Explore the Bible Online

1 Samuel 7:6-8

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

6. And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured [it] out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. 7. And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard [it], they were afraid of the Philistines. 8. And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 7:6-8 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Samuel 7:6

Theological / Devotional

Drew water, and poured it. Commentators are not agreed as to the meaning of this text. Some think it has reference to Israel’s sorrow for their sin upon recognizing that except for the power of God they would be like water spilled on the ground (2 Sam. 14:14). Others suggest that these words refer to the water and wine poured out by the priest on the high day of the Feast of Tabernacles, representing the joy with which they drew water out of the wells of salvation (Isa. 12:2, 3). The Feast of Tabernacles was a memorial of God’s protecting care over Israel during the Exodus, when from the smitten rock there flowed an abundance of water.

Referring later to this incident in the wilderness, Christ declared, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37). Perhaps the true meaning is found in a combination of the two ideas. Christ was certainly “poured out like water” (Ps. 22:14), that salvation might be made possible. In pouring out this libation at Mizpah, Israel expressed recognition of their own unworthiness and solemnly rejoiced in their new-found trust in a heavenly Father, who, in spite of their spiritual wandering, was willing to receive them with open arms.

Judged. This was the beginning of Samuel’s long judgeship.

By SdaBc