I Samuel 6 Commentary: The Ark's Return and its Consequences
And the ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months.
And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the Lord? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.
And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.
Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.
Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.
Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?
Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:
And take the ark of the Lord, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.
And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth–shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us.
And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
And they laid the ark of the Lord upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.
And the kine took the straight way to the way of Beth–shemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Beth–shemesh.
And they of Beth–shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth–shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the Lord.
And the Levites took down the ark of the Lord, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Beth–shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the Lord.
And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.
And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the Lord; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the Lord: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Beth–shemite.
And he smote the men of Beth–shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.
And the men of Beth–shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath–jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the Lord; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.
I Samuel 6 recounts the Philistines' decision to return the Ark of the Covenant to Israel after suffering plagues and divine judgment. This chapter reveals God's power, the Philistines' pragmatism, and the Israelites' mixed reactions to the Ark's return, offering valuable lessons about reverence, obedience, and the consequences of sin. This chapter is very important and significant for I Samuel 6.
Context: The Weight of the Ark
Following the Philistines' capture of the Ark in I Samuel 4, they experienced severe plagues and panic, as detailed in I Samuel 5:6-12. Recognizing the connection between their misfortune and the Ark's presence, the Philistine leaders sought guidance from their priests and diviners on how to appease the God of Israel and rid themselves of the divine affliction.
A Guilt Offering and a Test (I Samuel 6:1-9)
The Philistine priests advised returning the Ark with a guilt offering (I Samuel 6:3), a common practice in Canaanite religions intended to symbolically carry away the people's guilt. They prescribed fashioning five golden mice sculptures, representing the tumors that plagued the land, and instructed the Philistines to give glory to the God of Israel (I Samuel 6:4-5). Instead of resisting God like Pharaoh in Egypt, they should acknowledge His power.
To ascertain whether their troubles truly originated from the Lord, the priests devised a test. They proposed placing the Ark and the guilt offering on a new cart, yoked to two milk cows separated from their calves (I Samuel 6:7). The cows' natural maternal instincts would likely cause them to return to their calves. However, if they journeyed directly toward Beth-shemesh, an Israelite town, it would confirm that the plagues were indeed from the Lord (I Samuel 6:9).
Divine Confirmation (I Samuel 6:10-12)
The Philistines followed the priests' instructions meticulously. Miraculously, the cows headed straight for Beth-shemesh, disregarding their calves and defying their natural instincts (I Samuel 6:12). This undeniable sign confirmed to the Philistines that the God of Israel was the source of their suffering. As the Philistine rulers followed the cart all the way to the border of Israel, the cows never strayed to the right or to the left (I Samuel 6:12). Thus, the Lord again proved himself to be the true God.
Rejoicing and Sacrifice at Beth-shemesh (I Samuel 6:13-18)
The people of Beth-shemesh, who were in the midst of the wheat harvest, rejoiced at the Ark's arrival (I Samuel 6:13). The Levites took the Ark and the Philistine guilt offering from the cart and placed them on a large stone in the field of Joshua. The people then offered the milk cows as a burnt offering to the Lord, using the wood of the cart as fuel (I Samuel 6:14). The five Philistine lords witnessed these events from a distance before returning home (I Samuel 6:16).
The Consequences of Disrespect (I Samuel 6:19-21)
Tragically, the joy at Beth-shemesh was short-lived. Some of the men of Beth-shemesh looked inside the ark and were struck dead (I Samuel 6:19). While the exact nature of their transgression isn't explicitly stated, the severity of the punishment suggests a grave act of irreverence, possibly opening the Ark and violating its sanctity. Under normal circumstances, the ark was to be kept in the tabernacle, screened off from view (see Exodus 40:21).
This incident underscores the importance of reverence and obedience when approaching God's holiness. The Ark, a symbol of God's presence, was not to be treated casually. The people, like the Philistines, became afraid and asked the residents of Kiriath-jearim to take charge of the ark (I Samuel 6:21). This tells us that God’s people were, in one sense, as spiritually insensitive as the Philistines.
Lessons for Today
I Samuel 6 offers several enduring lessons:
- God's Sovereignty: God's power extends even to those who do not acknowledge Him. He can use even pagan practices to accomplish His purposes and reveal His glory. The Philistines were forced to give glory to Israel’s God so that he might stop oppressing [them] (I Samuel 6:5). This is a reminder that God will ultimately receive glory even from his enemies.
- The Importance of Reverence: Approaching God requires reverence and respect. Casual or disrespectful treatment of holy things can have dire consequences.
- Consequences of Sin: Disobedience and disregard for God's commands lead to judgment. The incident at Beth-shemesh serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin.
- God's Holiness: This chapter highlights the holiness of God and the need to approach Him with humility and awe. "Who can stand before the holy God?" they ask. They send messengers to the town of Kiriath-jearim, asking the people of that town to take the ark away (I Samuel 6:19–21).
By studying I Samuel 6, we gain a deeper understanding of God's character, the importance of obedience, and the need for reverence in our relationship with Him. May we learn from the mistakes of the Philistines and the people of Beth-shemesh, and strive to approach God with humility, reverence, and a genuine desire to follow His will.
