Read the Modern Pastor’s Version
Select a book and chapter to read the MPV in modern, pastor-shaped English. This view shows the reading edition of the text in paragraphs.
Currently viewing: 1 Samuel 7 · MPV reading edition
The men of Kiriath-jearim came to fetch up the ark of the Lord. They brought it into Abinadab's house on a hill, consecrating Eleazar, his son, to care for the ark. Twenty years had passed since the ark remained in Kirjath-jearim, and all the house of Israel mourned after the Lord.
Samuel spoke out to all the house of Israel: "If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, put away the foreign gods and Ashtaroth from among you. Prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him alone; he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." The children of Israel put away Baalim and Ashtaroth and served the Lord only.
Samuel said to the people: "Gather all Israel at Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord." They gathered there, drew water, poured it out before the Lord, fasted on that day, and confessed their sin against the Lord. There, Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
When the Philistines heard about the gathering at Mizpeh, they marched against Israel. But when the Israelites learned of this, they became afraid of the Philistines. The people said to Samuel: "Don't stop crying out to the Lord our God on our behalf. He may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines."
Samuel took a young lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord, praying for Israel's deliverance. The Lord heard him. Just then, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the Lord thundered with a great thunder that day upon the Philistines, striking them down before Israel.
The men of Israel went out from Mizpeh and pursued the Philistines, defeating them until they came under Bethcar. Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, calling it Ebenezer. He said: "The Lord has helped us up to this point." The Philistines were subdued, and they never again entered the land of Israel.
The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to their rightful owners, from Ekron to Gath. Israel recovered its borders, freeing them from the hands of the Philistines. Peace was established between Israel and the Amorites.
Samuel judged Israel throughout his lifetime. He traveled regularly from Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh, judging Israel in all those places. His home base remained in Ramah, where he resided and built an altar unto the Lord.