In the midst of the defeats and other calamities that overwhelmed
the Israelites, Samuel's authority grew, and the respect for him
increased, until he was acknowledged the helper of his people. His
first efforts were directed toward counteracting the spiritual decay
in Israel. When he assembled the people at Mizpah for prayer, he
sought to distinguish between the faithful and the idolatrous, in
order to mete out punishment to the disloyal. He had all the people
drink water, whose effect was to prevent idolaters from opening
their lips. (40) The majority of the people repented of their sins,
and Samuel turned to God in their behalf: "Lord of the world!
Thou requirest naught of man but that he should repent of his sins.
Israel is penitent, do Thou pardon him." (41) The prayer was
granted, and when, after his sacrifice, Samuel led an attack upon
the Philistines, victory was not withheld from the Israelites. God
terrified the enemy first by an earthquake, and then by thunder and
lightning. Many were scattered and wandered about aimlessly;
many were precipitated into the rents torn in the earth, the rest had
their faces scorched, and in their terror and pain their weapons
dropped from their hands. (42)

In peace as in war Samuel was the type of a disinterested,
incorruptible judge, who even refused compensation for the time,
trouble, and pecuniary sacrifices entailed upon him by his office.
(43) His sons fell far short of resembling their father in these
respects. Instead of continuing Samuel's plan of journeying from
place to place to dispense judgment, they had the people come to
them, and they surrounded themselves with a crew of officials who
preyed upon the people for their maintenance. (44) In a sense,
therefore, the curse with which Eli threatened Samuel in his youth