1 Samuel 7

All 17 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1The men of Kirjathjearim came and fetched up the ark of the LORD, bringing it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. They sanctified his son Eleazar to keep the ark of the LORD.
2. 2The ark stayed in Kirjathjearim for a long time, twenty years in all, and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.
3. 3Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you. Prepare your hearts for the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines."
4. 4Then the children of Israel put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.
5. 5Samuel said, "Gather everyone in Israel at Mizpeh, and I will pray to the LORD for you."
6. 6They assembled at Mizpeh, drew water and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day. They said, "We have sinned against the LORD." Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
7. 7When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpeh, the rulers of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the Israelites heard this, they were afraid of the Philistines.
8. 8The Israelites said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he will save us from the Philistines."
9. 9Samuel took a young nursing lamb and offered it as a complete burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the LORD heard him.
10. 10While Samuel was offering the burnt offering, the Philistines advanced to battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered loudly that day against the Philistines, causing them to be thrown into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel.
11. 11The men of Israel went out from Mizpeh and pursued the Philistines, striking them down until they reached a place below Bethcar.
12. 12Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Up to this point, the LORD has helped us.'
13. 13So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel. The hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
14. 14The cities the Philistines had captured from Israel—from Ekron all the way to Gath—were restored to Israel, and Israel delivered the surrounding territory from the hands of the Philistines. There was also peace between Israel and the Amorites.
15. 15Samuel served as judge over Israel for the rest of his life.
16. 16Every year he traveled a circuit through Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
17. 17He always returned home to Ramah, where he lived. He judged Israel from there as well, and he built an altar to the LORD in that city.