1 Samuel

1 Samuel 7: The LORD answers His people’s cry

Begin in prayer

Before we gather with Israel at Mizpah, where the LORD hears their cry and fights for them, let us pray together. Ask Him to turn our hearts from false gods, and to show us Jesus.

Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psalm 118:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You answer the cry of Your people and fight for them, and help us to turn to You alone. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Israel had lamented after the LORD for twenty years while the ark stayed at Kiriath Jearim. Samuel told the people to put away their foreign gods and serve the LORD alone, and they did so. At Mizpah they drew water, poured it out before the LORD, fasted, and confessed their sin. When the Philistines came to attack, Israel was afraid and asked Samuel to cry out to the LORD for them. Samuel offered a lamb, and the LORD thundered against the Philistines, so they were struck down before Israel. Samuel then set up a stone and named it Ebenezer, because the LORD had helped them until now.

As you read 1 Samuel 7, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD hears the cry of His people, and He fights for them.

For twenty years the ark sat at Kiriath Jearim, and all Israel lamented after the LORD (verses 1 and 2). Samuel showed them the way back, which was to put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth and serve the LORD only (verse 3). Israel obeyed, and at Mizpah they fasted, poured out water, and confessed that they had sinned against the LORD (verses 4 to 6). The Philistines heard of the gathering and marched up, and Israel was afraid (verse 7). The people asked Samuel not to stop crying to the LORD for them (verse 8). While Samuel offered a lamb, the LORD thundered on the Philistines and threw them into confusion (verses 9 and 10). Samuel set up a stone called Ebenezer and said the LORD had helped them until now (verse 12). The LORD hears when His people turn from their idols and cry to Him, and He fights the battle for them.

How does 1 Samuel 7 show us that the LORD hears the cry of His people, and fights for them?

Israel turns back to the LORD with all its heart.

Twenty years passed while the ark stayed at Kiriath Jearim, and all Israel lamented after the LORD (verse 2). Samuel told them to put away the foreign gods if they were returning with all their heart (verse 3). Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD only (verse 4). At Mizpah they fasted and said, “We have sinned against Yahweh” (verse 6).

The LORD answers when His people cry to Him.

When the Philistines came, Israel was afraid and begged Samuel to keep crying to the LORD for them (verses 7 and 8). Samuel offered a suckling lamb as a whole burnt offering, and he cried to the LORD (verse 9). The LORD answered him (verse 9). A whole burnt offering was given entirely to the LORD. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1 verse 29).

The LORD fights for His people and gives them victory.

While Samuel was offering the sacrifice, the Philistines drew near to fight (verse 10). The LORD thundered with a great thunder on them and confused them, and Israel struck them down (verses 10 and 11). The Philistines stopped coming into Israel's border, and the LORD's hand was against them all Samuel's days (verse 13). Samuel named a stone Ebenezer, saying the LORD had helped them until now (verse 12).

Memorise

Samuel cried to Yahweh for Israel; and Yahweh answered him.

1 Samuel 7:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I need Jesus to save me, and have I cried to Him?

Israel confessed at Mizpah, “We have sinned against Yahweh.” Samuel offered a lamb and cried to the LORD. The LORD answered him and thundered against Israel's enemies. At Ebenezer Samuel said, “Yahweh helped us until now.”

Our worst enemy is not the Philistines. It is our own sin, and we have no strength to save ourselves. God sent His own Lamb. Jesus was offered at the cross, and He died for His people and cried out to the Father for them. Three days later He rose from the dead. His one offering cannot be undone.

Confess your sin, and turn from every false trust. Put your faith in Jesus. He hears the cry of everyone who calls on Him, and He forgives and saves them.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD hears His people when they cry to Him. Jesus is the Lamb of God, who took away sin for His people. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for hearing His people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer

Psalm 18:2

Father, thank You that You hear the cry of Your people and fight for them. Thank You for Jesus, the Lamb of God, who saves to the uttermost. Turn us from every idol, and help us to cry to You with all our hearts. Keep us trusting You this week. Amen.