1 Samuel 6:1
Seven months — So long they kept it, as loath to lose so great a prize, and willing to try all ways to keep it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Seven months — So long they kept it, as loath to lose so great a prize, and willing to try all ways to keep it.... [ Continue Reading ]
It shall be known — You shall understand, what is hitherto doubtful, whether he was the author of these calamities, and why they continued so long upon you.... [ Continue Reading ]
Emerods — Figures representing the disease. These they offered not in contempt of God, for they fought to gain his favour hereby; but in testimony of their humiliation, that by leaving this monument of their own shame and misery, they might obtain pity from God. Mice — Which marred their land by des... [ Continue Reading ]
Give glory — The glory of his power in conquering you, who seemed to have conquered him; of his justice in punishing you, and of his goodness if he relieve you.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore, &c. — They express themselves thus, either because some opposed the sending home the ark, though most had consented to it; or because they thought they would hardly send it away in the manner prescribed, by giving glory to God, and taking shame to themselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
Milch kine, &c. — In respect to the ark; and for the better discovery, because such untamed heifers are apt to wander, and keep no certain and constant paths, as oxen accustomed to the yoke do, and therefore were most unlikely to keep the direct road to Israel's land. From them — Which would stir up... [ Continue Reading ]
His own coast — Or Border, that is, the way that leadeth to his coast, or border, namely, the country to which it belongs. Then he, &c. — Which they might well conclude, if such heifers should against their common use, and natural instinct, go into a strange path, and regularly and constantly procee... [ Continue Reading ]
Beth — shemesh — A city of the priests, who were by office to take care of it. Loving — Testifying at once both their natural and vehement inclination to their calves, and the supernatural power which over — ruled them to a contrary course. The lords went — To prevent all imposture, and to get assur... [ Continue Reading ]
They — Not the lords of the Philistines, but the Beth — shemites, the priest that dwelt there. Offered the kine — There may seem to he a double error in this act. First, that they offered females for a burnt — offering, contrary to Leviticus 1:3. Secondly, that they did it in a forbidden place, D... [ Continue Reading ]
Villages — This is added for explication of that foregoing phrase, all the cities; either to shew, that under the name of the five cities were comprehended all the villages and territories belonging to them, in whose name, and at whose charge these presents were made; or to express the difference be... [ Continue Reading ]
Had looked — Having now an opportunity which they never yet had, it is not strange they had a vehement curiosity to see the contents of the ark. Of the people — In and near Beth — shemesh and coming from all parts on this occasion.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who is able, &c. — That is, to minister before the ark where the Lord is present. Since God is so severe to mark what is amiss in his servants, who is sufficient to serve him? It seems to be a complaint, or expostulation with God, concerning this great instance of his severity. And to whom, &c. — Wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Kirjath — jearim — Whither they sent, either because the place was not far off from them, and so it might soon be removed: or because it was a place of eminency and strength, and somewhat farther distant from the Philistines, where therefore it was likely to be better preserved from any new attempts... [ Continue Reading ]