Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. New Living Translation Each year he traveled around, setting up his court first at Bethel, then at Gilgal, and then at Mizpah. He judged the people of Israel at each of these places. English Standard Version And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. Berean Standard Bible Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. Berean Literal Bible And He went from year to year on a circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. King James Bible And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. New King James Version He went from year to year on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and judged Israel in all those places. New American Standard Bible And he used to go annually on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. NASB 1995 He used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. NASB 1977 And he used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. Legacy Standard Bible And he used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. Amplified Bible He used to go annually on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. Berean Annotated Bible Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel (house of God) to Gilgal (a wheel) to Mizpah (watchtower), judging Israel (he wrestles with God) in all these places. Christian Standard Bible Every year he would go on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah and would judge Israel at all these locations. Holman Christian Standard Bible Every year he would go on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah and would judge Israel at all these locations. American Standard Version And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. Contemporary English Version Every year he would go around to the towns of Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah where he served as judge for the people. English Revised Version And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. GOD'S WORD® Translation Every year he went around to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah in order to judge Israel in all those places. Good News Translation Every year he would go around to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and in these places he would settle disputes. International Standard Version He went on a circuit each year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all those places. NET Bible Year after year he used to travel the circuit of Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; he used to judge Israel in all of these places. New Heart English Bible He went from year to year in circuit to Bethel and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. Webster's Bible Translation And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleEvery year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. World English Bible He went from year to year in a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he has gone from year to year, and gone around Beth-El, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel [in] all these places; Berean Literal Bible And He went from year to year on a circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. Young's Literal Translation and he hath gone from year to year, and gone round Beth-El, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all these places; Smith's Literal Translation And he went as often as from year to year, and be turned about the House of God, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and he judged Israel in all these places. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he went every year about to Bethel and to Galgal and to Masphath, and he judged Israel in the aforesaid places. Catholic Public Domain Version And he went each year, traveling around to Bethel, and to Gilgal, and to Mizpah, and he judged Israel in the above-stated places. New American Bible He made a yearly circuit, passing through Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpah and judging Israel at each of these places. New Revised Standard Version He went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all these places. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el and Gilgal and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he went on from year to year and was going around to Bayth Eil and Galgala and to Metspaya, and he judged Israel and all these regions OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he went year by year, and went round Baethel, and Galgala, and Massephath; and he judged Israel in all these consecrated places. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Samuel Subdues the Philistines…15So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. 17Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD.… Cross References Every year he would go on a circuit 2 Chronicles 19:4-7 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. / He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. / Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. … Exodus 18:13-26 The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening. / When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone as judge, with all the people standing around you from morning till evening?” / “Because the people come to me to inquire of God,” Moses replied. … from Bethel Genesis 28:18-19 Early the next morning, Jacob took the stone that he had placed under his head, and he set it up as a pillar. He poured oil on top of it, / and he called that place Bethel, though previously the city had been named Luz. Genesis 35:1-7 Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” / So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments. / Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.” … to Gilgal Joshua 5:9-12 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So that place has been called Gilgal to this day. / On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they kept the Passover. / The day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the produce of the land. … Joshua 4:19-24 On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. / And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. / Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ … to Mizpah, 1 Samuel 10:17-24 After this, Samuel summoned the people to the LORD at Mizpah / and said to the Israelites, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hands of the Egyptians and of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ / But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.” … Judges 20:1-3 Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah. / The leaders of all the people and all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of God’s people: 400,000 men on foot, armed with swords. / (Meanwhile the Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) And the Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this wicked thing happen?” judging Israel in all these places. 