1 Samuel 7:10
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֤י
H1961
וַיְהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מַֽעֲלֶ֣ה
was offering up
H5927
מַֽעֲלֶ֣ה
was offering up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
3 of 20
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הָֽעוֹלָ֔ה
the burnt offering
H5930
הָֽעוֹלָ֔ה
the burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
4 of 20
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙
the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙
the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
5 of 20
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
נִגְּשׁ֔וּ
drew near
H5066
נִגְּשׁ֔וּ
drew near
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
6 of 20
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
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
to battle
H4421
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
to battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
7 of 20
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיַּרְעֵ֣ם
thundered
H7481
וַיַּרְעֵ֣ם
thundered
Strong's:
H7481
Word #:
9 of 20
to tumble, i.e., be violently agitated; specifically, to crash (of thunder); figuratively, to irritate (with anger)
יְהוָ֣ה׀
but the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה׀
but the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
גָּ֠דוֹל
with a great
H1419
גָּ֠דוֹל
with a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
12 of 20
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
בַּיּ֨וֹם
on that day
H3117
בַּיּ֨וֹם
on that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 20
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
הַה֤וּא
H1931
הַה֤וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
14 of 20
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
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙
the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙
the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
16 of 20
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וַיְהֻמֵּ֔ם
and discomfited
H2000
וַיְהֻמֵּ֔ם
and discomfited
Strong's:
H2000
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, to put in commotion; by implication, to disturb, drive, destroy
וַיִּנָּֽגְפ֖וּ
them and they were smitten
H5062
וַיִּנָּֽגְפ֖וּ
them and they were smitten
Strong's:
H5062
Word #:
18 of 20
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
Cross References
1 Samuel 2:10The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.Joshua 10:10And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.1 Samuel 12:17Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.Judges 5:20They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.Zechariah 4:6Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's timing - intervening while sacrifice was being offered - teach about worship and spiritual warfare?
- How does this divine warrior imagery shape your understanding of God's active involvement in human conflicts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.