Commentary on 1 Samuel 6

1 Samuel 6 details the Philistines' desperate attempt to rid themselves of the Ark of the Covenant, which has brought plague and suffering to their cities. After consulting their priests and diviners, they decide to return the Ark to Israel, accompanied by a guilt offering. Miraculously, two milk cows, without a driver, pull the cart directly to Beth Shemesh, confirming God's hand in their affliction. However, the people of Beth Shemesh suffer a severe judgment for looking into the Ark, underscoring its holiness and the danger of treating God's presence lightly.

Historical context

The events of 1 Samuel 6 follow directly from the Philistines' capture of the Ark of the Covenant in 1 Samuel 4 and the subsequent plagues that afflicted them in 1 Samuel 5. This period marks a low point in Israel's history, characterized by spiritual decline and military defeat, largely due to the corruption of Eli's sons and the people's idolatry. The Philistines, a powerful seafaring people who settled on the southwestern coast of Canaan, were Israel's primary adversaries during the time of the Judges and early monarchy. Their capture of the Ark was a significant blow to Israel's national and religious identity, as the Ark symbolized God's presence among His people.

This chapter illustrates the stark contrast between the Philistines' superstitious attempts to appease an unknown deity and the true God of Israel's sovereign power. The narrative also sets the stage for Samuel's emergence as a prophet and judge, who would eventually lead Israel in repentance and a renewed relationship with God. The author, traditionally understood to be Samuel himself or a prophet from his school, aims to demonstrate God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they are unfaithful, and His absolute sovereignty over all nations.

Verse by verse

• 1:

  After seven months of affliction, the Philistines, having suffered greatly from tumors and possibly rats (1 Sam 5:6), finally decide to act. Their initial triumph of capturing the Ark has turned into a prolonged nightmare, demonstrating that God's presence, even when seemingly 'captured,' cannot be controlled or contained by human power.

• 2:

  The Philistines consult their pagan priests and diviners, seeking guidance on how to appease the God of Israel. This highlights their polytheistic worldview, where they attempt to understand and manipulate divine forces through ritual and divination, a practice strictly forbidden in Israel (Deut 18:9-12).

• 3:

  The diviners advise returning the Ark with a guilt offering, emphasizing that it must be a 'proper' offering to remove the plague. They recognize that the affliction is not random but a divine judgment, though they still attribute it to a deity they do not fully comprehend.

• 4:

  The specific offering of five gold tumors and five gold rats corresponds to the number of Philistine rulers and the nature of the plagues. These golden replicas serve as a votive offering, a common practice in the ancient Near East, intended to appease the offended deity and remove the affliction.

• 7:

  The Philistines devise a test to confirm the divine origin of their suffering. They hitch two milk cows, never yoked before and separated from their calves, to a new cart. This setup makes it highly improbable for the cows to go anywhere but back to their calves, thus making their journey to Israel a clear sign of divine intervention.

• 10:

  The cows, against all natural instinct, head directly towards Beth Shemesh, an Israelite city. This miraculous event serves as undeniable proof to the Philistines that the plagues were indeed from the God of Israel, not mere coincidence or bad luck.

• 12:

  The cows' unwavering journey, 'lowing as they went,' further emphasizes the supernatural nature of their obedience. The Philistine lords follow, witnessing firsthand the power of Israel's God, a powerful testimony to His sovereignty even over pagan nations.

• 15:

  The Levites, the priestly tribe responsible for the Ark, receive it and offer the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord. This act of worship signifies the Ark's return to its rightful place and the restoration of proper worship, even if temporarily.

• 19:

  Despite the joy of the Ark's return, the people of Beth Shemesh suffer a severe judgment for looking into the Ark. This act, a violation of God's explicit command (Num 4:15, 20), underscores the Ark's profound holiness and the danger of treating God's presence casually. The exact number of those who died is debated in ancient texts, but the severity of the judgment is clear.

• 20:

  The people's cry, “Who is able to stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?” reveals their terror and a dawning realization of God's awesome holiness. This question echoes throughout Scripture, pointing to the need for a mediator who can bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.

Key themes

• God's Sovereignty over Nations
• The Holiness of God
• Consequences of Disobedience
• The Ark as God's Presence
• Divine Judgment

Application

1 Samuel 6 powerfully reminds us of God's absolute sovereignty and holiness. We see that God cannot be contained or manipulated, even by those who capture His symbols. For us today, this means recognizing that God is not a force we can wield for our own purposes, nor is His presence something to be treated lightly. Our worship and reverence must reflect His infinite majesty.

The Philistines' suffering and the judgment on Beth Shemesh serve as a sober warning: God's holiness demands respect. While we no longer approach a physical Ark, we encounter God's presence through His Word and Spirit. This chapter calls us to approach God with humility and awe, trusting in Christ, who alone makes it possible for sinful humanity to stand in the presence of a holy God. He is our ultimate guilt offering, making atonement for our irreverence and sin, allowing us to draw near with confidence (Heb 4:16).

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