1 The men of Kiriath-jearim came and brought up the ark of the LORD. They brought it to Abinadab’s house on the hill and consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD.

2 A long time passed from the day the ark came to stay at Kiriath-jearim—twenty years. All the house of Israel lamented, longing for the LORD.

3 Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you. Set your hearts toward the LORD and serve him alone, and he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” 4 The Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD alone.

5 Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you.” 6 They gathered at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the LORD. They fasted that day and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah. 7 When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines went up against Israel. The Israelites heard of it and were afraid of the Philistines. 8 The Israelites said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, so that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it whole as a burnt offering to the LORD. Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. 10 While Samuel was offering the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel. That day the LORD thundered with a great sound against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. 11 The men of Israel went out from Mizpah, pursued the Philistines, and struck them down as far as below Beth-car. 12 Samuel took a stone, set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” 13 The Philistines were subdued and did not enter the territory of Israel again. The hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 The cities the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath. Israel also delivered their territories from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace between Israel and the Amorites. 15 Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 Year after year he went on a circuit through Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. 17 Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there. There he judged Israel, and there he built an altar to the LORD.