1 Samuel 7:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּכָּֽנְעוּ֙
were subdued
H3665
וַיִּכָּֽנְעוּ֙
were subdued
Strong's:
H3665
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish
בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
So the Philistines
H6430
בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
So the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
2 of 15
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָסְפ֣וּ
no more
H3254
יָסְפ֣וּ
no more
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
4 of 15
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
ע֔וֹד
H5750
ע֔וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
לָב֖וֹא
and they came
H935
לָב֖וֹא
and they came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בִּגְב֣וּל
into the coast
H1366
בִּגְב֣וּל
into the coast
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַתְּהִ֤י
H1961
וַתְּהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יַד
and the hand
H3027
יַד
and the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 15
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
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
So the Philistines
H6430
בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
So the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
12 of 15
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the connection between Samuel's leadership and Philistine restraint teach about faithful leadership's protective role?
- How does God's 'hand' both protect His people and oppose their enemies?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.