(3) В¶ 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 Ashtaroth 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.
The Reader must rejoice in the introduction of Samuel again in this place, as from his appearance there is great reason to hope good. Probably, though Samuel had continued his ministry, yet it was so little regarded, that we find from his now persuading them yet more earnestly than ever to put away their idols, they had set up the general practice of idolatry in the land. Alas! what is the history of faithful ministers when their ministry falls to the ground, in the unfaithfulness of the people.