3 Samuel told them, “If youk are returning to the Lordl with all your heart,m get rid of the foreign godsn and the Ashtoreths that are among you, set your hearts on the Lord, and worship only him.o Then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashtorethsp and only worshiped the Lord.

5 Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah,q and I will pray to the Lord on your behalf.”r 6 When they gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out in the Lord’s presence.s They fasted that day,t and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.”u And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.