1 Samuel 6 Study Notes: The Ark Returns to Israel
After seven months the Philistines send the ark home on a cart pulled by two nursing cows, along with gold offerings. The cows go straight to Beth-shemesh, where the people rejoice, but God strikes men who looked into the ark, and they send word to Kiriath-jearim asking its men to come for the ark.
General
How did the townspeople of Beth-shemesh respond when they first saw the ark arrive (1 Samuel 6:13-15)?
Answer: They rejoiced and sacrificed the cows to God
Beth-shemesh’s townspeople were busy with the wheat harvest when they caught sight of the ark, and they were filled with joy. The cart halted on land belonging to a man named Joshua, beside a great stone. They broke up the cart for firewood and made the cows into a burnt offering, a sacrifice wholly burned on the altar to the LORD (6:13-14). The Levites, the tribe set apart as the ark’s bearers (Deuteronomy 10:8; 1 Chronicles 15:2), lifted down the ark and the box of gold objects and set them on the rock, and the town offered more sacrifices that day (6:15). The five Philistine rulers watched, then went back to Ekron (6:16).
- 1 Samuel 6:13-14 (BSB)“Now the people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they were overjoyed at the sight. The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh and stopped there near a large rock. The people chopped up the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the LORD.”The people of Beth-shemesh, reaping wheat, rejoice at the ark; the cart stops by a large rock, and the cows are offered.
- 1 Samuel 6:15 (BSB)“And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD and the chest containing the gold objects, and they placed them on the large rock. That day the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the LORD.”The Levites lift down the ark and the box of gold objects, and the town offers sacrifices to the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 10:8 (BSB)“At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.”The LORD had set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark.
- 1 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.””David later insisted that only the Levites, chosen by the LORD, could carry the ark.
Theological
What was the initial response of Beth-shemesh to the ark’s arrival (1 Samuel 6:13-15)?
Answer: They rejoiced and sacrificed the cows to God
Beth-shemesh is in the middle of the wheat harvest when the ark appears, and the response is joy. The cart halts at a great stone on the land of a man named Joshua; the cart becomes fuel and the cows a whole burnt offering (6:13-14). The Levites, the tribe appointed to bear the ark (Deuteronomy 10:8; 1 Chronicles 15:2), set the ark and the box of gold objects on the stone, and the townsmen offer further sacrifices (6:15). The Philistine lords observe and return to Ekron (6:16). The joyful welcome makes the following judgment all the more sobering.
- 1 Samuel 6:13-14 (BSB)“Now the people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they were overjoyed at the sight. The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh and stopped there near a large rock. The people chopped up the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the LORD.”The people of Beth-shemesh, reaping wheat, rejoice at the ark; the cart stops by a large rock, and the cows are offered.
- 1 Samuel 6:15 (BSB)“And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD and the chest containing the gold objects, and they placed them on the large rock. That day the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the LORD.”The Levites lift down the ark and the box of gold objects, and the town offers sacrifices to the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 10:8 (BSB)“At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.”The LORD had set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark.
- 1 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.””David later insisted that only the Levites, chosen by the LORD, could carry the ark.
General
True or False: The cows turned back toward their calves partway along the road, so the Philistines were left uncertain about the cause of the plague.
Answer: False
This is false. The Philistines followed the diviners’ instructions (6:10-11). The cows headed directly for Beth-shemesh, keeping to the one highway without turning to either side, though they lowed, calling out, the whole way. The Philistine rulers followed them as far as Beth-shemesh’s border (6:12). By the Philistines’ own test, the answer was clear: the LORD had done this. He does whatever pleases Him on earth (Psalm 135:6), and He decides outcomes that seem random (Proverbs 16:33).
- 1 Samuel 6:10-12 (BSB)“So the men did as instructed. They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and penned up their calves. Then they put the ark of the LORD on the cart, along with the chest containing the gold rats and the images of the tumors. And the cows headed straight up the road toward Beth-shemesh, staying on that one highway and lowing as they went, never straying to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed behind them to the border of Beth-shemesh.”The cows take the road to Beth-shemesh without turning aside, lowing as they go, with the Philistine rulers following.
- Psalm 135:6 (BSB)“The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.”The LORD does whatever pleases Him, in heaven and on earth.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”Outcomes that seem random are decided by the LORD.
