1 And the ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months.

2 And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the Lord? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.

3 And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.

4 Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.

5 Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

6 Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

7 Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:

8 And take the ark of the Lord, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.

9 And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us.

10 And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:

11 And they laid the ark of the Lord upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.

12 And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.

13 And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.

14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the Lord.

15 And the Levites took down the ark of the Lord, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the Lord.

16 And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

17 And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the Lord; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;

18 And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the Lord: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite.

19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.

20 And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? and to whom shall he go up from us?

21 And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the Lord; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines consult how to send back the ark.
Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark. Alas! where shall we find concern for religion prevail above all other matters? In times of public calamity we fear for ourselves, for our families, and for our country; but who cares for the ark of God? We are favoured with the gospel, but it is treated with neglect or contempt. We need not wonder if it should be taken from us; to many persons this, though the heavies of calamities, would occasion no grief. There are multitudes whom any profession would please as well as that of Christianity. But there are those who value the house, the word, and the ministry of God above their richest possessions, who dread the loss of these blessings more than death. How willing bad men are to shift off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is a chance that happens; and that the rod has no voice which they should hear or heed!
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Only One Sacrifice Can Secure Divine Favor
—The Philistines hoped by their offerings to appease the wrath of God, but they were ignorant of the one great sacrifice which alone can secure to sinful men the divine favor. Those gifts were powerless to atone for sin; for the offerers did not through them express faith in Christ (The Signs of the Times, January 12, 1882).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Seven months - So long they kept it, as loath to lose so great a prize, and willing to try all ways to keep it.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 5:12 1 Samuel 6:2

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines consult how to send back the ark.
Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark. Alas! where shall we find concern for religion prevail above all other matters? In times of public calamity we fear for ourselves, for our families, and for our country; but who cares for the ark of God? We are favoured with the gospel, but it is treated with neglect or contempt. We need not wonder if it should be taken from us; to many persons this, though the heavies of calamities, would occasion no grief. There are multitudes whom any profession would please as well as that of Christianity. But there are those who value the house, the word, and the ministry of God above their richest possessions, who dread the loss of these blessings more than death. How willing bad men are to shift off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is a chance that happens; and that the rod has no voice which they should hear or heed!
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Only One Sacrifice Can Secure Divine Favor
—The Philistines hoped by their offerings to appease the wrath of God, but they were ignorant of the one great sacrifice which alone can secure to sinful men the divine favor. Those gifts were powerless to atone for sin; for the offerers did not through them express faith in Christ (The Signs of the Times, January 12, 1882).
McArther Bible Commentary
the priests and the diviners. These men of the Philistines, specifically identified in Scripture as having notable fame (Isa 2:6), were summoned to figure out how to appease God so He would stop the plague. send it to its place. The Philistines understood that they had offended God. Their diviners decided to appease His wrath by sending the ark back to Israel.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 41:8 Exodus 7:11 1 Samuel 6:1 Isaiah 2:6

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines consult how to send back the ark.
Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark. Alas! where shall we find concern for religion prevail above all other matters? In times of public calamity we fear for ourselves, for our families, and for our country; but who cares for the ark of God? We are favoured with the gospel, but it is treated with neglect or contempt. We need not wonder if it should be taken from us; to many persons this, though the heavies of calamities, would occasion no grief. There are multitudes whom any profession would please as well as that of Christianity. But there are those who value the house, the word, and the ministry of God above their richest possessions, who dread the loss of these blessings more than death. How willing bad men are to shift off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is a chance that happens; and that the rod has no voice which they should hear or heed!
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Only One Sacrifice Can Secure Divine Favor
—The Philistines hoped by their offerings to appease the wrath of God, but they were ignorant of the one great sacrifice which alone can secure to sinful men the divine favor. Those gifts were powerless to atone for sin; for the offerers did not through them express faith in Christ (The Signs of the Times, January 12, 1882).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
McArther Bible Commentary
trespass offering. The purpose behind this offering was to both acknowledge and compensate for their trespass of dishonoring the God of Israel. These pagans recognized their sin and the need for manifest repentance, which they did according to their religious tradition by means of votive trespass offerings.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 23:15 Leviticus 5:15 Leviticus 5:16 Deuteronomy 16:16 1 Samuel 6:8 1 Samuel 6:9

