1 Samuel 7:5 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:3-6

We may well wonder where Samuel was and what he was doing all this while, for we have not had him so much as named till now, since 1 Sam. 4:1; not as if he were unconcerned, but his labours among his people are not mentioned till there appears the fruit of them. When he perceived that they began to lament after the Lord he struck while the iron was hot, and two things he endeavoured to do for them, as a faithful servant of God and a faithful friend to the Israel of God:? I. He endeavoured to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:5

And Samuel said, gather all Israel to Mizpeh ,.... Not Mizpeh in Gilead, on the other side Jordan, but a city which lay on the borders of Judah and Benjamin, where the tribes met on the account of the Levite's concubine, Judges 20:1 . This order Samuel gave by messengers sent to the several tribes, or the heads of them, to meet him at this place: and I will pray for you unto the Lord ; no doubt he prayed for them privately, that the reformation begun might be carried on, and appear to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 7:5

Gather all Israel to Mizpeh - This appears to have been an armed assembly, though probably collected principally for religious and political purposes; but Samuel knew that an unarmed multitude could not safely be convened in the vicinity of the Philistines. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:1-12

Steps of return to God. The whole interest of this passage is moral. No stress is laid on the forms, or even the authorised appurtenances, of religion. The ark, of which we have heard so much, and which had been treated with a singular mixture of superstition and profanity, plays no part in the history. It is left for years in a quiet retreat. Israel had backslidden from the Lord. The steps of their return have a meaning and a moral lesson for all generations. I. THE FEELING OF A... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:3-12

Ebenezer. The facts are— 1 . Samuel calls on the people to prove their desire to return to God by putting away idols and preparing their hearts for a blessing. 2 . A response to the call is followed by a summons to Mizpah for prayer and humiliation. 3 . A rumoured approach of the Philistines excites fear, and an urgent request for Samuel's intercession with God. 4 . While Samuel is engaged in worship God discomfits the assailing Philistines by thunder. 5 . The victory... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:5

Gather all Israel to Mizpeh. Mizpah, for so the place should be spelt, means a watch tower ( Genesis 31:49 ), and so is a not uncommon name for spots among the hills commanding an extensive outlook. This was probably the Mizpah in the tribe of Benjamin, distant about five miles from Jerusalem (see Conder, 'Tent Work,' 1 Samuel 1:25 ); and though Samuel may have partly chosen it as a holy place ( 11:11 ; 20:1 ), yet the chief reason was probably its lofty situation, 500 feet above... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 7:3-5

Compare the marginal references. Twenty years of Samuel’s life had passed away since the last mention of him 1 Samuel 4:1. Now he appears in the threefold character of prophet, Judge, and the acknowledged leader of the whole people. His words were an answer to a profession of repentance on the part of Israel, the practical proof of which would be the putting away all their false gods. (Compare Judges 6:10 note.)Will pray for you ... - So Moses prayed for the people at Rephidim Exodus 17:11-12;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 7:4-5

1 Samuel 7:4-5. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim, &c. Samuel’s reproofs and instructions, and the representations he made of their sin and danger, touched their hearts, and induced them to break off their sins by repentance. Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you He could have prayed for them himself alone in private, but he knew it would tend to perfect the repentance and reformation begun among them, and to establish them in God’s service, to engage them... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:2-17

Samuel’s leadership (7:2-17)During the years of Philistine oppression, Samuel’s position as chief ruler in Israel became firmly established. As a religious leader he commanded the people to turn from idols and worship the Lord only, and the people responded (2-6a). As a civil leader he settled disputes among them (6b). In response to the people’s repentance and Samuel’s prayers for them, God gave Israel a great victory over the Philistines (7-11). The Israelites continued to fight against the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 7:5

THE GREAT VICTORY OF ISRAEL AT MIZPAH"Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you." So they gathered at Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, "We have sinned against the Lord." And Samuel judged the people at Mizpah. Now when the Philistines heard that the people had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people heard of it they were afraid of the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:3-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 7:5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:3-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 7:3-5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 7:4-5

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 7:2-17

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 7:5

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