Samueltooka sucklinglamband offeredit for a wholeburntofferingto the LORD;and Samuelcriedto the LORDfor Israeland the LORDansweredhim.
Callupon Me in the dayof trouble;I shall rescueyou, and you will honorMe."
Mosesand Aaronwere among His priests,And Samuelwas among those who calledon His name;They calledupon the LORDand He answeredthem.
Then the LORDsaidto me, "Even thoughMosesand Samuelwere to standbeforeMe, My heartwould not be with thispeople;sendthem awayfrom My presenceand let them go!
"Whenan oxora sheepora goatis born,it shall remainsevendayswith its mother,and from the eighthdayon it shall be acceptedas a sacrificeof an offeringby fireto the LORD.
"I prayedto the LORDand said,'O LordGOD,do not destroyYour people,even Your inheritance,whomYou have redeemedthrough Your greatness,whomYou have broughtout of Egyptwith a mightyhand.
Therefore,confessyour sinsto oneanother,and prayfor one anothersothat you may be healed.The effectiveprayerof a righteous mancanaccomplishmuch.
and buildan altarto the LORDyour Godon the topof thisstrongholdin an orderlymanner,and takea secondbulland offera burntofferingwith the woodof the Asherahwhichyou shall cutdown."
When the menof the cityaroseearlyin the morning,behold,the altarof Baalwas torndown,and the Asherahwhichwas besideit was cutdown,and the secondbullwas offeredon the altarwhich had been built.
"And you shall godownbeforeme to Gilgal;and behold,I will comedownto you to offerburntofferingsand sacrificepeaceofferings.You shall waitsevendaysuntilI cometo you and showyou whatyou should do."
"Is it not the wheatharvesttoday?I will callto the LORD,that He may sendthunderand rain.Then you will knowand seethat your wickednessis greatwhichyou have donein the sightof the LORDby askingfor yourselves a king."
But Samuelsaid,"Howcan I go?When Saulhears[of it], he will killme." And the LORDsaid,"Takea heiferwith you and say,'I have cometo sacrificeto the LORD.'
But I will raiseup for Myself a faithfulpriestwho will doaccording to whatis in My heartand in My soul;and I will buildhim an enduringhouse,and he will walkbeforeMy anointedalways.
Then his return[was] to Ramah,for his house[was] there,and therehe judgedIsrael;and he builttherean altarto the LORD.
They answeredthem and said,"He is; see,[he is] aheadof you. Hurrynow,for he has comeinto the citytoday,for the peoplehave a sacrificeon the highplacetoday.