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines consult how to send back the ark.
Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark. Alas! where shall we find concern for religion prevail above all other matters? In times of public calamity we fear for ourselves, for our families, and for our country; but who cares for the ark of God? We are favoured with the gospel, but it is treated with neglect or contempt. We need not wonder if it should be taken from us; to many persons this, though the heavies of calamities, would occasion no grief. There are multitudes whom any profession would please as well as that of Christianity. But there are those who value the house, the word, and the ministry of God above their richest possessions, who dread the loss of these blessings more than death. How willing bad men are to shift off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is a chance that happens; and that the rod has no voice which they should hear or heed!
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Only One Sacrifice Can Secure Divine Favor
—The Philistines hoped by their offerings to appease the wrath of God, but they were ignorant of the one great sacrifice which alone can secure to sinful men the divine favor. Those gifts were powerless to atone for sin; for the offerers did not through them express faith in Christ (The Signs of the Times, January 12, 1882).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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 destroying the fruits thereof; as the other plague afflicted their Bodies.
McArther Bible Commentary
Five golden tumors and five golden rats. It was their custom to make models of their sores (and the rats which brought the plague), in hopes that the deity would recognize that they knew why he was angry and remove the evil which had fallen upon them. The context of verse 1Sa 6:17 suggests that the items were in the writer's presence at the time the account was recorded. The number five represents each of the Philistine cities and lords affected by God's judgment.
Bible Cross References
Joshua 13:3 Judges 3:3 1 Samuel 5:6 1 Samuel 5:9 1 Samuel 6:8 1 Samuel 6:17 1 Samuel 6:18

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines consult how to send back the ark.
Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark. Alas! where shall we find concern for religion prevail above all other matters? In times of public calamity we fear for ourselves, for our families, and for our country; but who cares for the ark of God? We are favoured with the gospel, but it is treated with neglect or contempt. We need not wonder if it should be taken from us; to many persons this, though the heavies of calamities, would occasion no grief. There are multitudes whom any profession would please as well as that of Christianity. But there are those who value the house, the word, and the ministry of God above their richest possessions, who dread the loss of these blessings more than death. How willing bad men are to shift off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is a chance that happens; and that the rod has no voice which they should hear or heed!
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Only One Sacrifice Can Secure Divine Favor
—The Philistines hoped by their offerings to appease the wrath of God, but they were ignorant of the one great sacrifice which alone can secure to sinful men the divine favor. Those gifts were powerless to atone for sin; for the offerers did not through them express faith in Christ (The Signs of the Times, January 12, 1882).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
McArther Bible Commentary
give glory to the God of Israel … He will lighten His hand. While sympathetic magic was the Philistine custom, this statement expressly affirms the intention behind the offerings: they were to halt the dishonor, confess their sin, and give glory to the God of Israel by acknowledging who it was that they had offended and who was the supreme deity.
Bible Cross References
John 9:24 Revelation 14:7 Joshua 7:19 1 Samuel 5:3 1 Samuel 5:4 1 Samuel 5:6 1 Samuel 5:11 1 Samuel 6:8 1 Chronicles 16:28 1 Chronicles 16:29 Isaiah 42:12 Jeremiah 13:16

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines consult how to send back the ark.
Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark. Alas! where shall we find concern for religion prevail above all other matters? In times of public calamity we fear for ourselves, for our families, and for our country; but who cares for the ark of God? We are favoured with the gospel, but it is treated with neglect or contempt. We need not wonder if it should be taken from us; to many persons this, though the heavies of calamities, would occasion no grief. There are multitudes whom any profession would please as well as that of Christianity. But there are those who value the house, the word, and the ministry of God above their richest possessions, who dread the loss of these blessings more than death. How willing bad men are to shift off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is a chance that happens; and that the rod has no voice which they should hear or heed!
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
McArther Bible Commentary
Why then do you harden your hearts? The diviners correlate the Philistines' actions of not recognizing God with those of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. This is the same word harden that was used in Exo 7:14; 1Sa 8:15, 1Sa 6:32. It is an interesting correlation, because the dominant purpose in Exodus 5-14 was that the Egyptians might "know that I am the Lord" (Exo 7:5).
Bible Cross References
Exodus 4:21 Exodus 7:13 Exodus 8:15 Exodus 8:32 Exodus 9:34 Exodus 12:31 Exodus 14:17

