1 And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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.
5 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.
6 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?
7 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:
8 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.
9 And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, [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.
10 And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
11 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.
12 And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, [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 Bethshemesh.
13 And [they of] Bethshemesh [were] reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see [it].
14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, 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.
15 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 Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.
16 And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen [it], they returned to Ekron the same day.
17 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;
18 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 Bethshemite.
19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, 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.
20 And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
21 And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, [and] fetch it up to you.
Summary of 1 Samuel Chapter 6
1 Samuel Chapter 6 narrates the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Israel after being captured by the Philistines. This chapter highlights the consequences of the Philistines’ actions, their attempts to appease God, and the eventual return of the Ark to its rightful place.
The Philistines’ Dilemma
After capturing the Ark, the Philistines experience a series of calamities, leading them to realize that the Ark brings misfortune rather than victory. The chapter begins with the Ark being in Philistine territory for seven months.
- Plagues afflict the Philistines, causing severe distress.
- They suffer from tumors and other afflictions, which are interpreted as divine punishment.
The Philistines Consult Their Priests and Diviners
In response to their suffering, the Philistines seek counsel from their priests and diviners to determine how to return the Ark without incurring further wrath.
- They acknowledge that the Ark of the God of Israel is causing their afflictions.
- They are advised to send the Ark back with a guilt offering to appease the God of Israel.
- The guilt offering consists of golden tumors and golden mice, symbolizing their afflictions.
Preparation for the Ark’s Return
The Philistines prepare a new cart and choose two milk cows that have never been yoked to pull it. This decision is significant as it tests whether the cows will lead the cart back to Israel, indicating divine intervention.
- The cows are separated from their calves, which adds to the test of their obedience.
- If the cows head straight for Beth Shemesh, it will confirm that their plagues were indeed from the God of Israel.
The Ark’s Journey
The cows take the cart directly to Beth Shemesh, demonstrating their divine guidance. The people of Beth Shemesh rejoice upon seeing the Ark returning.
- The Ark is received with great joy and sacrifice is offered to God.
- The people are filled with awe and gratitude for the return of the Ark.
The Consequences of Irreverence
Despite the joyous return, not all actions are viewed favorably. Some men of Beth Shemesh look into the Ark, which is against the commandments concerning its holiness.
- This act leads to severe consequences, as God strikes down seventy men for their irreverence.
- The people mourn and recognize the holiness of the Ark, realizing the seriousness of their actions.
Conclusion of the Chapter
The chapter concludes with the people of Beth Shemesh expressing fear and acknowledging the Ark’s holiness. They send messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath Jearim, asking them to take the Ark, recognizing that they cannot bear its presence.
- This marks a significant moment in the narrative, emphasizing the sacredness of the Ark and the need for reverence towards God.
- The chapter highlights the themes of divine judgment, the importance of obedience, and the recognition of God’s power.
