CHILDREN STS LESSON 43: ISRAEL’S VICTORY OVER THE PHILISTINES
Bible Text: 1 Samuel 7:1-17
The Philistines had remained a long-time enemy of God’s people. Their plan was to deprive Israel of the peace and prosperity God had promised them in the land of Canaan. The children of Israel lived in constant fear of the Philistines. As a result of divine judgment that came upon the Philistines, they hastily sent back the ark of God to Israel. The ark was then kept safe in the house of Abinadab who sanctified his son, Eleazar, to keep the ark.
However, the enmity between Israel and the Philistines continued. Our Bible passage reveals that the Philistines came up again to attack the Israelites. It was an unprovoked aggression. The good news is that God fought for Israel and gave them a resounding victory.
The victory was not automatic; it was because the children of Israel had repented and turned from their idolatry to follow the way of the Lord. They also did restitution by throwing away all their idols. This was why God helped them in their fight against their enemy. You can learn from our lesson today that no matter how powerful your enemies claim to be, God will always give you victory over them if you love God and do what He commands.
DEMAND AND CONDITION FOR VICTORY
Bible References: 1 Samuel 7:1-6; Isaiah 1:16-19; 55:6,7
The children of Israel finally realized that victory over their enemies can only come from God. They had been in bondage because they had forsaken the living God and served idols. Even the ark of the Lord, the symbol of God’s presence, had been carried away by the Philistines. Israel cried and longed for freedom, peace, and the abiding presence of God.
Samuel the priest of God had to explain to them the conditions for victory over their enemy thus:
(i) Return unto the Lord with all your heart.
(ii) Put away strange gods.
(iii) Give your heart unto the Lord.
(iv) Serve the Lord only.
The children of Israel obeyed Samuel’s counsels by putting away all the strange gods that were in their custody. Then they turned to the Lord to serve Him wholeheartedly. You cannot enjoy God’s peace and His abiding presence except you fulfill these conditions. Return to the Lord and repent from your sins, love the Lord with all your heart and serve Him in righteousness and in truth.
DEFEAT OF THE PHILISTINES. 1 Samuel 7:7-14
Israel, being a nation under the rule of the Philistines, had no weapon of war and they were not permitted to organize any kind of assembly. That was why when Israel gathered in Mizpeh to fast and pray, the Philistines immediately gathered to fight against them.
The children of Israel became fearful. In time of trouble, do not be afraid; trust in the Lord, do right and pray. He will surely deliver you and fight for you without any delay. The children of Israel called on Prophet Samuel to pray on their behalf. They realized the importance of prayer and recognized that God alone could give them victory.
God fought for Israel in an unusual way. The Lord sent a great thunder upon the Philistines and they were destroyed.
There is nothing prayers cannot do. God answers prayers and prayer brings God into every aspect of our lives. Our plans, future, family, problems, and successes should be committed into the hands of the Lord in prayers.
DAILY VICTORY OVER SATAN AND SIN
1 Samuel 7:1-17; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Romans 8:1-11
The Philistines represent Satan and his messengers. The plan of Satan is to make you disobey Jesus, cease to be His friend, and as a result forfeit God’s mercies and favor. You must determine to overcome him by doing the following:
Resist him by rejecting all evil suggestions and enticements (James 4:7).
Separate from all ungodly and immoral friends, worldly ceremonies, fashion, games, play, etc. (Ephesians 5:6-11; 1 Corinthians 15:33).
Read, study, think on, and obey the word of God at all times (2 Timothy 2:15).
Be very prayerful and watchful (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 26:41).
Regularly fellowship with God’s people (Hebrews 10:24, 25).
Be holy and righteous (1 Thessalonians 5:22, 23; 2 Peter 3:14).
This is the pathway to victory over the enemy of your soul and eventually rest in heaven with Jesus. Remember that sinners cannot have victory over sin or Satan without repentance. Therefore, sinful boys and girls must as a matter of urgency take these steps:
Realize their sinful state.
Repent, confess, and forsake all sins (lies, stealing, fighting, witchcraft, etc.).
Ask for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus.
Ask Jesus to come into their heart as personal Saviour and Lord.
If you sincerely pray through these steps, Jesus will save you. As you continue to follow Him, you are sure of continuous victory over sin, self, and Satan.
QUESTIONS
- Mention the people who made themselves enemies of God’s people.
- State three of the conditions Israel was to fulfill before God could give them victory over the Philistines.
- What lesson do you learn from Israel’s victory over their enemies?
- What must all friends of Jesus do to remain victorious over Satan and his messengers?
- What should a sinner do to have victory over sin and Satan?
Memory Verse: “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 7:10).
Lesson: God will always fight for you if you fear and trust Him.
THOUGHT: I will fear and trust the Lord so as to have total victory over my enemies.
ACTIVITY (Sword Drill): Psalm 98:1; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 John 5:4; 1 Samuel 7:9, 10.
HOMEWORK: Write in your homework book three instances, besides the one in our lesson today, that God fought for His people in the Bible.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: 233 — STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.
CHORUSES: 1. In the Name of Jesus we have the victory. 2. I am a winner in the Lord Jesus. 3. The Name of Jesus, the Name that conquers Satan.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH: Find the meaning of these words (use a dictionary):
1. Deprive,
2. Divine,
3. Bondage,
4. Determine,
5. Righteous.