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines consult how to send back the ark.
Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark. Alas! where shall we find concern for religion prevail above all other matters? In times of public calamity we fear for ourselves, for our families, and for our country; but who cares for the ark of God? We are favoured with the gospel, but it is treated with neglect or contempt. We need not wonder if it should be taken from us; to many persons this, though the heavies of calamities, would occasion no grief. There are multitudes whom any profession would please as well as that of Christianity. But there are those who value the house, the word, and the ministry of God above their richest possessions, who dread the loss of these blessings more than death. How willing bad men are to shift off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is a chance that happens; and that the rod has no voice which they should hear or heed!
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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 natural affection in their dams, and cause them rather to return home, than to go to a strange country.
McArther Bible Commentary
never been yoked. To know without a doubt that the God of Israel was behind all of their troubles, the diviners devised a plan that would reveal whether God was the One responsible. Using cows which had "never been yoked" meant using animals that were untrained to pull a cart and probably would not go anywhere. take their calves … away from them. The second element in their plan was to use nursing cows taken away from their calves. For the cows unnaturally to head off in the opposite direction from their calves would be a clear sign that the cause of their judgment was supernatural.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 19:2 Deuteronomy 21:3 Deuteronomy 21:4 2 Samuel 6:3

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines consult how to send back the ark.
Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark. Alas! where shall we find concern for religion prevail above all other matters? In times of public calamity we fear for ourselves, for our families, and for our country; but who cares for the ark of God? We are favoured with the gospel, but it is treated with neglect or contempt. We need not wonder if it should be taken from us; to many persons this, though the heavies of calamities, would occasion no grief. There are multitudes whom any profession would please as well as that of Christianity. But there are those who value the house, the word, and the ministry of God above their richest possessions, who dread the loss of these blessings more than death. How willing bad men are to shift off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is a chance that happens; and that the rod has no voice which they should hear or heed!
Bible Cross References
Leviticus 5:7 1 Samuel 6:3 1 Samuel 6:4 1 Samuel 6:5

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The Philistines consult how to send back the ark.
Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark. Alas! where shall we find concern for religion prevail above all other matters? In times of public calamity we fear for ourselves, for our families, and for our country; but who cares for the ark of God? We are favoured with the gospel, but it is treated with neglect or contempt. We need not wonder if it should be taken from us; to many persons this, though the heavies of calamities, would occasion no grief. There are multitudes whom any profession would please as well as that of Christianity. But there are those who value the house, the word, and the ministry of God above their richest possessions, who dread the loss of these blessings more than death. How willing bad men are to shift off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is a chance that happens; and that the rod has no voice which they should hear or heed!
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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 proceed in it, without any man's conduct.
McArther Bible Commentary
Beth Shemesh. Named "house of the sun" and located in the Sorek Valley, this was a Levitical city about fifteen miles west of Jerusalem. Originally designated for the descendants of Aaron (Jos 21:16), it was chosen to be the destination of the cows pulling the cart.
Bible Cross References
Joshua 15:10 Joshua 21:16 1 Samuel 6:3 1 Samuel 6:10 1 Samuel 6:12 Ecclesiastes 9:11

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
They bring it to Bethshemesh.
These two kine knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophin and Phinehas knew not. God's providence takes notice even of brute creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced; their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest. The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 33:13 1 Samuel 6:9 1 Samuel 6:11

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
They bring it to Bethshemesh.
These two kine knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophin and Phinehas knew not. God's providence takes notice even of brute creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced; their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest. The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:27 1 Samuel 6:4 1 Samuel 6:10 1 Samuel 6:12

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
They bring it to Bethshemesh.
These two kine knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophin and Phinehas knew not. God's providence takes notice even of brute creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced; their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest. The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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 assurance of the truth of the event. All which circumstances tended to the greater illustration of God's glory.
McArther Bible Commentary
lowing as they went. With the moaning from instinctive unwillingness to leave their calves behind, the cows went straight to Beth Shemesh, not turning to the right or left, leaving the inescapable conclusion that God had judged them.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 20:19 1 Samuel 6:9 1 Samuel 6:11 1 Samuel 6:13

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
They bring it to Bethshemesh.
These two kine knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophin and Phinehas knew not. God's providence takes notice even of brute creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced; their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest. The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
McArther Bible Commentary
reaping their wheat harvest. Sometime in June. These harvests were accomplished with the whole city participating.
Bible Cross References
Joshua 15:10 1 Samuel 6:12 1 Samuel 6:14

