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Texts -- 1 Samuel 6:4-21 (NET)

Context
6:4 They inquired , “What is the guilt offering that we should send to him?” They replied , “The Philistine leaders number five. So send five gold sores and five gold mice , for it is the same plague that has afflicted both you and your leaders . 6:5 You should make images of the sores and images of the mice that are destroying the land . You should honor the God of Israel . Perhaps he will release his grip on you, your gods , and your land . 6:6 Why harden your hearts like the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When God treated them harshly , didn’t the Egyptians send the Israelites on their way ? 6:7 So now go and make a new cart . Get two cows that have calves and that have never had a yoke placed on them. Harness the cows to the cart and take their calves from them back to their stalls . 6:8 Then take the ark of the Lord and place it on the cart , and put in a chest beside it the gold objects you are sending to him as a guilt offering . You should then send it on its way . 6:9 But keep an eye on it. If it should go up by the way of its own border to Beth Shemesh , then he has brought this great calamity on us. But if that is not the case, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us; rather, it just happened to us by accident .” 6:10 So the men did as instructed . They took two cows that had calves and harnessed them to a cart ; they also removed their calves to their stalls . 6:11 They put the ark of the Lord on the cart , along with the chest , the gold mice , and the images of the sores . 6:12 Then the cows went directly on the road to Beth Shemesh . They went along, mooing as they went ; they turned neither to the right nor to the left . The leaders of the Philistines were walking along behind them all the way to the border of Beth Shemesh . 6:13 Now the residents of Beth Shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley . When they looked up and saw the ark , they were pleased at the sight . 6:14 The cart was coming to the field of Joshua , who was from Beth Shemesh . It paused there near a big stone . Then they cut up the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord . 6:15 The Levites took down the ark of the Lord and the chest that was with it, which contained the gold objects . They placed them near the big stone . At that time the people of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the Lord . 6:16 The five leaders of the Philistines watched what was happening and then returned to Ekron on the same day . 6:17 These are the gold sores that the Philistines brought as a guilt offering to the Lord – one for each of the following cities: Ashdod , Gaza , Ashkelon , Gath , and Ekron . 6:18 The gold mice corresponded in number to all the Philistine cities of the five leaders , from the fortified cities to hamlet villages , to greater Abel , where they positioned the ark of the Lord until this very day in the field of Joshua who was from Beth Shemesh . 6:19 But the Lord struck down some of the people of Beth Shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the Lord ; he struck down 50,070 of the men . The people grieved because the Lord had struck the people with a hard blow . 6:20 The residents of Beth Shemesh asked , “Who is able to stand before the Lord , this holy God ? To whom will the ark go up from here?” 6:21 So they sent messengers to the residents of Kiriath Jearim , saying , “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord . Come down here and take it back home with you.”

Pericope

NET

Bible Dictionary

  • Ark

    [nave] ARK 1. Noah's. Directions for building of, Gen. 6:14-16. Noah and family preserved in, Gen. 6:18; 7:8; Matt. 24:38; Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20. Animals saved in, Gen. 6:19, 20; 7:1-16. 2. Of Bulrushes, Ex. 2:3. 3. In the Tab...

  • David

    [ebd] beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother's name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal ...

  • Cart

    [ebd] a vehicle moving on wheels, and usually drawn by oxen (2 Sam. 6:3). The Hebrew word thus rendered, 'agalah (1 Sam. 6:7, 8), is also rendered "wagon" (Gen. 45:19). It is used also to denote a war-chariot (Ps. 46:9). Carts wer...
    [isbe] CART - kart (`aghalah): The Hebrew word has been translated in some passages "cart," and in others "wagon." In one verse only has it been translated "chariot." The context of the various passages indicates that a distinction...
    [smith] (Genesis 45:19,27; Numbers 7:3,7,8) a vehicle drawn by cattle, (2 Samuel 6:6) to be distinguished from the chariot drawn by horses. Carts and wagons were either open or covered, (Numbers 7:3) and were used for conveyance o...
    [nave] CART, 1 Sam. 6:7-14; 2 Sam. 6:3; Isa. 28:27, 28. See: Wagon.

  • PALESTINE EXPLORATION, 2B

    [isbe] PALESTINE EXPLORATION, 2B - 4. Central Palestine: (1) Jerusalem. See above, III, 1, (2). (2) Samaria. (Harvard Expedition).--Although the ancient capital of the Northern Kingdom, yet Samaria was Centrally located, being 20 m...

  • Philistines

    [nave] PHILISTINES Descendants of Mizraim, Gen. 10:14; 1 Chr. 1:12; Jer. 47:4; Amos 9:7. Called Cherethites, 1 Sam. 30:14-16; Ezek. 25:16; Zeph. 2:5; Casluhim, Gen. 10:14; 1 Chr. 1:12; Caphtorim, Jer. 47:4; Amos 9:7. Territory of...

