What do top commentators say about 1 Samuel 6?
What do top commentators say on 1 Samuel 6?
Verse 1
A Prolonged Punishment:
Commentator Matthew Henry views the seven-month period as a prolonged punishment for the Philistines. He suggests their suffering was extended because they refused to return the ark sooner, drawing a parallel to how sinners can prolong their own misery by refusing to part with their sins.
The Danger of Apathy:
Scholars point out a startling detail: during these seven months, the Israelites made no effort to recover the ark. This highlights a profound spiritual apathy among God's people. It serves as a warning against becoming so consumed with personal or national troubles that we neglect the central importance of God's presence in our lives.
The Historical Timeline:
The seven-month duration provides a specific historical timeline. As John Gill explains, the ark was returned during the wheat harvest. Counting back seven months places its capture in the late autumn or early winter, grounding the narrative in a tangible agricultural and seasonal calendar.
For seven months, the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; it was a plague to them for all that time because they would not send it home sooner.
Matthew Henry
Verse 2
Pagan Spiritual Advisors:
Commentators explain that the Philistines consulted their top religious and spiritual advisors: priests and diviners. Diviners were common in the ancient world and attempted to foresee the future through superstitious means like reading entrails, observing stars, or casting lots. This highlights the pagan worldview in contrast to seeking God's revealed will.
A Desperate Consultation:
After seven months of plagues, the Philistines were desperate. Their question wasn't just theoretical; they needed a practical solution. Scholars note they asked two key things: first, whether they should send the ark back at all, and second, the proper way to do it to appease the God of Israel. This shows even a pagan nation forced to acknowledge God's power.
The Misery of Delay:
One commentator draws a powerful spiritual lesson from the Philistines' seven-month delay in returning the ark. He compares it to how sinners often prolong their own misery by refusing to part with their sins. Their eventual desire to be rid of the ark serves as a warning against ignoring God's judgment or writing it off as mere chance.
In their distress, the Philistine rulers, determining to get rid of the fatal trophy of which they were once so proud, consulted their priests and diviners as to the most graceful and effective way of returning the captured Hebrew emblem.
Charles Ellicott
Verse 3
A Misguided View of God:
The Philistine priests advised sending a gift, viewing the God of Israel through their own pagan lens. Commentators explain they saw Him as a powerful but capricious local deity who needed to be appeased, much like their own gods. They understood His power to punish but not His true nature or the depth of their offense, highlighting the difference between superstitious appeasement and true repentance.
The Principle of Atonement:
The advice to send a "trespass-offering" shows a recognition that a wrong had been committed and required atonement. Scholars note that whether this came from a vague knowledge of Israelite law or a common pagan principle, it reflects a universal human sense that offenses against a deity require a tangible act of restitution to make amends.
Don't Cling to Your Misery:
One commentator draws a powerful application: just as the Philistines suffered for months by refusing to send back the Ark, people prolong their own misery by refusing to part with their sins. The Philistines' decision to finally return the Ark with an offering is a picture of the wisdom in acknowledging God's judgment and forsaking the sin that invites it, rather than dismissing His discipline as mere chance.
The priests and diviners evidently thought that the Hebrew Deity, in some way resident in the “golden chest,” was a childish, capricious deity, like one of their own loved gods—Dagon, or Beelzebub, lord of flies.
Charles Ellicott
Verse 4
An Ancient Custom of Offering:
Commentators explain that the Philistines' offering of golden tumors and mice followed a common pagan custom. In the ancient world, it was typical to offer a deity gold or silver images representing a sickness or a deliverance. For example, those saved from a shipwreck might offer a picture of the event. This act was a tangible acknowledgment of the divine power they believed was responsible for their affliction.
Judgment on All Levels:
The offering consisted of five tumors and five mice, specifically because there were five Philistine lords and five main cities. As the commentary from John Gill highlights, the plague was universal, affecting both the rulers and the common people throughout all their territories. The number five signified that the trespass offering was being made on behalf of the entire nation, acknowledging the comprehensive nature of God's judgment.
