1 Samuel 7:1-9 ▼

1 The men of Kiriath-jearim came and took the Ark of the LORD. They brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill, and they consecrated his son Eleazar to care for the Ark of the LORD.

2 A long time passed—it was twenty years—from the time the Ark came to reside in Kiriath-jearim, and all the house of Israel mourned because of the LORD.

3 Then Samuel told the whole house of Israel, |If you're returning to the LORD with all your heart, then remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, direct your hearts back to the LORD, and serve him only. Then he will deliver you from the control of the Philistines.|

4 So the Israelis removed the Baals and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

5 Samuel said, |Bring all Israel together at Mizpah, and I'll pray to the LORD on your behalf.|

6 So they came together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out in the LORD's presence. On that day they fasted there and said, |We have sinned against the LORD.| Then Samuel judged the Israelis at Mizpah.

7 When the Philistines heard that the Israelis had gathered at Mizpah, the Philistine lords came up against Israel. When the Israelis heard this, they were afraid of the Philistines.

8 The Israelis told Samuel, |Don't stop crying out to the LORD our God for us that he may deliver us from the hand of the Philistines.|

9 Then Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. Samuel cried out to the LORD on behalf of Israel, and the LORD answered him.