1Samuel 7

The Israelites follow God again and defeat the Philistines.

The men from the place called Kirjath-jearim came to Beth-shemesh. They took the Ark of the Covenant. They took it to the house of the man named Abinadab. They chose Abinadab's son, Eleazar, to be in charge of the Ark there.
[1] And the men of Kirjath-jearim 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 Ark stayed at Kirjath-jearim for many years. For 20 years, the Israelites were sad and cried. They wanted God's help (because the Philistines were controlling them).
[2] And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.
 

Samuel told the Israelites that they needed to stop worshiping false gods and statues. They needed to go back to God. They needed to serve God only.  Then God will help them defeat the Philistines.
[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.


The Israelites obeyed Samuel. They stopped worshiping false gods and statues. They served God only.
[4] Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.
 

Samuel told all of the Israelites to meet together at the place called Mizpeh. He will pray to God for them.
[5] And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.


The Israelites and Samuel met at Mizpeh. They got water out of a well. They used the water for an offering to God. They did not eat anything that day. They said that they had been sinning against God.
[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.
 

The Philistines heard that the Israelites were having a big meeting. They Philistine leaders went to fight with the Israelites. The Israelites heard that the Philistines were coming to help. The Israelites were afraid of the Philistines.
[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.
 

The Israelites asked Samuel to continue praying. They wanted God to save them from 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.


Samuel took a young lamb and made it a burnt offering to God. Samuel prayed for God to help the Israelites. God heard Samuel and answered his prayer.
[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.


At the same time that Samuel was making the burnt offering, the Philistines came to fight Israel.  God made some very loud thunder. The Philistines heard the thunder. They were afraid and ran away.
[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.


The Israelite soldiers left Mizpeh and chased the Philistines. When the Israelites caught the Philistines at the place called Beth-car, they killed them.
[11] And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.


Samuel made a rock monument (statue for remembering). He put the rock monument between the places of Mizpeh and Shen.  Samuel named the place Eben-ezer.  "Eben-ezer" means stone of help.  This is the place where God helped the Israelites defeat the Philistines.
[12] Then 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.


For the rest of Samuel's life, the Philistines did not attack the Israelites again.
[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.


The Israelites took back some of their cities. The cities were in the areas of Ekron and Gath. Israel also had peace with the group of people called the Amorites.
[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.


Samuel judged Israel during his whole life. He had his home in Ramah, but he traveled around Israel during the year. He judged in 4 different cities:  his city of Ramah, Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh. When he was home in Ramah, he built an altar and offered sacrifices there.
[15] And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
[16] And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
[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.
 

1 Samuel 8


The Israelites want a king instead of a judge.


Samuel had sons. The sons' names were Joel and Abiah.  When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges. Samuel's sons judged in Beer-sheba.
[1] And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
[2] Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.
 

Samuel's sons were not good.  They took money for bribes (people paid them so they would make different judgments).
[3] And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.


The Israelite leaders met together. They went to see Samuel at his home in Ramah.  They said that he was old and his sons were not good. They did not want a new judge. They wanted a king like the other groups of people had.
[4] Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
[5] And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.


Samuel was not happy that they wanted a king. Samuel prayed to God about this.
[6] But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.


God said that if they wanted a king, that meant they did not want God to be their king. 
[7] And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.


God said that for many years since they left Egypt, the Israelites have been worshiping other gods.  They rejected Him (did not want Him). Now they are also rejecting Samuel.
[8] According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.


God told Samuel to do what the Israelite leaders wanted. They can have a king. But Samuel should tell them what will happen when they have a king.  
[9] Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

 

Samuel tells the Israelites what will happen if they have a king.


Samuel told the Israelites what God told him. He told them what will happen if they have a king. The king will take their sons for his army. Some will ride in chariots. Some will take care of the horses.  Others will run in front of the chariots.
[10] And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.
[11] And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

Other Israelites will be leaders of the army. Others will take care of the king's farm and pick the food.  Other Israelites will make the equipment and weapons for the army.
[12] And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.


The king will take the Israelites' daughters to work in the kitchen and bakeries.
[13] And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.



The king will take the Israelites' farms. He will give them to the people who work for him.
[14] And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
 

The king will take 1/10 of the food from their farms.  He will give it to the leaders and the other people who work for him.
[15] And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.


The king will take the Israelites' workers and donkeys.  He will make them work for him.
[16] And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.


The king will take 1/10 of the Israelites' sheep. The Israelites will work for the king.
[17] He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.


