Samuel as Judge

In the previous chapter, we saw how God dealt with His people at Beth Shemesh severely, because they mishandled the ark, and thus did not show Him proper respect.

The people of Beth Shemesh then asked that those from Kirjath Jearim would come and take possession of the ark, and chapter 7 begins with us seeing that the ark would be brought into the house of Abinadab:

1 Samuel 7:1

1 Samuel the Judge

1 Samuel 7:2-4

The ark remained at Kirjath Jearim for twenty years, yet it all shows how the Lord had a plan which He had been and would continue to work out.

While the Israelites were overjoyed the ark had been returned, it didn’t address the conditions of their hearts (spiritual condition) which were still barren.

In verse 3, Samuel addressed the nation, which shows that in essence he’d become Israel’s national leader.

Samuel made it clear, that the people had to remove the false gods they’d been serving, and then wholly return to the Lord.

• Even before the people had crossed over into the Promised Land, the Lord warned them to drive out the inhabitants, since they and their idolatry would be a snare to Israel.

God makes it clear that His people cannot live like the world, and then expect to be accepted by Him:

2 Corinthians 6:17

• The idea of “returning” in the original language, means a complete course reversal. In other words, turning from one direction, and turning back to the place of origin.
• In the case of these Israelites, the turning would require letting go of the idols which they had begun serving.

Outwardly, things might have seemed fine, since they still engaged in religious ceremonies, but the Lord knew the condition of their hearts.

We can never have a divided heart, and then still live for the Lord:

Joshua 24:14-15

• While the Israelites were focused on their physical enemies (the Philistines) Samuel wanted them to understand that they had a greater unseen spiritual enemy.

Samuel made it clear, that once the people put away the false gods, the Lord would give them victory over the Philistines.

While it seems the Israelites were worshipping the false gods in addition to continuing to worship the Lord, we see how the Lord clearly prohibits that:

Exodus 20:2-3

While the people did put away the idols, and turn to the Lord, sadly it would not be a permanent turning.

2 Gathering at Mizpah

Samuel instructed the people to gather at Mizpah, where he would pray for them:

1 Samuel 7:5-9

• Once again, Samuel stressed the importance for the people to separate from their false idols.

Mizpah, therefore was an interesting location, since it was the place where Jacob separated from Laban:

Genesis 31

It was also the location where the people had gathered together prior to the other tribes going to war against the tribe of Benjamin:

Judges 20:1-2

• Samuel used the gathering as an opportunity to incorporate prayer with the repentance which had begun.

In verse 6, the people ceremonially poured out water before the Lord. That was to depict how they were pouring out their hearts before the Lord.

This action corresponds to the following attitude, which Jeremiah would later record:

Lamentations 2:19

Samuel “judged” the people at that time, which was the start of his role as judge of the nation.

The Philistines heard that all of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, which caused them to get ready for battle. Israel was fearful, and asked Samuel to beseech the Lord on their behalf.

Samuel not only prayed, but he offered a lamb as a burnt offering. The passage ends by stating the Lord answered him, showing that God is attentive to the needs of his people, and the prayers of the righteous.