1 Samuel Chapter 7 Summary - Key Points & Themes

Read 1 Samuel Chapter 7 Summary

The ark rests at Abinadab's house in Kiriath-jearim for twenty years; Samuel calls Israel to put away foreign gods and Ashtaroth if they would return to the LORD wholeheartedly. At Mizpah, Israel fasts, confesses sin, and draws water to pour before the LORD; when the Philistines attack, Samuel sacrifices a lamb and cries to the LORD who thunders against the Philistines, throwing them into confusion. Israel pursues from Mizpah to Beth-car; Samuel sets up a stone called Ebenezer, saying 'Thus far the LORD has helped us.' Samuel judges Israel all his days, circuiting from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, returning home to Ramah.

Original

Characters in This Chapter

Samuel

Last judge and prophet who anointed both Saul and David as kings

Saul

First king of Israel, whose disobedience led to his rejection by God

David

Shepherd boy anointed as future king, man after God's own heart

Jonathan

Saul's son who became David's closest friend despite the rivalry

Hannah

Samuel's mother who prayed for a son and dedicated him to God

Places in This Chapter

Shiloh

Location of the tabernacle where Hannah prayed and Samuel ministered

Gilgal

Site where Saul was confirmed king and later disobeyed God's command

Gibeah

Saul's hometown and capital during his reign

Bethlehem

David's hometown where Samuel anointed him king

Gath

Gath was one of the five major Philistine cities and the home of Goliath, the giant warrior who defied Israel. David fled to Gath to escape Saul and pretended to be insane before King Achish. The city was eventually conquered by David. The phrase "Tell it not in Gath" comes from David's lament over Saul and Jonathan.

Bethel

Bethel means "House of God" and was where Jacob had his famous dream of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending. Abraham also built altars here. Later, Jeroboam set up a golden calf here as an alternative worship site to Jerusalem, which was condemned by prophets.

Ramah

Ramah (also Ramathaim-zophim) was the hometown of Samuel the prophet. He lived here, judged Israel from here, and was buried here. It was a center for the prophets and the school of prophets. Saul first met Samuel here when searching for his father's donkeys.

Position in Book

Samuel's MinistryChapters 1-7

Samuel's birth and calling, the capture and return of the ark, Samuel as judge over Israel.

Saul's ReignChapters 8-15

David's RiseChapters 16-31