Theological
True or False: Partway along the road the cows turned back toward their calves, leaving the Philistines unsure what had caused the plague.
Answer: False
This is false. The cows head directly for Beth-shemesh without deviating to right or left, lowing as they go yet holding their course, while the Philistine lords follow to the border (6:10-12). By the terms of the Philistines’ own test, the disaster is confirmed as God’s hand. The LORD does whatever He pleases on earth (Psalm 135:6) and governs outcomes that appear random (Proverbs 16:33).
- 1 Samuel 6:10-12 (BSB)“So the men did as instructed. They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and penned up their calves. Then they put the ark of the LORD on the cart, along with the chest containing the gold rats and the images of the tumors. And the cows headed straight up the road toward Beth-shemesh, staying on that one highway and lowing as they went, never straying to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed behind them to the border of Beth-shemesh.”The cows take the road to Beth-shemesh without turning aside, lowing as they go, with the Philistine rulers following.
- Psalm 135:6 (BSB)“The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.”The LORD does whatever pleases Him, in heaven and on earth.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”Outcomes that seem random are decided by the LORD.
General
Whose example did the diviners warn the Philistines not to follow (1 Samuel 6:6)?
Answer: Pharaoh and the Egyptians
The diviners asked why the Philistines should harden their hearts, that is, stubbornly refuse to give in to God, the way Egypt and Pharaoh had done. When God struck Egypt, Egypt finally sent Israel away (6:6). The Philistines knew the story well. Exodus describes Pharaoh hardening his own heart when relief came (Exodus 8:15), and also says the LORD made Pharaoh’s heart hard (Exodus 9:12). Both are true: Pharaoh was fully guilty for his stubbornness, and God was ruling over it for His purposes. In the end Pharaoh let the people go (Exodus 12:31). The Philistines’ own priests saw that resisting this God would only bring more ruin.
- 1 Samuel 6:6 (BSB)“Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When He afflicted them, did they not send the people out so they could go on their way?”The diviners warn the Philistines not to harden their hearts as Egypt and Pharaoh did.
- Exodus 8:15 (BSB)“When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, however, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.”When relief came, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to listen.
- Exodus 9:12 (BSB)“But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said to Moses.”The LORD also hardened Pharaoh’s heart, as He had said He would.
- Exodus 12:31 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.”After the final plague Pharaoh at last sent the Israelites out.
Theological
To whom did the diviners compare the Philistines if they hardened their hearts (1 Samuel 6:6)?
Answer: Pharaoh and the Egyptians
The diviners appeal to the exodus: why be stubborn like Egypt and Pharaoh, who in the end sent Israel away under God’s hand (6:6)? Exodus attributes Pharaoh’s hardening both to Pharaoh (Exodus 8:15) and to the LORD (Exodus 9:12). The two belong together: Pharaoh’s obstinacy was his own culpable sin, and the LORD sovereignly hardened him to display His power, without being the author of Pharaoh’s evil. The outcome was capitulation (Exodus 12:31). The pagan priests perceive that resistance to Israel’s God ends only in further judgment.
- 1 Samuel 6:6 (BSB)“Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When He afflicted them, did they not send the people out so they could go on their way?”The diviners warn the Philistines not to harden their hearts as Egypt and Pharaoh did.
- Exodus 8:15 (BSB)“When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, however, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.”When relief came, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to listen.
- Exodus 9:12 (BSB)“But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said to Moses.”The LORD also hardened Pharaoh’s heart, as He had said He would.
- Exodus 12:31 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.”After the final plague Pharaoh at last sent the Israelites out.
General
Along with the gold images of tumors and rats, what did the diviners tell the Philistines to do toward Israel’s God (1 Samuel 6:5)?
Answer: Honor Him, hoping He would lift His hand
The diviners named the offering: five golden tumors and five golden rats, one for each of the five Philistine rulers, because one plague had hit rulers and people alike. The images were to picture the swellings and the rats that were ruining the land (6:4-5). Then they told the Philistines to give glory to Israel’s God, that is, to honor Him openly as the one who had done this, in the hope that He might take His hand off them, their gods and their land (6:5). Their hope was only a perhaps. Giving glory to God meant admitting the truth about Him and about one’s wrong (Joshua 7:19; Jeremiah 13:16), which is what all nations are called to do (Psalm 96:8).
