YOUTH STS LESSON 199 ISRAEL’S VICTORY OVER THE PHILISTINES
TEXT: 1 Samuel 7:1–17
MEMORY VERSE:
“So the Philistines were were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel” (1 Samuel 7:13).
In the previous chapter, the Philistines sent the ark of the covenant out of their territory after it had made great devastation in their land.
“And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months. And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? Tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place” (1 Samuel 6:1,2).
After consultation, the ark was sent back to Israel with offerings and it was received at Bethshemesh (1 Samuel 6:15). The Bethshemites presumptuously looked into it and fifty thousand and seventy men died for their transgression.
“And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter” (1 Samuel 6:19).
Messengers were then sent to Kirjathjearim to fetch up the ark.
“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).
This led to the return of the ark into Israel after the Philistines captured it.
THE REPENTANCE OF ISRAEL
(1 Samuel 7:1–6; Jeremiah 18:7,8; Isaiah 12:3; Acts 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:9)
After many years of suffering and oppression in the hands of the Philistines, Israel lamented unto the Lord.
“And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD” (1 Samuel 7:2).
The nation cried to the Lord in repentance. God is ever attentive to the cries of penitent sinners.
Question 1: What is repentance?
Israel had openly violated the first commandment given to her at Mount Sinai.
“I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2,3).
They have hitherto served other gods; but,
“Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only” (1 Samuel 7:4).
Repentace is a complete turning away from sin, self and Satan to serve the living and true God. The repentance of Israel at this time was total. It was after this that Samuel gathered them together to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting (1 Samuel 7:5,6).
Only true repentance is acceptable before God. Self- righteousness, giving of alms to the poor, paying tithes and offerings, being actively involved in church activities and programmes, singing in the choir, regular church attendance, doing the best one can are not sufficient for one’s salvation and mercy from God.
Self-appraisal like “the Pharisee [who] stood and prayed thus with himself, week, I give tithes of all that I possess” cannot save one (Luke [saying] I fast twice in the 18:11,12).
Question 2: What then must sinners and backsliders do to be accepted by the Lord as seen in our text?
“And they gathered to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, the Lord. They did not excuse their evils but confessed openly that children of Israel acknowledged their sins and confessed them to they had sinned against Him.
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).
In the same way, sinning and backsliding youths should not hesitate to repent from their sins. They need to acknowledge, confess and forsake them. Thereafter, they should continue in their walk with Christ and submit to His Lordship.
THE DEFEAT OF THE PHILISTINES
(1 Samuel 7:7–13; 17:50–54; 1 Samuel 2:10; Joshua 10:10)
“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” (1 Samuel 7:8).
After true repentance, Israel had confidence to approach Samuel to intercede on their behalf for deliverance and victory over their age-long enemy. Repentance opens up the door for all-round victory and gives a believer confidence to approach the throne of grace when life’s challenges come.
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).
Question 3: What are some life challenges confronting Christian youths today?
“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1).
Challenges of life are common to all. Failure in examinations, poverty, financial problems, bereavements, temptations, persecutions are part of challenges youths face today.
When we call upon the Lord like Samuel, He will deliver us.
“And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the Lord heard him. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel” (1 Samuel 7:9,10).
As Samuel was offering the burnt offering to the Lord, the host of the Philistine mobilised themselves for battle. It seemed Israel’s case was hopeless; therefore, they were afraid. However, as they drew near, the Lord intervened and they were destroyed before the Israelites.
Question 4: What should a Christian youth do when faced with attack from the enemy?
“When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavillion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock” (Psalm 27:2,5).
Christian youths need not fear but cry to the Lord and wait on Him for intervention. Faith in God will bring the needed victory. Israel conquered their enemies as the Lord intervened from above.
“So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel; and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel” (1 Samuel 7:13).
THE RESTORATION OF LOST POSSESSIONS
(1 Samuel 7:14–17; 30:8,18,19; 2 Samuel 8:3; 2 Kings 13:25)
“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” (1 Samuel 7:14).
Israel recovered their lost possessions only after they returned to the Lord. Backslidden youths will continue to be in deprivation of rights and under the oppression of their enemies until they return to the Lord like Israel.
Question 5: What must believing youths do to recover their lost virtues, glory, position and possessions in the kingdom?
For believers to recover their loses, they must recognise their kingdom rights and pray to God to reclaim them.
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed” (Joel 2:25,26).
“And Samuel 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).
After Israel returned to the Lord, they remained under the protection of God under the leadership of Samuel, the approved prophet and priest to them. Christian youths must remain in the Lord and in the church of the living God in order to keep their victory.
Question 6: What lesson can youth leaders learn from Samuel?
“And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the Lord” (1 Samuel 7:16,17).
Samuel took it upon himself to visit Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpeh on yearly basis to judge Israel and keep them right with God’s standard. In like manner, youth leaders must not leave out any location under them but be diligent to maintain God’s standard in those locations.
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herd” (Proverbs 27:23).
