But watch: if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done this great evil to us. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.”

Commentaries

4

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

AlbertBarnes

18th Century
Presbyterian
18th Century

Bethshemesh was the first Israelite town they would come to, as it was on the border of Judah.

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

CharlesEllicott

19th Century
Anglican
19th Century

It was a chance that happened to us. —The priests and diviners were not certain whether the plague had been sent by the o…

John Gill

John Gill

JohnGill

17th Century
Reformed Baptist
17th Century

And see if it goes up by the way of its own coast to
Bethshemesh
The nearest city to t…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

MatthewHenry

17th Century
Presbyterian
17th Century

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…