1 Samuel 6:3

send it not empty Cp. Exodus 23:15. All religions regard offeringas a necessary part of worship.

in any wise i.e. "at all events," "certainly." Wisemeans "way of acting," "manner," "mode."

return him a trespass offering A satisfaction or compensation in return for the injury done him by the removal of the Ark.

it shall be known to you If the removal of the plague followed the restoration of the Ark with due propitiation, they would know for certain that its detention was the cause of the continuance of the plague. They were not yet convinced that their misfortune was more than "a chance" (1 Samuel 6:9).