What does 1 Samuel 7:7 mean?
In the ancient Near East, almost no nation went to battle without first seeking assistance from their god or gods. This involved various rituals. When the Philistines hear that the entire nation of Israel has gathered at Mizpah to worship the Lord, they likely assume the Israelites are preparing to try to overthrow them.The Philistines decide to attack before the Israelites attack them. The lords of the five major cities of the Philistines gather their forces and march from the west toward Mizpah, north of Jerusalem, to squash the rebellion.
Unprepared for war, the people of Israel are terrified at this news. The last time they had challenged the Philistines, twenty years earlier, Israelites had been slaughtered in horrific numbers (1 Samuel 4:2, 10). How many would be killed this time?