Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 7:4

"Then the children of Israel did put away the Baalim and the Ashtaroth, and served Jehovah only." — 1 Samuel 7:4 (ASV)

Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth. —The answer of the people showed how well and thoroughly the prophet-statesman had done his Master’s work. Throughout the land of Israel, the graven images of the Phoenician idols were thrown down, and their impious worship was boldly dishonored everywhere. Once more, in bold defiance of the idol-worshipping Philistines, the Invisible and Eternal was acknowledged as the one God throughout the land. These acts, of course, were an open act of rebellion against that warlike people who had ruled them for so long with an iron rule.