But Samuel bade them have no fear; for this time it was the Philistines that were to be conquered and not the Israelites.
So the Israelites made ready for battle; but, before they were ready, a great black cloud rolled up across the sky. The winds blew, the hail fell, and the skies blazed with terrible lightnings.
Never had such a storm been known either to Philistines or Israelites.
"Fear not," Samuel said; "this is God's hand." And the Philistines fled in terror.
Then, when the storm was over, and again the sun shone out, Samuel took a great stone and set it up near Mizpah; and the stone at Mizpah was for a sign to the Israelites that "God shall watch ever over thee and me."
And Samuel named the stone Ebenezer—which means, a stone of help.
For many years now Samuel had been judge over Israel; and so long as the people obeyed him they were safe and happy.
But there came a time when Samuel was an old, old man. Then the Israelites came to him and said, "Thou art very old; thy sons, who now judge over us, are not like thee. Let us have a king."
But Samuel said, "God only is the king of the Israelites."
The people would not listen to the words of Samuel. "We will have a king," they said. "We will be like other nations. We will have a king, and he shall go into battle with us."