Verse 6
6. Drew water, and poured it out before the Lord Dr. Kitto thinks that this act was the confirmation of an oath a solemn vow; and tells us that such is an oriental method of confirming an oath or a promise. But, in the absence of any analogous custom recorded in Scripture, (and we have there many forms for oaths,) we adhere to the more common interpretation, and understand this pouring out of water as a symbolical action indicating their humiliation and contrition before God. Thus the Targum paraphrases it: They poured out their heart like water in penitence before the Lord. In accordance with this imagery Hannah is said, in the sorrow of her spirit, to have poured out her soul before the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:15. Compare also Lamentations 2:19, and Psalms 22:14; Psalms 62:8.
Fasted A further sign of their repentance and humiliation.
And Samuel judged… in Mizpeh He declared to them the greatness of their sins, the necessity of their reformation, and the methods by which such reformation must be accomplished. He also, perhaps, gave judgment on individual cases of difficulty.
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