2It happened, from the day that the ark abode in Kiriath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after Yahweh.
3Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If you do return to Yahweh with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to Yahweh, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
4Then the children of Israel did put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and served Yahweh only.
5Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you to Yahweh.
6They gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before Yahweh, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against Yahweh. Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah.
7When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
8The children of Israel said to Samuel, "Don`t cease to cry to Yahweh our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines."
