All Israel from Dan to Beer Sheba realized that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord.

So the Israelites removed the Baals and images of Ashtoreth. They served only the Lord.

Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord on your behalf.”

In his old age Samuel appointed his sons as judges over Israel.

Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot.

When Saul counted them at Bezek, the Israelites were 300,000 strong and the men of Judah numbered 30,000.

Saul was [thirty] years old when he began to reign; he ruled over Israel for [forty] years.

So the Lord delivered Israel that day, and the battle shifted over to Beth Aven.

He fought bravely, striking down the Amalekites and delivering Israel from the hand of its enemies.

The Preeminent One of Israel does not go back on his word or change his mind, for he is not a human being who changes his mind.”

Saul and the Israelite army assembled and camped in the valley of Elah, where they arranged their battle lines to fight against the Philistines.

The Philistines were standing on one hill, and the Israelites on another hill, with the valley between them.

When Saul and all the Israelites heard these words of the Philistine, they were upset and very afraid.

They are with Saul and the whole Israelite army in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.”

When all the men of Israel saw this man, they retreated from his presence and were very afraid.

When the Israelites returned from their hot pursuit of the Philistines, they looted their camp.

But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he was the one leading them out to battle and back.

Now look, I realize that you will in fact be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.

Then David said to Abigail, “Praised be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you this day to meet me!

So Achish trusted David, thinking to himself, “He is really hated among his own people in Israel! From now on he will be my servant.”