_A.M. 2864. B.C. 1140._ The Philistines send the ark back, 1 Samuel 6:1. The Israelites receive it, 1 Samuel 6:13. The people of Beth-shemesh smitten for looking into the ark, who therefore desire those of Kirjath-jearim to fetch it, 1 Samuel 6:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The ark was in the country of the Philistines seven months_ So long they kept it, as being loath to lose so great a prize, and willing to try all ways to keep it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_What shall we do to the ark of the Lord?_ Hebrew, _Jehovah._ They never termed it the ark of Jehovah till this time: but now they seem to have been struck with some apprehension that Jehovah, the God of Israel, was above all gods. _Tell us wherewith we shall send it_, &c. They did not call the prie... [ Continue Reading ]
_Send it not empty_ They answer directly to the question, first in general; that it must not be sent back without some offering. _In any wise return him a trespass-offering_ As an acknowledgment that they had offended the God of Israel by bringing his ark from its proper place; for which they begged... [ Continue Reading ]
_Five golden emerods_ Figures in gold representing the disease. _Five golden mice_ Images of the mice which had marred their land by destroying its fruits. _According to the number of the lords of the Philistines_ Who were five, and were to be at the charge of offering one for each of them. These th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of your mice that mar the land_ By this it appears that their county was infested by mice, which had eaten their corn in the field, and other fruits of the earth, though no mention is made of this before. _And give glory to the God of Israel_ That is, acknowledge, by this present, that he is the in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts_ 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 ]
_Make a new cart_, &c. It was in honour of the ark that they employed nothing about it that had ever served for any other use. And there was another reason for choosing such kine as are here mentioned; that it might be more manifest that they were led by the God of Israel, if they went directly into... [ Continue Reading ]
_In a coffer by the side thereof_ They had either heard, or by their present sufferings were made to fear, that it was dangerous to look into the ark; and therefore they did not open it to put their present within it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And see if it goeth up by his own coast_ Without any guide; _to Beth-shemesh_ A city in the tribe of Judah, in the confines of both countries. _Then he hath done this great evil_ Hath inflicted this sore calamity upon us. This they might well conclude, if such heifers should, contrary to their cust... [ Continue Reading ]
_The kine took the straight way to Beth-shemesh_ Though they had no driver, nor visible director, and had such strong attractives to draw them back, and there were so many other ways in which they might have gone. _Lowing as they went_ After their calves, which had been taken from them; and hereby e... [ Continue Reading ]
_The cart came into the field of Joshua, and stood there_ This was another marvellous thing, that the kine went no further, but stood, as soon as they were come into the territory of a city belonging to the priests, (for such Beth-shemesh was,) whose office it was to take care of the ark. _Where the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Both of fenced cities and country villages_ This is added, either to show, 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 between this and the for... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because they had looked into the ark_ Which God had forbidden, not only to the common people, but to the sons of Levi also, Numbers 4:20. But the people, having now an opportunity which they had not had before, were moved with a vehement curiosity to see the contents of the ark, forgetting the divi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who is able to stand?_ &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? They seem by this to have been made sensible of their rashness, and brought to acknowledge the holiness of God to... [ 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 eminence and strength, and somewhat farther distant from the Philistines, where therefore it was likely to be better preserved from any new attempts... [ Continue Reading ]