1 Samuel 7:7
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙
heard
H8085
וַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
And when the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
And when the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
2 of 18
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּנֵ֣י
And when the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
And when the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
against Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
against Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הַמִּצְפָּ֔תָה
H4709
וַיַּֽעֲל֥וּ
went up
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֥וּ
went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
8 of 18
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
And when the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
And when the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
10 of 18
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
against Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
against Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙
heard
H8085
וַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
13 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בְּנֵ֣י
And when the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
And when the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
against Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
against Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיִּֽרְא֖וּ
it they were afraid
H3372
וַיִּֽרְא֖וּ
it they were afraid
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
16 of 18
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
Cross References
1 Samuel 17:11When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.1 Samuel 13:6When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
Historical Context
Philistine military superiority, including iron weaponry and professional soldiers, made Israel's fear rational. The last major confrontation (1 Samuel 4) had resulted in catastrophic defeat. The Philistines' quick response suggests effective intelligence networks monitoring Israelite movements.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God often allow threatening circumstances to coincide with moments of spiritual renewal?
- What is the relationship between acknowledging human weakness and experiencing divine strength?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
The Philistines interpreted Israel's gathering as military mobilization, responding with immediate aggression. The five seranim (lords) coordinated their forces against the perceived threat - a large Israelite assembly was dangerous to Philistine hegemony. Yet Israel had gathered for prayer, not warfare. Their fear ('yare'u') upon hearing of the Philistine advance reveals the gap between spiritual resolve and military confidence. Twenty years of domination had produced deep-seated terror. This fear, however, would prove redemptive - driving them to depend wholly on God rather than military strength. The timing was divine orchestration: at their moment of greatest spiritual vulnerability and military weakness, God would demonstrate His power most clearly. Human fear becomes the occasion for divine deliverance.