1 Samuel 7:3-6
3 Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will save you from the hand of the Philistines.”
4 So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and served the Lord alone.
5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray to the Lord for you.”
6 So they gathered to Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah.
Samuel Judging Israel
Beginning of Samuel’s ministry
Today’s passage marks the beginning of Samuel’s public ministry. He served as a bridge between the times of the judges and the times of the prophets. (1) Twenty years had passed since the Ark of the Lord was moved to Kiriath-jearim. During this time, all the house of Israel had begun to seek the Lord. (2) At that time, Samuel urged all house of Israel to remove the foreign gods and serve only the Lord. He promised that if they did so, the Lord would deliver them from the threat of the Philistines. (3) The people immediately responded to the exhortation and removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth. Baal was a Canaanite god of thunder, rain, and fertility. Ashtaroth was the wife of Baal, a goddess of love, war, and also fertility. The worship of Baal and Ashtaroth involved interactions with temple prostitutes.
The greatest revival
Although it is brief (v 5-6), this passage describes the greatest revival (religious reformation movement) ever since the founding of the nation of Israel. (1) Samuel assembled all Israel at Mizpah. Mizpah was a town located about 10 km (about 6 miles) north of Jerusalem, in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin (Josh. 18:26). From the time of the judges, Mizpah had been used as a place for national assemblies (Judg. 20:1, 3; 21:1, 5, 8). (2) The Israelites drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted. These acts symbolized humility before the Lord and repentance for their sins. (3) The Israelites said, “We have sinned against the Lord,” and publicly confessed their sins. (4) This assembly was not just a one-day event. It continued for a period of time. This became the first instance where Samuel judged Israel. Let’s look at the factors that lead to revival. (1) There was the work of the Holy Spirit, which created a spiritual thirst in the hearts of the people. (2) There was a vessel of the Lord who heard the voice of the Holy Spirit and conveyed it to the people. This was Samuel. (3) There was repentance among the people. They instead of hardening their hearts, followed the words of the Lord’s vessel.
Today's prayer
O God of Israel, we also desire for a revival in our nation. Please prepare us so that this day may come quick. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.