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
They bring it to Bethshemesh.
These two kine knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophin and Phinehas knew not. God's providence takes notice even of brute creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced; their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest. The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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, (Deuteronomy 12:5-6) . But this case being extraordinary, may in some sort excuse it, if they did not proceed by ordinary rules.
McArther Bible Commentary
Joshua of Beth Shemesh. The cows stopped in the field of Joshua, where there was a large stone which was verifiable to the writer at the time the account was written. burnt offering. Because the cows and cart were used for sacred purposes, they could not be used for normal, everyday purposes. Therefore, the men of Beth Shemesh sacrificed the cows, using the cart for the fire.
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 6:13 1 Samuel 6:18 2 Samuel 24:22 1 Kings 19:21

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
They bring it to Bethshemesh.
These two kine knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophin and Phinehas knew not. God's providence takes notice even of brute creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced; their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest. The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
McArther Bible Commentary
Levites. The men of Beth Shemesh, being Levites, were qualified to move the ark. put them on the large stone. The stone mentioned was used as a pedestal for both the items of gold and the ark. At the time the account was written, it stood as a witness that God had returned to the land.
Bible Cross References
Joshua 3:3 Joshua 15:10 1 Samuel 6:18

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
They bring it to Bethshemesh.
These two kine knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophin and Phinehas knew not. God's providence takes notice even of brute creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced; their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest. The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
McArther Bible Commentary
five lords of the Philistines. The lords of the Philistines, upon seeing that the ark arrived safely, returned to Ekron.
Bible Cross References
Joshua 13:3 Judges 3:3

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
They bring it to Bethshemesh.
These two kine knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophin and Phinehas knew not. God's providence takes notice even of brute creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced; their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest. The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
Bible Cross References
Leviticus 5:7 Deuteronomy 28:27 1 Samuel 6:4 Amos 1:6

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
They bring it to Bethshemesh.
These two kine knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophin and Phinehas knew not. God's providence takes notice even of brute creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced; their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest. The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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 between this and the former present, the emerods being only five, according to the five cities mentioned, (1 Samuel 6:17) , because it may seem, the cities only, or principally, were pestered with that disease; and the mice being many more according to the number of all the cities, as is here expressed: the word city being taken generally so, as to include not only fenced cities, but also the country villages, and the fields belonging to them. Abel - This is mentioned as the utmost border of the Philistines territory, to which the plague of mice extended. And this place is here called Abel, by anticipation from the great mourning mentioned in the following verse. It is desirable, to see the ark in its habitation, in all the circumstances of solemnity. But it is better to have it on a great stone, and in the fields of the wood, than to be without it. The intrinsic grandeur of divine ordinances ought not to be diminished in our eyes, by the meanness and poverty of the place, where they are administered.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 3:5 1 Samuel 6:4 1 Samuel 6:14 1 Samuel 6:15