  • Kirjath-jearim

    [nave] KIRJATH-JEARIM, called also Baalah, one of the four cities of the Gibeonites. Inhabitants of, not killed, on account of the covenant made by the Israelites with the Gibeonites, but put under servitude, Josh. 9:17, with verses...

  • Miracles

    [nave] MIRACLES. Index of Sub-topics Catalog of, and Supernatural Events, Of Jesus, in Chronological Order, Of the Disciples of Jesus; Convincing Effect of; Design of; Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit; Miscellany of Minor Sub-...

  • Beth-shemesh

    [ebd] house of the sun. (1.) A sacerdotal city in the tribe of Dan (Josh. 21:16; 1 Sam. 6:15), on the north border of Judah (Josh. 15:10). It was the scene of an encounter between Jehoash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, king of Juda...
    [isbe] BETH-SHEMESH - beth-she'-mesh, beth'-shemesh (beth-shemesh; Baithsamus, "house of the sun"): This name for a place doubtless arose in every instance from the presence of a sanctuary of the sun there. In accordance with the m...
    [nave] BETH-SHEMESH 1. A set apart city of Dan, Josh. 21:16; 1 Sam. 6:15; 1 Chr. 6:59. On the northern border of Judah, Josh. 15:10; 1 Sam. 6:9, 12. In later times transferred to Judah, 2 Kin. 14:11. Mentioned in Solomon's commi...

  • MOUSE; MICE

    [isbe] MOUSE; MICE - mous, mis (`akhbar; Septuagint mus, "mouse"; compare Arabic `akbar, "jerboa" not 'akbar, "greater"; compare also proper noun, `akhbor, "Achbor" (Gen 36:38 f; 1 Ch 1:49; also 2 Ki 22:12,14; Jer 26:22; 36:12)): T...

  • Coffer

    [ebd] the receptacle or small box placed beside the ark by the Philistines, in which they deposited the golden mice and the emerods as their trespass-offering (1 Sam. 6:8, 11, 15).
    [isbe] COFFER - kof'-er ('argaz): A small box such as that in which the Philistines placed their golden mice and other offerings in returning the Ark (1 Sam 6:8,11,15).
    [smith] (argaz), a movable box hanging from the side of a cart. (1 Samuel 6:8,11,15) The word is found nowhere else.
    [nave] COFFER, a chest, 1 Sam. 6:8, 11, 15; Ezek. 27:24. See: Chest; Storehouses.

  • EMERODS

    [isbe] EMERODS - em'-er-odz `ophalim, techorim): These words are used in the account of the plague which broke out among the Philistines while the captive Ark of the Covenant was in their land. `Ophalim literally means rounded emin...
    [smith] (28:27; 1 Samuel 5:6,9,12; 6:4,5,11) Probably hemorrhiodal tumors , or bleeding piles, are intended. These are very common in Syria at present, Oriental habits of want of exercise and improper food, producing derangement o...

  • Mouse

    [ebd] Heb. 'akhbar, "swift digger"), properly the dormouse, the field-mouse (1 Sam. 6:4). In Lev. 11:29, Isa. 66:17 this word is used generically, and includes the jerboa (Mus jaculus), rat, hamster (Cricetus), which, though decla...
    [smith] (the corn-eater). The name of this animal occurs in (Leviticus 11:29; 1 Samuel 6:4,5; Isaiah 66:17) The Hebrew word is in all probability generic, and is not intended to denote any particular species of mouse. The original...
    [nave] MOUSE Forbidden as food, Lev. 11:29; used as food, Isa. 66:17. Images of, 1 Sam. 6:4, 5, 11, 18.

  • KINE

    [isbe] KINE - kin: (1) 'alaphim, plural of 'eleph, "ox," or "cow," the American Standard Revised Version "cattle," the King James Version and the English Revised Version "kine" (Dt 7:13; 28:4,18,51); (2) baqar, "ox" or "cow," the A...

  • Cow

    [nave] COW Used for draught, 1 Sam. 6:7-12; Hos. 10:11. Milk of, used for food. See: Milk. See: Cattle; Kine. Figurative Amos 4:1.

  • Haemorrhoids

    [ebd] or Emerods, bleeding piles known to the ancient Romans as mariscae, but more probably malignant boils of an infectious and fatal character. With this loathsome and infectious disease the men of Ashdod were smitten by the han...

  • HEIFER

    [smith] (1 Samuel 6:7-12; Job 21:10; Isaiah 7:21) The heifer or young cow was not commonly used for ploughing, but only for treading out the corn. (Hosea 10:11) but see Judg 14:18 When it ran about without any headstall, (26:4) he...

  • Ekron

    [ebd] firm-rooted, the most northerly of the five towns belonging to the lords of the Philistines, about 11 miles north of Gath. It was assigned to Judah (Josh. 13:3), and afterwards to Dan (19:43), but came again into the full po...

  • PALESTINE, 2

    [isbe] PALESTINE, 2 - III. Palestine in the Historic Books of the Old Testament. 1. Book of Joshua: Joshua is the great geographical book of the Old Testament; and the large majority of the 600 names of places, rivers and mountains...

  • Tumor

    [isbe] TUMOR - tu'-mer, tu'-mor (`ophel): the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes this word for "emerods" in 1 Sam 5:12; 6:4; Dt 28:27 margin. See EMERODS.
    [nave] TUMOR, a morbid swelling, 1 Sam. 5:6, 9, 12; 6:4, 5, 11, 17. See: Boil; Hemorrhoids.

  • Plague

    [isbe] PLAGUE - plag (negha`, makkah, maggephah; mastix, plege): This word which occurs more than 120 times is applied, like pestilence, to such sudden outbursts of disease as are regarded in the light of divine visitations. It is ...
    [nave] PLAGUE As a judgment on the Egyptians, Psa. 105; 135:8, 9; Acts 7:36. The plague of blood, Ex. 7:14-25; frogs, Ex. 8:1-15; lice, Ex. 8:16-19; flies, Ex. 8:20. On cattle, Ex. 9:1-7. Of boils and sores, Ex. 9:8-12; hail, Ex...
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Arts

Questions

  • The Ark of the Covenant was definitely real and was a part of the tabernacle, being placed in the Holy of Holies behind the curtain. I will include articles below from three Bible Dictionaries that will give you some informat...

Sermon Illustrations

How Satan Brings Sickness and Suffering; Satan’s Ways to Bring Sickness; Satan Can Bring Sickness and Suffering

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • This pericope presents the characteristics of the three branches of the human family that grew out of Noah. Moses stressed the themes of blessing and cursing. God cursed Canaan with slavery because Ham showed disrespect towar...
  • Statements in the Book of Samuel imply that someone who had witnessed at least some of the events recorded wrote it. However the original writer must have written most of it after Samuel's death (i.e., -1 Sam. 25-2 Sam. 24) a...
  • I. Eli and Samuel chs. 1-3A. The change from barrenness to fertility 1:1-2:101. Hannah's condition 1:1-82. Hannah's vow 1:9-183. Hannah's obedience 1:19-284. Hannah's song 2:1-10B. The contrast between Samuel and Eli's sons 2...
  • These verses provide some insight into the godly character of Samuel's mother and her personal relationship with Yahweh. That she would offer her son to God's service for life was similar to asking that God would lead your ch...
  • Most serious students of 1 Samuel have noted the writer's emphasis on the ark of the covenant beginning here in the text. Critical scholars have long argued that 4:1b-7:1 and 2 Samuel 6 are the only remaining fragments of an ...
  • A new subject comes to the forefront in this section and continues to be a significant motif throughout the rest of Samuel. It is the ark of the covenant. The writer drew attention to the ark in this chapter by mentioning it ...
  • The Philistines, as we have already seen in Judges, were Israel's primary enemy to the west at this time. Samson, too, fought the Philistines (Judg. 13-16).52There are about 150 references to the Philistines in 1 and 2 Samuel...
  • The primary purpose of this chapter, I believe, is to demonstrate the superiority of Yahweh over Dagon, the fertility god of the Philistines.655:1-5 Having captured the ark the Philistines brought it from Ebenezer to their ma...
  • The Philistines acknowledged Yahweh's superiority over Dagon, but they believed they could manipulate Him (v. 3). Guilt offerings were common in ancient Near Eastern religions."Ancient religious protocol mandated that the wor...
  • Not all the people who later assembled to see the ark were as careful as those from Bethshemesh, however. The Mosaic Law specified that no one was to look into the ark or that person would die (Num. 4:5, 20; cf. 2 Sam. 6:6-7)...
  • God used a humble weapon to give His people a great victory in response to one person's faith. This is another instance of God bringing blessing to and through a person who committed himself to simply believing and obeying Go...
  • Ackroyd, Peter R. The First Book of Samuel. Cambridge Bible Commentary on the New English Bible series. Cambridge, Eng.: University Press, 1971._____. "The Verb Love--'Aheb in the David-Jonathan Narratives--A Footnote."Vetus ...
  • Baale-judah (v. 2) may have been the later name of Kiriath-jearim (cf. Josh. 15:9-10).76This was where the ark had evidently rested since the Israelites had moved it from Bethshemesh in Samuel's days (1 Sam. 6; cf. Ps. 132:6-...
  • Luke did not record Jesus' actual entrance into the city of Jerusalem. He stressed Jesus' approach to Jerusalem and His lamentation over it (vv. 41-44). This presentation has the effect of eliminating the triumphant spirit of...
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