In the narrative of 1 Samuel twenty years pass between the death of Eli, and the capture and return of the ark of the covenant. Samuel was now a young man and spoke out against the wickedness of the people. The call for Israel to discard all that they were worshipping in order to follow after God was followed. The people gathered en masse at Mizpah for a “camp meeting”. The Philistine saw the gathering and thought it was a war party so they set out to attack Israel’s “challenge”. But with the idols gone and the people of Israel seeking God there was no hope for a Philistine victory. The memory of their slaughter of the Israelites a generation before was wiped out when God caused confusion through the army of the Philistines. In fear they ran from the Lord, but this time Israel acted as God led. They followed and killed many in the Philistine army. God still brings about great victories when his people repent before him.
Stuart
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