1 Samuel 6:1-7:2 NIV

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Samuel 6:1-12

The Ark sent back to Beth-Shemesh. v. 1. And the ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months, in the three cities of the Philistine territory which were named in the preceding chapter. v. 2. And the Philistines, as represented by their five lords, called for the priests and the diviners, all of whom were supposed to possess soothsaying power to reveal the counsel of the deity, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the Lord? What form of procedure was advisable in... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

2. Restoration of the Ark with Expiatory Gifts. 1 Samuel 6:1-111And the ark of the Lord [Jehovah] was in the country of the Philistines seven 2months. And the Philistines called for [together1] the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to [with] the ark of the Lord [Jehovah]? Tell us 3wherewith2 we shall send it to his [its] place. And they said, If ye3 send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty, but in any wise [om. in any wise4] return him5 a trespass-offering;... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:1-12

Returned with a Trespass-Offering 1 Samuel 6:1-12 There is reason to suppose that when the Philistines got possession of the Ark, they destroyed Shiloh. See Psalms 78:60 ; Psalms 78:64 ; Jeremiah 26:9 . They could not imagine how to rid themselves of the sacred emblem, which brought only destruction in its train, until they had consulted the priests. These priests appear to have been well acquainted with the previous history of the Israelites, though centuries had passed since the passage of... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

The authorities in Philistia now called a council, and sought the advice of their diviners. It is intensely interesting to observe how unanimously they recognized the action of Jehovah. Whatever the long years had done for Israel itself, it is perfectly certain that the fear and the dread of Jehovah had been implanted in the hearts of the surrounding peoples. The counselors advised sending the Ark back, accompanied by offerings intended to indicate their recognition that the plagues of mice... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:1-11

The Ark in the Land of the Philistines 1 Samuel 5:1-12 ; 1 Samuel 6:1-11 INTRODUCTORY WORDS There are several things we think should be emphasized. 1. Ebenezer means "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." What! Was the Ark of God taken from the place "where the Lord helped us," to the place of utter and ignominious defeat? Even so. It is written that He could do no mighty works in Nazareth because of their unbelief. Why was Christ helpless to demonstrate His power and His glory in the city... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 6:1-16

Chapter 6. The Ark of God Is Returned to Israel With Due Tributes and Reparations (1 Samuel 6:1-16 ). Having determined to return the Ark to Israel the Philistines had a problem. How were they going to propitiate the God of Israel for what they had done in bringing His Ark to Philistia? They wanted to ensure that they did not antagonise Him further. So they consulted their own priests and diviners. The solution was that they would return the Ark with a trespass ( or ‘guilt’) offering,... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

1 Samuel 6:1 to 1 Samuel 7:1 . Ark Brought back to Beth-shemesh; Plague Breaks out there; Ark Housed at Kiriath-jearim. 1 Samuel 6:1 may not belong to the main story; 2 would be a better continuation of 1 Samuel 5:12. At the end of the verse LXX adds “ And their land swarmed with mice.” This would prepare for the “ mice” in 1 Samuel 6:4 f., 1 Samuel 6:11, 1 Samuel 6:18. Possibly these references to mice are survivals from a fuller form of the story, in which the mice figured more largely, or... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 6:1

So long they kept it, as loth to lose so great a prize, and willing to try all ways to keep it, and yet free themselves from the mischiefs accompanying its presence. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

CRITICAL AND EXPOSITORY NOTES—1 Samuel 6:1. “Country,” literally the field. It probably signifies the cultivated plain.1 Samuel 6:2. “Diviners.” “That is, the organs of the Deity, who reveal His counsel and will through the mantic art, and whose decision is final. After it had been determined in the council of the princes (1 Samuel 5:11) to send back the ark to the Israelites, the priests and soothsayers are to tell how it shall be sent back.” (Erdmann).1 Samuel 6:3. “Trespass-offering.” Asham,... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

Chapter 6So they called some of their diviners and seers and all, and they said, "What shall we do with this thing? So they said, Well the thing is, send it back to the people of Israel. But don't send it back without an offering. So make some golden things like boils, because of the boils that broke out, and make little mice, golden mice also and put it with the ark of the covenant. And take two cows, and take a new cart, and put it on the cart. And let these two cows take the young away from... read more