1 Samuel 7:10-8:310And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. 11And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car. 12Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. 13So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. 15And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. 17And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the Lord. 1And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba. 3And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. (1 Samuel 7:10‑8:3).
While Samuel was offering this sacrifice, the Philistines drew near to battle, and the Lord thuered against them and discomfited them. The children of Israel then went out and pursued their enemies, utterly defeating them. How much better it is when we meet the difficulties of life in the strength of the Lord, instead of in our own strength — then there is victory instead of defeat. May this be a lesson to us to walk in dependence on the Lord at all times. Even when we have failed, let us come to Him in confession, and count upon His faithfulness which will never fail.
Not only were the Philistines defeated in this battle, but they did not attack Israel again all the days of Samuel. A clear-cut and definite stand against the enemy, in the strength of the Lord, is so important. Nor did Samuel forget to acknowledge at this time that the victory was all of the Lord, for he set up a stone and called it Ebenezer, which means “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” Even the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were returned to them after this, and a season of peace followed.
It is interesting to notice the yearly circuit of Samuel, which has an important lesson for us. Bethel means the house of God. Gilgal was the place of circumcision, typifying self-judgment. Mizpeh means “Watchtower” and Ramah, where he dwelt, means “height.” Bethel makes us think of the words of the Song of Solomon, “He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love.” Song of Sol. 2:44He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. (Song of Solomon 2:4). This is where grace has put us, and indeed it is the starting point of blessing in our lives when we learn of our standing in Christ. No doubt this is why Bethel comes first here. Then there is Gilgal, the place of self-judgment, for alas, we will soon lose the enjoyment of our blessings in Ghrist if we do not judge self, and seek to keep it in the place of death. After each spiritual victory we need to get back to “Gilgal,” and acknowledge before the Lord that our old sinful self has not improved, but is likely to get puffed up with pride. Let us not forget this, for some of the worst falls have come after the greatest victories, because “Gilgal” was forgotten. The next place in Samuel’s circuit was Mizpeh, meaning “Watchtower.” When we have learned how easily we can be turned aside, and the need of self-judgment, that leads us to watchfuess, as the Lord Jesus said, “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:3838Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (Mark 14:38). Samuel then dwelt in Ramah, which means “height”; and so it is only as we have learned the truth of where grace has put us, the weakness of the flesh, and the need of continual watchfulness, that we can dwell in the height of our blessings. Oh how abundantly we have been blessed, ‘but we must all confess how little we know of dwelling in Ramah, because we have neglected self-judgment and watchfulness.
When Samuel was old he made his sons judges over Israel, even though they did not walk in the ways of the Lord as he did. They took bribes and perverted judgment. Alas, the mistake of Samuel is a common mistake. We who are parents do not see the mistakes of our children as others do, and we are likely to push them forward in the assembly of God, when their walk is not what it should be.
ML 05/30/1954