1 Men from Kiriath-jearim took God’s Box (the Ark) and put it in Abinadab’s house on a hill. They chose his son Eleazar to guard it. ⛰️️ 2 God’s Box stayed there a long time, 20 years. All Israel was sad and wanted God. ⏳2️⃣0️⃣ 3 Samuel said to all the people, “Come back to God. Take away fake gods like Baal and Ashtaroth. Love God and serve God only. Then God will save you from the Philistines.” ️️⚔️ 4 The people took away Baal and Ashtaroth. They served God only. 5 Samuel said, “All of you, come to Mizpah. I will pray to God for you.” 6 All the people came to Mizpah. They poured out water to show they were sorry. They did not eat that day. They said, “We did wrong to God.” Samuel led them there. ️❌️ 7 The Philistines heard the people were at Mizpah and came to fight. Israel was afraid. ⚔️ 8 The people said to Samuel, “Please do not stop. Pray to God for us. Ask God to save us from the Philistines.” ➡️ 9 Samuel took a baby lamb and gave it to God as a fire gift. Samuel prayed to God for Israel. God answered him. ✅ 10 While Samuel gave the gift, the Philistines came near to fight. God made big loud thunder. The Philistines were scared and mixed up. Israel won. ️⚡️ 11 The men of Israel ran out from Mizpah. They chased the Philistines and hit them to a place named Beth-car. ♂️️ 12 Samuel set a big stone between Mizpah and Shen and named it Ebenezer. He said, “Till now, God has helped us.” ️ 13 The Philistines were weak then and did not come back into Israel’s land. God was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. ⬇️✋ 14 Israel got back the towns the Philistines took, from Ekron to Gath. Israel set free the land around them. There was peace with the Amorites. ️️️ 15 Samuel led Israel all his life. 16 Each year Samuel went to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. He led the people in those towns. ️♂️ 17 Samuel went back to his home in Ramah. He led the people there too. He made an altar there for God. ️