Samuel Subdues the Philistines

1Then the men of Kiriath-jearim (city of forests) came for the ark of the LORD {YHWH} and took it into Abinadab’s (my father is willing) house on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar (God has helped) to guard the ark of the LORD.

2And from that day a long time passed, twenty years in all, as the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim (city of forests). And all the house of Israel (he wrestles with God) mournfully sought the LORD {YHWH}.

3Then Samuel (his name is El) said to all the house of Israel (he wrestles with God), “If you⁺ are returning to the LORD {YHWH} with all your⁺ hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths (star) among you⁺, prepare your⁺ hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you⁺ from the hand of the Philistines (immigrants).”

4So the Israelites (God prevails) put away the Baals (lord) and Ashtoreths (star) and served only the LORD {YHWH}.

5Then Samuel (his name is El) said, “Gather all Israel (he wrestles with God) to Mizpah (watchtower), and I will pray to the LORD {YHWH} on your⁺ behalf.”

6When they had gathered at Mizpah (watchtower), they drew water and poured it out before the LORD {YHWH}. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel (his name is El) judged (governed)a the Israelites (God prevails) at Mizpah.

7When the Philistines (immigrants) heard that the Israelites (God prevails) had gathered at Mizpah (watchtower), their rulers marched up toward Israel. And when the Israelites learned of this, they feared the Philistines 8and (he wrestles with God) said to Samuel (his name is El), “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu} for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines (immigrants).”

9Then Samuel (his name is El) took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD {YHWH}. He cried out to the LORD on behalf of Israel (he wrestles with God), and the LORD answered him. 10As the Philistines (immigrants) drew near to fight against Israel (he wrestles with God), Samuel (his name is El) was offering up the burnt offering. But that day the LORD {YHWH} thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel.

11Then the men of Israel (he wrestles with God) charged out of Mizpah (watchtower) and pursued the Philistines (immigrants), striking them down all the way to an area below Beth-car (house of the lamb).

12Afterward, Samuel (his name is El) took a stone and set it up between Mizpah (watchtower) and Shen [Jeshanah].b He named it Ebenezer (stone of help),c saying, “Thus far the LORD {YHWH} has helped us.”

13So the Philistines (immigrants) were subdued, and they stopped invading the territory of Israel (he wrestles with God). And the hand of the LORD {YHWH} was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel (his name is El). 14The cities from Ekron (torn up by the roots) to Gath (winepress), which the Philistines (immigrants) had taken (he wrestles with God), were restored to Israel, who also delivered the surrounding territory from the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between the Israelites and the Amorites (sayers).

15So Samuel (his name is El) judged Israel (he wrestles with God) all the days of his life. 16Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel (house of God) to Gilgal (a wheel) to Mizpah (watchtower), judging Israel (he wrestles with God) in all these places. 17Then he would return to Ramah (hill) because his home was there, and there he judged Israel (he wrestles with God) and built an altar to the LORD {YHWH}.