07. Samuel As Judge: Israel's Spiritual Revival Series

Samuel as Judge – Israel’s Spiritual Revival

April 9, 2025

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

1 Samuel 7

Introduction: Revival Comes Through Repentance

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)

• 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 does not equal obedience.

• 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)

• 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 from Samuel’s Leadership

• 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’s Church

• 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)

• 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 from God’s Intervention

• 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)

After the victory, Samuel sets up a stone of remembrance called Ebenezer, meaning “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (v. 12). This serves as a lasting reminder of God’s deliverance.

• 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 help future generations remember what God has done.

• They encourage faith in times of future trials.

• They declare that victory is the result of God’s power, not human effort.

Personal Application: What Are Our Ebenezers?

Testimonies of God’s faithfulness in past struggles.

Physical reminders—a journal, a marker in Scripture, a note from a time when God moved in your life.

Church memorials—celebrating answered prayers and victories God has given.

Reflection Question: Do we take time to remember and thank God for His past faithfulness?

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