1 samuel 7:13 - So the Philistines were subdued, and they stopped coming within the border of Israel. Yahweh’s hand was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 7:13

What does "1 samuel 7:13" mean?


This verse, 1 Samuel 7:13, is a concise summary of the impact of Samuel's leadership on Israel's relationship with the Philistines. Let's break it down:

"So the Philistines were subdued...": This means the Philistines, who were a significant enemy of Israel at the time, were brought under control or defeated to the point where they were no longer dominating Israel. This likely followed a victory such as the one described in the preceding verses (1 Samuel 7:7-12), where Israel, under Samuel's leadership and God's help, defeated the Philistines at Mizpah.

"...and they stopped coming within the border of Israel.": The result of being subdued was that the Philistines no longer dared to invade or encroach on Israelite territory. This suggests a period of relative peace and security for Israel. They had been a constant threat, but now they were held at bay.

"Yahweh’s hand was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.": This is the key reason for the Philistines' subdued state. It highlights that this wasn't just due to Samuel's personal strength or strategic brilliance, but because God (Yahweh) was actively working against the Philistines. This implies that God was the ultimate protector and defender of Israel during Samuel's lifetime, and that Samuel's faithfulness and leadership were instrumental in securing God's favor. The phrase "all the days of Samuel" indicates this divine protection and the Philistines' weakness continued throughout Samuel's entire period of leadership.

In essence, the verse means:

During Samuel's time as leader, the Philistines were defeated and prevented from invading Israel, and this was due to God's active intervention against them. This period represents a time when Israel experienced security and freedom from Philistine oppression because of God's protection and Samuel's faithful leadership.