Chapter 8: The Gathering at Mizpah

Samuel called all of Israel to gather at Mizpah.

SAMUEL“Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.”— 1 Samuel 7:5

They came from every tribe and every corner of the land. When they arrived, they drew water and poured it out on the ground as a sign of complete surrender to God. They fasted. And they confessed together.

THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL“We have sinned against the Lord.”— 1 Samuel 7:6

Samuel stood before them and judged the people that day at Mizpah.

But the Philistines were watching. When they heard that all Israel had gathered in one place, they did not see a prayer meeting. They saw a military assembly. The lords of the Philistines mobilized their army and marched toward Mizpah.

When the Israelites heard the Philistine army was coming, they were terrified. They had come to pray, not to fight.

THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL“Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”— 1 Samuel 7:8

Samuel took a young lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And while the smoke rose and the Philistine army drew closer, Samuel cried out to the Lord on behalf of Israel.