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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Samuel 6:10–18. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We are here told,
I.How the Philistines dismissed the ark, Sa1 6:10, Sa1 6:11.
They were made as glad to part with it as ever they had been to take it. As God had fetched Israel out of the house of bondage, so now he fetched the ark out of its captivity, in such a manner as that Egypt was glad when they departed, Psa 105:38.
1.They received no money or price for the ransom of it, as they hoped to do, even beyond a king's ransom. Thus it is prophesied of Cyrus (Isa 45:13), He shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward. Nay,
2.They gave jewels of gold, as the Egyptians did to the Israelites, to be rid of it. Thus the ark that was carried into the land of the Philistines, a trophy of their victory, carried back with it trophies of its own, and lasting monuments of the disgrace of the Philistines. Note, God will be no loser in his glory, at last, by the successes of the church's enemies against his ark, but will get himself honour from those that seek to do dishonour to him.
II.How the kine brought it to the land of Israel, Sa1 6:12.
They took the straight way to Beth-shemesh, the next city of the land of Israel, and a priests' city, and turned not aside. This was a wonderful instance of the power of God over the brute-creatures, and, all things considered, no less than a miracle, that cattle unaccustomed to the yoke should draw so even, so orderly, and still go forward, - that, without any driver, they should go from home, to which all tame creatures have a natural inclination, and from their own calves, to which they had a natural affection, - that, without any director, they should go the straight road to Beth-shemesh, a city eight or ten miles off, never miss the way, never turn aside into the fields to feed themselves, nor turn back home to feed their calves. They went on lowing for their young ones, by which it appeared that they had not forgotten them, but that nature was sensible of the grievance of going from them; the power of the God of nature therefore appeared so much the greater, in overruling one of the strongest instincts of nature. These two kine, says Dr. Lightfoot, knew their owner, their great owner (Isa 1:3), whom Hophni and Phinehas knew not, to which I may add they brought home the ark to shame the stupidity of Israel, that made no attempt to fetch it home. God's providence is conversant about the motions even of brute-creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. The lords of the Philistines, with a suitable retinue no doubt, went after them, wondering at the power of the God of Israel; and thus those who thought to triumph over the ark were made to go like menial servants after it.
III.How it was welcomed to the land of Israel:
The men of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat-harvest, Sa1 6:13. They were going on with their worldly business, and were in no care about the ark, made no enquiries what had become of it; if they had, it is likely they might have had private intelligence beforehand of its coming, and might have gone to meet it, and conduct it into their own border. But they were as careless as the people that ceiled their own houses and let God's house lie waste. Note, God will in his own time effect the deliverance of his church, not only though it be fought against by its enemies, but though it be neglected by its friends. Some observe that the returning ark found the men of Beth-shemesh, not idling or sporting in the streets of the city, but busy, reaping their corn in their fields, and well employed. Thus the tidings of the birth of Christ were brought to the shepherds when they were keeping their flock by night. The devil visits idle men with his temptations. God visits industrious men with his favours. The same invisible hand that directed the kine to the land of Israel brought them into the field of Joshua, and in that field they stood, some think for the owner's sake, on whom, being a very good man, they suppose God designed to put this honour. I rather think it was for the sake of the great stone in that field, which was convenient to put the ark upon, and which is spoken of, v. 14, 15, 18. Now, 1. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced (v. 13); their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest, and therefore they left their work to bid it welcome. When the Lord turned again the captivity of his ark they were like men that dream; then was their mouth filled with laughter, Psa 126:1, Psa 126:2. Though they had not zeal and courage enough to attempt the rescue or ransom of it, yet, when it did come, they bade it heartily welcome. Note, The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, cannot but be matter of great joy to every faithful Israelite. 3. They offered up the kine for a burnt-offering, to the honour of God, and made use of the wood of the cart for fuel, Sa1 6:14. Probably the Philistines intended these, when they sent them, to be a part of their trespass-offering, to make atonement, Sa1 6:3, Sa1 6:7. However, the men of Beth-shemesh looked upon it as proper to make this use of them, because it was by no means fit that ever they should be put to any other use; never shall that cart carry any common thing that has once carried that sacred symbol of the divine presence: and the kine had been under such an immediate guidance of heaven that God had, as it were, already laid claim to them; they were servants to him, and therefore must be sacrifices to him, and no doubt were accepted, though females, whereas, in strictness, every burnt-offering was to be a male. 3. They deposited the ark, with a chest of jewels that the Philistines presented, upon the great stone in the open field, a cold lodging for the ark of the Lord and a very mean one; yet better so than in