The men of Kiriath Jearim came, and fetched up the ark of Allah, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of Allah. 2It happened, from the day that the ark stayed in Kiriath Jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented to Allah. 3Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If you will return to Allah with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to Allah, and worship him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 4Then Bani-Israel did put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and worshiped Allah only. 5Samuelsaid, Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you to Allah. 6They gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before Allah, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against Allah. Samuel became judge of Bani-Israel at Mizpah. 7When the Philistines heard that Bani-Israel were gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. When Bani-Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8Bani-Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry to Allah our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.“ 9Samuel took a young lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt-offering to Allah: and Samuel cried to Allah for Israel; and Allah answered him. 10As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but Allahthundered with a great thunder on that day on the Philistines, and confused them; and they were struck down before Israel. 11The men of Israel went out from Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and struck them, until they came under Beth Kar. 12Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, Thus far has Allah helped us. 13So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more within the border of Israel: and the hand of Allah was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and Israel recovered its territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace between Israel and the Amorites. 15Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16He went from year to year in circuit to Bethel and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. 17He would return to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel: and he built there an altar to Allah.