1 Samuel 7:11
And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.
The pursuit to Beth-car came after Israel had been under Philistine power for twenty years. That long domination ended in victory on the very field where Israel had been defeated about twenty years before. It was the same battlefield where the priests had been killed and the ark had been captured.
Before that battle the Hebrews were greatly humbled and repented of their sins. When Samuel began to judge Israel, even in his youth, he called the people together for fasting and prayer and deep humiliation before God and bore solemn testimony to them. Samuel interceded for them, and the people, having learned where their strength lay, entreated him to cry to God for them without ceasing.
When the Philistines were aroused and came to make war, God in mercy heard prayer in Israel's behalf. He wrought for them in a miraculous manner and turned victory to Israel's side. Israel then pursued the fleeing Philistines and smote them as far as Beth-car. In that pursuit they used weapons taken from the fallen enemy. The outcome proved that obedience to God brings safety and victory, while transgression brings disaster and defeat.