Samuel as Judge – Israel’s Spiritual Revival

Throughout history, nations and individuals have found themselves drifting away from God. Yet, in times of desperation, when people recognize their need for Him, revival can come.

In 1949, the Hebrides Revival broke out in Scotland. The churches were empty, and spirituality was at an all-time low. Two elderly women prayed faithfully, asking God to move. Soon, people were gripped by conviction, and repentance swept across the islands. What happened? God responded when His people turned back to Him.

1 Samuel 7 tells a similar story. After years of spiritual compromise, Israel experiences a national revival under Samuel’s leadership. This chapter shows us that true revival requires repentance, obedience, and total reliance on God.

I. Israel’s Condition: Twenty Years of Spiritual Apathy (1 Samuel 7:1-4)

1 Samuel 7:1–4 ESV

1 And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of the Lord. 2 From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. 3 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only.

After the Ark of the Covenant was returned from Philistine captivity, it was placed in Kiriath-jearim, where it remained for twenty years (v. 2).

During this time, Israel experienced a spiritual drought: “All the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.”

Samuel recognizes that Israel’s problem is not military weakness, but spiritual compromise.

Key Lessons from Israel’s Spiritual Condition

Lamenting after the Lord is not enough – Emotion alone does not bring revival.

The Ark was near, but God’s presence was distant – Proximity to religious symbols (including buildings and programs) do not equal obedience/blessing

Revival begins with confronting idolatry – Samuel challenges Israel to put away foreign gods and return to the Lord (v. 3).

Many Christians today lament the state of the world but remain spiritually stagnant.

The church often seeks revival without repentance—wanting God’s blessing without surrender.

We must identify our modern “Baals” and “Ashtaroths”—things that steal our devotion to God (career, entertainment, comfort, etc.).

Reflection Question: What idols might be standing in the way of personal or corporate revival today?

II. Samuel’s Leadership and Israel’s Repentance (1 Samuel 7:5-9)

1 Samuel 7:5–9 ESV

5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” 6 So they gathered at Mizpah 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 Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. 7 Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him.

Samuel, now functioning as both prophet and judge, leads Israel into corporate repentance.

He gathers the people at Mizpah, where they fast, confess sin, and seek the Lord (v. 6).

The Philistines see this gathering as an opportunity to attack (v. 7).

Instead of panicking, Samuel intercedes, offering a sacrifice and crying out to God (v. 9).

Key Truths

Revival requires a leader who calls people back to God – Samuel does not entertain them or give them false hope; he calls for repentance.

Fasting and confession accompany genuine revival – Israel’s return to God is not just words, but action.

When the enemy attacks, prayer must be our first response – Samuel does not rely on military strategy, but on God’s power.

Personal Application for Today

Are we willing to let God examine our hearts and remove sin?

Do we turn to prayer first in crisis, or do we rely on human wisdom?

Are our church leaders willing to call people to repentance, even when it’s unpopular?

Reflection Question: Are we more concerned with comfort or with true repentance?

III. God’s Victory Over the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:10-11)

1 Samuel 7:10–11 ESV

10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.

As Samuel is offering the sacrifice, God responds with supernatural intervention (v. 10).

The Philistines are thrown into confusion by a thunderous act of God, leading to their defeat.

Israel pursues and routs the Philistines—a victory without a single recorded Israelite casualty.

Key Truths

God fights for His people when they are fully surrendered.

Prayer and obedience bring supernatural victory

The battle was won before it even began—because Israel repented first.

Reflection Question: Do we fight our battles in the flesh, or do we surrender them to God first?

IV. The Ebenezer Stone: Remembering God’s Faithfulness (1 Samuel 7:12-14)

1 Samuel 7:12–14 ESV

12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.

Israel’s victory over the Philistines was decisive. Several cities the Philistines had captured were restored to Israel, and it was a long time before the Philistines tried to invade Israel again (1 Samuel 7:13–14). To commemorate the divine victory, “Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us’” (verse 12). Ebenezer means “stone of help.” From then on, every time an Israelite saw the stone erected by Samuel, he would have a tangible reminder of the Lord’s power and protection. The “stone of help” marked the spot where the enemy had been routed and God’s promise to bless His repentant people had been honored. The Lord had helped them, all the way to Ebenezer.

IV. The Ebenezer Stone: Remembering God’s Faithfulness (1 Samuel 7:12-14)

The Philistines do not invade Israel again during Samuel’s lifetime (v. 13).

Israel’s cities, previously taken by the Philistines, are restored (v. 14).

Why Memorial Stones Matter.

They remind us of God’s past faithfulness. In moments of future fear or uncertainty, these markers build trust by reminding us of His proven track record.

They help us fight spiritual amnesia. We are often quick to forget God’s goodness—especially when new trials come. Ebenezer stones are spiritual memory aids, helping us remember who God is and what He has done.

They fuel worship and thanksgiving. When we recall where God met us, delivered us, or answered a desperate prayer, it ignites gratitude. Ebenezer stones shift our focus from what we lack to what God has already done.

They tell a story to future generations. Ebenezers become testimonies we pass on, allowing us to say: “Let me tell you what the Lord did here.”

They mark the turning point between defeat and deliverance. The stone stood between Mizpah and Shen—marking the boundary between Israel’s failure and their renewed obedience and victory. In the same way, our Ebenezers often mark where we returned to God and He met us with grace.

They encourage us that the journey isn’t over—God will continue to help. Samuel didn’t say “the Lord has helped us completely,” but “thus far.” It’s a declaration that God has been faithful to this point—and He will continue to be. An Ebenezer is not the finish line; it’s a mile marker of grace.

V. Samuel’s Lifelong Leadership (1 Samuel 7:15-17)

1 Samuel 7:15–17 ESV

15 Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. 17 Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the Lord.

Samuel didn’t disappear after the battle. He didn’t retire after the spiritual high point at Mizpah. Instead, he stayed faithful to God and to the people of Israel for the rest of his life, traveling from town to town, judging righteously, and calling the people to remain faithful to the Lord (1 Samuel 7:15–17).

His life reminds us of a critical truth:Revival is not a one-time event—it requires consistent leadership, ongoing repentance, and a commitment to spiritual maturity in every area of life, especially in our homes, churches, and giving.

1. Revival Must Be Cultivated, Not Just Celebrated

• Samuel stayed active after the great victory—he didn’t retire from spiritual leadership.

• 1 Samuel 7:15-16 – He judged Israel all the days of his life.

• True revival is sustained, not spontaneous.

• Key Insight: Spiritual momentum must be stewarded through leadership, accountability, and teaching.

2. Spiritual Leadership Begins at Home

• Revival starts when homes become centers of worship, not just churches.

• Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – Parents are called to teach children diligently.

• Key Insight: Fathers and mothers are the first pastors of their children.

3. The Church Needs Consistent and Accountable Leadership

• Samuel judged Israel with integrity and fairness.

• Today, the church needs shepherds, not celebrities.

1 Peter 5:2–3 ESV

2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

• Key Insight: Churches flourish when led by spiritually mature, prayerful, and humble leaders.

4. Consistent Repentance Fuels Long-Term Revival

• Israel stayed faithful under Samuel’s leadership—because he continually called them back to God.

• Luke 9:23 – “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself daily…”

• Key Insight: Repentance must become a rhythm, not a reaction.

5. Giving Reflects a Mature, Revived Heart

• Samuel led Israel in worship and offerings—generosity is part of revived worship.

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 ESV

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Malachi 3:10 ESV

10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Questions for Reflection

1. What are some ways we can practice consistent spiritual leadership in our homes, especially when life is busy or spiritually dry?

2. How does your current attitude toward giving reflect your spiritual growth? What step could you take to give more faithfully or joyfully?

Conclusion: Revival Begins With Us

The story of 1 Samuel 7 teaches us that revival is not a mystery—it follows a clear pattern:

Recognizing our need for God (lamenting).

Repenting of sin (turning from idols).

Returning to God in obedience and prayer.

Relying on Him in battle, rather than human effort.

Remembering His faithfulness for future generations.