King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 7:10 Mean?

1 Samuel 7:10 in the King James Version says “And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thund... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

8

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. Cease: Heb. Be not silent from us from crying

9

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. heard: or, answered

10

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.

11

And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.

12

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. Ebenezer: that is, The stone of help


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The timing is dramatic: while smoke ascended from Samuel's sacrifice, Philistine forces advanced for battle, and Yahweh intervened with thunderous power. The Hebrew 'ra'am' (thundered) describes both the sound and the divine presence within the storm (Psalm 18:13; 29:3). God's 'great thunder' ('qol gadol') was His battle cry against Israel's enemies. The term 'discomfited' ('hamam') means to throw into confusion, panic, or rout - the same word describing Egypt's army at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:24). Divine terror shattered Philistine confidence and coordination. The phrase 'smitten before Israel' indicates defeat, though Israel's role was pursuit rather than initial combat. God fought for His people while they worshiped. This pattern - worship preceding victory, sacrifice enabling deliverance - permeates biblical theology.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Theophanic storm language appears throughout Scripture as divine warrior imagery (Judges 5:4-5; Psalm 18:7-15; 68:7-8). Weather played significant military roles in ancient warfare; sudden storms could disable chariots and disorganize infantry. The Philistines, having witnessed the Ark's power, now experienced Yahweh's direct intervention.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's timing - intervening while sacrifice was being offered - teach about worship and spiritual warfare?
  2. How does this divine warrior imagery shape your understanding of God's active involvement in human conflicts?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיְהִ֤י1 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שְׁמוּאֵל֙2 of 20

And as Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

מַֽעֲלֶ֣ה3 of 20

was offering up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

הָֽעוֹלָ֔ה4 of 20

the burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙5 of 20

the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

נִגְּשׁ֔וּ6 of 20

drew near

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה7 of 20

to battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃8 of 20

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיַּרְעֵ֣ם9 of 20

thundered

H7481

to tumble, i.e., be violently agitated; specifically, to crash (of thunder); figuratively, to irritate (with anger)

יְהוָ֣ה׀10 of 20

but the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּקוֹל11 of 20

thunder

H6963

a voice or sound

גָּ֠דוֹל12 of 20

with a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

בַּיּ֨וֹם13 of 20

on that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֤וּא14 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

עַל15 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙16 of 20

the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַיְהֻמֵּ֔ם17 of 20

and discomfited

H2000

properly, to put in commotion; by implication, to disturb, drive, destroy

וַיִּנָּֽגְפ֖וּ18 of 20

them and they were smitten

H5062

to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)

לִפְנֵ֥י19 of 20

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃20 of 20

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 7:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 7:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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