1 Samuel 7:5-11
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
5 Samuel then gave orders, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, that I may pray to the Lord for you.”(A) 6 When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out[a] on the ground before the Lord, and they fasted that day, saying, “We have sinned against the Lord.” It was at Mizpah that Samuel began to judge the Israelites.(B)
Rout of the Philistines. 7 When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their leaders went up against Israel. Hearing this, the Israelites became afraid of the Philistines 8 and appealed to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, to save us from the hand of the Philistines.”(C) 9 Samuel therefore took an unweaned lamb and offered it whole as a burnt offering to the Lord.(D) He cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near for battle with Israel. That day, however, the Lord thundered loudly against the Philistines, and threw them into such confusion that they were defeated by Israel.(E) 11 Thereupon the Israelites rushed out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, striking them down even beyond Beth-car.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 7:6 Drew water and poured it out: this ritual act does not appear elsewhere in the Old Testament. Linked with fasting and admission of sin, it seems to function as a purification ritual that washes away the guilt incurred by worshiping the Canaanite Baal and his consort Astarte. Its effectiveness is immediately evident when the Lord thunders a response to Samuel’s offering.
1 Samuel 7:5-11
New International Version
5 Then Samuel(A) said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah,(B) and I will intercede(C) with the Lord for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah,(D) they drew water and poured(E) it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader[a](F) of Israel at Mizpah.
7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid(G) because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying(H) out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel(I) took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him.(J)
10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered(K) with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic(L) that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.
Footnotes
- 1 Samuel 7:6 Traditionally judge; also in verse 15
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