1Sa 7:3-4 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 3. And Samuel spake ] We have heard nothing of this judge since he served in the tabernacle. He was now grown up, and established for a prophet in the land of Israel. If ye do return ] From your backsliding and idolatry. With all your hearts ] For outward services and professions will avail nothing. Put away the strange gods ] Destroy their images, altars , and groves : they are strange ; you do not know them as helpers, saviours , or defenders . Prepare your hearts ] Let your hearts be straight and steady . And serve him only ] Have no other religious service but his, and obey his laws. He will deliver you ] Vain are your own exertions; he will deliver you in such a way as to show that the excellence of the power is of himself alone.

‏ 1 Samuel 7:3-4

Verse 3. And Samuel spake] We have heard nothing of this judge since he served in the tabernacle. He was now grown up, and established for a prophet in the land of Israel.

If ye do return] From your backsliding and idolatry.

With all your hearts] For outward services and professions will avail nothing.

Put away the strange gods] Destroy their images, altars, and groves: they are strange; you do not know them as helpers, saviours, or defenders.

Prepare your hearts] Let your hearts be straight and steady.

And serve him only] Have no other religious service but his, and obey his laws.

He will deliver you] Vain are your own exertions; he will deliver you in such a way as to show that the excellence of the power is of himself alone.

Verse 4. Put away Baalim and Ashtaroth] These were not two particular deities, but two genera of idols; the one masculine, BAALIM; the other feminine, ASHTAROTH; both the words are in the plural number, and signify all their gods and goddesses.