1 Samuel 12:2-5 Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. / Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” / “You have not cheated us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.” … Deuteronomy 16:18-20 You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. / Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. / Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live, and you may possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you. Judges 4:5 And she would sit under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, where the Israelites would go up to her for judgment. 1 Samuel 8:1-3 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. / The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. / But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice. 1 Samuel 12:11 So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely. 1 Samuel 10:25 Then Samuel explained to the people the rights of kingship. He wrote them on a scroll and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, each to his own home. 1 Samuel 11:14-15 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” / So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly. 1 Samuel 15:34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. Treasury of Scripture And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. 1 Samuel 7:17 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. in circuit [heb] and he circuited Judges 5:10 Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way. Judges 10:4 And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead. Judges 12:14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years. Jump to Previous Annually Bethel Beth-El Circuit Israel Judged Judging Mizpah Mizpeh Places Round Turn UsedJump to Next Annually Bethel Beth-El Circuit Israel Judged Judging Mizpah Mizpeh Places Round Turn Used1 Samuel 7 1. They of Kiriath Jearim bring the ark to Abinadab, and sanctify Eleazar as guard2. After twenty years, 3. the Israelites, by Samuel's means, solemnly repent at Mizpeh 7. While Samuel prays and sacrifices, 10. the Lord thwarts the Philistines by thunder at Ebenezer 13. The Philistines are subdued 15. Samuel judges Israel Every year he would go on a circuit This phrase indicates a regular, annual practice by Samuel, suggesting a structured and consistent approach to leadership. The concept of a circuit implies a predetermined route, reflecting the organized nature of Samuel's ministry. This practice ensured that justice and spiritual guidance were accessible to all Israelites, not just those near a central location. It highlights the importance of consistent spiritual oversight and accountability. from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah judging Israel in all these places Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelA prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel played a crucial role in the transition from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy. He was dedicated to God by his mother, Hannah, and served under Eli the priest. 2. Bethel A significant location in Israel's history, Bethel was a place of worship and a site where God appeared to Jacob. It was part of Samuel's circuit as he judged Israel. 3. Gilgal Another key location, Gilgal was the first campsite of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River. It held historical and religious significance as a place of renewal and covenant. 4. Mizpah A gathering place for Israel, Mizpah was where Samuel called the people to repentance and where they experienced victory over the Philistines through God's intervention. 5. Judging Israel Samuel's role as a judge involved leading, guiding, and making legal decisions for the people of Israel, ensuring they followed God's laws. Teaching Points Faithful LeadershipSamuel's consistent circuit demonstrates the importance of faithful and consistent leadership in guiding God's people. Leaders today should strive to be present and active in their communities. Spiritual Renewal The locations Samuel visited were significant for Israel's spiritual history. Believers are encouraged to seek places and practices that renew their faith and commitment to God. Justice and Righteousness Samuel's role as a judge underscores the biblical call to justice. Christians are called to uphold justice and righteousness in their personal and communal lives. Repentance and Victory Mizpah represents a place of repentance and divine victory. Believers are reminded that true victory comes through repentance and reliance on God. God's Faithfulness Samuel's life and ministry reflect God's faithfulness to His people. Christians can trust in God's continued faithfulness in their lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 7:16?2. How does Samuel's circuit reflect God's call for consistent spiritual leadership today? 3. What can we learn from Samuel's dedication to judging Israel in 1 Samuel 7:16? 4. How does Samuel's leadership compare to Jesus' ministry in the New Testament? 5. In what ways can we implement Samuel's dedication to serving God in our lives? 6. How does Samuel's circuit demonstrate the importance of accountability in spiritual leadership? 7. What is the significance of Samuel's circuit in 1 Samuel 7:16 for Israel's spiritual leadership? 8. How does 1 Samuel 7:16 reflect the role of judges in ancient Israel? 9. Why did Samuel choose Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah as his judging locations in 1 Samuel 7:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 7? 11. What were the key events in Samuel's life? 12. Is there any archaeological evidence confirming Samuel's leadership or the transition he describes in 1 Samuel 12? 