(4) Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. Baalim is plural, meaning several God's. Ashtaroth is singular and feminine, and therefore means but one, and that a she goddess. Is this Israel the beloved people of God who are thus led away to these filthy and dumb idols? read more
1-4 God will find a resting-place for his ark; if some thrust it from them, the hearts of others shall be inclined to receive it. It is no new thing for God's ark to be in a private house. Christ and his apostles preached from house to house, when they could not have public places. Twenty years passed before the house of Israel cared for the want of the ark. During this time the prophet Samuel laboured to revive true religion. The few words used are very expressive; and this was one of the most... read more
Reformation in Israel v. 1. And the men of Kirjath-jearim, to whom the Bethshemites had sent word of the return of the ark, 1 Samuel 6:21, came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, on an elevation near the city, and sanctified Eleazar, his son, to keep the ark of the Lord, for he was probably of Levitical descent, otherwise he would hardly have been entrusted with this office. v. 2. And it came to pass, while the ark abode in... read more
SECOND SECTIONThe Reformation of Israel by Samuel1 Samuel 7:2-17I. Israel’s Repentance and Conversion by Means of Samuel’s Prophetical Labors. 1 Samuel 7:2-62And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years. [And it came to pass, after the day when the ark rested in K., a long time, even twenty years, elapsed], and all the house of Israel 3lamented after the Lord [Jehovah]; And1 Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do... read more
1 Samuel REPENTANCE AND VICTORY 1Sa_7:1 - 1Sa_7:12 . The ark had spread disaster in Philistia and Beth-shemesh, and the willingness of the men of Kirjath-jearim to receive it was a token of their devotion. They must have been in some measure free from idolatry and penetrated with reverence. The name of the city City of the Woods , like our Woodville suggests the situation of the little town, ‘bosomed high in tufted trees,’ where the ark lay for so long, apparently without sacrifices, and... read more
Rashness Punished; Reverence Blessed 1 Samuel 6:13-21 ; 1 Samuel 7:1-4 The new cart, with its precious burden, must have come upon the men of Beth-shemesh like an apparition. The Ark was welcomed by them, after its seven months of absence, with great joy. But privilege entails responsibility; and their wanton curiosity and irreverence could not be permitted. Reverence for God Himself demanded the most careful behavior toward the Ark of His Presence, and when this was lacking, swift judgment... read more
The Ark found its resting place temporarily at Gibeah, in the house of Abinadab. A dark period of twenty years is passed over without detailed record. It would seem that during all that time Israel was under Philistine rule, without any definite center of worship; for while the Ark was resting in the house of an individual, the Tabernacle was in all probability dismantled. During this period Samuel was advancing from youth to manhood and approaching the hour of his leadership. This period was... read more
The Ark with Abinadab 1 Samuel 7:1-17 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We cover a period of twenty years, in which the Ark was in the care of the House of Abinadab, under the charge of his son, Eleazar. We wish to emphasize just one thing: The sanctifying of Eleazar to keep the Ark. 1. The fuller meaning of the word "sanctified." The Philistines had suffered at the hands of the Ark, because they were defiled with iniquity. For this cause the Ark meant disaster, and not blessing. The same Lord who is... read more
Chapter 7. Samuel Successfully Begins His Public Ministry And Establishes His Rule Over Israel Under YHWH, Finally Driving The Philistines Back To Their Own Territory And ‘Judging’ Israel From Then On (1 Samuel 7:3-17 ). Once Samuel had grown to manhood he began his ministry and called on Israel to turn to YHWH from all their idolatry, something which met with great success. The people were tired of being subservient to the Philistines. Eventually, satisfied with their genuineness he called... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
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