Question 1

What does it mean that Israel lamented after the Lord for twenty years?

Accepted Answer

When it says Israel “lamented after the Lord,” it means the people felt deep sorrow over how far they had drifted from God. The ark was kept away in Kirjath-jearim for a long time, and during those twenty years the people began to feel the weight of their sin and distance from God. This was not just sadness about hardship, but grief over their unfaithfulness. That sorrow prepared them to listen when Samuel later called them to return to the Lord with all their hearts and to put away their idols.

Question 2

Why did Samuel tell Israel to put away Baalim and Ashtaroth?

Accepted Answer

Samuel told Israel to put away Baalim and Ashtaroth because these were false gods they had been worshiping instead of the Lord. He explains that if they really want to return to God, they must do it with all their hearts, and that means removing idols and serving the Lord only. God does not share His place with other gods. Their outward actions of getting rid of idols showed the inward change Samuel was calling for. Once they obeyed, Samuel could lead them in prayer, and God was ready to deliver them from the Philistines.

Question 3

What is the meaning of the water being poured out before the Lord at Mizpeh?

Accepted Answer

At Mizpeh, the people drew water and poured it out before the Lord while they fasted and confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” The passage does not spell out the symbol in detail, but it clearly shows humility and sorrow. Pouring out water can picture how weak and empty they felt because of their sin, like water spilled on the ground. Along with fasting and open confession, it was a sign that they were not pretending anymore. They were ready to turn from idols and depend fully on God’s mercy.

Question 4

How did God rescue Israel from the Philistines in this passage?

Accepted Answer

God rescued Israel while Samuel was praying and offering a burnt offering. As the Philistines came near to attack at Mizpeh, the people were afraid and begged Samuel to keep crying out to the Lord for them. God answered in a very direct way: He thundered with a great thunder against the Philistines, threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. The men of Israel then chased them and struck them down. The story shows that the real victory came from God’s power, not Israel’s strength, in response to repentance and prayer.

Question 5

Why did Samuel set up a stone called Ebenezer and what does it teach?

Accepted Answer

Samuel set up a stone between Mizpeh and Shen and named it Ebenezer, which means “stone of help.” He explained the meaning by saying, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” The stone was a simple, physical reminder that their rescue from the Philistines came from God’s help, not their own skill. It marked a turning point: after years of trouble and idolatry, God had heard their cry when they returned to Him. For readers today, it reminds us to look back and remember specific times when God has helped, so we will trust Him again in the future.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about true repentance?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that true repentance is more than feeling bad. Israel first lamented after the Lord, but then, when Samuel spoke, they acted. They put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, gathered as a people, fasted, and openly said, “We have sinned against the Lord.” They prepared their hearts, not just their outward lives, and chose to serve God only. God then responded with mercy, help, and restored peace. So repentance here includes sorrow over sin, turning from idols, seeking God in prayer, and then walking in new obedience under godly leadership.

Question 7

Who is Samuel in this passage and what role does he play?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, Samuel serves as God’s appointed leader over Israel. He is a judge who travels each year to different towns to settle matters and guide the people. Here he also acts as a spiritual shepherd. He calls Israel to return to the Lord, tells them to put away idols, leads a national gathering at Mizpeh, and prays for them. During the Philistine threat, he offers a burnt offering and cries out to God, and God answers. Samuel then sets up the Ebenezer stone as a reminder of God’s help and continues judging Israel all his life.

Question 8

What does this passage show about God’s character toward a repentant people?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God is ready to forgive and help when people return to Him with sincere hearts. For a long time Israel had followed idols and suffered under the Philistines, yet when they lamented, obeyed Samuel’s call, and confessed their sin, God responded with mercy. He listened to Samuel’s prayer, scattered their enemies with thunder, restored lost cities, and gave them peace from both Philistines and Amorites. It paints a picture of a God who is holy and will not ignore sin, but who also gladly receives His people and defends them when they turn back to Him.

1 Samuel 7:1

And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.

Samuel Subdues the Philistines

Deliverance from the Philistines

Samuel’s Ministry

Samuel Subdues the Philistines

Deliverance from the Philistines

Cross References

1 Samuel 7:1

And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.

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Samuel Subdues the Philistines

Deliverance from the Philistines

Samuel’s Ministry

Samuel Subdues the Philistines

Deliverance from the Philistines

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