1 Samuel 7:6

Translations

Modern

When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And they gathered together at Mizpah, and they drew water and poured it out before the face of YHWH. And they fasted that day and said there, “We have sinned against YHWH.” And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah.

Latin

Et convenerunt in Masphath: hauseruntque aquam, et effuderunt in conspectu Domini: et jejunaverunt in die illa atque dixerunt ibi: Peccavimus Domino. Judicavitque Samuel filios Israël in Masphath.

Original

Hebrew

English

When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

Notes

1 Samuel 7:6

drew water … poured it out: This ceremony is not mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Sometimes, Israelites fasted (did not eat) to show grief or seek the Lord’s favor (2 Samuel 1:12; 12:22–23; 1 Kings 21:27; Ezra 8:21–23; Nehemiah 9:1; Esther 4:3, 16; Joel 2:12; compare Luke 2:37; Acts 13:2–3; 14:23).
Having Samuel as Israel’s judge was refreshing compared to Eli’s poor leadership (see 1 Samuel 4:18 and 1 Samuel 4:18) and the leadership of some other judges, for example:
- Gideon (Judges 8:22–27)
- Jephthah (Judges 11:30–12:7)
- Samson (Judges 13:1–16:21)

1 Samuel 7:3–10

Israel's victory over the Philistines was due to their improved relationship with God, not because of the ark's presence (see 1 Samuel 4:3–11).

Theme notes and profiles

Samuel Dealing with Conflict Returning to the Lord

Related verses

1 Samuel 1:15
“No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.
2 Samuel 14:14
For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.
Judges 10:10
Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against You, for we have indeed forsaken our God and served the Baals.”
Jeremiah 9:1
Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.
Joel 2:12
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”
Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah
Psalm 106:6
We have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
1 Kings 8:47
…and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’
Job 33:27
Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.
Luke 15:18
I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Psalm 119:136
My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed.
Lamentations 2:18–19
The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let your tears run down like a river day and night. Give yourself no relief, and your eyes no rest.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Samuel: Prophet and last judge of Israel before the kings

Places

Mizpah: A city in Benjamin; a place of gathering and judgment

Glossary

Fast, Fasting Meaning of Names in the Bible Mizpah Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Confession of Sin: Israelites Extraordinary Judges: Names of Samuel Fasting: Accompanied by Confession of Sin Fasting: Confession of Sin Fasting: when They Went to Mizpeh for the Ark of the Covenant Intercession of Man with God Intercession: Answered of Samuel, for Deliverance from the Oppressions of the Philistines Judge: Samson: Samuel As the Leader (Judge) Repentance of Their Idolatry, when Afflicted by the Philistines Revivals: Samuel Samuel: Israelites Repent Because of his Reproofs and Warnings Water: Libation of

1 Samuel 7:6

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People

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Glossary?

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Translations

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Glossary

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