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1 Samuel 7:6
ESV So they gathered at Mizpah 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 people of Israel at Mizpah.
NIV When they had assembled 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." Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah.
NASB So they gathered to Mizpah, 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 sons of Israel at Mizpah.
CSB When they gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out in the Lord’s presence. They fasted that day, and there they confessed, "We have sinned against the Lord." And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.
NLT So they gathered at Mizpah and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the Lord. They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the Lord. (It was at Mizpah that Samuel became Israel’s judge.)
KJV 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.
NKJV So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. And they fasted that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the children of Israel at Mizpah.

What does 1 Samuel 7:6 mean?

Samuel has called for the nation of Israel to gather at Mizpah, where he has said he will pray for them to the Lord (1 Samuel 7:5). Once assembled, the people fast from eating and, it seems, even drinking water. They draw water up and pour it out on the ground "before the Lord." This seems to symbolize a pouring out of their hearts in repentance and need. It might also have symbolic ties to the concept of cleansing.

The point of this time of fasting is for the people of Israel to show true repentance before God. They had been worshiping foreign gods. The people agree with God that they have sinned against Him. Confession is essential to repentance (1 John 1:9). The sin must be admitted before it can be repented of.

Samuel's term as judge over Israel is said to begin here and now; this will last for the rest of his life (1 Samuel 7:15). The role of judge is an official office. The judge is not a king or a president. He or she is often a military leader, the one raised up by the Lord to deliver the people from the oppression of their enemies. The judge is also a spiritual leader, raised up by the Lord in response to the repentance of the people from their sin. Samuel also held the office of prophet of the Lord, one who delivers God's messages. This was clearly understood and accepted by the people (1 Samuel 3:20; 4:1).
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