Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you to Yahweh.
"The lords of the Philistines went up against Israel"  (1 Samuel 7:7). As H. P. Smith stated it, "The opportunity for plundering an unwarlike community was not to be lost.  Josephus correctly understands that the people had come without arms."[10]  We normally accept what Josephus says, but not in this instance.  1 Samuel 7:11 declares that Israel `smote the Philistines,' and one does not smite an invading army with his bare hands. The Israelites were most certainly armed.  The circumstances of the gathering at Mizpah were such that, as R. P. Smith said, "The Philistines looked upon it as a virtual declaration of war."[11]