King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 7:8 Mean?

1 Samuel 7:8 in the King James Version says “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 th...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Samuel 7:8 · KJV

Salvation

Context

6

And they gathered together to Mizpeh, 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 children of Israel in Mizpeh.

7

And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.

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.

Read 1 Samuel 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Israel's request reveals transformed hearts. Rather than taking up arms or fleeing in panic, they plead for continued intercession. The Hebrew 'al-tachresh' (cease not, do not be silent) expresses urgent dependence - they want Samuel's prayers to continue without interruption. Their faith has shifted from military might to divine intervention accessed through prophetic intercession. The phrase 'the LORD our God' claims covenant relationship - He is not merely 'the LORD' abstractly but specifically 'our God.' Their expectation 'that he will save us' demonstrates faith despite fear. This represents mature spirituality: feeling afraid yet trusting God's deliverance through appointed means. Israel has learned from the Ark's capture that religious symbols without covenant faithfulness avail nothing. Now they seek the living God through His prophet's prayers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Intercessory prayer by prophets becomes a prominent Old Testament theme (Exodus 32:11-14; Numbers 14:13-19; Amos 7:1-6; Jeremiah 15:1). Samuel stands in the tradition of Moses as mediator between God and people. The people's request shows they recognized Samuel's unique spiritual authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. When facing threats, is your first response to take action or to request intercession?
  2. How does dependence on human intercessors point toward our ultimate Intercessor, Jesus Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֤וּ1 of 15

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְנֵֽי2 of 15

“And the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙3 of 15

“of Israel”

H3478

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

אֶל4 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל5 of 15

“to Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אַל6 of 15
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּֽחֲרֵ֣שׁ7 of 15

“Cease”

H2790

to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad

מִמֶּ֔נּוּ8 of 15
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

מִזְּעֹ֖ק9 of 15

“not to cry”

H2199

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

אֶל10 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֣ה11 of 15

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ12 of 15

“our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְיֹֽשִׁעֵ֖נוּ13 of 15

“for us that he will save”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

מִיַּ֥ד14 of 15

“us out of 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

פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃15 of 15

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

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 7:8 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 7:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 37:41 Samuel 12:19-24James 5:16Isaiah 62:6-7Isaiah 62:1

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Samuel 7 with CommentaryAll 1 Samuel ChaptersComplete 1 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes