# Overview 1 Samuel Chapter 6 details the return of the #ArkOfTheCovenant to #Israel by the #Philistines after it had brought them great distress and plagues. The Philistines, recognizing the power of the God of #Israel, consult their priests and diviners on how to properly send the ark back, hoping to alleviate the plagues that afflicted them. They decide to send it with a guilt offering of golden tumors and mice, symbolizing the plagues, on a new cart drawn by two cows. The chapter highlights the sovereignty of God as the cows, unaccustomed to yokes and having left their calves behind, head straight for the #Israelite territory of #BethShemesh, confirming the divine nature of the events to the Philistines. Upon arrival at Beth-shemesh, the Israelites rejoice at the return of the ark, offering sacrifices to the Lord. However, some of the men of Beth-shemesh look into the ark, which results in God striking down a large number of them, demonstrating the holiness and reverence required for His presence. This incident leads the people to question who can stand before such a holy God, prompting them to send the ark to #KiriathJearim. The chapter concludes with the ark being taken to the house of #Abinadab, where it remains for many years. This narrative underscores the themes of God's holiness, the need for reverence, and the acknowledgment of His power by both the #Philistines and the Israelites. ## Theological Insights In 1 Samuel 6, the narrative of the return of the #Ark of the Covenant to #Israel after its capture by the #Philistines reveals profound theological insights into the sovereignty and holiness of #God. The chapter underscores the divine authority of God over all nations, not just #Israel, as evidenced by the afflictions brought upon the Philistines during the Ark's captivity (1 Samuel 5). The Philistines recognize the power of God and seek a way to appease Him, demonstrating the universal acknowledgment of God's supremacy. The return of the Ark signifies God's continued presence and favor towards Israel, despite their previous failures. The Philistines’ decision to send the Ark back with a guilt offering reflects an understanding of God's holiness and justice, acknowledging their transgressions. This act aligns with the biblical principle that God is not only powerful but also righteous and requires atonement for sin. The specific instructions given by the Philistine priests and diviners on how to return the Ark highlight the necessity of approaching God with respect and reverence. The use of new cows and a cart symbolizes purity and newness, acknowledging that God deserves the best offering. This mirrors the sacrificial system outlined in the #MosaicLaw, where offerings to God were to be without blemish. Upon the Ark's return to Beth Shemesh, the Israelites’ reaction is mixed with joy and fear, emphasizing the dual aspects of God's character—His accessibility and intimacy, as well as His awe-inspiring holiness. The death of the men of Beth Shemesh who looked into the Ark (1 Samuel 6:19) serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of irreverence toward God's holiness. It echoes the severity of the law as seen in [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 10]] with #Nadab and #Abihu. The narrative ultimately points to the centrality of God's presence in the life of Israel, symbolized by the Ark. It foreshadows the eschatological hope of God's presence among His people, culminating in the incarnation of #Christ as Emmanuel, "God with us," as seen in the New Testament. This chapter serves as a reminder of the necessity of approaching God with humility and reverence, recognizing His holiness and the need for atonement, themes that are fulfilled in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 9]] with the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. ## Thematic Connections ### The Holiness and Sovereignty of God In [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 6]], the return of the #Ark of the Covenant by the #Philistines highlights the holiness and sovereignty of #God. This theme is evident as the Philistines recognize that they are unable to control or contain the power of the God of #Israel, leading them to return the Ark with a guilt offering. This connection echoes earlier narratives such as the plagues in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 7|Egypt]], where God demonstrates His power over other nations and their deities, asserting His unmatched sovereignty. ### Fear and Reverence for God's Presence The reaction of the people of #BethShemesh to the Ark further illustrates the theme of fear and reverence for God's presence. When some of the men of Beth-Shemesh look into the Ark and are struck down, it emphasizes the need for reverence when approaching the divine. This incident connects with the broader biblical theme of holy fear, as seen in the story of #Uzzah in [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 6]], who was struck down for improperly handling the Ark. It serves as a reminder of the sacredness associated with God's presence. ### God's Guidance and Deliverance The story of the cows that carry the Ark back to Israel without human guidance reflects the theme of divine guidance and deliverance. This act demonstrates God's ability to direct events according to His will. Similar instances of divine guidance can be seen in stories like the deliverance of the Israelites from #Egypt in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 14]], where God leads His people with a pillar of cloud and fire. This theme assures believers of God's ongoing involvement in the lives of His people. ### Repentance and Acknowledgment of Sin The acknowledgment of wrongdoing by the Philistines through their guilt offering signifies a theme of repentance and acknowledgment of sin. This theme is consistent with the biblical call to repentance seen in passages such as the call to return to God in [[Joel/Joel Chapter 2]], where repentance is linked to God's mercy. It underscores the importance of recognizing one's sins and seeking restitution before God, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of reconciliation and redemption. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Return of the Ark The return of the #Ark to #Israel in 1 Samuel 6 fulfills the prophetic theme of God's presence among His people. The Ark, representing God's covenant and glory, had been captured by the #Philistines but was returned due to the plagues that afflicted them, as foreseen by God's promise of protection over His covenant people. This event foreshadows the prophecy in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 31|Jeremiah 31:33]], where God declares He will put His law within His people and write it on their hearts, symbolizing His enduring presence. ### God's Sovereign Power The events of 1 Samuel 6 demonstrate God's sovereign power over nations and false gods, fulfilling the prophetic assurance of God's supremacy. The Philistine god #Dagon fell before the Ark, reminiscent of prophecies like those in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 46|Isaiah 46:1-2]], which speak to the impotence of idols before the true God. This narrative reinforces the prophetic theme of God’s unmatched sovereignty and authority, which is ultimately embodied in #Christ, who triumphs over all powers and principalities. ### The Holiness of God The judgment upon the men of #BethShemesh for looking into the Ark highlights the prophetic theme of God's holiness and the necessity of reverence, aligning with the prophetic calls for holiness and respect for God's presence found throughout scripture, such as in [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 10|Leviticus 10:3]]. This incident anticipates the New Testament revelation of God's holiness and the call for believers to approach Him with reverence and fear, as seen in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 12|Hebrews 12:28-29]]. ### The Restoration of Worship The return of the Ark prompts the restoration of proper worship in Israel, fulfilling the prophetic vision of restored worship found in scriptures like [[Amos/Amos Chapter 9|Amos 9:11]], which speaks of the restoration of the fallen booth of David. The Ark's return prefigures the future restoration of worship through the #Messiah, as Jesus Christ fulfills the ultimate restoration of worship through His redemptive work, inviting all to worship in spirit and truth as prophesied in [[John/John Chapter 4|John 4:23-24]]. ## Verses - **1 Samuel 6:1** - "The Ark of the Lord remained in Philistine territory for seven months in all." - **1 Samuel 6:2** - "Then the Philistines called in their priests and diviners and asked them, 'What should we do about the Ark of the Lord? Tell us how to return it to its own country.'" - **1 Samuel 6:3** - "'Send the Ark of the God of Israel back with a gift,' they were told. 'Send a guilt offering so the plague will stop. Then, if you are healed, you will know it was his hand that caused the plague.'" - **1 Samuel 6:4** - "'What sort of guilt offering should we send?' they asked. And they were told, 'Since the plague has struck both you and your five rulers, make five gold tumors and five gold rats just like those that have ravaged your land.'" - **1 Samuel 6:5** - "'Make these things to show honor to the God of Israel. Perhaps then he will stop afflicting you, your gods, and your land.'" - **1 Samuel 6:6** - "'Don't be stubborn and rebellious as Pharaoh and the Egyptians were. By the time God was finished with them, they were eager to let Israel go.'" - **1 Samuel 6:7** - "'Now build a new cart, and find two cows that have just given birth to calves. Make sure the cows have never been yoked to a cart. Hitch the cows to the cart, but shut their calves away from them in a pen.'" - **1 Samuel 6:8** - "'Put the Ark of the Lord on the cart, and beside it place a chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors you are sending as a guilt offering. Then let the cows go wherever they want.'" - **1 Samuel 6:9** - "'If they cross the border of our land and go to Beth-shemesh, we will know it was the Lord who brought this great disaster upon us. If they don’t, we will know it was not his hand that caused the plague—it came simply by chance.'" - **1 Samuel 6:10** - "So these instructions were carried out. Two cows were hitched to the cart and their newborn calves were shut up in a pen." - **1 Samuel 6:11** - "Then the Ark of the Lord and the chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors were placed on the cart." - **1 Samuel 6:12** - "And sure enough, without veering off in other directions, the cows went straight along the road toward Beth-shemesh, lowing as they went. The Philistine rulers followed them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh." - **1 Samuel 6:13** - "The people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley, and when they saw the Ark, they were overjoyed!" - **1 Samuel 6:14** - "The cart came into the field of a man named Joshua and stopped beside a large rock. So the people broke up the wood of the cart for a fire and killed the cows and sacrificed them to the Lord as a burnt offering." - **1 Samuel 6:15** - "Several men of the tribe of Levi lifted the Ark of the Lord and the chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors from the cart and placed them on the large rock. Many sacrifices and burnt offerings were offered to the Lord that day by the people of Beth-shemesh." - **1 Samuel 6:16** - "The five Philistine rulers watched all this and then returned to Ekron that same day." - **1 Samuel 6:17** - "The five gold tumors sent by the Philistines as a guilt offering to the Lord were gifts from the rulers of Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron." - **1 Samuel 6:18** - "The five gold rats represented the five Philistine towns and their surrounding villages controlled by the five rulers—the fortified towns and their country villages. 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." - **1 Samuel 6:19** - "But the Lord killed seventy men from Beth-shemesh because they looked into the Ark of the Lord. And the people mourned greatly because of what the Lord had done." - **1 Samuel 6:20** - "‘Who is able to stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?’ they cried out. ‘Where can we send the Ark from here?’" - **1 Samuel 6:21** - "So they sent messengers to the people at Kiriath-jearim and told them, ‘The Philistines have returned the Ark of the Lord. Come here and get it!’" ### Cross-References by Chapter - **Ark of the Lord** - [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 25]], [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 4]] - **Philistines** - [[Judges/Judges Chapter 13]], [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 5]] - **Beth-shemesh** - [[Joshua/Joshua Chapter 15]], [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 14]] - **Kiriath-jearim** - [[Joshua/Joshua Chapter 9]], [[1 Chronicles/1 Chronicles Chapter 13]]