1 Samuel 7:6

To Mizpeh; not that beyond Jordan, of which Judges 11:11,29; but another in Canaan, where the Israelites used to assemble, Judges 20:1 1 Samuel 10:17. Drew water, and poured it out; which they did either,

1. Figuratively; they drew tears out of their hearts, and poured out of their eyes as it were rivers of water; such descriptions of penitential sorrow being not unusual. See Psalms 6:7, Psalms 119:136 Jeremiah 19:1 Lamentations 3:48,49. Or rather,

2. Properly, because they are said first to draw it, and then to pour it out. And this agrees well with the state of those times, wherein such rites as this were very customary. Now this course they seem to have used, either,

1. As a mean or instrument of their purification. So they washed themselves in this water, thereby acknowledging their filthiness, and cleansing themselves as the law prescribed. But this seems not probable,

1. Because here is only mention of drawing and pouring forth this water before the Lord, but not of any washing themselves with it.

2. Because this was not a fit time and place to purify themselves in this great and general assembly. Or,

2. As an external sign, whereby they testified and professed both their own great filthiness and need of washing by the grace and Spirit of God, and blood of the covenant, which are oft signified by water, and their sincere desire to pour out their very hearts before the Lord in true repentance, and to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. Before the Lord, i.e. in the public assembly, where God is in a special manner present, as hath been noted before. Samuel judged the children of Israel, i.e. governed them, reformed all abuses against God or man, took care that the laws of God should be observed and executed, and wilful transgressors punished.