1 Samuel 7:1

Introduction

The men of Kirjah-jearim bring the ark from Beth-shemesh, and consecrate Eleazar, the son of Abinadab, to keep it; and there it continued twenty years, 1Sam 7:1, 1Sam 7:2. Samuel reproves and exhorts the people, and gathers them together at Mizpeh, where they fast and pray, and confess their sins, 1Sam 7:3-6. The Philistines go up against them; the Israelites cry unto the Lord for help; Samuel offers sacrifices; and the Lord confounds the Philistines with thunder; Israel discomfits and pursues them to Beth-car, 1Sam 7:7-11. Samuel erects a stone for a memorial, and calls it Eben-ezer, 1Sam 7:12. The Philistines are totally subdued, and Israel recovers all its lost cities, 1Sam 7:13, 1Sam 7:14. Samuel acts as an itinerant judge in Israel, 1Sam 7:15-17.

Verse 1

Fetched up the ark - When these people received the message of the Beth-shemites, they probably consulted Samuel, with whom was the counsel of the Lord, and he had encouraged them to go and bring it up, else they might have expected such destruction as happened to the Beth-shemites.

Sanctified Eleazar - Perhaps this sanctifying signifies no more than setting this man apart, simply to take care of the ark.
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