Samuel's Victory at Mizpah and the Ebenezer Stone

After twenty years of mourning the lost Ark, Samuel calls all Israel to gather at Mizpah to repent and put away their foreign gods. They fast, confess their sins, and pour out water before the Lord. The Philistines hear the assembly and march up to attack. The Israelites are terrified — but Samuel offers a burnt lamb and cries out to God. As Samuel is sacrificing, the Lord thunders with a mighty voice from heaven, throwing the Philistines into confusion. Israel chases them and strikes them down from Mizpah all the way to Beth-car. Samuel sets up a stone between Mizpah and Shen and names it Ebenezer — 'stone of help' — saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.' The Philistines do not invade Israel again all the days of Samuel.

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