A Warning Against Apathy:
Matthew Henry draws a spiritual lesson from the Philistines' actions, comparing their seven-month delay in returning the ark to how sinners prolong their own suffering by refusing to part with their sins. He uses this as a warning against spiritual apathy, urging believers to value God's presence—the 'ark'—above all else, lest it be taken away due to neglect or contempt.
It was a prevalent custom in pagan antiquity to make offerings to the gods that expressed the particular mercy received.
Albert Barnes
Verse 5
Giving God Glory Through Humility:
The Philistine priests advised making images of the tumors and mice to 'give glory unto the God of Israel.' Commentators explain this was a public admission of defeat. By creating replicas of their specific afflictions, they were confessing that Israel's God was the source of their suffering and that their own gods were powerless. It was a humbling acknowledgment of His sovereignty.
Historically Real Plagues:
Scholars note that the Philistines' actions were culturally understandable. Devastating plagues of mice were a known catastrophe in the ancient world, capable of destroying all crops. Furthermore, the practice of making images of an affliction as an offering to a deity for healing has parallels in other ancient cultures. This highlights the desperation and severity of their situation.
Repentance, Not Chance:
The advice of the Philistine priests stands in contrast to the common human desire to dismiss suffering as mere 'chance.' As one commentator notes, people often try to avoid the conviction that God is at work. The Philistines, however, were counseled to take a specific action that directly addressed the judgment from God, demonstrating that true repentance involves acknowledging God's hand.
and you shall give glory to the God of Israel ; by sending these images as monuments of their shameful and painful disease, and of the ruin of their fields; owning that it was the hand of the Lord that smote their bodies with emerods, and filled their fields with mice which devoured them; seeking and asking pardoning of him by the trespass offering they sent him:
John Gill
Verse 6
God's Reputation Precedes Him:
Commentators explain that the Philistine priests' reference to the Exodus was not a guess, but an appeal to a well-known historical event. God's mighty acts in Egypt were famous among surrounding nations, serving as a powerful testament that defying the God of Israel was a foolish and dangerous path.
The Folly of a Hardened Heart:
The core warning from the Philistine priests is to avoid the mistake made by Pharaoh. Scholars note this is a timeless spiritual lesson: hardening one's heart against God's clear warnings only prolongs misery. Just as the Philistines suffered for seven months by keeping the ark, people today invite continued hardship by refusing to part with their sin.
Learning from Past Mistakes:
The Philistine priests wisely use the history of Egypt's downfall to guide their decision. Their argument—'did they not let the people go?'—is a direct appeal to learn from the past. This serves as a powerful reminder for believers to heed the lessons from Scripture and history, rather than repeating the same mistakes.
Sinners prolong their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins.
Matthew Henry
Verse 7
Reverence in the Details:
Commentators explain that the Philistines' use of a new cart and unyoked cows was an act of reverence toward the Ark of God. This principle of dedicating unused items for sacred purposes is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as when Jesus rode an unridden donkey and was laid in a new tomb. It teaches that holy things should be treated with special honor.
A Test Against Nature:
Scholars highlight that the choice of animals was also a clever test. Nursing cows separated from their calves would naturally want to return home, and untrained cows would not pull a cart straight. By going against their every instinct and heading directly toward Israel, the cows would provide an undeniable sign that this was an act of God, not a coincidence.
This was so ordered in reverence to the ark, and was a right and true feeling.
Albert Barnes
Verse 8
Reverence for the Holy:
Commentators highlight the "reverent awe" with which the Philistines handled the Ark. They carefully placed their trespass offering in a separate coffer "by the side thereof," not daring to open or place items inside the sacred chest. This respect from pagans serves as a powerful lesson on the holiness of God and the reverence He is due.
An Offering of Atonement:
The golden items are explicitly called a "trespass-offering." Scholars explain that this shows the Philistines were not just getting rid of a troublesome object; they were acknowledging their guilt and attempting to make atonement. One commentator uses this to illustrate a broader principle: people often prolong their own suffering by refusing to acknowledge and part with their sin.
A Test of God's Hand:
The instructions to simply "send it away, that it may go" without a driver were part of a deliberate test. The Philistines wanted to determine if the plagues were from the God of Israel or merely a "chance occurrence." By removing human agency, they created a clear test of God's sovereignty, forcing a demonstration of His divine guidance.
The reverent awe with which these Philistines treated the Ark, which had, they supposed, caused them such great evil, presents a strong contrast to the careless curiosity of the men of Beth-shemesh with regard to the same sacred object—a careless curiosity, which was punished, as we so often find in the case of acts of sacrilege, with extreme severity.
Charles Ellicott
Verse 9
A Test Against Instinct:
Commentators explain the brilliance of the Philistines' test. By using nursing cows whose calves were left behind, they set up a scenario where natural instinct would lead the cows home. If the cows instead traveled toward the Israelite town of Beth-shemesh, it would be a clear sign that a divine power was guiding them, proving God's hand was behind the plagues.
The "It Was Just Chance" Fallacy:
Matthew Henry highlights a timeless human response to hardship. The Philistines' alternative conclusion—"it was a chance that happened to us"—reveals a desire to avoid conviction. People often prefer to attribute suffering to random events rather than consider that God might be speaking through their circumstances, thus avoiding the need to repent or change.
How willing bad men are to shake off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is merely a chance occurrence; and that the rod has no voice which they should hear or heed!
Matthew Henry
Verse 10
The Importance of the Details:
John Gill's commentary emphasizes the practical, precise actions of the men. They followed the instructions exactly: taking two milk cows, tying them to a new cart, and crucially, shutting their calves away at home. This detail was vital to the integrity of the test, as it removed the natural incentive for the cows to stay put, making their subsequent journey a clearer sign of divine intervention.
God's Sovereignty Over Nature:
Matthew Henry draws a powerful theological point, noting that God's providence extends even to animals and He uses them to serve His purposes. He contrasts the obedience of the cows to their "great Owner" with the disobedience of the priests Hophni and Phinehas. This serves as a reminder that all of creation is subject to God's sovereign will, even when it goes against natural instinct.
God's providence takes notice even of animals, and serves its own purposes by them.
Matthew Henry
Verse 11
A Tale of Two Touches:
John Gill highlights a fascinating contrast: the Philistines touched the ark without being punished, while Uzzah, an Israelite, was later struck dead for the same act. This suggests God's judgment considers the heart and the level of revealed knowledge. The Philistines acted out of fearful ignorance, whereas Uzzah, as part of the covenant people, should have known and respected God's specific commands about handling the ark.
The Philistines' Offering:
Commentators note the specific items placed with the ark: a coffer containing golden mice and images of the tumors that afflicted them. John Gill explains this coffer was likely placed in a bag beside the ark, not inside it. This shows the Philistines' attempt to appease God with a guilt offering while still maintaining a degree of reverence for the sacred object they were returning.
Perhaps the same men that made the cart; however they were the Philistines, yet were not punished for touching it, as Uzzah was, though an Israelite.
John Gill
Verse 12
An Unmistakable Miracle:
Commentators stress that the cows' journey was a clear, supernatural sign. By choosing nursing cows and having them walk directly away from their calves—all while lowing for them—God overruled powerful natural instincts. This wasn't a random event; it was a divinely orchestrated proof of His power, designed to be undeniable to the watching Philistines.
Witnesses to God's Power:
The Philistine lords followed the ark not out of reverence, but to verify the outcome of their test. Scholars explain that their presence as official witnesses was crucial. It made the event an irrefutable public testimony, preventing any later claim that the Israelites had staged the ark's return and confirming God's power before His enemies.
Creation Obeys Its Creator:
Matthew Henry draws a poignant contrast: these animals obeyed God's will perfectly, while Israel's own priests, Hophni and Phinehas, had been disobedient. This event serves as a powerful reminder that God's sovereignty extends over all of creation, and He can use any part of it—even animals—to accomplish His divine purposes.
Nature would obviously incline the cows to go toward their calves, so their going in the opposite direction was clearly a divine impulse overruling their natural instinct.
Albert Barnes
Verse 13
Joy Beyond the Harvest:
Commentators highlight the immense joy of the people. Matthew Henry notes their joy over the ark's return was greater than their "joy of harvest," showing that the restoration of God's presence and holy ordinances is a cause for celebration that surpasses even material blessings. The entire population immediately stopped their work to run to the ark.