13. What is Gilgal's significance in the Bible? 14. Why does Solomon's succession in 1 Kings 1:28-40 ignore the usual primogeniture, given the elder sons who remained alive? What Does 1 Samuel 7:16 Mean Every year– The phrase reminds us that Samuel’s service was consistent and rhythmic. He did not wait for crises; he made godly oversight a regular priority. • Scripture shows other yearly patterns of devotion (Exodus 23:14-17; 1 Samuel 1:3). Regular obedience cultivates national and personal stability. • Samuel’s dependable schedule pictures the Lord’s own unchanging faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). He would go on a circuit – Samuel traveled a set route rather than summoning everyone to him. This brought leadership to the people right where they lived. • Judges were to be accessible (Deuteronomy 16:18); Samuel modeled that command. • Later leaders followed similar itinerant patterns: Jehoshaphat sent officials throughout Judah (2 Chronicles 17:7-9), and Paul revisited churches “in every city” (Acts 15:36). From Bethel – Bethel (“house of God”) had deep covenant history—Jacob’s dream (Genesis 28:19) and Israel’s worship gatherings (Judges 20:18). • By starting here, Samuel anchored justice in worship. He taught that civil life flows from reverence for God (Psalm 2:10-12). • Bethel lay in Ephraim, the tribe of his own father’s lineage (1 Chronicles 6:33-38), illustrating ministry that begins at home. To Gilgal – Gilgal marked Israel’s first campsite after crossing the Jordan (Joshua 4:19-24). There the nation celebrated Passover and renewed covenant, rolling away Egypt’s shame (Joshua 5:2-9). • Gilgal later became the staging ground for Saul’s kingship (1 Samuel 11:14-15). Samuel’s visits kept that place tethered to obedience rather than mere ceremony (1 Samuel 13:8-14). • His circuit reminded the people that past victories require present faithfulness (Psalm 103:2). To Mizpah – Mizpah was the scene of national repentance and deliverance under Samuel himself (1 Samuel 7:5-11). Returning there each year rekindled the memory of God’s rescue from the Philistines. • It also became the site where Saul was publicly chosen as king (1 Samuel 10:17-24), showing how God’s purposes unfold in stages at the same location. • Visiting Mizpah underscored that revival must be maintained, not memorialized and forgotten (Revelation 2:4-5). Judging Israel – “Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 7:15). Judging meant: • Settling disputes with God’s law as the standard (Deuteronomy 17:8-11). • Teaching righteousness, calling for repentance, and interceding in prayer (1 Samuel 12:19-23). • His integrity set the gold standard: “Whose ox have I taken?” (1 Samuel 12:3-4). A judge must be above reproach (Exodus 18:21). In all these places – Justice was not centralized in one shrine; it permeated every community Samuel reached. • This distributed leadership prefigures the church’s call to plant truth “in every city” (Titus 1:5). • When leaders move among the people, accountability increases and oppression decreases (2 Chronicles 19:5-7). • God values each town, each family, each heart; Samuel’s circuit illustrated that no corner of Israel was forgotten (Matthew 18:12-14). summary Samuel’s annual circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah shows an unbroken rhythm of faithful leadership grounded in worship, covenant remembrance, and accessible justice. By literally moving the Word and the judge’s seat to the people, Samuel kept Israel aligned with God’s law and grace. His pattern urges us to practice steady devotion, bring truth to every sphere, and remember that past deliverances call for present obedience. (16) To Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel.--These centres, it is observable, were all situated in the southern part of the land, in the tribe of Benjamin. This leads us to the conclusion that the power of Samuel, if not exclusively, was chiefly exercised among the southern tribes. The whole subsequent story of the chosen people seems to tell us that the religion of the Eternal at an early date became corrupted m the north of the Promised Land, and that the restoration of faith and purification of life--the result of the great work of Samuel--was so much less marked in the northern than in the southern tribes, that when the strong hand of Solomon was removed, a formal secession from the southern league at once took place. This was followed by a rapid deterioration both in faith and practice in the northern kingdom of Israel.The places mentioned as the centres where Samuel "judged" were all holy sites, and at different periods of the year, no doubt, were crowded with pilgrims from distant parts of the land. Hebrew Every yearשָׁנָה֙ (šā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8141: A year he would go וְהָלַ֗ךְ (wə·hā·laḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk on a circuit וְסָבַב֙ (wə·sā·ḇaḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround from מִדֵּ֤י (mid·dê) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1767: Sufficiency, enough Bethel אֵ֔ל (’êl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1008: Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah to Gilgal וְהַגִּלְגָּ֖ל (wə·hag·gil·gāl) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1537: Gilgal -- 'circle (of stones)', the name of several places in Palestine to Mizpah, וְהַמִּצְפָּ֑ה (wə·ham·miṣ·pāh) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4709: Mizpah -- the name of several places in Israel judging וְשָׁפַט֙ (wə·šā·p̄aṭ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc in אֵ֥ת (’êṯ) Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every these הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those places. הַמְּקוֹמ֖וֹת (ham·mə·qō·w·mō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition Links 1 Samuel 7:16 NIV1 Samuel 7:16 NLT 1 Samuel 7:16 ESV 1 Samuel 7:16 NASB 1 Samuel 7:16 KJV 1 Samuel 7:16 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 7:16 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 7:16 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 7:16 French Bible 1 Samuel 7:16 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 7:16 He went from year to year (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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