<p class="bodytext">When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, the leaders of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the Israelites heard about this, they were afraid of the Philistines.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel. The men of Israel fled from the Philistines and many of them fell dead on Mount Gilboa.

<p class="bodytext">The cities that the Philistines had captured from Israel were returned to Israel, from Ekron to Gath. Israel also delivered their territory from the control<n id="1" /> of the Philistines. There was also peace between Israel and the Amorites.

Israel and the Philistines drew up their battle lines opposite one another.

Samuel revealed the word of the <sc>Lordsc><n id="1" /> to all Israel.p><t /><p class="bodytext">Then the Israelites went out to fight the Philistines.<n id="2" /> They camped at Ebenezer,<n id="3" /> and the Philistines camped at Aphek.

The Philistines arranged their forces to fight<n id="1" /> Israel. As the battle spread out,<n id="2" /> Israel was defeated by<n id="3" /> the Philistines, who<n id="4" /> killed about four thousand men in the battle line in the field.p>

<p class="bodytext">So the Philistines fought. Israel was defeated; they all ran home.<n id="1" /> The slaughter was very great; thirty thousand foot soldiers fell in battle.

All Israel heard this message,<n id="1" /> &#8220;Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel is repulsive<n id="2" /> to the Philistines!&#8221; So the people were summoned to join<n id="3" /> Saul at Gilgal.p>

Samuel said, &#8220;Is it not true that when you were insignificant in your own eyes, you became head of the tribes of Israel? The <sc>Lordsc> chose<n id="1" /> you as king over Israel.

She said, &#8220;The glory has departed from Israel, because the ark of God has been captured.&#8221;p>

So Samuel led<n id="1" /> Israel all the days of his life.

<p class="bodytext">So all the elders of Israel gathered together and approached Samuel at Ramah.

<p class="bodytext">So they assembled<n id="1" /> all the leaders of the Philistines and asked, &#8220;What should we do with the ark of the God of Israel?&#8221; They replied, &#8220;The ark of the God of Israel should be moved to Gath.&#8221; So they moved the ark of the God of Israel.p>

He said to the Israelites, &#8220;This is what the <sc>Lordsc> God of Israel says, &#8216;I brought Israel up from Egypt and I delivered you from the power<n id="1" /> of the Egyptians and from the power of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.

<p class="bodytext">The men of Israel said, &#8220;Have you seen this man who is coming up? He does so<n id="1" /> to defy Israel. But the king will make the man who can strike him down very wealthy! He will give him his daughter in marriage, and he will make his father&#8217;s house exempt from tax obligations in Israel.&#8221;p>

All Israel from Dan to Beer Sheba realized that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the <sc>Lordsc>.

So the Israelites<n id="1" /> removed the Baals and images of Ashtoreth. They served only the <sc>Lordsc>.p>

<p class="bodytext">Then Samuel said, &#8220;Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the <sc>Lordsc> on your behalf.&#8221;

<t /><p class="bodytext">In his old age Samuel appointed his sons as judges over Israel.

<p class="bodytext">Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot.