1 Samuel 7:2-6

New International Version

² The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim^(A) a long time—twenty years in all.

Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah

Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord.^{(B) 3} So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning^(C) to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid^(D) yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths^(E) and commit^(F) yourselves to the Lord and serve him only,^(G) and he will deliver^(H) you out of the hand of the Philistines.” ⁴ So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.

⁵ Then Samuel^(I) said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah,^(J) and I will intercede^(K) with the Lord for you.” ⁶ When they had assembled at Mizpah,^(L) they drew water and poured^(M) it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader^[a](N) of Israel at Mizpah.