Literally, ’eben ha‘ezer, “the stone of the help,” referring definitely to the providential deliverance just mentioned. As the help had been specific, so the memorial was to be of a definite and permanent form. The fact that God upon this occasion delivered them from the enemy was only an earnest of future providences.

Samuel wished Israel to understand that the Lord’s help was theirs only as from day to day they obeyed Him, and not once for all, irrespective of their attitude. It is well for the Christian to go back constantly to the Ebenezers of life, where providential deliverances came to crown distrust of self, a full surrender, and trust in God.