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.

1 SAMUEL 7:3KJV
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1 Samuel 7:3 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 7:3 mean?

1 Samuel 7:3 describes Samuel telling the people of Israel that if they truly want to return to the LORD, they must get rid of foreign gods and dedicate themselves fully to serving the LORD alone; if they do, God will rescue them from the Philistines. Samuel makes it clear that wholehearted commitment and turning away from other gods are necessary for God’s help.

Samuel is speaking to all the Israelites during a time when they were oppressed by the Philistines and had been worshiping other gods. He calls them to a decisive choice: to remove the “strange gods” and “Ashtaroth” (foreign deities) from their lives, prepare their hearts for the LORD, and serve only Him. This verse sets up a turning point where Israel is challenged to renew its loyalty to God alone.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 7:3

  • “Return” (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to turn back or return, often with the sense of repentance or a change of direction. Samuel is not just asking for a surface change, but a deep, genuine turning of the heart back to God.
  • “Strange” (נֵכָר, nekar) and “gods” (אֱלֹהִים, elohim): “Strange gods” refers to foreign or pagan deities that the Israelites had adopted from surrounding nations. The use of “nekar” emphasizes that these gods are not just different, but truly foreign and not part of Israel’s faith.
  • “Prepare” (כּוּן, kun): This word means to establish, set right, or make firm. Samuel is calling the people to intentionally set their hearts in the right direction toward the LORD, not just remove idols physically but also to be inwardly ready to serve Him.

Why 1 Samuel 7:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that returning to God is not just about regret or emotion, but about concrete action—removing rival loyalties and making a deliberate choice to serve God alone.
  • The emphasis on “all your hearts” and “serve him only” highlights that God desires exclusive, wholehearted devotion, not divided allegiance.
  • 1 Samuel 7:3 sets the stage for Israel’s spiritual renewal and God’s deliverance, showing that God’s help is connected to the people’s willingness to turn away from other gods and commit to Him fully.

Where else these words appear

“Ashtaroth” Hebrew H6252 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:4 After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei:
  • Joshua 13:12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
  • 1 Samuel 7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

“strange” Hebrew H5236 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
  • 2 Samuel 22:45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
  • Psalms 144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.