- 1 Samuel 6:4-5 (BSB)““What guilt offering should we send back to Him?” asked the Philistines. “Five gold tumors and five gold rats,” they said, “according to the number of rulers of the Philistines, since the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. Make images of your tumors and of the rats that are ravaging the land. Give glory to the God of Israel, and perhaps He will lift His hand from you and your gods and your land.”The diviners prescribe five golden tumors and five golden rats and tell the Philistines to give glory to Israel’s God.
- Joshua 7:19 (BSB)“So Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make a confession to Him. I urge you to tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.””Joshua urged Achan to give glory to the LORD by confessing the truth about his sin.
- Jeremiah 13:16 (BSB)“Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.”The prophet calls people to give glory to the LORD before His judgment falls.
- Psalm 96:8 (BSB)“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and enter His courts.”The nations are called to give the LORD the glory due His name and bring Him an offering.
Theological
Besides the gold images, what did the diviners urge the Philistines to render to Israel’s God (1 Samuel 6:5)?
Answer: Honor Him, hoping He would lift His hand
The guilt offering is five golden tumors and five golden rats, corresponding to the five Philistine rulers, representing the plague that had struck people and rulers alike (6:4-5). With it the Philistines are to give glory to Israel’s God, publicly acknowledging Him as the author of their affliction, in the uncertain hope that He will withdraw His hand from them, their gods and their land (6:5). In Scripture, giving glory to God involves acknowledging the truth about Him and about one’s guilt (Joshua 7:19; Jeremiah 13:16), the homage the nations owe Him (Psalm 96:8).
- 1 Samuel 6:4-5 (BSB)““What guilt offering should we send back to Him?” asked the Philistines. “Five gold tumors and five gold rats,” they said, “according to the number of rulers of the Philistines, since the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. Make images of your tumors and of the rats that are ravaging the land. Give glory to the God of Israel, and perhaps He will lift His hand from you and your gods and your land.”The diviners prescribe five golden tumors and five golden rats and tell the Philistines to give glory to Israel’s God.
- Joshua 7:19 (BSB)“So Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make a confession to Him. I urge you to tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.””Joshua urged Achan to give glory to the LORD by confessing the truth about his sin.
- Jeremiah 13:16 (BSB)“Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.”The prophet calls people to give glory to the LORD before His judgment falls.
- Psalm 96:8 (BSB)“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and enter His courts.”The nations are called to give the LORD the glory due His name and bring Him an offering.
General
When the ark had been in Philistia for seven months, its captors asked their priests and diviners how to send the ark back. What did they advise (1 Samuel 6:3)?
Answer: Send it home bearing a guilt offering
After seven months of suffering, the Philistines called their priests and diviners, people who claimed to discern hidden things, and asked how to return the ark (6:1-2). Their answer was that it must not go back empty-handed but accompanied by a guilt offering, a payment offered to make amends for a wrong. Then the people would be healed and would understand why God’s hand had stayed against them (6:3). In God’s law a guilt offering was owed by anyone who wronged what was holy to the LORD (Leviticus 5:15), and the Philistines had taken His ark. Like Egypt before them, which sent Israel off loaded with gold and silver (Exodus 12:35-36), the Philistines found they had to give way to Israel’s God.
- 1 Samuel 6:1-2 (BSB)“When the ark of the LORD had been in the land of the Philistines seven months, the Philistines summoned the priests and diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how to send it back to its place.””After seven months the Philistines ask their priests and diviners how to send the ark home.
- 1 Samuel 6:3 (BSB)“They replied, “If you return the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it away empty, but by all means return it to Him with a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you will understand why His hand has not been lifted from you.””The priests and diviners say the ark must not go back empty but with a guilt offering.
- Leviticus 5:15 (BSB)““If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s holy things, he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram from the flock, of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering.”God’s law required a guilt offering from anyone who wronged the LORD’s holy things.
- Exodus 12:35-36 (BSB)“Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.”When God struck Egypt, Israel too left with gold and silver from the Egyptians.
Theological
What counsel did the Philistine priests and diviners give about returning the ark (1 Samuel 6:3)?
