The five gold rats represented the five Philistine towns and their surrounding villages, which were controlled by the five rulers. The large rock at Beth-shemesh, where they set the Ark of the Lord, still stands in the field of Joshua as a witness to what happened there.

Commentaries

4

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

AlbertBarnes

18th Century
Presbyterian
18th Century

The great stone of Abel... — This was probably so called from the "lamentation" described in 1 Samuel 6:19.

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

CharlesEllicott

19th Century
Anglican
19th Century

And the golden mice. —We have here a far greater number of “golden mice” mentioned as being offered in expiation than appear speci…

John Gill

John Gill

JohnGill

17th Century
Reformed Baptist
17th Century

And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities
of the Philistines belonging to the five …

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

MatthewHenry

17th Century
Presbyterian
17th Century

These two cows knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophni and Phinehas did not know. God's providence takes notice even of animals, and serve…