1 Samuel 7:17 NIV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 7:15-17

3. Samuel’s regular ministry 7:15-17In addition to providing the special leadership just described, Samuel’s ministry as a judge in Israel included regular civil, as well as spiritual, leadership. He was active especially in the tribal territory of Benjamin and in the town of Bethel just north of Benjamin in Ephraim’s tribal allotment. Samuel covered a four-town circuit as preacher (prophet) and judge. He was obviously similar to the other judges in the Book of Judges, all of whom also served... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 7:1-17

Samuel delivers Israel from the PhilistinesThe narrative in this chapter is taken from a different source from the account which precedes.2. Twenty years] The time is reckoned till Israel’s repentance and not to the removal of the ark by David (2 Samuel 6:2). 3, 4. These vv. appear to be anticipatory and in order of time to follow 1 Samuel 7:5, 1 Samuel 7:6. 4. Baalim and Ashtaroth] see on Judges 2:11, Judges 2:13. 5. Mizpeh] in Benjamin.Pray] Samuel was noted as a man of prayer (cp. Psalms... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 7:17

(17) Raman.—The same Ramah “of the Watchers” where Elkanah and Hannah had dwelt. After the destruction of Shiloh, Samuel seems to have fixed his abode in his father’s city.And there he built an altar.—Thus following the old custom of the patriarchs. It must be remembered that at this period there was no national sanctuary, no formal seat of worship, where the high priest and his attendant priests and Levites served. The Ark, we know, was in safe keeping in the “city of woods,” Kirjath-jearim,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Samuel 7:1-17

Reconquests 1 Samuel 7:14 We have to dwell upon reconquests, upon the taking back of cities which we ought never to have lost. I do not speak of cities in the ordinary sense of the term, but I speak of the great losses which the Church meaning by the term Church all its sections and communions has forfeited or lost or unworthily abandoned. There will be a great day of restoration; the Church of Christ has much property to reclaim. The Church is very guilty in all this matter; the Church has... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:10-17

CHAPTER IX.NATIONAL DELIVERANCE--THE PHILISTINES SUBDUED.1 Samuel 7:10-17.IT must have been with feelings very different from those of their last encounter, when the ark of God was carried into the battle, that the host of Israel now faced the Philistine army near Mizpeh. Then they had only the symbol of God’s gracious presence, now they had the reality. Then their spiritual guides were the wicked Hophni and Phinehas; now their guide was holy Samuel. Then they had rushed into the fight in... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 7:15-17

8. Samuel Exercising His Office and His Failure CHAPTERS 7:15-8:3 1. Samuel the Prophet-Judge (1 Samuel 7:15-17 ) 2. His failure (1 Samuel 8:1-3 ) Samuel’s activity as the great prophet-judge is now seen. He had a blessed circuit of ministry, which has its spiritual lessons for us. He first visited Bethel (the house of God). Judgment must begin there. When Jacob was obedient to the divine call “Arise and go up unto Bethel,” he buried the strange gods, the household gods under the oak of... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Samuel 7:17

7:17 And his return [was] to Ramah; for there [was] his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an {i} altar unto the LORD.(i) Which was not contrary to the Law: for as yet a certain place was not appointed. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 7:1-17

Men from Kirjath-jearim respond to the call to bring the ark there. It is not said how it was transported, nor whether it was Levites who attended it. We are not even told whether Abinadab, to whose house the ark was taken, was a Levite, though it would seem he must have been, since he sanctified his son to keep the ark. Whatever the case, however, it appears evident that there was a proper respect given the ark, for it remained there for twenty years with no mark of God's displeasure. Not... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:1-17

PASSING OF THE JUDGESHIP A NATIONAL REVIVAL AND ITS RESULTS (1 Samuel 7:0 ) In our last we left the ark in care of the men of Kirjath-jearim, which means “the city of woods,” and is located near Bethshemesh and northwest of Jerusalem. Why the ark was not brought to Shiloh is not stated, but only that it remained in the city before-named twenty years. It would appear from 2 Samuel 6:0 and 1 Chronicles 13:0 that it remained there longer, but that period had elapsed when the event of this... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Samuel 7:1-17

Solitary Power 1Sa 7:3 SAMUEL is now in full office. Eli died when the messenger told him that the Philistines had taken the ark. Up to this time we have had no express communication from Samuel himself. From pregnant sentences, here and there, we have known that he has all the while been moving in the right direction. The Lord was with Samuel, and did not suffer any of his words to fall unto the ground. "All Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the... read more