And the ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months.
And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the Lord? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.
And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.
Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.
Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.
Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?
Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:
And take the ark of the Lord, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.
And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth–shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us.
And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
And they laid the ark of the Lord upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.
And the kine took the straight way to the way of Beth–shemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Beth–shemesh.
And they of Beth–shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Beth–shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the Lord.
And the Levites took down the ark of the Lord, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Beth–shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the Lord.
And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.
And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the Lord; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the Lord: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Beth–shemite.
And he smote the men of Beth–shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.
And the men of Beth–shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath–jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the Lord; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.
I Samuel 6 recounts the Philistines' decision to return the Ark of the Covenant to Israel after suffering plagues and divine judgment. This chapter reveals God's power, the Philistines' pragmatism, and the Israelites' mixed reactions to the Ark's return, offering valuable lessons about reverence, obedience, and the consequences of sin. This chapter is very important and significant for I Samuel 6.
Context: The Weight of the Ark
Following the Philistines' capture of the Ark in I Samuel 4, they experienced severe plagues and panic, as detailed in I Samuel 5:6-12. Recognizing the connection between their misfortune and the Ark's presence, the Philistine leaders sought guidance from their priests and diviners on how to appease the God of Israel and rid themselves of the divine affliction.
A Guilt Offering and a Test (I Samuel 6:1-9)
The Philistine priests advised returning the Ark with a guilt offering (I Samuel 6:3), a common practice in Canaanite religions intended to symbolically carry away the people's guilt. They prescribed fashioning five golden mice sculptures, representing the tumors that plagued the land, and instructed the Philistines to give glory to the God of Israel (I Samuel 6:4-5). Instead of resisting God like Pharaoh in Egypt, they should acknowledge His power.
To ascertain whether their troubles truly originated from the Lord, the priests devised a test. They proposed placing the Ark and the guilt offering on a new cart, yoked to two milk cows separated from their calves (I Samuel 6:7). The cows' natural maternal instincts would likely cause them to return to their calves. However, if they journeyed directly toward Beth-shemesh, an Israelite town, it would confirm that the plagues were indeed from the Lord (I Samuel 6:9).
Divine Confirmation (I Samuel 6:10-12)
The Philistines followed the priests' instructions meticulously. Miraculously, the cows headed straight for Beth-shemesh, disregarding their calves and defying their natural instincts (I Samuel 6:12). This undeniable sign confirmed to the Philistines that the God of Israel was the source of their suffering. As the Philistine rulers followed the cart all the way to the border of Israel, the cows never strayed to the right or to the left (I Samuel 6:12). Thus, the Lord again proved himself to be the true God.
Rejoicing and Sacrifice at Beth-shemesh (I Samuel 6:13-18)
The people of Beth-shemesh, who were in the midst of the wheat harvest, rejoiced at the Ark's arrival (I Samuel 6:13). The Levites took the Ark and the Philistine guilt offering from the cart and placed them on a large stone in the field of Joshua. The people then offered the milk cows as a burnt offering to the Lord, using the wood of the cart as fuel (I Samuel 6:14). The five Philistine lords witnessed these events from a distance before returning home (I Samuel 6:16).
The Consequences of Disrespect (I Samuel 6:19-21)
Tragically, the joy at Beth-shemesh was short-lived. Some of the men of Beth-shemesh looked inside the ark and were struck dead (I Samuel 6:19). While the exact nature of their transgression isn't explicitly stated, the severity of the punishment suggests a grave act of irreverence, possibly opening the Ark and violating its sanctity. Under normal circumstances, the ark was to be kept in the tabernacle, screened off from view (see Exodus 40:21).
This incident underscores the importance of reverence and obedience when approaching God's holiness. The Ark, a symbol of God's presence, was not to be treated casually. The people, like the Philistines, became afraid and asked the residents of Kiriath-jearim to take charge of the ark (I Samuel 6:21). This tells us that God’s people were, in one sense, as spiritually insensitive as the Philistines.
Lessons for Today
I Samuel 6 offers several enduring lessons:
- God's Sovereignty: God's power extends even to those who do not acknowledge Him. He can use even pagan practices to accomplish His purposes and reveal His glory. The Philistines were forced to give glory to Israel’s God so that he might stop oppressing [them] (I Samuel 6:5). This is a reminder that God will ultimately receive glory even from his enemies.
- The Importance of Reverence: Approaching God requires reverence and respect. Casual or disrespectful treatment of holy things can have dire consequences.
- Consequences of Sin: Disobedience and disregard for God's commands lead to judgment. The incident at Beth-shemesh serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin.
- God's Holiness: This chapter highlights the holiness of God and the need to approach Him with humility and awe. "Who can stand before the holy God?" they ask. They send messengers to the town of Kiriath-jearim, asking the people of that town to take the ark away (I Samuel 6:19–21).
By studying I Samuel 6, we gain a deeper understanding of God's character, the importance of obedience, and the need for reverence in our relationship with Him. May we learn from the mistakes of the Philistines and the people of Beth-shemesh, and strive to approach God with humility, reverence, and a genuine desire to follow His will.