1 Samuel 7:3-4

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 7:3

(3) The strange gods.—The strange gods are in 1 Samuel 7:4 described as “Baalim.” This plural form of Baal refers to the numerous images of Baal which existed, as does the plural form Ashtaroth to those of the female goddess Astarte. They were both favourite Phœnician deities, known under the familiar names of Baal, Bil, Bel, and Ashtaroth, Astarte, Istar. They represented the productive power of nature, and were generally worshipped throughout the East, usually with a wild and wanton... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 7:4

(4) Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth.—The answer of the people showed how well and thoroughly the prophet-statesman had done his Master’s work. Through the land of Israel the graven images of the Phœnician idols were thrown down, and their impious worship everywhere was boldly dishonoured, and once more, in bold defiance of the idol-worshipping Philistines, the Invisible and Eternal was throughout the land acknowledged as the one God. These acts, of course, were an... 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 7:1-9

CHAPTER VIII.REPENTANCE AND REVIVAL.1 Samuel 7:1-9.WITH the men of Bethshemesh the presence of the ark had become the same terror as it had been successively at Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron. Instead of the savour of life to life, it had proved a savour of death to death. Instead of a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, it had become a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence. They sent therefore to their neighbours at Kirjath-jearim, and begged them to come down and remove the ark. This they readily... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 7:3-14

7. The Return Unto Jehovah and the Deliverance CHAPTER 7:3-14 1. Samuel’s message and the response of the people (1 Samuel 7:3-4 ) 2. Gathered at Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:5-6 ) 3. The deliverance (1 Samuel 7:7-14 ) Samuel now is seen beginning his great national ministry. The message he brings is the message of repentance and the assurance of faith. In simple words he addressed the people, who no doubt were prepared for it by their long period of humiliation. He demands that their true return... 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

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:3

(3) ¶ And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. The Reader must rejoice in the introduction of Samuel again in this place, as from his appearance there is great reason to hope good. Probably, though Samuel had continued his ministry, yet it was so little... read more

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