Answer: Send it home bearing a guilt offering
Seven months into the crisis, the Philistines consult their priests and diviners about the ark’s return (6:1-2). The counsel is that it must not be sent back empty but accompanied by a guilt offering, after which they would be healed and learn why God’s hand had not been removed (6:3). Their instinct corresponds to the law’s own category: a guilt offering was owed for trespass against what is holy to the LORD (Leviticus 5:15), and seizing the ark was such a trespass. As with Egypt, which sent Israel off laden with silver and gold (Exodus 12:35-36), the nations are made to yield to the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 6:1-2 (BSB)“When the ark of the LORD had been in the land of the Philistines seven months, the Philistines summoned the priests and diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how to send it back to its place.””After seven months the Philistines ask their priests and diviners how to send the ark home.
- 1 Samuel 6:3 (BSB)“They replied, “If you return the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it away empty, but by all means return it to Him with a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you will understand why His hand has not been lifted from you.””The priests and diviners say the ark must not go back empty but with a guilt offering.
- Leviticus 5:15 (BSB)““If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s holy things, he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram from the flock, of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering.”God’s law required a guilt offering from anyone who wronged the LORD’s holy things.
- Exodus 12:35-36 (BSB)“Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.”When God struck Egypt, Israel too left with gold and silver from the Egyptians.
General
Why did God strike down some of Beth-shemesh’s men (1 Samuel 6:19)?
Answer: They had looked inside the LORD’s ark
The joy at Beth-shemesh turned to grief. God killed seventy of its men because they had looked into the ark, and the whole town grieved over so heavy a blow from the LORD (6:19). Their offense was looking into the ark. God’s law had forbidden even the Kohathites, the Levite family who carried the holy objects, to touch them (Numbers 4:15) or even to look at them for a moment, on pain of death (Numbers 4:20). The ark stood for the holy God’s presence, and the LORD shows Himself holy among those who approach Him (Leviticus 10:3).
- 1 Samuel 6:19 (BSB)“But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter.”God strikes down seventy men of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark, and the people mourn.
- Numbers 4:15 (BSB)“When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.”Even the Kohathites who carried the holy objects were forbidden to touch them on pain of death.
- Numbers 4:20 (BSB)“But the Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die.””The Kohathites were not to look at the holy objects even for a moment, or they would die.
- Leviticus 10:3 (BSB)“Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.”The LORD declared that He will show Himself holy among those who come near Him.
Theological
What reason does the text give for God’s striking down men in Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6:19)?
Answer: They had looked inside the LORD’s ark
The rejoicing gives way to mourning: God strikes down seventy men of the town for looking into the LORD’s ark (6:19). The offense lay in gazing into the holy ark. The Mosaic law had forbidden even the Kohathites, who bore the holy furniture, to touch it (Numbers 4:15) or to look on it even momentarily, on pain of death (Numbers 4:20). The ark was the throne of the holy God’s presence, and He shows Himself holy among those who draw near (Leviticus 10:3).
- 1 Samuel 6:19 (BSB)“But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter.”God strikes down seventy men of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark, and the people mourn.
- Numbers 4:15 (BSB)“When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.”Even the Kohathites who carried the holy objects were forbidden to touch them on pain of death.
- Numbers 4:20 (BSB)“But the Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die.””The Kohathites were not to look at the holy objects even for a moment, or they would die.
- Leviticus 10:3 (BSB)“Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.”The LORD declared that He will show Himself holy among those who come near Him.
General
Why did the Philistines hitch two nursing cows, never yoked before, to a new cart while shutting their calves away (1 Samuel 6:7-9)?
Answer: To find out if the LORD had sent the disaster
The diviners set up a test. Two nursing cows that had never pulled a cart were hitched to a new cart, and their calves were taken from them and penned up. The ark and the gold objects in a box were placed on the cart (6:7-8). Left to themselves, untrained mother cows would head back to their calves. If instead they took the way to Beth-shemesh, an Israelite town, it would show that the LORD had brought this great disaster on them; if not, the Philistines would conclude it had happened by chance (6:9). Scripture teaches that even what looks like chance is in God’s hands (Proverbs 16:33; Matthew 10:29).
- 1 Samuel 6:7-8 (BSB)“Now, therefore, prepare one new cart with two milk cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. Take the ark of the LORD, set it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to Him as a guilt offering. Then send the ark on its way,”The diviners order a new cart drawn by two nursing cows that have never been yoked, with their calves penned up.
- 1 Samuel 6:9 (BSB)“but keep watching it. If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us and that it happened by chance.””If the cart goes toward Beth-shemesh, the LORD sent the disaster; if not, it was chance.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”Even what looks like chance is decided by the LORD.
