Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 7:14. It’s a really significant passage about God’s plan to restore something that was lost. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: The Problem: For a long time, the Philistines – a group of people who lived on the coast – had taken over territories that were historically part of Israel. They held these lands and built their own communities. God’s Plan: God decided he wanted to put those lands back under Israel again. He saw this as a way for peace to be restored between Israel and the Amorites (another group of people). What Happened? Restoration: God instructed Samuel, a prophet, to go to the city of Ekron (which is now part of the northern region of Israel) and speak to the Philistine king. He told the Philistines to give back the land they had taken. Re-Establishment: Samuel then led the Israelites – including the people from Ekron – to the coasts of the region, where they reclaimed those lands. It’s like a giant return! Peace with the Amorites: Importantly, after restoring the land, God also established peace between Israel and the Amorites. This means that the two groups could live together without conflict. In short, it's about God restoring something lost and bringing peace between different groups of people. Think of it like this: Imagine a long-standing disagreement between neighbors. God steps in to resolve it – he gives back the land to those who were previously under claim, and establishes a peaceful relationship between them. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific part of the verse in more detail? Give you a different perspective on this passage (e.g., its historical context)?