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1 Samuel 6

21 verses

TL;DR

The Ark of the LORD, after being held by the Philistines for seven months, is returned to Israel with a trespass offering of golden items; however, the Philistines are struck down when the Ark passes through Bethlehem.

Summary

1 Samuel 6 recounts how the Philistines, after keeping the Ark of the LORD for seven months, consult their priests and diviners about its return. They decide that the Ark must be returned with a trespass offering consisting of five golden emmerods and five golden mice—one for each of the five Philistine lords. The Ark is placed on a cart with the offering, and the Philistines send it on a straight route to Bethshemesh. The Ark passes through Bethlehem, where the Philistines are struck down by God, killing fifty thousand and sixty men, because the people look upon the Ark. The remaining Philistines return to Ekron, and the Israelites in Kirjathjearim are called to retrieve the Ark.

Outline
  1. Ark remains in Philistine territory for seven months and is consulted by priests and diviners
  2. Philistines agree to return the Ark with a golden trespass offering
  3. The Ark is transported to Israel; God smites the Philistines in Bethlehem
Themes
Covenant and obedienceDivine judgmentThe power of the Ark
Keywords
Ark of the LORDtrespass offeringPhilistinesgolden emmerodsgolden miceburnt offeringdivine judgmentcovenantIsraelBethshemesh
People
Priests and diviners of the PhilistinesFive Philistine lords: Ashdod, Gaza, Askelon, Gath, EkronLevitesMen of BethlehemPeople of Kirjathjearim
Places
Philistine territoryBethshemesh (Bethlehem)EkronAshdodGazaAskelonGathKirjathjearimthe great stone of Abel
Things
Ark of the LORDfive golden emmerodsfive golden micecartcofferburnt offering
Key Verses
  • 1 Samuel 6:4: Introduces the trespass offering of golden emmerods and mice
  • 1 Samuel 6:9: States the test of the Ark’s journey as a judgment sign
  • 1 Samuel 6:15: Shows the Israelites’ response with sacrifices
  • 1 Samuel 6:19: Details the divine punishment of fifty thousand and sixty men
  • 1 Samuel 6:21: Calls for retrieval of the Ark by Kirjathjearim
Questions
  • Why did the Philistines choose a trespass offering of golden items, and what does this suggest about their understanding of covenant law?
  • How does the Ark’s return and the subsequent destruction of the Philistines illustrate Israel’s relationship with God and other peoples?
  • In what ways does the narrative emphasize the role of faith and obedience in receiving divine favor or experiencing divine judgment?
  • What lessons can contemporary readers draw about the consequences of refusing to honor covenant commitments?
  • How does the account of the Ark in 1 Samuel 6 connect to the larger biblical theme of the Ark’s significance?
Sentiment

mixed
The passage contains both reverent instruction and a stark demonstration of divine judgment.