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between vers. 2 and 3; while Ewald regards vers. 3, 4 as a later addition. Impartial
students, however, will fail to perceive either, but will be content to leave these
two assertions to refute one another.
(^65) So 1 Samuel 7:3, rendered literally.
(^66) The ancient Mizpeh, as we have identified it, lay about 2848 feet above the level
of the sea. It seems to us impossible, from the localization of this assembly and of
the battle which followed, to identify Mizpeh with the hill Scopus, close to
Jerusalem.
(^67) The ceremony of drawing and pouring out water, which accompanied Israel's
fast and confession, has been regarded by most interpreters as a symbol of their
sorrow and contrition. But may it not have been a ceremonial act, indicative not
only of penitence, but of the purification and separation of the service of Jehovah
from all foreign elements around? Comp. here also the similar act of Elijah (1
Kings 18:33-35).
(^68) In the text we read: "And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt-
offering wholly unto Jehovah: and Samuel cried unto Jehovah for Israel" (1
Samuel 7:9). The two words which we have italicized require brief comment. The
"sucking lamb" would, according to Leviticus 22:27, be, of course, seven days old.
It was chosen so young as symbol of the new spiritual life among Israel. The
expression, "a burnt-offering wholly unto Jehovah," is regarded by Keil as
implying that the sacrifice was not, as ordinarily, cut up, but laid undivided on the
altar. But this view is, on many grounds, untenable; and the expression, which is
also otherwise used (Leviticus 6:22; Deuteronomy 33:10; Psalm 51:19) is probably
intended to point to the symbolical meaning of the burnt-offering, as wholly
consumed (Leviticus 1:9).
(^69) It is thus that we understand 1 Samuel 7:13. Indeed, the expression: "the hand of
Jehovah was against (or rather, upon) the Philistines all the days of Samuel,"
implies that the hostilities between the two parties continued, although no further
incursions were attempted, and the Philistines stood on the defensive rather than
took the offensive.
(^70) Of course, outside these two cities. The expression, "with the coasts thereof,"
refers to the towns restored to Israel, and not to Ekron or Gath.
(^71) Of course, not the Gilgal in the Jordan-valley, but that formerly referred to in
Joshua 12:23.
(^)