Dagon's temple, or in the hands of the Philistines. It is desirable to see the ark in its habitation in all the circumstances of solemnity and splendour; but better have it upon a great stone, and in the fields of the wood, than be without it. The intrinsic grandeur of instituted ordinances ought not to be diminished in our eyes by the meanness and poverty of the place where they are administered. As the burning of the cart and cows that brought home the ark might be construed to signify their hopes that it should never be carried away again out of the land of Israel, so the setting of it upon a great stone might signify their hopes that it should be established again upon a firm foundation. The church is built upon a rock. 4. They offered the sacrifices of thanksgiving to God, some think upon the great stone, more probably upon an altar of earth made for the purpose, Sa1 6:15. And, the case being extraordinary, the law for offering at the altar in the court of the tabernacle was dispensed with, and the more easily because Shiloh was now dismantled; God himself had forsaken it, and the ark, which was its chief glory, they had with them here. Beth-shemesh, though it lay within the lot of the tribe of Dan, yet belonged to Judah, so that this accidental bringing of the ark hither was an indication of its designed settlement there, in process of time; for, when God refused the tabernacle of Joseph, he chose the tribe of Judah, Psa 78:67, Psa 78:68. It was one of those cities which were assigned out of the lot of Judah to the sons of Aaron, Jos 21:16. Whither should the ark go but to a priests' city? And it was well they had those of that sacred order ready (for though they are here called Levites, Sa1 6:15, yet it should seem they were priests) both to take down the ark and to offer the sacrifices. 5. The lords of the Philistines returned to Ekron, much affected, we may suppose, with what they had seen of the glory of God and the zeal of the Israelites, and yet not reclaimed from the worship of Dagon; for how seldom has a nation changed its gods, though they were no gods! Jer 2:11. Though they cannot but think the God of Israel glorious in holiness and fearful in praises, yet they are resolved they will think Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, at least as good as he, and to him they will cleave because he is theirs. 6. Notice is taken of the continuance of the great stone in the same place; there it is unto this day (Sa1 6:18), because it remained a lasting memorial of this great event, and served to support the traditional history by which it was transmitted to posterity. The fathers would say to the children, "This is the stone upon which the ark of God was set when it came out of the Philistines' hands, a thing never to be forgotten."
Historical interpretation
Six Centuries of Reception
4 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
You are aware, then, that when the ark of the testimony was seized by the enemies of Ashdod, and a terrible and incurable malady had broken out among them, they resolved to place it on a cart to which they yoked cows that had recently calved, for the purpose of ascertaining by trial whether or not they had been plagued by God's power on account of the ark, and if God wished it to be taken back to the place from which it had been carried away. And when they had done this, the cows, led by no man, went not to the place whence the ark had been taken, but to the fields of a certain man whose name was Oshea, the same as his whose name was altered to Jesus (Joshua), as has been previously mentioned, who also led the people into the land and meted it out to them: and when the cows had come into these fields they remained there, showing to you thereby that they were guided by the name of power; just as formerly the people who survived of those that came out of Egypt, were guided into the land by him who had received the name Jesus (Joshua), who before was called Oshea.
For it is not that holy people do not love their fleshly kin, to give them all things necessary, but they subdue this very fondness within themselves from love of spiritual things, in order so to temper it by the control of discretion, that they may be never led by it, even in a small measure and in the very least degree, to deviate from the straight path. And these are well conveyed to us by the representation of the cows, which going along towards the hilly lands under the ark of the Lord, proceed at one and the same time with fondness and with hardened feeling; as it is written, “And the men did so: and took two milk cows and tied them to the cart and shut up their calves at home; and they laid the ark of the Lord upon the cart.” And soon after: “And the cows took the straight way to the way of Beth-shemesh, and they went along by one way, lowing as they went, and did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” For observe, when the calves were shut up at home, the cows, which are fastened to the wagon bearing the ark of the Lord, moan and go their way, they give forth lowings from deep within, and yet [they] never alter their steps from following the path. They feel love indeed shown by compassion but never bend their necks behind. Thus, they must go on their way, who, being placed under the yoke of the sacred law, henceforth carry the Lord’s ark in interior knowledge, so as never to deviate from the course of righteousness which they have entered upon, in order to take compassion on the necessities of relatives. For Beth-shemesh is rendered “the house of the sun.” Thus to go to Beth-shemesh with the ark of the Lord placed on them is in company with heavenly knowledge to draw near to the seat of light eternal. But we are then really going on toward Beth-shemesh when, in walking the path of righteousness, we never turn aside onto the adjoining side-paths of error, not even for the sake of the affection we bear for our offspring.
