Bible Strands
1 Samuel 7:8
and said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Israelites speak to Samuel at Mizpah while the Philistine army advances, asking him to continue interceding on their behalf. The context establishes their fear and immediate dependence on his prayer.
The words — The Hebrew phrase אַל תַּחֲרֵשׁ (al ta.charesh) combines a negative imperative with a verb meaning "keep silent" or "cease being still," literally commanding "do not keep silent." This pairs with the request to cry out to the LORD for deliverance from the Philistines.
The thread — The text's pattern of communal prayer for rescue appears in Isaiah 37:4 and 1 Samuel 12:19, while the principle of persistent intercession for others is reinforced in James 5:16. All supplied references track the movement from desperate plea to divine response.
Why it lands — The verse states that salvation comes through continued prayer to God rather than human defense, requiring the reader to treat intercession as the primary response to threat. It places the burden of spiritual vigilance on the community and its mediator.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 37:4 Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.”
- 1 Samuel 12:19 They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”
- James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.
- Isaiah 62:1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep still, until her righteousness shines like a bright light, her salvation like a blazing torch.
- Isaiah 62:6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves,