Reading the Bible in Historical Sequence Part 4Shembull

1096 BC After Samuel leads a national act of repentance, God enables Israel to rout the Philistines. The aging Samuel appoints his corrupt sons but Israel demands a king. Samuel anoints Saul who is later nationally acclaimed.

Note 1 Samuel 7:3–10: The Philistines, with their superior weapons (and the skills to forge and sharpen iron implements), had set up garrisons around the country to raid Israelite harvests. But under Samuel’s ministry Israel cried tears of repentance (1 Samuel 7:6) and God routed the Philistines. Only a few small garrisons remained (1 Samuel 10:5).