Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

1 Samuel 7 Devotional

Stones That Remember Help

“Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.””1 Samuel 7:12 (BSB)

Twenty years pass with the ark at Kiriath-jearim, and all Israel mourns and seeks the LORD (7:2). Samuel tells them what returning really means: put away the foreign gods and serve the LORD only (7:3). They do. At Mizpah they pour out water before the LORD, fast, and confess that they have sinned (7:6). Then the Philistines march on them, and the people beg Samuel not to stop crying out to God for them (7:8).

What follows is entirely the LORD's doing. While Samuel is still offering the sacrifice, the LORD thunders against the Philistines and throws them into confusion (7:10). Samuel sets up a stone and names it Ebenezer, marking that the LORD has helped them up to this point (7:12). The stone looks back, but it also leans forward. Israel had a praying prophet; Hebrews says Jesus always lives to intercede for those who come to God through him (Hebrews 7:25). You can mark the places where God has helped you, and trust him for the road still ahead.

To think about: Where can you look back and say God has helped you so far, and how does that steady you for what is next?

About 1 Samuel 7: Repentance and Victory at Mizpah

After twenty years Samuel calls Israel to put away its idols, and the people fast and confess their sin at Mizpah. When the Philistines attack, Samuel prays, the LORD routs them with thunder, and Samuel sets up the Ebenezer stone and judges Israel all his life.

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