- Matthew 10:29 (BSB)“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.”Not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father’s will.
Theological
What was the purpose of yoking two unbroken milk cows to a new cart while penning up their calves (1 Samuel 6:7-9)?
Answer: To find out if the LORD had sent the disaster
The diviners design a test that runs against nature: untrained nursing cows, separated from their penned calves, would ordinarily turn homeward (6:7-8). If they instead take the way to Beth-shemesh in Israel’s territory, the disaster is the LORD’s doing; otherwise it was mere chance (6:9). The Philistines treat chance as a real alternative, but Scripture places even apparent chance under God’s decree (Proverbs 16:33) and the smallest events under the Father’s will (Matthew 10:29).
- 1 Samuel 6:7-8 (BSB)“Now, therefore, prepare one new cart with two milk cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. Take the ark of the LORD, set it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to Him as a guilt offering. Then send the ark on its way,”The diviners order a new cart drawn by two nursing cows that have never been yoked, with their calves penned up.
- 1 Samuel 6:9 (BSB)“but keep watching it. If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us and that it happened by chance.””If the cart goes toward Beth-shemesh, the LORD sent the disaster; if not, it was chance.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”Even what looks like chance is decided by the LORD.
- Matthew 10:29 (BSB)“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.”Not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father’s will.
General
After the deaths, what question did Beth-shemesh’s men ask (1 Samuel 6:20)?
Answer: Who is able to stand before so holy a God
Beth-shemesh’s men came away from the judgment asking who could stand before so holy a God as the LORD, and where the ark should go next (6:20). Then they sent word to Kiriath-jearim, telling them the Philistines had returned the ark and asking them to come and take it (6:21). Their question is a true one. The psalmist asks who is fit to stand in God’s holy place and answers that only the pure may (Psalm 24:3-4), and he admits that no one could stand if God counted every sin, but with God there is forgiveness (Psalm 130:3-4). The New Testament gives the final answer: sinners may come near the holy God with confidence only through Jesus’ shed blood (Hebrews 10:19-22).
- 1 Samuel 6:20 (BSB)“The men of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom should the ark go up from here?””After the deaths, the men of Beth-shemesh ask who can stand before the holy God and where the ark should go.
- 1 Samuel 6:21 (BSB)“So they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath-jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the LORD. Come down and take it up with you.””They send messengers asking the people of Kiriath-jearim to come and take the ark.
- Psalm 24:3-4 (BSB)“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.”The psalmist asks a similar question and answers that only the clean of hands and pure of heart may stand in God’s holy place.
- Psalm 130:3-4 (BSB)“If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.”No one could stand if God kept a record of sins, but with Him there is forgiveness.
- Hebrews 10:19-22 (BSB)“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”Believers may draw near to God with confidence through the blood of Jesus.
Theological
What question did Beth-shemesh’s men raise after God’s judgment (1 Samuel 6:20)?
Answer: Who is able to stand before so holy a God
Beth-shemesh responds to the judgment by asking who can stand before so holy a God as the LORD, and where the ark should go (6:20), and then sends to Kiriath-jearim to have the ark taken away (6:21). The question is the right one, and Scripture answers it: only the clean of hands and pure of heart may stand in God’s holy place (Psalm 24:3-4); no sinner could stand if the LORD marked iniquities, yet with Him is forgiveness (Psalm 130:3-4). That forgiveness is secured in Christ, through whose blood believers now draw near to God’s very presence with full assurance (Hebrews 10:19-22).
- 1 Samuel 6:20 (BSB)“The men of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom should the ark go up from here?””After the deaths, the men of Beth-shemesh ask who can stand before the holy God and where the ark should go.
- 1 Samuel 6:21 (BSB)“So they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath-jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the LORD. Come down and take it up with you.””They send messengers asking the people of Kiriath-jearim to come and take the ark.
- Psalm 24:3-4 (BSB)“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.”The psalmist asks a similar question and answers that only the clean of hands and pure of heart may stand in God’s holy place.
- Psalm 130:3-4 (BSB)“If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.”No one could stand if God kept a record of sins, but with Him there is forgiveness.
- Hebrews 10:19-22 (BSB)“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”Believers may draw near to God with confidence through the blood of Jesus.