1. 1 Samuel 7:6 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does it mean for Samuel to judge the people of Israel?

1 Samuel 7:6 (ESV)

6 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.

Another translation of the Hebrew is leader (NIV) instead of judging. Samuel was the judge of Israel at Mizpah. This title draws attention to the pattern identified in Judges 2:11–23. Having suffered for their sins and turned back to the Lord, the Lord has provided the people with a Judge.1 It will be his task as judge to deliver Israel from their invaders (see Judges 2:16, Judges 2:18).2