1 Samuel 7 8

1 Samuel 7:8 kjv

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 nkjv

So the children of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines."

1 Samuel 7:8 niv

They said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines."

1 Samuel 7:8 esv

And the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines."

1 Samuel 7:8 nlt

"Don't stop pleading with the LORD our God to save us from the Philistines!" they begged Samuel.

1 Samuel 7 verses

1 Samuel 7 8 Meaning

First Samuel 7:8 records the desperate plea of the children of Israel to Samuel, their prophet, priest, and judge, for continued divine intervention. Overwhelmed by the imminent threat of the Philistines, they implored Samuel not to cease crying out to the LORD their God on their behalf. Their primary request was for God to deliver them from the oppressive power and hand of the Philistines, signifying a profound dependence on God's salvation after their recent repentance and turning back to Him.

1 Samuel 7 8 Context

The setting for 1 Samuel 7:8 is a pivotal moment in Israel's history, marking a national turning point from widespread idolatry to repentance and renewal under Samuel's leadership. Chapters 4-6 describe the capture and return of the Ark of the Covenant, demonstrating God's sovereign power over both Israel's enemies and the Israelites' lack of reverence. Following this, the people of Israel "lamented after the LORD" for twenty years (1 Sam 7:2). Samuel then called for genuine repentance, urging them to put away their foreign gods—Baals and Ashtaroth—and serve the LORD alone (1 Sam 7:3-4). The people obeyed, gathering at Mizpah, where they confessed their sin, fasted, and drew water as a sign of humiliation and devotion, with Samuel judging them (1 Sam 7:5-6). It is in this vulnerable moment of national spiritual reformation that the Philistines, recognizing Israel's assembly as a potential re-mobilization, gathered for battle (1 Sam 7:7). Overwhelmed by fear, given their previous military defeats and longstanding oppression by the Philistines, the Israelites did not turn to their own military strength but instead fervently implored Samuel for his persistent intercession with their God.

1 Samuel 7 8 Word analysis

• And the children of Israel (בני ישראל - b'nei Yisrael): Refers to the collective nation, highlighting their identity as God's covenant people. This emphasizes their unity in a moment of distress and shared understanding of Samuel's role. They speak as one unified entity.
• said (ויאמרו - vayo'm'ru): Simple past tense, indicating a direct and immediate communication. Their verbal expression signifies a deliberate request borne out of acute fear.
• to Samuel (אל שמואל - el Sh'muel): Points to Samuel as the recognized spiritual authority and mediator. They sought his specific intercession, demonstrating their trust in his prophetic and priestly standing before God, especially after his call to repentance was heeded.
• Cease not to cry (אַל תֶּחֱרַשׁ - al tēḥĕraš): This is a strong negative command, literally "do not be silent" or "do not hold back." It signifies intense urgency, desperation, and a plea for persistent, continuous intercession. They desired Samuel's ongoing, vocal, and fervent prayer.
• unto the LORD (אֶל־יְהוָה - el YHVH): Directs the crying out towards YHVH, the covenant God of Israel. This distinguishes Him from the pagan deities previously worshiped, reinforcing that their hope now rests solely on their true God.
• our God (אֱלֹהֵינוּ - Eloheinu): This possessive plural pronoun underscores a renewed sense of personal and national relationship with YHVH. After putting away idols, they could now sincerely claim Him as "our God," seeking His unique covenant help.
• for us (בַּעֲדֵנוּ - ba'adenu): Emphasizes the concept of vicarious or intercessory prayer. They wanted Samuel to pray on their behalf, acknowledging their need for a mediator due to their past sins and current fear.
• that he will save us (יוֹשִׁעֵנוּ - yoshieynu): From the root ישע (yasha), meaning "to save," "deliver," or "give victory." This expresses their explicit hope for God's action to provide deliverance. It signifies their recognition that human effort alone is insufficient against the Philistines.
• out of the hand (מִיַּד - miyyad): Literally "from the hand of," signifying release from the control, power, and oppressive grip of another. It speaks of liberation from servitude or dominance.
• of the Philistines (פְּלִשְׁתִּים - Pelishtim): The immediate and most pressing enemy of Israel at this time. Their historical struggle with the Philistines made this plea deeply personal and urgent. The "hand of the Philistines" refers to their continuous oppression.

• Words-Group analysis:
• "Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God": This phrase captures the essence of desperate, persistent prayer directed specifically to YHVH, their covenant God. It contrasts sharply with their earlier reliance on silent idols, emphasizing a renewed, vocal, and communal seeking of God. It highlights the power and necessity of intercessory prayer from a trusted spiritual leader.
• "that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines": This phrase articulates the ultimate goal of their prayer: divine deliverance from a powerful, oppressive enemy. It underscores their complete dependence on God's salvation (divine intervention) rather than military might, particularly because "out of the hand" implies God's forceful removal of the oppressor's control.

1 Samuel 7 8 Bonus section

The desperate plea in 1 Samuel 7:8 is a direct result of Israel's recently renewed covenant relationship with God (1 Sam 7:3-6). This is not just any people crying out, but God's covenant people turning to their covenant God through His appointed prophet after a period of sincere repentance. The intensity of "cease not to cry" is magnified by the term's connection to not "holding back" or being "silent," reflecting a complete reliance on Samuel's voice as their bridge to God. This request from the people empowers Samuel, as their leader, to act on their behalf, strengthening the bond between spiritual leadership and the trusting congregation, a principle echoed throughout Scripture concerning the role of intercessors. This event became a foundation for the "Ebenezer" stone (1 Sam 7:12), "Thus far the LORD has helped us," signifying God's direct and visible response to their cry and Samuel's intercession.

1 Samuel 7 8 Commentary

1 Samuel 7:8 marks a pivotal moment of desperate faith born from national repentance. The Israelites, facing imminent attack by their long-time oppressors, turned away from any self-reliance or reliance on defunct idols. Their plea to Samuel to "cease not to cry" reflects not just a request for a single prayer but for persistent, unceasing intercession. This highlights their understanding of God's power as their only source of salvation and their reliance on a mediator like Samuel, whom they now recognized as truly representing God's authority. This verse beautifully portrays Israel's shift from external ritual to heartfelt dependence on YHVH for their physical deliverance, setting the stage for one of God's most remarkable displays of rescue in the early monarchy. The event serves as an example of how sincere turning to God, followed by earnest intercession, can precede divine intervention against seemingly insurmountable foes.