1 Samuel 7 4

1 Samuel 7:4 kjv

Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

1 Samuel 7:4 nkjv

So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only.

1 Samuel 7:4 niv

So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only.

1 Samuel 7:4 esv

So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only.

1 Samuel 7:4 nlt

So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the LORD.

1 Samuel 7 verses

1 Samuel 7 4 Meaning

1 Samuel 7:4 marks a crucial moment of spiritual purification and national repentance for the children of Israel. Following Samuel's call, they decisively abandoned their idolatrous practices, specifically the worship of the Canaanite gods Baalim and Ashtaroth. This active "putting away" signified a clear break from syncretism and polytheism, as the nation collectively committed to serving and worshipping the LORD (YHWH) alone. It reflects a restoration of the covenant relationship and was a prerequisite for divine intervention and blessing.

1 Samuel 7 4 Context

1 Samuel chapter 7 opens after twenty long years (v. 2) during which Israel lamented under Philistine oppression and the absence of the Ark of the Covenant. Samuel, functioning as prophet and judge, delivers a direct command in verse 3, calling Israel to genuine repentance: "If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him only, and He will deliver you..." Verse 4 records Israel's immediate and comprehensive obedience to this divine injunction. This act of purification was a prerequisite for God's subsequent deliverance at Mizpah, where Samuel gathered Israel to pray and fight the Philistines. The chapter highlights that national revival and divine help hinge on the nation's spiritual state and their exclusive devotion to the Lord.

1 Samuel 7 4 Word analysis

• Then: This temporal conjunction indicates an immediate consequence or action directly following Samuel's instructions in verse 3. It denotes prompt obedience.

• the children of Israel: This refers to the collective nation, signifying a unified, national act of repentance, moving beyond mere individual conversions. It demonstrates a corporate shift in allegiance.

• put away: (Hebrew: וַיָּסִ֙ירוּ֙ vayyāśīrū, from the root סוּר sûr, "to remove, to turn aside"). This is an active and decisive verb, indicating an intentional act of disposal or discarding. It's not passive cessation but a forceful expulsion, signifying spiritual cleansing and a definitive break with past practices.

• Baalim: (Hebrew: בְּעָלִים bə‘ālîm, plural of Baal). Baal was the chief male deity in the Canaanite pantheon, worshipped as a god of storms, rain, and fertility. The plural "Baalim" suggests various local manifestations of Baal or distinct cultic centers, each with its own specific Baal. His worship often involved depraved rituals, including cultic prostitution, and was directly contrary to the exclusive worship of YHWH. Its removal symbolizes the rejection of a fundamental alternative religious system that frequently drew Israel into idolatry during the Judges period.

• and Ashtaroth: (Hebrew: עַשְׁתָּרוֹת ‘aṣ̌tārôṯ, plural of Astarte/Asherah). A prominent Canaanite goddess associated with fertility, war, and sensual rituals, often depicted alongside Baal. Her worship was particularly seductive due to promises of agricultural prosperity and its appeal to human desires. The presence of both "Baalim" and "Ashtaroth" indicates that Israel had adopted a widespread and comprehensive system of Canaanite polytheism, integrating both male and female deities into their spiritual landscape. Their removal signifies a complete purging of pagan religious influence.

• and served: (Hebrew: וַיַּעַבְדוּ wayya‘avəḏû, from the root עָבַד ‘aḇaḏ, "to work, serve, worship, be enslaved"). This verb signifies active, dedicated worship, commitment, and obedience. It highlights the positive, intentional turn towards allegiance, contrasting with merely abandoning false gods. True repentance involves both ceasing wrong and commencing right.

• the LORD: (Hebrew: יהוה YHWH, the covenant name of God). This refers to the one true God, the God of Israel's covenant, revealed to Moses. Emphasizing YHWH specifies the exclusive object of their restored worship, clearly distinguishing Him from all false deities they had formerly served. It points to a rediscovery of their unique covenant identity.

• only: (Hebrew: לְבַדּוֹ ləvaḏdô, "alone, exclusively, by himself"). This word is profoundly significant, emphasizing that Israel was now serving YHWH and no other. It represents absolute, undivided devotion, addressing the chronic problem of syncretism that plagued Israel. This fulfillment of the First Commandment (Exod 20:3) signifies a complete return to monotheistic worship.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • put away Baalim and Ashtaroth: This phrase details the concrete, visible actions of Israel's repentance. It's a national purge, indicating a dismantling of their idolatrous infrastructure and practices. It signifies a radical renunciation of all spiritual rivals to YHWH. This act goes beyond internal resolve; it manifests as tangible obedience.
  • served the LORD only: This juxtaposes the negative (putting away false gods) with the positive (serving the one true God). It highlights the dual aspect of true repentance: turning from sin and turning to God. The word "only" emphasizes the singularity and exclusivity of this new, undivided devotion, which is foundational to the covenant relationship. It means no sharing of worship or loyalty with any other entity.

1 Samuel 7 4 Bonus section

• Prophetic Leadership: Samuel's role as a prophet initiating this spiritual revival highlights the crucial role of God's chosen leaders in guiding the people back to Him, reminiscent of later reforms under kings like Josiah.
• Corporate Repentance: The phrase "the children of Israel" underscores that this was a national, collective act of turning, distinct from mere individual piety. Such corporate repentance often precedes significant national blessings or deliverance in biblical narrative.
• Spiritual Foundation: This act of purification at Mizpah laid the spiritual groundwork for future national unity and successful resistance against the Philistines. It demonstrates that spiritual renewal is prerequisite for victory in other areas of life.
• Application for Today: This verse holds contemporary relevance as a model for spiritual purification. Believers are called to "put away" anything that rivals God for devotion (idolatry can manifest in modern forms like materialism, status, or self-worship) and to "serve the Lord only" with undivided loyalty, living in obedience to Him alone.

1 Samuel 7 4 Commentary

1 Samuel 7:4 marks the culmination of genuine national repentance in Israel under Samuel's leadership. For decades, the nation had suffered due to its spiritual unfaithfulness, evidenced by pervasive Baal and Ashtaroth worship – a direct violation of their covenant with YHWH. This verse demonstrates their concrete obedience to Samuel's call, moving beyond mere lament (v. 2) to active purification. They "put away" the false gods, indicating a deliberate and comprehensive removal of idols and cultic practices. Crucially, their action wasn't merely the abandonment of the false but an active and exclusive commitment to serve "the LORD only." This pivot from syncretism to undivided loyalty was the spiritual breakthrough necessary for divine intervention, demonstrating that God's deliverance often hinges on His people's repentance and unreserved devotion.