A Public Miracle:
Scholars like John Gill and Albert Barnes point out the significance of the timing. Because it was the wheat harvest, many people were in the fields to witness the ark's miraculous return. God didn't bring His ark back in secret but orchestrated a public event for all to see, confirming His power and faithfulness to Israel.
Joy Mixed with Warning:
While the initial joy was real, Charles Ellicott explains that this moment foreshadows a later tragedy. Beth-shemesh was a priestly city, which should have been a fitting home for the ark. However, their joy was followed by an act of "careless irreverence," reminding believers that initial excitement for God's presence must be matched with sustained, holy reverence.
The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
Matthew Henry
Verse 14
Spontaneous and Joyful Worship:
Commentators highlight the immediate and joyful worship of the Beth-shemites. Upon the Ark's return, they didn't hesitate, resourcefully using the cart for wood and the cows for an offering. This act demonstrates a powerful example of heartfelt, spontaneous praise born from overwhelming gratitude.
God's Providence in Action:
Scholars emphasize that the cows' journey was no accident. God's providence guided them to a specific field in a Levitical city and stopped them at a large stone perfect for an altar. This event powerfully illustrates that God's sovereign plan extends to every detail, even using animals to fulfill His purposes.
The Presence of God Sanctifies:
While sacrifices were normally offered at the Tabernacle, commentators explain this worship was acceptable because the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's throne, was present. The Ark's presence sanctified the location, showing that God Himself is the ultimate source of holiness for any act of worship.
These two cows knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophni and Phinehas did not know.
Matthew Henry
Verse 15
The Right People for a Holy Task:
Commentators explain that although the text says "Levites," it was specifically the priests (who were also of the tribe of Levi) who handled the ark. God providentially guided the ark to Beth-shemesh, a city designated for priests, ensuring that His holy ark was received by those authorized to handle it, underscoring the importance of reverence and order in worship.
Worship as a Grateful Response:
The people of Beth-shemesh responded to the ark's return with exuberant worship. Scholars note they offered their own burnt offerings and peace offerings in addition to the sacrifice of the Philistines' cows. This serves as a model for believers: an authentic response to God's mercy and restored presence is one of spontaneous, generous, and joyful gratitude.
A Joy Greater Than Harvest:
Matthew Henry points out that the people's joy over the ark was "greater than the joy of harvest." This provides a powerful spiritual lesson: the return of God's presence and the revival of worship are sources of deeper joy than any material prosperity. It challenges believers to value their relationship with God above all worldly blessings.
The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
Matthew Henry
Verse 16
The Investigation is Over:
Commentators explain that the return of the five Philistine lords to Ekron was not just a journey home; it signified the end of their investigation. They had witnessed the miraculous events and, as one scholar puts it, their 'mission was accomplished.' Their question about the source of their plagues was definitively answered by God's power.
A Testimony for Unbelievers:
The Philistine leaders served as official, even hostile, witnesses to God's sovereignty. Scholars highlight that they observed the entire 'strange scene,' from the animals acting against their nature to the joyful worship of the Israelites. This event provided undeniable proof of God's hand at work, a testimony powerful enough to convince even Israel's enemies.
The five Philistine princes, when they had watched the strange scene from a distance, returned; their mission was accomplished, and the question solved as to the source of the plagues which had visited their country.
Charles Ellicott
Verse 17
A Specific Trespass Offering:
Commentators explain that the five golden tumors were not a random gift but a specific 'trespass offering.' The Philistines, representing their five main cities, deliberately crafted this offering to atone for their specific offense of capturing and detaining the Ark of the Covenant, acknowledging the source of their affliction.
Corporate Acknowledgment:
The offering came from all five Philistine principalities: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. Scholars highlight that this demonstrates a sense of corporate responsibility. The entire nation, represented by its leading cities, acknowledged their collective guilt and participated in the act of restitution toward the God of Israel.
and each of these were at the expense of a golden emerod, and sent it along with the ark to make atonement for the offence they had been guilty of in taking and detaining it.
John Gill
Verse 18
A Widespread Offering:
Commentators explain that the offering of golden mice came from all Philistine cities and villages, not just the five main ones mentioned earlier. This indicates the plague of mice was widespread, and the people collectively recognized their need to appease the God of Israel. Their offering went beyond the minimum requirement, showing the depth of their fear and desire to atone.
