1 And the men of Kir´jath–je´arim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abin´adab in the hill, and sanctified Ele-a´zar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.
2 And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kir´jath–je´arim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.
3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ash´toreth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
4 Then the children of Israel did put away Ba´alim and Ash´toreth, and served the Lord only.
5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord.