1 Samuel 7:4

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

Then the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} did put away {H5493} Baalim {H1168} and Ashtaroth {H6252}, and served {H5647} the LORD {H3068} only.

So the people of Isra'el banished the ba'alim and the 'ashtarot and served only ADONAI.

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

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

Commentary

1 Samuel 7:4 records a pivotal moment in ancient Israel's history, demonstrating a tangible response to the prophet Samuel's call for national repentance and a return to exclusive worship of the LORD.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse takes place during a critical period in Israel, following decades of spiritual decline and oppression, particularly by the Philistines. The narrative immediately precedes this verse with Samuel's stern admonition in 1 Samuel 7:3, urging the people to put away their foreign gods if they genuinely desired to serve the LORD. For generations, the Israelites had struggled with syncretism, blending their worship of the true God with the practices of the surrounding Canaanite cultures. Baalim (plural of Baal) referred to various local Canaanite storm and fertility gods, often worshipped for agricultural prosperity. Ashtaroth (plural of Ashtoreth) represented the chief Canaanite goddess of fertility, war, and love, often considered the consort of Baal. The act described in this verse signifies a decisive break from these pervasive idolatrous practices that had plagued Israel since their entry into the Promised Land.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Decisive Repentance: The verse highlights a tangible and collective act of turning away from sin. It wasn't just a verbal confession but a physical removal of the idols, symbolizing a genuine change of heart and commitment.
  • Exclusive Worship: The phrase "served the LORD only" is central. It underscores the foundational covenant requirement for Israel to worship God alone, without rivals. This echoes the first commandment given at Sinai: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3), and the core declaration of the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, emphasizing singularity of devotion.
  • Prerequisite for Divine Blessing: This act of national repentance and exclusive worship sets the stage for God's intervention and deliverance. Immediately following this verse, God grants Israel a significant victory over the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:10-11), demonstrating His faithfulness to those who turn back to Him.

Linguistic Insights

The names Baalim and Ashtaroth are significant. Baalim is the plural form of Baal, a Semitic word meaning "lord" or "master," often associated with local deities thought to control weather and crops. Ashtaroth is the plural of Ashtoreth (or Astarte), a prominent goddess in the Canaanite pantheon. The use of the plural forms indicates the widespread nature of these cults throughout Israel's territory. The phrase "served the LORD only" emphasizes the Hebrew concept of exclusive devotion to Yahweh, a stark contrast to the polytheistic practices of their neighbors.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Samuel 7:4 serves as a powerful reminder of the call to exclusive devotion to God. While we may not worship physical idols like Baalim and Ashtaroth, modern "idols" can include anything that takes precedence over God in our lives—such as money, career, comfort, relationships, or self-worship. This verse challenges us to:

  • Identify and Remove Idols: Honestly assess what competes for our ultimate loyalty and decisively "put away" anything that hinders our full devotion to God.
  • Commit to Exclusive Service: Actively choose to "serve the LORD only" in all areas of life, recognizing Him as supreme.
  • Experience God's Blessings: Just as Israel experienced deliverance after their repentance, turning fully to God often precedes spiritual breakthrough and divine favor in our lives.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 14:8

    ¶ Ephraim [shall say], What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard [him], and observed him: I [am] like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.

  • Hosea 14:3

    Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [Ye are] our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.

  • Judges 10:15

    And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.

  • Judges 10:16

    And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

  • Judges 2:11

    And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:

  • 1 Kings 11:33

    Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do [that which is] right in mine eyes, and [to keep] my statutes and my judgments, as [did] David his father.

  • Judges 2:13

    And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
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