1 Samuel 7:3

“And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”

Context: First Samuel is a book in the Old Testament that documents the transition of Israel from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. In this particular chapter, the people of Israel are repenting and turning back to the Lord under the guidance of Samuel, who served as both a prophet and a judge.

Key Themes and Lessons:

• Return to the Lord: The verse begins with Samuel exhorting the house of Israel to return to the Lord with all their hearts. It highlights the importance of repentance and turning away from sinful practices. This call to repentance is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the need for a genuine change of heart and a return to a right relationship with God.
• Removing Idolatry: Samuel instructs the people to put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among them. This reflects the prevalent issue of idolatry during that time. Ashtaroth refers to Canaanite goddesses, and strange gods refer to any false deities or idols worshiped by the Israelites. This command underscores the necessity of exclusive devotion to the true God and the rejection of all forms of idolatry.
• Preparation of the Heart: Samuel urges the Israelites to prepare their hearts unto the Lord. This entails a sincere and intentional dedication of their entire being to God. It emphasizes the internal transformation and the alignment of their thoughts, desires, and intentions with God’s will. Such preparation of the heart involves humility, surrender, and openness to God’s leading.
• Sole Service to God: Samuel admonishes the people to serve the Lord only. This call for exclusive worship and service reminds the Israelites that they should not divide their allegiance between God and idols or foreign gods. It reiterates the first commandment to have no other gods before the Lord (Exodus 20:3) and reinforces the principle of wholehearted devotion to God.
• Deliverance by God: Samuel assures the people that if they return to the Lord, put away idolatry, prepare their hearts, and serve Him exclusively, God will deliver them from the Philistines’ oppression. This promise highlights the faithfulness of God and His willingness to intervene on behalf of His people when they seek Him wholeheartedly.

Application:

• Repentance and turning to God: This verse reminds us of the importance of genuine repentance when we have strayed from God’s path. It encourages us to acknowledge and forsake any idolatrous or sinful practices in our lives and return to a deep and personal relationship with God.
• Removing idols: Just as the Israelites were instructed to put away their strange gods and idols, we are also called to examine our lives and identify anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. It may not be physical idols, but it can be anything that hinders our devotion and commitment to God.
• Wholehearted devotion: The verse emphasizes the need for a complete dedication of our hearts and lives to God. It prompts us to continually align our thoughts, desires, and actions with His will, seeking to serve Him alone and giving Him the central place in our lives.
• Trusting in God’s deliverance: The promise of deliverance from the Philistines serves as a reminder that God is faithful to His promises. It encourages us to trust in His sovereignty and provision, knowing that He will intervene and deliver us from any form of oppression or difficulty when we rely on Him completely.

In summary, 1 Samuel 7:3 teaches us the significance of repentance, the removal of idols, the preparation of our hearts, and the exclusive service to God. It assures us of God’s faithfulness to deliver and provide for His people when they turn to Him with their whole hearts.