We know that when the ark of the Lord was returned from the land of the Philistines to the land of the Israelites, it was placed on a cart. They yoked cows that had recently borne young to the cart, and shut up their calves at home. “And the cows went straight on over the way that leads to Beth-shemesh, keeping to the one road, lowing as they went; they turned neither to the right nor to the left.” What do these cows represent but the faithful of the church? When they ponder the sacred precepts, it is as if they are carrying the ark of the Lord placed upon them. We should also notice that they are described as having recently borne young. Many who are inwardly set on the way toward God are externally bound by their unspiritual feelings, but they do not turn aside from the right road because they are carrying the ark of God in their hearts.The cows were going to Beth-shemesh, a name meaning “house of the sun.” The prophet says, “For you who fear the Lord, the sun of righteousness shall rise.” If we are moving on toward the dwelling place of the everlasting sun, we do right not to turn aside from the route toward God on account of our unspiritual feelings. We must consider with all our energy that the cows yoked to God’s cart moan as they go, lowing from their depths, but do not turn aside from their road. So surely must God’s preachers, so must all believers within holy church do. They must be compassionate toward their neighbors through their love, while not deviating from God’s way through their compassion.
Moreover, the Bethshemites were reaping wheat in the valley, etc. Furthermore, the citizens of eternal light, desirous to store the ripe fruits of virtues, which they produced with humble hearts, into the joys of the heavenly homeland; and with the eyes of their hearts lifted, they rejoiced wherever on earth they saw the heavenly things.
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Summary
The scene in 1 Samuel 6:13 captures a moment of profound national and spiritual significance as the Ark of the Covenant, after seven months in Philistine captivity, miraculously returns to Israelite territory. The inhabitants of Bethshemesh, a Levitical city, are engaged in the arduous yet hopeful labor of their wheat harvest when their routine is dramatically interrupted by the unexpected appearance of the Ark in their valley. This sight elicits an immediate and overwhelming response of deep joy and relief, marking a pivotal turning point in Israel's relationship with God's tangible presence and signifying His sovereign hand in its restoration.
Context
Literary Context
This verse serves as the emotional and narrative climax of the Ark's journey back to Israel, following a period of national humiliation and divine judgment. The preceding chapters meticulously detail the Philistines' capture of the Ark at the battle of Aphek, a devastating defeat for Israel that led to the death of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and the capture of God's sacred dwelling place (1 Samuel 4:11). The narrative then shifts to the Philistine cities, where the Ark's presence brings divine plagues of tumors and panic upon Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron, demonstrating God's power over pagan deities like Dagon (1 Samuel 5:6). Recognizing the hand of the God of Israel, the Philistine lords, advised by their priests and diviners, decide to return the Ark, accompanied by a guilt offering of golden tumors and mice (1 Samuel 6:1-5). As a test of God's direct involvement, they place the Ark on a new cart pulled by two milk cows that had never been yoked, whose calves were kept away. Against all natural instinct, the cows bypassed their calves and went directly to Bethshemesh, confirming the miraculous nature of the Ark's return and God's sovereignty over its journey (1 Samuel 6:7-12). Thus, 1 Samuel 6:13 depicts the moment of its arrival and the initial, joyful reception by the Israelites.
Historical & Cultural Context
Bethshemesh, meaning "house of the sun," was a Levitical city in the territory of Judah, strategically located on the border between Judah and Philistia (Joshua 21:16). Its proximity to Philistine territory made it a natural and logical point of return for the Ark. The "wheat harvest" was a critical agricultural period in ancient Israel, typically occurring in late spring (May-June). This was a time of intense communal labor, signifying the culmination of the agricultural year and providing essential sustenance for the coming months. The valley setting would have been a common place for such agricultural activity, offering fertile ground. For the people to be so engrossed in this vital work and then to "lift up their eyes" and see the Ark underscores the unexpected and providential nature of its arrival, interrupting their mundane yet crucial daily lives with a divine intervention. The Ark itself was the most sacred object in Israel, symbolizing God's presence, His covenant with His people, and His throne, and its absence had been a source of national shame and spiritual distress.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights God's unwavering sovereignty and faithfulness, demonstrating that even when His people are unfaithful and suffer consequences, He remains committed to His covenant and orchestrates events to restore His presence among them. The Ark's return was not by human design but by divine direction, underscoring God's absolute control over history and nature, as seen in the miraculous journey of the cows (1 Samuel 6:12). Secondly, the passage emphasizes the significance of God's presence as represented by the Ark. Its return signifies a restoration of divine favor and a tangible reminder of God's dwelling among His people, a concept central to Israelite theology from the wilderness tabernacle (Exodus 25:8) to the future temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). Finally, the "rejoiced to see it" captures the theme of profound joy and relief at divine restoration. This joy was not merely human happiness but a spiritual outpouring, reflecting the deep longing for God's presence and the understanding that His return meant an end to judgment and a renewal of hope, echoing the psalmist's cry for God's presence (Psalm 16:11).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Meaning "house of (the) sun." This name, indicative of a former pagan association, ironically becomes the place where the Ark of the true God, Yahweh, returns. As a Levitical city, it was designated for priests and Levites, who were responsible for the care of sacred objects. Its geographical location on the border of Philistia made it the natural first Israelite city for the Ark's return, highlighting God's providential guidance in bringing the Ark to its rightful custodians.
