ADULT STS LESSON 199 ISRAEL’S VICTORY OVER THE PHILISTINES

MEMORY VERSE:
“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” (1 Samuel 7:3).

TEXT: 1 Samuel 7:1–17

The previous study described the obedience of the lords of the Philistines to the much-delayed counsel of their priests and diviners to send the ark of God to Israel. As the ark made its way back to Israel, Bethshemesh was the first port of call. Unfortunately, the handlers mismanaged the situation and the Lord “smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD…” (1 Samuel 6:19). Bothered by this development, they “…sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you”.

This lesson opens with the acceptable return and reception accorded God’s ark by the people of Kirjathjearim, which led to Israel’s repentance and restoration to the Lord and their eventual victory over the Philistines.

ACCEPTABLE RETURN OF THE ARK

(1 Samuel 7:1,2; 1 Chronicles 15:2,13–15; Deuteronomy 31:9; Numbers 4:15)

“And the men of Kirjathjearim 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” (1 Samuel 7:1).

Following the arrival of the ark of the Lord from the land of the Philistines and its eventual relocation to Kirjathjearim, it remained in the house of Abinadab for twenty years until the nation began to long after it. This national feeling resulted from the absence of God’s power and presence to defeat their ever-rampaging adversary, the Philistines.

This silent and dark period of the absence of the ark from the nation had been devoid of divine manifestation in power, revelations and prophecies, leading to suffering and defeat in the hands of their enemies. The impression of His proximity to the people continued to be lacking in the land until “…all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD” (1 Samuel 7:2).

Contrary to the attitude of the people of Bethshemesh, the men of Kirjathjearim joyfully “fetched up the ark of the LORD”. They probably consulted Samuel, who appeared to be the custodian of the counsel of the Lord, for direction and the acceptable mode of handling the ark, lest the fate of their brethren should befall them. They avoided the mistakes of others in order to succeed (1 Corinthians 10:11). Those who learn from others will probably avoid their pitfalls; those who do otherwise will learn the hard way.

The ark of the Lord was a sacred structure whose construction was commanded by the Lord Himself (Exodus 25:10–22). It contained the tablets of stone on which the law was written, the mercy seat and the cherubims. Its presence meant an assurance of divine presence and a consolation to Israel whenever they were challenged by their adversaries. Thus, when the ark was captured by the Philistines, it was a sign that the presence and power of God had left them.

This sacred structure could not be handled anyhow, anytime by just anyone. Its administration must follow proper procedure by the appropriate persons. “Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever” (1 Chronicles 15:2).

Those God calls into His holy service must be set apart unto holiness in order to qualify for service. Isaiah declared: “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD” (Isaiah 52:11).

The ark was brought into “the house of Abinadab… and [they] sanctified Eleazar his son to keep” it. They understood the sacredness of the assignment and promptly dedicated a qualified servant to attend to it. They remembered that there was judgment because they failed to follow the due order (1 Chronicles 15:13).

Now that the proper steps were taken, the ark remained with Abinadab for twenty years without an incident of plague until the people desired it. They must have realised that God is just and that though He is loving, caring and tenderhearted, His love does not cancel His holiness. Their consciences reminded them that there has been a vacuum and a breach in their relationship with their Maker.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SIN AND RETURN TO GOD

(1 Samuel 7:3–6; Psalm 32:5; 2 Chronicles 7:13,14; 15:1–4; Proverbs 28:13; Luke 15:17–20,24; Job 34:31,32; Deuteronomy 5:32,33)

In the previous battle between the children of Israel and the Philistines, Israel had relied solely on the ark of God for victory while ignoring their relationship with God. They vainly supposed that the ark could save them when they had departed from the Lord of the ark through wickedness and sin (1 Samuel 4:3,4).

It was against this backdrop that Samuel admonished the people, “…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” (1 Samuel 7:3).

The people needed to repent of their idol worship, neglect of the house of God, wickedness against one another and other vices. It is not enough to hide under the guise of religion and religious activities without giving priority to godliness through a working relationship with the Lord.

The children of Israel must have been surprised at the utter defeat they suffered despite the presence of the ark among them (1 Samuel 4:5–10). As a true prophet and servant of God, Samuel laid bare the conditions for divine intervention. Every genuine minister of God must be true to the Scriptures and say what the Lord commands, rather than what they feel, the way it suits them or what the people would like to hear.

First, Samuel admonished them to return to the Lord. This means they retraced their steps from their backslidden state. “Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers…” (Jeremiah 35:15). Moreover, Samuel insisted that it must be done wholeheartedly. God will not have a half-hearted worship.

