1 Samuel 7:11

And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until [they came] under Bethcar.

And the men {H582} of Israel {H3478} went out {H3318} of Mizpeh {H4709}, and pursued {H7291} the Philistines {H6430}, and smote {H5221} them, until they came under Bethcar {H1033}.

The men of Isra'el went out from Mitzpah, pursuing the P'lishtim and attacking them all the way to Beit-Kar.

Then the men of Israel charged out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, striking them down all the way to an area below Beth-car.

And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.

Commentary

1 Samuel 7:11 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's history, immediately following a miraculous divine intervention that turned the tide against their long-standing oppressors, the Philistines. This verse highlights the human response to God's deliverance.

Context of 1 Samuel 7:11

For many years, Israel had been under the oppressive rule of the Philistines, suffering humiliation and defeat. This era of subjugation intensified after the capture of the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 4:11). Under the leadership of the prophet Samuel, the people of Israel gathered at Mizpeh, a significant assembly point, to repent of their idolatry and seek the Lord. While Samuel was offering a burnt offering and interceding for Israel, the Philistines launched a surprise attack. However, the Lord intervened dramatically, causing a great thunder to confuse and rout the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:10). Verse 11 details Israel's subsequent action: they pursued and utterly defeated the disoriented Philistine army, driving them back to Bethcar.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Empowerment and Human Action: While God initiated the victory with a supernatural display, He also expected Israel to actively pursue and smite the enemy. This illustrates the principle that faith without works is dead; divine intervention often paves the way for human responsibility.
  • The Fruit of Repentance: This decisive victory was a direct result of Israel's collective repentance and their turning back to God. Their renewed covenant relationship with the Lord brought His favor and protection, demonstrating that humility and repentance can lead to national deliverance.
  • Decisive Deliverance: The phrase "smote them, until [they came] under Bethcar" emphasizes the completeness of the rout. This was not a minor skirmish but a significant defeat for the Philistines, marking a period of peace and restored territory for Israel, as described in the subsequent verses leading up to 1 Samuel 7:13.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "smote them" comes from the Hebrew verb nakah (Χ ΦΈΧ›ΦΈΧ”), which means to strike, beat, or hit. In this context, it signifies a forceful and decisive blow, indicating a thorough defeat and slaughter of the enemy, not merely a chase. It underscores the intensity of the pursuit and the severity of the Philistine loss.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  1. Respond to God's Grace: When God acts on our behalf, we are called to respond with obedience and action. We don't simply wait; we participate in the victory He has already secured.
  2. The Power of Repentance: Just as Israel's turning from sin led to deliverance, our sincere repentance opens the door for God's intervention and blessing in our lives, whether individually or corporately.
  3. Persevere in Spiritual Battle: While God provides the power for victory over spiritual enemies, we must actively "pursue" and "smite" those influences in our lives that oppose His will, putting on the whole armour of God.

The events of 1 Samuel 7 culminated in Samuel setting up a stone called Ebenezer, meaning "stone of help," as a memorial to God's faithfulness in that victory.

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Cross-References

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