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Here a rock was a remembrance of God’s help, but there is also another Ebenezer—Jesus Christ, the Rock who is our Help.

BibleGateway: 1 Samuel 7:2-17

ESV Text: 1 Samuel 7:2-17


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 0:12 and ends at about 2:59

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2 And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

     3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. 5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD. 6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, 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 children of Israel in Mizpeh.

     7 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. 9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. 10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. 12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

     13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. 15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. 17 And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 465:
Christ Is the Cornerstone

Hymnary.org

— Organ Audio

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1. Christ is our Corner-Stone, 
On Him alone we build; 
With His true saints alone 
The courts of heaven are filled. 
On His great love 
Our hopes we place 
Of present grace 
And joys above. 

2. Oh, then, with hymns of praise 
These hallowed courts shall ring; 
Our voices we will raise 
The three in One to sing 
And thus proclaim 
In joyful song, 
Both loud and long. 
That glorious name. 

3. Here, gracious God, do Thou 
Forevermore draw nigh; 
Accept each faithful vow 
And mark each suppliant sigh. 
In copious shower 
On all who pray 
Each holy day, 
Thy blessing pour. 

4. Here may we gain from heaven 
The grace which we implore, 
And may that grace, once given, 
Be with us evermore 
Until that day 
When all the blest 
To endless rest 
Are called away!