King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 7:9 Mean?

1 Samuel 7:9 in the King James Version says “And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 7:9 · KJV


Context

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.

11

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Samuel's actions combine sacrifice and intercession. The 'sucking lamb' ('teleh chalab') - a nursing lamb, young and innocent - provided the sacrifice. As burnt offering ('olah'), it was consumed entirely ('kalil', wholly), representing complete consecration. Samuel functioned here as priest though not of Aaronic lineage - his prophetic calling authorized exceptional priestly action, as with Elijah later (1 Kings 18). His 'crying' ('za'aq') to the LORD indicates fervent, urgent petition, the same term used for Israel's distress cries throughout Judges. The climactic statement 'the LORD heard him' confirms answered prayer. God's hearing implies not mere auditory reception but responsive action. The lamb offered while enemies approached points forward to Christ - the Lamb whose sacrifice secures deliverance for God's people even as spiritual enemies advance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Prophets occasionally offered sacrifice (1 Samuel 9:12-13; 1 Kings 18:30-38), though this was normally priestly prerogative. Samuel's unique position as prophet-judge gave him authority in both spheres. The burnt offering's complete consumption symbolized total dedication and atonement.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of a lamb offered while enemies approach connect to Christ's sacrifice?
  2. What does 'the LORD heard him' teach about the effectiveness of righteous intercession?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיִּקַּ֣ח1 of 17

took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

שְׁמוּאֵ֤ל2 of 17

And Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

טְלֵ֤ה3 of 17

lamb

H2924

a lamb

חָלָב֙4 of 17

sucking

H2461

milk (as the richness of kine)

אֶחָ֔ד5 of 17

a

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וַיַּֽעֲלֵ֧ה6 of 17

and offered

H5927

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

עוֹלָ֛ה7 of 17

it for a burnt offering

H5930

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

כָּלִ֖יל8 of 17

wholly

H3632

complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb, fully

יְהוָֽה׃9 of 17

and the LORD

H3068

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

וַיִּזְעַ֨ק10 of 17

cried

H2199

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

שְׁמוּאֵ֤ל11 of 17

And Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶל12 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָֽה׃13 of 17

and the LORD

H3068

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

בְּעַ֣ד14 of 17
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל15 of 17

for Israel

H3478

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

וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֖הוּ16 of 17

heard

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

יְהוָֽה׃17 of 17

and the LORD

H3068

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


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 7:9 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 7:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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