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. 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.” 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. 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. The men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and struck them down as far as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” So the Philistines were subdued and they did not come anymore within the border of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. So there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. Now Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. He used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. Then his return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel; and he built there an altar to the LORD.
Read 1 Samuel 7
Listen to 1 Samuel 7
Share
Compare All Versions: 1 Samuel 7:7-17
4 Days
All throughout scripture, God’s people marked defining moments with altars, naming them to remember His provision, peace, and power. This 4-day plan invites you to do the same. As you reflect on Abraham, Moses, Gideon, and Samuel, you’ll be encouraged to see God’s faithfulness in your own story and mark the places where He’s met you.
5 Days
The astonishing, Job-like story of how an existence filled with loss, suffering, questioning, and anger became a life filled with shocking and incomprehensible peace and joy.
“Where were you, God? I can't see your hand in my story. Your heart might be good, just not to me.” In this devotional, you will learn that God offers a clear way out of our doubt—by getting our eyes off our surroundings and raising them to places that serve as symbols of God’s faithfulness. Because God’s brought you this far, He won’t stop now.
Are you ready to finally see God's hand at work in countless moments that lay behind you—and more than that, trust His heart and see His vision for the moments ahead? Then look up with Alexandra to the Ebenezer stones that God has not only built in your story, but wants to use in mighty, missional ways.
Save verses, read offline, watch teaching clips, and more!
Home
Bible
Plans
Videos