¹⁹ But God struck down^(A) some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy^[a] of them to death because they looked^(B) into the ark of the Lord. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the Lord had dealt them. ²⁰ And the people of Beth Shemesh asked, “Who can stand^(C) in the presence of the Lord, this holy^(D) God? To whom will the ark go up from here?”

²¹ Then they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath Jearim,^(E) saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and take it up to your town.” 7 ¹ So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark^(F) of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s^(G) house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. ² The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim^(H) a long time—twenty years in all.

Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah

Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord.^{(I) 3} So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning^(J) to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid^(K) yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths^(L) and commit^(M) yourselves to the Lord and serve him only,^(N) and he will deliver^(O) you out of the hand of the Philistines.” ⁴ So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.

⁵ Then Samuel^(P) said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah,^(Q) and I will intercede^(R) with the Lord for you.” ⁶ When they had assembled at Mizpah,^(S) they drew water and poured^(T) it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader^[b](U) of Israel at Mizpah.