Back to BooksSimple English

1 Samuel

Tells about Samuel, the last judge, and the beginning of Israel's monarchy with King Saul and young David.

Chapter 7

Back to Chapters

1 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.

*The people from Kirjathjearim arrived and got the Lord's ark, then they took it to Abinadab's house on a hill. They also dedicated Eleazar, Abinadab's son, to take care of the ark.

2 And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

*One day, when the ark stayed in a place called Kirjathjearim, a long time passed - 20 years to be exact. During this time, everyone in Israel missed and mourned for God.

3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

*And Samuel told everyone in Israel, "If you go back to fully following the Lord, then get rid of all other gods and Ashtaroth. Focus your hearts on the Lord and only serve Him. Then He will save you from the Philistines."

4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

*Then, the Israelites stopped worshiping Baal and Ashtoreth and only served the LORD.

5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.

*And Samuel told them, "Bring everyone from Israel to Mizpeh, and I will ask God to help you."

6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

*They all came to a place called Mizpeh, got water, offered it to God, didn't eat food that day, and confessed their sins. Samuel then made decisions for the people of Israel at this location.

7 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.

*When the Philistines learned that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpeh, the Philistine leaders attacked Israel. When the Israelites heard this, they became scared of the Philistines.

8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

*The Israelite children told Samuel, "Don't stop asking God to protect us from the Philistines."

9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.

*Samuel got a baby lamb, burned it as an offering to God, and prayed for Israel. God listened.

10 And 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.

*While Samuel was sacrificing, the Philistines prepared for war against Israel. But God unleashed a powerful thunderstorm on the Philistines that day, confusing and defeating them. They were defeated by Israel.

11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.

*The Israelite men left Mizpeh, chased the Philistines, and fought them until they reached Bethcar.

12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

*Then Samuel placed a stone at a location between two places called Mizpeh and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, meaning "So far, God has helped us."

13 So 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.

*So, the Philistines lost their power and didn't bother Israel again. God was always working against the Philistines while Samuel was alive.

14 And 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.

*The Philistine cities taken from Israel were returned, from Ekron to Gath. Israel freed the coast areas from the Philistines. Peace then happened between Israel and the Amorites.

15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.

*Samuel was the leader and made decisions for Israel as long as he lived.

16 And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.

*He traveled each year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel at these locations.

17 And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.

*He went back to Ramah, where his home was. There, he ruled over Israel and constructed an altar for God.

Back to Chapters

* work in progress, there will be mistakes

Copyright © 2025 - Gema369 All Rights Reserved