Verse 19

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The people smitten for looking into the ark.
It is a great affront to God, for vain men to pry into, and meddle with the secret things which belong not to them, (Deuteronomy 29:29)(Colossians 2:18). Man was ruined by desiring forbidden knowledge. God will not suffer his ark to be profaned. Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Those that will not fear his goodness, and reverently use the tokens of his grace, shall be made to feel his justice. The number smitten is expressed in an unusual manner in the original, and it is probable that it means 1170. They desire to be rid of the ark. Foolish men run from one extreme to the other. They should rather have asked, How may we have peace with God, and recover his favor? (Micah 6:6,7). Thus, when the word of God works with terror on sinners' consciences, they, instead of taking the blame and shame to themselves, quarrel with the word, and put that from them. Many stifle their convictions, and put salvation away from them.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
The Spirit of Irreverent Curiosity Still Exists
—The spirit of irreverent curiosity still exists among the children of men. Many are eager to investigate those mysteries which infinite wisdom has seen fit to leave unrevealed. Having no reliable evidence from which to reason, they base their theories on conjecture. The Lord has wrought for His servants and for the upbuilding of His cause at the present day as verily as He wrought in behalf of ancient Israel; but vain philosophy, “science falsely so called,” has sought to destroy faith in the direct interposition of Providence, attributing all such manifestations to natural causes. This is the sophistry of Satan. He is asserting his authority by mighty signs and wonders in the earth. Those who ignore or deny the special evidences of God's power, are preparing the way for the arch-deceiver to exalt himself before the people as superior to the God of Israel.Many accept the reasoning of these would-be wise men as truth, when in fact it undermines the very foundations which God has laid. Such teachers are the ones described by inspiration, who must become fools in their own estimation, that they may be wise. God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. By those who are guided only by human wisdom, the simplicity of His mighty workings is called foolishness. They think themselves wiser than their Creator, when in fact they are victims of finite ignorance and childish conceit. It is this that holds them in the darkness of unbelief, so that they do not discern the power of God, and tremble before Him (The Signs of the Times, January 19, 1882).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
McArther Bible Commentary
looked into the ark. This action on the part of the men of Beth Shemesh constituted the sin of presumption. This is first addressed in Num 4:20 and is mentioned again in 2Sa 6:6-7. fifty thousand and seventy men. Some debate whether this figure is too large. However, retaining the larger number is more consistent with the context of "a great slaughter," and the reference to 30,000 in 1Sa 4:10 (cf. 1Sa 11:8). However, a scribal error could have occurred, in which case the number would omit the 50,000 and likely be "seventy," as in Josephus.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 19:21 Numbers 4:5 Numbers 4:15 Numbers 4:20 2 Samuel 6:7

Verse 20

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The people smitten for looking into the ark.
It is a great affront to God, for vain men to pry into, and meddle with the secret things which belong not to them, (Deuteronomy 29:29)(Colossians 2:18). Man was ruined by desiring forbidden knowledge. God will not suffer his ark to be profaned. Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Those that will not fear his goodness, and reverently use the tokens of his grace, shall be made to feel his justice. The number smitten is expressed in an unusual manner in the original, and it is probable that it means 1170. They desire to be rid of the ark. Foolish men run from one extreme to the other. They should rather have asked, How may we have peace with God, and recover his favor? (Micah 6:6,7). Thus, when the word of God works with terror on sinners' consciences, they, instead of taking the blame and shame to themselves, quarrel with the word, and put that from them. Many stifle their convictions, and put salvation away from them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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. - Who will dare to receive the ark with so much hazard to themselves. Thus when the word of God works with terror on men's consciences, instead of taking the blame to themselves, they frequently quarrel with the word, and endeavour to put it from them.
McArther Bible Commentary
Who is able to stand? This question climaxes the narrative of the ark. No one is able to stand against God's judgment. This applied to the people outside the covenant as well as those under the covenant. Presumption before God is unacceptable. to whom shall it go? The expression was used to denote the desire to take the ark away from them.
Bible Cross References
Revelation 6:17 Leviticus 11:44 Leviticus 11:45 2 Samuel 6:9 Malachi 3:2

Verse 21

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The people smitten for looking into the ark.
It is a great affront to God, for vain men to pry into, and meddle with the secret things which belong not to them, (Deuteronomy 29:29)(Colossians 2:18). Man was ruined by desiring forbidden knowledge. God will not suffer his ark to be profaned. Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Those that will not fear his goodness, and reverently use the tokens of his grace, shall be made to feel his justice. The number smitten is expressed in an unusual manner in the original, and it is probable that it means 1170. They desire to be rid of the ark. Foolish men run from one extreme to the other. They should rather have asked, How may we have peace with God, and recover his favor? (Micah 6:6,7). Thus, when the word of God works with terror on sinners' consciences, they, instead of taking the blame and shame to themselves, quarrel with the word, and put that from them. Many stifle their convictions, and put salvation away from them.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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 of the Philistines, and to be better attended by the Israelites, who would more freely and frequently come to it at such a place, than in Beth - shemesh, which was upon the border of their enemies land.
McArther Bible Commentary
Kirjath Jearim. A city located approximately ten miles northeast of Beth Shemesh. It would remain the resting place of the ark until David brought it to Jerusalem (2Sa 6:1-19). This location had long been associated with Baal worship (cf. Jos 15:9, Jos 15:60; Jos 18:14).
Bible Cross References
Joshua 9:17 Joshua 15:9 Joshua 15:60 1 Chronicles 13:5 1 Chronicles 13:6 Jeremiah 26:20