In the future, they will not be happy with the king. The Israelites will cry and pray to God. But God will not listen to them.
[18] And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.


The people didn't pay attention to Samuel.  They said they wanted a king anyway. They wanted to be like the other groups of people. They wanted a king who would lead them in wars.
[19] Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
[20] That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.


Samuel discussed the Israelites' words with God.  God said that they would have a king. Samuel told the Israelite leaders to go back to their home cities.
[21] And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.
[22] And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
 

1 Samuel 9


Saul and his worker travel to look for his father's donkeys.
 

A man named Kish was part of the Benjamin tribe. Kish's father was Abiel. Kish's grandfather was Zeror. Kish's great grandfather was Bechorath.  Kish's great great grandfather was Aphiah.  Aphiah was a very strong man.
[1] Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.


Kish had a son. Kish's son was named Saul. Saul was a handsome and nice-looking young man. He was also taller than the other people.
[2] And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.


One day, Kish's donkeys got lost. Kish told Saul to go and find them. He should take one of their workers with him.
[3] And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.
 

Saul and the worker traveled through the areas of Ephraim and Shalisha. But they didn't find the donkeys.  Then they traveled through the area of Shalim, but the donkey's weren't there either. Then they traveled through the place where the Benjaminites lived. They did not find the donkeys.
[4] And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.


When Saul and the worker arrived in the area named Zuph, Saul wanted to go home. He said that his father would stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about them.
[5] And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.


The worker told Saul that a special man lived in this place. He was a good man who was a prophet (he could tell people what God said). Everything that he said came true. The worker thought that the prophet could tell them where to find the donkeys.
[6] And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.


Saul said they didn't have anything to give the man. They had some bread before, but it was gone now.
[7] Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?


The worker said that he had a little piece of silver. They could give the silver to the prophet.
[8] And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.


At that time in history, people could ask God a question. The prophet would tell them what God said. A prophet is also called a Seer.
[9] (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)


Saul agreed with the worker. They decided to go into the city and see the prophet.
[10] Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.
 

Saul and the worker meet Samuel.


When Saul and his worker arrived in the city, they saw some young women.  The women were getting water from the well. They asked the women if the prophet was there.
[11] And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?


They said that the prophet was there today. He came to make a sacrifice there.
[12] And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:


They told Saul and the worker to go straight into the city. They can find the prophet before he goes to the holy place to make a sacrifice. The other people will not eat before the prophet blesses their sacrifice. If they hurry, they can find him before he leaves.
[13] As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.
 

Saul and the worker went into the city. Samuel was the prophet, and he came to meet them.
[14] And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.


The day before this, God talked to Samuel. God told Samuel that He has heard the Israelites' prayers. They have been crying for help because the Philistines have been controlling them. He told Samuel that He would send a man tomorrow. The man should be Israel's new king.  Samuel should anoint him (put special oil on him to show that he is special). The new king will save the Israelites from the Philistines.
[15] Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
[16] To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.


Samuel saw Saul walking up to him.  God told Samuel that he was the one he told him about yesterday. Saul should be the king of Israel.
[17] And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.


Saul asked Samuel where the prophet lives. Samuel said that he is the prophet. Samuel said that Saul should go with him to make a sacrifice and eat. Tomorrow, Samuel will answer Saul's questions.
[18] Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.
[19] And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.


Samuel said that Saul's father has already found his donkeys. Samuel said that all of Israel now wants Saul and his family.
[20] And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house?


Saul didn't understand. He said that he is from the tribe of Benjamin. The tribe of Benjamin is the smallest tribe in Israel. He said that his family is the smallest family in the tribe. Saul did not feel that his family was very important.
[21] And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?


Samuel took Saul and Saul's worker to the dining room. There were about 30 people there.  Samuel asked Saul and Saul's worker to sit in the best places.
[22] And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.


Samuel talked to the cook. Earlier, he gave the cook a special piece of meat. Now he told the cook to bring the special piece of meat. The cook gave the special meat to Saul. Samuel told Saul to eat the special piece of meat. He said he saved it for him. He said he invited the 30 people to come and eat with them.
[23] And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
[24] And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.

 

They left the holy place and went back down into the city. Samuel and Saul talked on top of the house.
[25] And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.


In the morning, Samuel called to Saul on the roof.  He told Saul to get up so he could leave. Saul got up. He and Samuel left the house and started to leave the city.
[26] And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.


Samuel told Saul to send his worker ahead. Samuel wanted to talk to Saul alone.
[27] And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.