Many who had married idolaters chose to go with them into exile, and these, with those who had been expelled from the congregation, joined the Samaritans. Hither some who had occupied high positions in the work of God found their way and after a time cast in their lot fully with them. Desiring to strengthen this alliance, the Samaritans promised to adopt more fully the Jewish faith and customs, and the apostates, determined to outdo their former brethren, erected a temple on Mount Gerizim in opposition to the house of God at Jerusalem. Their religion continued to be 675 a mixture of Judaism and heathenism, and their claim to be the people of God was the source of schism, emulation, and enmity between the two nations, from generation to generation.

Først i dommen vil det komme frem, hvor megen sjælekval denne påkrævede strenghed voldte Guds trofaste tjener. Han måtte ustandselig kæmpe mod sine modstandere og opnåede ingen resultater uden ved faste, ydmygelse og bøn.