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.

1 SAMUEL 7:10KJV
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1 Samuel 7:10 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 7:10 mean?

1 Samuel 7:10 describes how, as Samuel was offering a burnt offering to God, the Philistines approached to attack Israel, but the LORD intervened by sending a powerful thunder that threw the Philistines into confusion, allowing Israel to defeat them. The verse highlights God’s direct action on behalf of Israel during a moment of worship and danger.

Samuel, acting as a leader and priest, was making a burnt offering when the Philistines, Israel’s enemies, moved in for battle. Instead of Israel winning by their own strength, the LORD (Yahweh) used a dramatic natural event—a great thunder—to disrupt the Philistines, causing panic and making them vulnerable to defeat. This moment shows the connection between Israel’s faithfulness in worship and God’s willingness to act powerfully for them.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 7:10

  • יְהוָה (YHWH, transliterated as "Yahweh" or "the LORD"): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that it was not just any deity, but their covenant God who intervened.
  • רָעַם (ra‘am, "thundered"): This word means to thunder loudly. In the ancient world, thunder was often seen as a sign of divine power, so the use of thunder here underlines that the LORD’s intervention was unmistakably supernatural.
  • הָמַם (hamam, "discomfited"): This word means to throw into confusion or panic. It suggests that the Philistines were not just frightened, but completely thrown off and unable to fight effectively, which was key to Israel’s victory.

Why 1 Samuel 7:10 matters

  • 1 Samuel 7:10 clarifies that Israel’s victory was not due to military strength but to God’s direct intervention, which is a major theme in this part of the book.
  • The verse connects the act of worship (Samuel’s offering) with God’s response, showing that Israel’s relationship with God was central to their national life and security.
  • This moment sets the stage for Israel’s renewed trust in God, contrasting with earlier chapters where Israel tried to use the ark as a good luck charm rather than seeking God sincerely.

Where else these words appear

“thundered” Hebrew H7481 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
  • Job 37:4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
  • Psalms 29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.

“discomfited” Hebrew H2000 · used in 13 verses

  • Exodus 14:24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
  • Judges 4:15 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
  • Psalms 18:14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

“smitten” Hebrew H5062 · used in 46 verses

  • Exodus 8:2 And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
  • Judges 20:39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:24 And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;

“near” Hebrew H5066 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Deuteronomy 25:9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.
  • 2 Kings 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.