71 And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took the ark of the Lord and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill , and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord . 2 From the day that the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim , the time was long , for it was twenty years ; and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord .
3 Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel , saying , " If you return to the Lord with all your heart , remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone ; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines ." 4 So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the Lord alone . 5 Then Samuel said , "Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray to the Lord for you." 6 They gathered to 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 sons of Israel at Mizpah .
7 Now when the Philistines heard that the sons of Israel had gathered to Mizpah , the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel . And when the sons of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines . 8 Then the sons of Israel said to Samuel , " Do not cease to cry to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines ." 9 Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it for a whole burnt offering to the Lord ; and Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel and the Lord answered him. 10 Now Samuel was offering up the burnt offering , and the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel . But the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were routed before Israel . 11 The men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines , and struck them down as far as below e Beth-car . 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen , and named e it Ebenezer , saying , "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:1-12
Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:1-4
(Read 1 Samuel 7:1-4)
God will find a resting-place for his ark; if some thrust it from them, the hearts of others shall be inclined to receive it. It is no new thing for God's ark to be in a private house. Christ and his apostles preached from house to house, when they could not have public places. Twenty years passed before the house of Israel cared for the want of the ark. During this time the prophet Samuel laboured to revive true religion. The few words used are very expressive; and this was one of the most effectual revivals of religion which ever took place in Israel.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:5-6
(Read 1 Samuel 7:5-6)
Israel drew water and poured it out before the Lord; signifying their humiliation and sorrow for sin. They pour out their hearts in repentance before the Lord. They were free and full in their confession, and fixed in their resolution to cast away from them all their wrong doings. They made a public confession, We have sinned against the Lord; thus giving glory to God, and taking shame to themselves. And if we thus confess our sins, we shall find our God faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:7-12
(Read 1 Samuel 7:7-12)
The Philistines invaded Israel. When sinners begin to repent and reform, they must expect that Satan will muster all his force against them, and set his instruments at work to the utmost, to oppose and discourage them. The Israelites earnestly beg Samuel to pray for them. Oh what a comfort it is to all believers, that our great Intercessor above never ceases, is never silent! for he always appears in the presence of God for us. Samuel's sacrifice, without his prayer, had been an empty shadow. God gave a gracious answer. And Samuel erected a memorial of this victory, to the glory of God, and to encourage Israel. Through successive generations, the church of God has had cause to set up Eben-ezers for renewed deliverances; neither outward persecutions nor inward corruptions have prevailed against her, because "hitherto the Lord hath helped her:" and he will help, even to the end of the world.