1 Samuel 7:7-9

“When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him.”

There is scarcely a more striking instance of reformation to be found in all the Holy Scriptures, than in the chapter before us. The people of Israel had long been in a state of awful departure from God. They had presumptuously confided in the ark at a former period, as though its very presence was sufficient to secure them the victory over the most powerful enemies, 1 Samuel 4:3-5; but now, though it had been restored to their country twenty years, no one had shown any just regard to it.

We may well suppose, however, that Samuel had not been idle; indeed we apprehend that the general reformation which took place at this time, was the fruit of his labors. Availing himself of the deep impression which had been made on the minds of the whole nation, he proposed to meet all the elders of Israel at Mizpah, with a view to keep a fast unto the Lord. This measure was adopted; but the Philistines, imagining that the collecting of so many people at one place was with a view to combine for military purposes, took the alarm, and determined to make an assault on them, before they would be able to arrange their plans, and prepare themselves for the battle. The approach of the Philistines produced great consternation at Mizpah, and necessitated the Israelites to stand on their defense. But, conscious of their incapacity to resist their foes, they besought Samuel to intercede with God for them. His intercession is the subject which we propose for our present consideration:

I. Samuel’s intercession as solicited by them.

They had now learned by experience that God alone could help them.

They did not, as formerly, resort to the ark for aid; nor did they confide in an arm of flesh; Jehovah himself was now their hope; and they sought him in a manner that was truly befitting, “they lamented after him,” being grieved at their hearts that they had provoked him to depart from them; they “drew water, and poured it out before him,” expressing thereby the depth of their sorrow, Psalm 22:14; and “they fasted,” in order to beget in themselves a more penitent sense of all their transgressions. In this frame of mind they betook themselves to him, whose power had so often proved effectual for their support.

But, conscious of their own unworthiness, they sought with all earnestness the intercession of Samuel.

Very striking is their address to him, “Cease not to pray unto God for us.” They were persuaded that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man would avail much.” Hence they entreated Samuel to intercede for them. But they remembered that the intercession of Moses against Amalek was no longer successful than while his hands were held up in prayer; and therefore they importuned Samuel not to suspend for a moment his cries to God in their behalf. Happy were they in having such an intercessor; and happy in having a heart to acknowledge his worth, and to seek his aid.

II. Samuel’s intercession as offered by him.

He offered to the Lord a burnt-offering.

Though Samuel was not a priest, he officiated as a priest on this occasion, and was doubtless accepted of God in that service. The presenting of a suckling lamb upon the altar intimated that neither the people nor himself could approach unto God, or hope for any mercy at his hands, but through that great Sacrifice which should one day be offered, even that Lamb of God which should take away the sins of the whole world. At the same time, as a burnt-offering, it was intended to honor God, who had so often supported them in the hour of need. This affords an important hint to us in all our addresses at the throne of grace; we must implore mercy solely through the sacrifice of Christ, and acknowledge God’s perfections as glorified, in all his dispensations, whether of mercy or of judgment, of providence or of grace.

This sacrifice, he accompanied with fervent prayer.

Samuel well knew, that as prayer without a sacrifice would be of no avail, so neither would a sacrifice without prayer. He therefore “cried unto the Lord.” O what is intimated in that expression! what humility, what fervor, what importunity! Such is the prayer that God requires; and such prayer, offered in dependence on our great Sacrifice, shall never go forth in vain, Psalm 50:15.

III. Samuel’s intercession as accepted of the Lord.

Instantly did God grant to answer it.

Before the offering of the lamb was finished, God’s acceptance of the prayer was manifest. The Philistines approached to the battle; but were so intimidated and confounded by thunder and lightning, that they fell an easy prey to those whom they had expected utterly to destroy. Thus the intervention of God was seen in the clearest light. Had the victory been gained solely by the sword of Israel, they might have ascribed it to their own skill and prowess; but when it arose from causes that were entirely out of the reach of men, they could not but acknowledge that God himself had interposed in answer to the prayer of Samuel.

As signal as this favor was, we are warranted to expect a similar acceptance of our prayers, if only we ask in humility and faith. Jehoshaphat obtained a similar answer under circumstances precisely similar, 2 Chronicles 20:21-22; and with equal speed was Daniel answered, when praying for himself, Daniel 9:19-23; and we also shall be heard in like manner, if we draw near to God, as it is both our privilege and our duty to do, Isaiah 65:24.

He answered too to the utmost extent of the petitions offered.

Deliverance out of the hands of the Philistines was the mercy asked; and so entirely was this deliverance effected, that the Philistines never came again into the land of Israel as long as Samuel lived.

We too may expect that God will exceed our utmost requests. If we are straitened at all, it is not in him, but in ourselves. If we were more earnest, and more enlarged in prayer—then our blessings would be proportionably multiplied, 2 Kings 13:19; Ephesians 3:20.

We may learn from hence,

1. On what our safety as a nation rests.

We should imitate their repentance, reformation, faith, and zeal; and should unite, both ministers and people, in committing our cause to God.

2. How our safety as individuals is to be secured.

There is no other way for individuals than for nations; only in nations the mercies of God may be enjoyed by those who have been at no pains to seek them; whereas every individual must stand or fall according to his own exertions in the ways of penitence and faith.

Charles Simeon (1759-1836)