[1] And the men of Kir'iath-je'arim came and took up the ark of the LORD,
and brought it to the house of Abin'adab on the hill; and they consecrated
his son, Elea'zar, to have charge of the ark of the LORD. [2] From the day
that the ark was lodged at Kir'iath-je'arim, a long time passed, some
twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. [3] Then
Samuel said to all the house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD
with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ash'taroth from
among you, and direct your heart to the LORD, and serve him only, and he
will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." [4] So Israel put
away the Ba'als and the Ash'taroth, and they served the LORD only. [5] Then
Samuel said, "Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for
you." [6] So they gathered at Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out
before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, "We have sinned
against the LORD." And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. [7]
Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at
Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the
people of Israel heard of it they were afraid of the Philistines. [8] And
the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry to the LORD our
God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines." [9] So
Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the
LORD; and Samuel cried to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him.
[10] As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew
near to attack Israel; but the LORD thundered with a mighty voice that day
against the Philistines and threw them into confusion; and they were routed
before Israel. [11] And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued
the Philistines, and smote them, as far as below Beth-car. [12] Then Samuel
took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jesha'nah, and called its
name Ebene'zer; for he said, "Hitherto the LORD has helped us." [13] So the
Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel.
And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of
Samuel. [14] The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were
restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel rescued their territory
from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and
the Amorites. [15] Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. [16] And
he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he
judged Israel in all these places. [17] Then he would come back to Ramah,
for his home was there, and there also he administered justice to Israel.
And he built there an altar to the LORD.
