1 Samuel 7:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Year by year Samuel travels a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah to judge Israel.
What Does 1 Samuel 7:16 Mean?
Samuel's ministry is one of diligent, traveling service. Each year he makes a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, bringing leadership and justice to the people in each place. He does not wait for Israel to come to him but goes out to meet them where they are.
The picture is of a shepherd-leader who tirelessly seeks the good of his flock. Samuel carries God's justice across the land, year after year, faithful in the unglamorous work of going from place to place. This foreshadows the heart of the Good Shepherd, who comes to where His people are. Faithfulness often looks like this: the same circuit walked again and again, with care, so that no part of God's people is neglected.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 7:16
What does 1 Samuel 7:16 mean?
Year by year Samuel travels a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah to judge Israel.