Second, they were to get rid of all idols in their possession. Idol worship, that is, the worship of something or someone other than God, is an aberration to divine service. It attempts to exalt the creature more than the Creator.

Third, they needed to prepare their hearts to serve the Lord. Preparation is paramount to obedience. Ezra is a ready example: “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments” (Ezra 7:10).

Fourth, the children of Israel must serve the Lord “only”, not with any other personality, object or deity (Isaiah 43:11). The practice of syncretism, which is gradually gaining ground in many assemblies, is not acceptable to God. When Jesus rebuked the devil during His temptation, He said, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10).

All forms of amalgamation of religions, cultures or schools of thought with true Christianity are distasteful to God and unacceptable to Him. Believers must wholly reject it with everything necessary.

The children of Israel got the message, acknowledged their transgressions and confessed that they “have sinned against the LORD…” They promptly “put away Baalim and Ashtaroth and served the LORD only”. Those who desire forgiveness from the Lord must acknowledge their transgressions and be ready to forsake them (Psalm 32:5). This is always the way to go and the quickest way to receive favour and pardon from God.

“And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh” (1 Samuel 7:6). Samuel was the last among the judges in Israel and he administered the affairs of the nation. He heard and redressed their grievances, gave them ordinances and taught them how to reconcile and make their ways right before God. Besides, he did not fail in praying for the people. After leading them to repentance from sin, he prayed for them and it brought victory to the nation.

When we obey God’s appointed leaders and ministers, it brings blessings. Israel’s attitude opened the floodgate to an abiding victory over the Philistines.

VICTORY OVER THE ARCHENEMY

(1 Samuel 7:7–17; 2 Chronicles 20:20–24; Isaiah 41:8–12; Job 17:9; Romans 8:31,32,35–37; 1 John 5:4,5,18)

“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” (1 Samuel 7:7).

As a mark of genuine repentance, the children of Israel relied solely on God. Amidst fear over the approaching Philistines, they besought Samuel and said: “Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines”. They had strong confidence in his intercession because they knew he was a holy man of God.

“And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD” (1 Samuel 7:9). Then he cried unto the Lord and He heard him. God promised to answer all who call on His name in truth and sincerity (Jeremiah 29:12; 33:3; Isaiah 58:9). He is willing and ready to play His part as soon as His people do theirs.

Unlike Samuel’s offering, present-day believers do not need any other sacrifice to approach the throne of grace. Jesus Christ is the perfect Lamb of God, sacrificed to take away our sins and to guarantee answers from God (Hebrews 10:5–8).

After Samuel’s supplication, “…the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel” (verse 10). Those who leave the battles of their lives to God find that He does not fail, no matter the size and number of enemies involved.

After Israel’s victory over the Philistines, they gathered spoils. Believers who trust the Lord for victory will live to praise Him.

Samuel had a very successful ministry in Israel. Born and consecrated to the Lord at a tender age, his whole life was devoted to God’s service and his nation. He was the architect of restoration and revival in Israel. During his day, genuine repentance was established, the nation was brought back to the way of the Lord, people longed to serve God, righteous living was instituted, the archenemy of Israel was defeated and the nation experienced long-term peace.

Besides, he was an effective and diligent leader who “judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places” (1 Samuel 7:15,16; Romans 12:8).

Above all, with an altar built for the Lord in his house, Samuel personally served and worshipped the Lord all the days of his life.

In conclusion, we learn from the passage that:

1. Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34).
2. When repentance is wholehearted, God pardons and even blots out the consequences of sin (1 John 1:9).
3. Every true child of God should leave their battles to God because victory comes from Him alone (Exodus 14:14; 1 Samuel 17:47).
4. When God is involved in our battles, victory is assured (Romans 8:31,37; 1 Samuel 7:13,14).
5. We should maintain an attitude of gratitude to God for the victory He gives us in battle (1 Samuel 7:12).
6. In order not to make our victory short-lived, we should be devoted to the service of the Lord like Samuel, who “judged Israel all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 7:15).

Questions for Review

1. Why was there punishment for a breach in handling the ark?
2. When we get to crossroads in life, what should we do to know the right steps to take?
3. Mention some ways people substitute religion for righteousness.
4. What should be a believer’s stand towards syncretism?
5. How can sinners and backsliders return to God?
6. Point out lessons believers can draw from Israel’s request from Samuel.
7. Highlight some of the qualities that marked Samuel out among the judges in Israel.