The Stone of Remembrance:
Scholars highlight that the "great stone" is also called "Abel," which means "mourning." This name likely comes from the tragic judgment that occurred there shortly after the ark's arrival (described in the next verse). The stone remained for generations as a physical monument, serving as a powerful reminder of both God's miraculous deliverance and His awesome holiness that demands reverence.
The inhabitants of all the villages were anxious to do their part to propitiate the insulted Hebrew God, and to get rid of the plague which was devastating their fields and vineyards; hence this large offering, so much in excess of what was suggested by the diviners.
Charles Ellicott
Verse 19
A Likely Scribal Error:
All the commentators agree that the number 50,070 is almost certainly a textual error, as Beth-shemesh was a small village. Citing the historian Josephus and unusual Hebrew phrasing, most scholars conclude that 70 men were struck down. The focus of the passage is the reason for the judgment, not a literal mass slaughter.
The Danger of Irreverence:
The men of Beth-shemesh were judged for treating the Ark with profane curiosity. Instead of showing reverence, they "looked into" it—a forbidden act. Commentators suggest this irreverence may have been fueled by festival celebrations. The event is a stark lesson on the awesome holiness of God, which must be approached with respect, not casual presumption.
The Right Response to God:
One commentator highlights the people's flawed reaction: instead of repenting and asking how to restore their relationship with God, they wanted to get rid of the Ark. When God's presence or Word brings conviction, the right response is to turn to Him in repentance, not to push away the source of that conviction.
It is a great affront to God, for vain men to pry into and meddle with the secret things that do not belong to them.
Matthew Henry
Verse 20
Confronting God's Holiness:
The people's cry, "Who is able to stand before this holy God?" reveals a foundational truth. Commentators explain this was not just superstition, but a genuine and terrifying recognition of God's absolute purity in contrast to their own sinfulness. This awe-filled fear is a proper starting point for understanding our relationship with God, as it acknowledges the vast gap between His perfection and our imperfection.
Don't Push God Away:
Faced with God's terrifying justice, the people's immediate reaction was to ask, "to whom shall he go up from us?" They wanted to get rid of the Ark. As Matthew Henry highlights, this is a common but wrong response to conviction. Instead of seeking peace and asking how to be right with God, they tried to remove the source of their discomfort. This serves as a warning against rejecting God's Word when it exposes our sin.
The Answer is Christ:
The question "Who is able to stand?" hangs in the air, and the people of Beth-shemesh had no answer. However, commentators point to the ultimate Christian answer: Jesus Christ. While these men fell in terror, believers now have a Mediator. As one scholar notes, they lacked a Redeemer to say "Fear not." Through Christ's sacrifice, which the Ark's mercy seat foreshadowed, believers can stand before God not in terror, but in grace.
Nor can any stand before this holy Lord God, but on account of the mercy seat over the ark, or through Christ, his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice.
John Gill
Verse 21
A Flawed Reaction to Holiness:
Commentators note that the men of Beth-shemesh, terrified by God's judgment, sought to get rid of the ark. As Matthew Henry observes, their reaction was flawed. Instead of repenting and seeking how to live rightly before a holy God, they simply tried to push His presence away. This serves as a powerful warning against reacting to God's conviction with avoidance rather than repentance.
A Redeemed Location for the Ark:
Scholars explain that Kiriath-jearim was likely chosen for strategic reasons. It was on a hill and further from the Philistine border. Interestingly, Albert Barnes notes its old name was Kirjath-Baal ('city of Baal'), suggesting it was a former pagan worship site. The selection of this location to house the ark demonstrates how God can redeem and repurpose places once dedicated to false gods for His holy purposes.
The Omission in the Message:
John Gill points out the clever wording of the message. The men of Beth-shemesh presented the ark's arrival as good news and an honor for Kiriath-jearim, saying, 'fetch it up to you.' However, they strategically omitted the terrifying reason for their request—the deadly plague. They passed on the responsibility without revealing the immense danger involved in housing the sacred object.
but say not one word of the reason of this request, lest it should discourage them; but rather represent it as a favour to them, and an honour done them, as indeed it was.
John Gill
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