites that was prepared to throw off the yoke

of their domination. Anxious to crush it at the first, they made a

sudden incursion while the Israelites were in the midst of their solemn

celebration. Unprepared for resistance, they besought Samuel to

supplicate the divine interposition to save them from their enemies.

The prophet's prayers and sacrifice were answered by such a tremendous

storm of thunder and lightning that the assailants, panic-struck, were

disordered and fled. The Israelites, recognizing the hand of God,

rushed courageously on the foe they had so much dreaded and committed

such immense havoc, that the Philistines did not for long recover from

this disastrous blow. This brilliant victory secured peace and

independence to Israel for twenty years, as well as the restitution of

the usurped territory.

12. Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen--on an open

spot between the town and "the crag" (some well-known rock in the

neighborhood). A huge stone pillar was erected as a monument of their

victory

(Le 26:1).

The name--Eben-ezer--is thought to have been written on the face of

it.