Samuel Subdues the Philistines
1 The men of Kiriath Jearim came and took the Ark of the Lord and brought it into Abinadab’s house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the Ark of the Lord. 2 From the day that the Ark remained in Kiriath Jearim, much time had passed, for it was there for 20 years, and all the house of Israel lamented to the Lord.
3 Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” 4 Then the Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the Lord only.
5 Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” 6 They gathered together to 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.” Samuel judged the Israelites in Mizpah.
7 When the Philistines heard that the Israelites were gathered together at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the Israelites heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 The Israelites said to Samuel, “Don’t stop crying to the Lord our God for us, that he will save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines came near to battle against Israel, but the Lord thundered with a mighty voice on that day on the Philistines and confused them, and they were struck down before Israel. 11 The men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, until they came under Beth Kar.
12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen and named it Ebenezer, saying, “The Lord helped us until now.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they stopped coming within the border of Israel. The Lord’s hand 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 recovered its border from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
Samuel Judges Israel
15 Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 He went from year to year in a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all those places. 17 His return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and he judged Israel there, and he built an altar to the Lord there.