Definition: And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 10:17. It’s a really important and slightly mysterious part of the story of Samuel! Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, Samuel was calling people together to worship God. Let’s unpack that a little further: “Samuel called…” – This tells us who is doing the calling. It’s Samuel, the leader of Israel. “…the people together…” – He's gathering everyone – not just a small group, but the whole nation. “…unto the LORD…” – This is the key part! “The Lord” refers to God. He’s calling them to Him. “…to Mizpeh…” – Now this is where it gets interesting. “Mizpeh” is a Hebrew word that means "judgment" or "evaluation." So, Samuel was asking people to come to the Lord and evaluate their lives, their choices, and how they're behaving in light of God’s judgment. What’s the significance? This verse points to a very important concept in ancient Israel: God is watching over us and judging our actions. It suggests that God isn't just concerned with what we do, but also how we do it. He wants to see if we are righteous and pleasing to Him. Think of it like this: It’s a reminder that God is constantly evaluating us and that He's interested in our spiritual growth and obedience. --- Do you want me to: Explain the context of this verse within the larger story of Samuel? Discuss what “Mizpeh” might symbolize? Give you a little more background on ancient Israel and their religious practices?