1 Samuel 7:3-13: Raise a Memorial Stone

1 Samuel 7:3-13: Raise a Memorial Stone

As we read in Joshua 24:1-28, in 1 Samuel 7, a similar speech is orated by Samuel, and the people agree to follow only God.

Also, just as with Joshua, Samuel also uses a stone as a memorial in honor of the Lord's help.  Samuel calls his rock "Ebenezer."  If you have ever heard or sung the song "Come Thou Fount" and wondered what the line, "Here I raise my Ebenezer" meant, now you know it is based on 1 Samuel.  It means we are to raise a symbolic rock showing we will follow God alone and honor Him for His love, mercy, and help.  It also means we are to be repentant of our sins as we remember our vows to follow Him and not to backslide into sinful lifestyles.

Although the Israelites asked Samuel to pray for them, we do not need a third party to pray for us.  We can go directly to the God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit on our own.  Jesus' death on the cross brought about a new covenant that does not require sacrifices or priests.  Just you and me praying to God in humble prayer, with hearts of repentance, and faith that God is able to help just as He promised.      

If you so choose, you can find a real rock, draw one, or use a computer image of one to print off, and write or paint words on the rock that are personal to your walk with Jesus.  You can display your memorial stone somewhere prominent in your home where you can be frequently reminded of all God has helped you through.  Here is my drawing:

(1 Samuel 7:3-13) And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, "If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."

Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only.

And Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord."

And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, "We have sinned against the Lord..." 

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... and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him.

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.

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."

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.