King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 7:13 Mean?

1 Samuel 7:13 in the King James Version says “So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against th... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

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

13

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.

14

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.

15

And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The verse summarizes lasting effects of Mizpah's victory. 'Subdued' ('kana'') indicates humiliation and forced submission - the dominant Philistines now acknowledged Israelite resurgence. The phrase 'came no more into the coast of Israel' describes cessation of territorial aggression during Samuel's leadership. Most significantly, 'the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines' reverses the earlier narrative where God's hand struck Israel (1 Samuel 5:6, 9). The divine hand that plagued Philistia for taking the Ark now actively opposed their military ambitions. The qualifier 'all the days of Samuel' indicates this peace lasted only during prophetic leadership - subsequent events under Saul would see Philistine resurgence. Human faithfulness and divine protection form interconnected realities; when Israel later rejected Samuel's leadership pattern, protection diminished.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Philistine threat would resurface powerfully under Saul's reign, suggesting this verse describes relative peace rather than permanent elimination. Archaeological evidence confirms continued Philistine presence in their traditional territory. Samuel's authority apparently maintained a buffer protecting Israelite settlements.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the connection between Samuel's leadership and Philistine restraint teach about faithful leadership's protective role?
  2. How does God's 'hand' both protect His people and oppose their enemies?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיִּכָּֽנְעוּ֙1 of 15

were subdued

H3665

properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish

בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים2 of 15

So the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וְלֹֽא3 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָסְפ֣וּ4 of 15

no more

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

ע֔וֹד5 of 15
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

לָב֖וֹא6 of 15

and they came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בִּגְב֣וּל7 of 15

into the coast

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל8 of 15

of Israel

H3478

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

וַתְּהִ֤י9 of 15
H1961

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

יַד10 of 15

and the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוָה֙11 of 15

of the LORD

H3068

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

בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים12 of 15

So the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

כֹּ֖ל13 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְמֵ֥י14 of 15

all the days

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

שְׁמוּאֵֽל׃15 of 15

of Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites


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 7:13 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 7:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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