1 Samuel 7:14

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.

And the cities {H5892} which the Philistines {H6430} had taken {H3947} from Israel {H3478} were restored {H7725} to Israel {H3478}, from Ekron {H6138} even unto Gath {H1661}; and the coasts {H1366} thereof did Israel {H3478} deliver {H5337} out of the hands {H3027} of the Philistines {H6430}. And there was peace {H7965} between Israel {H3478} and the Amorites {H567}.

The cities between 'Ekron and Gat which the P'lishtim had captured from Isra'el were restored to Isra'el, and Isra'el rescued all this territory from the power of the P'lishtim. There was also peace between Isra'el and the Emori.

The cities from Ekron to Gath, which the Philistines had taken, were restored to Israel, who also delivered the surrounding territory from the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between the Israelites and the Amorites.

And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the border thereof did Israel deliver out of the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

Commentary

1 Samuel 7:14 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history under the leadership of the prophet Samuel, signifying a period of significant restoration and peace after years of Philistine oppression.

Context

This verse immediately follows the miraculous victory of Israel over the Philistines at Mizpah, an event orchestrated by God in response to Israel's repentance and Samuel's fervent intercession. For twenty years, Israel had suffered under Philistine dominance, as described in 1 Samuel 7:2. Samuel had called the nation to turn back to the Lord wholeheartedly, putting away their foreign gods and Ashtoreths. Their obedience at Mizpah, marked by fasting and confession, led to God's dramatic intervention with thunder, discomfiting the Philistines and allowing Israel to rout them. Verse 14 details the positive outcomes of this divine deliverance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration: The primary message is God's faithfulness to restore His people when they turn back to Him. The cities taken by the Philistines, stretching from Ekron to Gath, were returned to Israel, demonstrating God's power to reverse the consequences of their disobedience and oppression. This echoes promises of restoration found throughout scripture, such as in Deuteronomy 30:3.
  • Peace and Security: Beyond the recovery of territory, the verse highlights a broader period of peace. Not only were the Philistines subdued, but Israel also enjoyed "peace between Israel and the Amorites." This suggests a general stability and cessation of hostilities with neighboring peoples, a direct blessing from God.
  • Consequence of Repentance: This restoration and peace are a direct result of Israel's corporate repentance and Samuel's righteous leadership. It illustrates the principle that turning from sin to God brings His favor and blessing.
  • Samuel's Effective Leadership: Samuel acted as a faithful prophet and judge, guiding Israel to genuine repentance and interceding on their behalf. His leadership was instrumental in bringing about this period of national renewal and peace.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "coasts thereof" refers to the borders or territories associated with the restored cities, not merely the shorelines. It signifies the complete recovery of the land and its surrounding regions from Philistine control. The word "restored" (Hebrew: shub, often meaning 'to return' or 'to bring back') emphasizes a reversal of fortune, a return to the rightful state of affairs, implying divine justice at work.

Practical Application

The account in 1 Samuel 7:14 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It underscores that:

  • God Responds to Repentance: When we genuinely turn from our wrongdoings and seek God, He is faithful to forgive and restore what was lost, whether it be peace, joy, or purpose.
  • Peace is a Divine Gift: True and lasting peace, both internally and externally, often comes as a blessing from God when we align ourselves with His will.
  • Hope for Overcoming Adversity: Even after long periods of struggle or oppression, God has the power to bring about dramatic reversals and complete restoration.
This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's redemptive power and His desire for His people to live in peace and freedom through faithfulness.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 4:17

    ¶ Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for [there was] peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.

  • Deuteronomy 7:16

    And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee.

  • Deuteronomy 7:2

    And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

  • Psalms 106:34

    ¶ They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:
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