“the Mizpeh,” “the watch-tower.” The modern village of Metullah,
meaning also “the look-out,” probably occupies the site so called.
(4.) A town of Moab to which David removed his parents for safety
during his persecution by Saul (1 Samuel 22:3). This was probably the
citadel known as Kir-Moab, now Kerak. While David resided here he was
visited by the prophet Gad, here mentioned for the first time, who was
probably sent by Samuel to bid him leave the land of Moab and betake
himself to the land of Judah. He accordingly removed to the forest of
Hareth (q.v.), on the edge of the mountain chain of Hebron.
(5.) A city of Benjamin, “the watch-tower”, where the people were
accustomed to meet in great national emergencies (Joshua 18:26; Judges
20:1, 3; 21:1, 5; 1 Samuel 7:5-16). It has been supposed to be the same as
Nob (1 Samuel 21:1; 22:9-19). It was some 4 miles north-west of
Jerusalem, and was situated on the loftiest hill in the neighbourhood, some
600 feet above the plain of Gibeon. This village has the modern name of
Neby Samwil, i.e., the prophet Samuel, from a tradition that Samuel’s
tomb is here. (See NOB.)
Samuel inaugurated the reformation that characterized his time by
convening a great assembly of all Israel at Mizpeh, now the
politico-religious centre of the nation. There, in deep humiliation on
account of their sins, they renewed their vows and entered again into
covenant with the God of their fathers. It was a period of great religious
awakening and of revived national life. The Philistines heard of this
assembly, and came up against Israel. The Hebrews charged the Philistine
host with great fury, and they were totally routed. Samuel commemorated
this signal victory by erecting a memorial-stone, which he called
“Ebenezer” (q.v.), saying, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” (1 Samuel
7:7-12).