Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 7:10. It’s a really important passage about God's plan to protect His people. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is sending a powerful message to the Philistines – the people who lived on the coast of Israel – to show them he doesn’t want them to attack. Here’s a breakdown of each part: “As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering…” - This describes Samuel, a priest, performing a ritual sacrifice. It's a time of prayer and seeking God’s favor. “…the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel:” – The Philists were moving closer to attacking Israel. They were planning something hostile. “But the LORD thundered with a great thunder upon that day…” - This is key . The Lord (God) isn’t just talking; He's sending a huge, powerful sound! “Thunder” is a really dramatic way of describing this – it’s like God unleashing his power. “…and discomfited them:” - The thunder was so loud and forceful that it made the Philistines discomforted . It wasn't a pleasant sound; it was disruptive! “And they were smitten before Israel.” – This means the Philists lost. They were defeated. They weren’t able to continue their attack on Israel. So, what does this all mean? It’s a powerful message of God's protection. It speaks about: God’s Sovereignty: He is in control and doesn’t let anyone harm His people. Divine Justice: The Philists were being provoked by their actions, and God is correcting that with a forceful display of his power. Protection & Salvation: This verse shows that God wants to protect Israel from enemies. In essence, it's a story about God sending his mighty voice to scare away the enemy and demonstrate His power over them. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of 1 Samuel? Give you a little more context about the time period?