NOTES for Sa1 7:1-17

After the Philistines had to return the Ark of the Covenant, Samuel called the people to repentance. Once again the people had to be called back to faithfulness to their Lord. Samuel understood that without a genuine return to God, possession of the sacred object would not help them, and that the diseases which had struck the Philistines, who were far from true knowledge of God, could strike the Israelites as well, especially since pagan cults had spread widely among the people.

This time the people rejected the pagan gods, and their return to the Lord resulted in victory over the Philistines. Once again, as in ancient times, the Lord granted victory to the people who had returned to Him. It is no accident that the account of the battle does not mention the names of military commanders, but emphasizes the help of the Lord, who struck the Philistines with terror, and Samuel's prayer, which defended the people as a spiritual weapon.