DAWN
Daily Arts Web Nucleus
Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links and a discussion forum 2014 June 11
Image 1: Horse Frightened by a Storm (1824)
Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863)
Romanticism Style
Szepmuveszeti Muzeum, Budapest, Hungary
Image Credit: Web Gallery of Art
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Image 2: Coastal Scene with Resting Riders (detail) - (c. 1652)
Jan Asselyn (c. 1610 - 1652)
Dutch Golden Age Baroque Style
Akademie der bildenden Kunste, Vienna, Austria
Image Credit: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: 1 Samuel 7 describes how the Philistines were subdued by a storm and by military action; and it mentions the circuit riding judgeship of Samuel. The paintings above reflect these two aspects of the chapter.
The opening sentence of the chapter has generated much discussion among commentators: "And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD." Principally the discussion revolves around three questions: Why was the ark sent to Kirjathjearim instead of the Tabernacle in Shiloh where it formerly resided? Who was Abinadab? And who was Eleazar? Some plausible answers are these: The ark was sent to Kirjathjearim because it was the nearest large city, perhaps to await instructions from the LORD for moving the ark to a final destination. Abinadab was probably a Levite, which would explain why the ark was taken to his house. Eleazar, Abinadab's son, was qualified to be a keeper of the ark because he, like his father, was a Levite (1-2).
Samuel called the Israelites to repentance and commanded them to put away their idols, which they did (3-4). Samuel then called Israel to Mizpeh where they fasted and sacrificed to the LORD. But the Philistines heard of the gathering and came against Israel for war. The Israelites begged Samuel for his prayers. As Samuel was making a sacrifice and pleading to the LORD for help, the Philistines approached, ready for battle. But the LORD disturbed the Philistines (or put them in commotion) with a great thunderstorm. Israel then attacked the Philistines, chased them, and killed many (5-11). Afterwards, Samuel set up a memorial stone and called it "Ebenezer" (stone of help). And the Philistines came no more against the Israelites. Also they restored several cities to Israel; and peace prevailed (12-14). Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life and traveled a circuit conducting the judgeship. After each circuit he returned to Ramah where he lived; and he built an altar to the LORD there (15-17).
1 Samuel 7
1 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
2 And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.
3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.
5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.
6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
7 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
8 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.
9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.
10 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.
11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.
12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
14 And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
16 And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
17 And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.
PARTICIPATION: We have 7 areas available (via email) for your participation. We are accepting contributions for Prose, Poetry, Writers, Visual Artists, Music, DAWN, and ILLUMINATION. DAWN, the page you are presently visiting, features a new image daily and invites discussion of the artist, style, or Biblical subjects depicted. ILLUMINATION features a compact, Illuminated Bible for which we are accepting visual, auditory, musical, and written contributions on any Biblical passage or theme. Our goal is to have a community-made, online, Illuminated Bible.
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copyright 2014, Scott Souza
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