1 Samuel 7:8

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.

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} said {H559} to Samuel {H8050}, Cease {H2790} not to cry {H2199} unto the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} for us, that he will save {H3467} us out of the hand {H3027} of the Philistines {H6430}.

The people of Isra'el said to Sh'mu'el, "Don't stop crying out to ADONAI our God for us, to save us from the power of the P'lishtim."

and said to Samuel, โ€œDo not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.โ€

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

Commentary

1 Samuel 7:8 records a pivotal moment in ancient Israel's history, highlighting their renewed dependence on God through the prophet Samuel. After a long period of spiritual decline and idolatry, the Israelites had gathered at Mizpeh, spurred by Samuel's call to repentance (1 Samuel 7:3-4). This verse captures their urgent plea when faced with an imminent threat from their long-standing adversaries, the Philistines.

Context

Following their repentance and confession of sin at Mizpeh (1 Samuel 7:6), the Israelites learned that the Philistines were advancing to attack them. This news instilled great fear, prompting them to turn immediately to their spiritual leader, Samuel. Their request reveals a significant shift from self-reliance or reliance on idols to a desperate cry for divine intervention. It signifies a turning point where they recognized their true source of strength and salvation against the Philistine threat.

Key Themes

  • The Power of Intercessory Prayer: The Israelites did not ask Samuel to fight for them, but to "cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us." This underscores the profound belief in the efficacy of prayer, particularly the intercession of a righteous leader, to bring about God's saving hand.
  • Dependence on God: Faced with a formidable enemy, Israel's immediate response was not to muster an army but to seek God's saving hand. This demonstrates a crucial understanding that their deliverance would come from the Lord, not from their own might (Psalm 33:16-17).
  • Samuel's Role as Mediator: This verse solidifies Samuel's standing as a trusted prophet and judge, through whom Israel sought to communicate with God. His subsequent actions in 1 Samuel 7:9 further illustrate his commitment to this role.
  • National Humility and Faith: The plea itself is an act of humility, acknowledging their helplessness and placing their hope in God's ability to "save us." This marked a significant step in Israel's spiritual restoration.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cry unto the LORD" translates the Hebrew verb za'aq (ื–ึธืขึทืง), which denotes a loud, urgent, and often desperate plea for help or justice. It's a cry of distress, indicating the severity of their situation and the intensity of their appeal to God. The word "save" comes from yasha (ื™ึธืฉึทืืข), meaning to deliver, liberate, or bring victory, emphasizing God's active intervention to rescue them from danger, specifically from the "hand of the Philistines."

Practical Application

1 Samuel 7:8 offers timeless lessons for believers today. When faced with overwhelming challenges, whether personal struggles or national crises, our first inclination should be to seek God's intervention through earnest prayer. It reminds us of the power of intercession, both asking others to pray for us and praying for others. Just as Israel found deliverance when they turned to the Lord, we too can trust in God's saving power when we humble ourselves and call upon His name (Jeremiah 33:3). This verse encourages a posture of dependence on God, recognizing that true salvation and victory come from Him alone.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 37:4 (6 votes)

    It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up [thy] prayer for the remnant that is left.

  • James 5:16 (4 votes)

    Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

  • 1 Samuel 12:19 (4 votes)

    And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king.

  • 1 Samuel 12:24 (4 votes)

    Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great [things] he hath done for you.

  • Isaiah 62:6 (2 votes)

    ยถ I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, [which] shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,

  • Isaiah 62:7 (2 votes)

    And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

  • Isaiah 62:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp [that] burneth.