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.

1 SAMUEL 7:8KJV
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1 Samuel 7:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 7:8 mean?

1 Samuel 7:8 shows the Israelites asking Samuel to keep calling on God as the Philistines threaten them. They want God to rescue them, and they ask Samuel to speak to God on their behalf.

The words “out of the hand of the Philistines” picture the enemy’s power as a grasp from which Israel needs to be freed. The request follows the people’s fear when they hear that the Philistines are coming against them in verse 7.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 7:8

  • “Cease” — חָרַשׁ (ḥarash): This word can carry the sense of being silent or keeping quiet. Joined with “not,” it makes the request urgent: the people want Samuel to keep speaking out to God.
  • “cry” — זָעַק (zaʿaq): This word often describes calling out in distress. It gives Samuel’s prayer the force of an urgent appeal rather than a casual request.
  • “hand” — יָד (yad): A hand can picture power or control. Here it describes the danger posed by the Philistines as an enemy force.

Why 1 Samuel 7:8 matters

  • The people ask for a particular kind of help from Samuel: “cry unto the LORD our God for us.” Their request identifies Samuel as the one they want to speak on their behalf.
  • The people look to God for the rescue. They ask Samuel to call on “the LORD our God” so that “he will save us,” rather than asking Samuel himself to deliver them.
  • Samuel answers their request by crying to the LORD, and the LORD answers him in verse 9. The next verse tells how the LORD throws the Philistines into confusion, connecting the request to what happens in the battle.

Where else these words appear

“Cease” Hebrew H2790 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
  • Esther 7:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.
  • Proverbs 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

“cry” Hebrew H2199 · used in 73 verses

  • Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
  • 2 Samuel 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
  • Isaiah 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.