1Sa 7:3, Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “IF YOU RETURN TO THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEARTS, then PUT AWAY THE FOREIGN gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and SERVE HIM ONLY; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
Samuel called for a nation-wide repentance. It had to start from within (YOUR HEARTS), then outward repentance! (PUT AWAY THE IDOLS)
1Sa 7:6, So they gathered together at Mizpah, DREW WATER, AND POURED IT OUT BEFORE THE LORD. AND THEY FASTED THAT DAY, AND SAID THERE, “WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE LORD.” …
Lam 2:19, “Arise, cry out in the night, At the beginning of the watches; Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord…
1Jn 1:9, IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
ISRAEL DIDN’T STOP WORSHIPING THE LORD, THEY ADDED IDOLS TO THEIR WORSHIP WHICH IS COMPLETELY WRONG! YOU CAN’T SERVE TWO MASTERS. THERE IS ONLY 1 GOD AND HE DESERVES OUR WORSHIP! HE IS THE LORD CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH OF ALL SEEN AND UNSEEN! HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED AND GLORIFIED! SERVE ONLY HIM!
Mat 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON.