1 Samuel 7:14
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַתָּשֹׁ֣בְנָה
were restored
H7725
וַתָּשֹׁ֣בְנָה
were restored
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 23
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הֶֽעָרִ֡ים
And the cities
H5892
הֶֽעָרִ֡ים
And the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 23
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
5 of 23
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
מֵאֵ֨ת
H853
מֵאֵ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
between Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
between Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
between Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
between Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 23
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְאֶ֨ת
H853
וְאֶ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
גְּבוּלָ֔ן
and the coasts
H1366
גְּבוּלָ֔ן
and the coasts
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
between Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
between Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִיַּ֣ד
out of the hands
H3027
מִיַּ֣ד
out of the hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
16 of 23
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
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
17 of 23
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וַיְהִ֣י
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
18 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָׁל֔וֹם
And there was peace
H7965
שָׁל֔וֹם
And there was peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
19 of 23
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
בֵּ֥ין
H996
בֵּ֥ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
20 of 23
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
between Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
between Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
21 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Historical Context
Ekron and Gath were inner Philistine cities; their restoration to Israel represents significant territorial gain. 'Amorites' sometimes serves as a general term for pre-Israelite Canaanite peoples. Peace with surrounding nations fulfilled covenant promises contingent on obedience (Leviticus 26:6). Samuel's judgeship represents the period's high point.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's restoration often exceed mere survival to include recovery of what was lost?
- What does the connection between spiritual renewal and external peace teach about addressing contemporary conflicts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
Territorial restoration accompanied military victory. The cities 'from Ekron even unto Gath' - Philistine heartland - returned to Israelite control, with surrounding territories ('coasts') similarly reclaimed. The Hebrew 'natsal' (deliver) emphasizes rescue from enemy grasp. This reversal of decades of loss demonstrated God's comprehensive restoration: not merely defensive survival but offensive recovery. The surprising note about 'peace between Israel and the Amorites' indicates normalized relations with other regional peoples - Philistine weakness removed pressure that had defined the entire judges period. Samuel's era inaugurated unprecedented stability. Yet this golden age depended on spiritual conditions: covenant faithfulness, prophetic leadership, and corporate repentance. When Israel later demanded a king 'like all the nations,' they traded this divinely-mediated peace for militaristic monarchy with mixed results.