Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.
Samuel remained true to Heaven in the midst of surrounding evil at the time when the sins of Eli and his sons had shut out the presence of the Holy Spirit, when the word of the Lord was rare with no open vision, and when God passed by Eli to commune with Samuel as a child and entrust him with the message of condemnation against the house of Eli as his commission as a prophet of the Most High. The putting away of the idols came after twenty years under Philistine power, during which Israel was greatly humbled. At that time the ark was resting in the house of Abinadab at Kirjath-jearim.
Putting away Baalim and Ashtaroth meant repenting of sins by putting away idols and turning to serve God alone. Samuel interceded for the repentant people, and God was merciful to them again. After this repentance, when the Philistines made war against Israel, the Lord worked in a miraculous manner for Israel so that they overcame their enemies.
The verse records a revival of true heart religion in ancient Israel that is needed today. Repentance is the first step for all who would return to God. That return must be individual, with each person humbling the soul before God and putting away idols, since no one can do it for another. When all that can be done has been done, the Lord manifests His salvation.
Samuel remained true to Heaven in the midst of surrounding evil at the time when the sins of Eli and his sons had shut out the presence of the Holy Spirit, when the word of the Lord was rare with no open vision, and when God passed by Eli to commune with Samuel as a child and entrust him with the message of condemnation against the house of Eli as his commission as a prophet of the Most High. The putting away of the idols came after twenty years under Philistine power, during which Israel was greatly humbled. At that time the ark was resting in the house of Abinadab at Kirjath-jearim.
Putting away Baalim and Ashtaroth meant repenting of sins by putting away idols and turning to serve God alone. Samuel interceded for the repentant people, and God was merciful to them again. After this repentance, when the Philistines made war against Israel, the Lord worked in a miraculous manner for Israel so that they overcame their enemies.
The verse records a revival of true heart religion in ancient Israel that is needed today. Repentance is the first step for all who would return to God. That return must be individual, with each person humbling the soul before God and putting away idols, since no one can do it for another. When all that can be done has been done, the Lord manifests His salvation.