1 Samuel 7:2-4

1. Samuel’s spiritual leadership 7:2-4

Twenty years after the Philistines had returned the ark, Samuel led the people in national repentance. [Note: Ralph W. Klein, 1 Samuel, pp. 65-66; Wood, The Prophets . . ., p. 159, n. 12.] Samson’s ministry may have taken place during these 20 years. [Note: Idem, Distressing Days of the Judges, pp. 303-4.] The Philistine oppression resulted in the Israelites turning to Yahweh for help (1 Samuel 7:2). Samuel told the people what they needed to do to secure God’s blessing and victory over their enemy. They needed to repent (cf. Deuteronomy 6:13; Deuteronomy 13:4; Matthew 4:10). The people did so, and the hope of deliverance revived. Baal and Ashtoreth were the chief male and female deities of the Canaanite pantheon. The plural forms of these names are Baals and Ashtaroth (1 Samuel 7:4).