A primitive root meaning "to lift, to bear, to raise." In this context, "lifted up their eyes" signifies a sudden shift in attention from their laborious task to an unexpected sight. It implies an act of looking up from their earthly toil, a physical action that leads to a spiritual revelation. This verb conveys the immediacy and surprise of their discovery, as their gaze is drawn away from the ground and towards the miraculous appearance of the Ark.
A primitive root meaning "to brighten up, to be glad, to make joyful." This verb denotes a deep, inward sense of joy, often associated with religious festivals, celebrations, or the experience of God's blessing and presence. In this context, it signifies more than mere happiness; it is an exultation born out of relief and spiritual understanding. The return of the Ark, which symbolized God's presence, was a cause for profound, covenantal joy, indicating a restoration of relationship and divine favor after a period of national distress and spiritual alienation. This joy is a direct response to God's miraculous intervention and faithfulness.
Verse Breakdown
"And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley:"
This clause establishes the setting and the mundane, yet vital, activity of the people. The inhabitants of Bethshemesh, a Levitical city, are engaged in the arduous and communal work of the wheat harvest, a time of intense labor and anticipation for the year's provisions. The "valley" specifies their location, likely a fertile area suitable for agriculture. This detail underscores the unexpected nature of the Ark's arrival, interrupting their ordinary, physically demanding routine with a divine, extraordinary event.
"and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark,"
This phrase describes the sudden, dramatic shift in their focus. Engrossed in their work, they are prompted to look up, perhaps by the unusual sound of the cart or the cows, or simply by divine providence guiding their gaze. The sight of the Ark, the most sacred object of Israel, appearing in such an unexpected manner, would have been astonishing and awe-inspiring, immediately signaling a moment of profound spiritual and national significance. It marks the transition from mundane labor to divine encounter.
"and rejoiced to see [it]."
This final clause captures the immediate and overwhelming emotional response of the Bethshemeshites. Their joy was not superficial but a deep, heartfelt exultation (Hebrew: śāmaḥ), born from the profound relief and spiritual understanding that God's tangible presence, which had been absent and seemingly lost, had now miraculously returned to them. It signifies a moment of national and spiritual restoration, transforming their toil into worship and their anxiety into gladness, confirming God's faithfulness despite Israel's failures.
Literary Devices
The narrative in 1 Samuel 6:13 effectively employs several literary devices to heighten its impact and convey its theological significance. Contrast is powerfully evident in the juxtaposition of the mundane, physically demanding labor of the wheat harvest with the extraordinary, divine arrival of the Ark. This highlights the unexpected nature of God's intervention, breaking into ordinary human existence. Symbolism is central, with the Ark representing God's presence, covenant, and power, while the wheat harvest symbolizes sustenance, blessing, and the culmination of labor, against which the divine intervention is set. The act of "lifting up their eyes" serves as a form of visual imagery, drawing the reader into the scene and emphasizing the suddenness and wonder of the discovery, creating a sense of immediate participation. The immediate and profound "rejoicing" is an example of emotional resonance, inviting the reader to share in the relief and spiritual joy of the Bethshemeshites, thereby underscoring the deep significance of the Ark's return to the people and the restoration of God's favor.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The return of the Ark to Bethshemesh is a powerful testament to God's sovereign control and His enduring faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they have strayed and faced the consequences of their sin. It underscores the profound theological truth that God's presence is the ultimate source of joy, blessing, and national well-being. The Philistines' inability to contain the Ark, and the plagues that followed its presence among them, dramatically illustrate that God cannot be confined or manipulated by human power or pagan deities; He is utterly transcendent and holy. His miraculous return to Israel, orchestrated by divine will, signals a turning point from divine judgment to potential restoration, reminding Israel that their hope lies not in military might or human strategy, but in the active, living presence of the Lord among them. This event foreshadows the ultimate restoration of God's presence through Christ, where true joy and peace are found.
Reflection and Application
The scene at Bethshemesh offers a profound lesson for believers today: God's presence is the most valuable treasure, capable of transforming mundane labor into moments of profound spiritual joy. Just as the Bethshemeshites were engrossed in their daily work when the Ark appeared, we too can encounter God's unexpected grace and intervention in the midst of our ordinary lives, our routines, and even our struggles. This passage invites us to cultivate a spiritual alertness, to "lift up our eyes" from our earthly concerns and recognize the ways God is moving and revealing Himself, often in the most unexpected circumstances. Our response, like theirs, should be one of deep, unreserved joy, understanding that true gladness comes not from material gain or worldly success, but from the assurance of God's active presence with us, guiding us, and restoring us. It reminds us that even after periods of spiritual wandering or consequence, God's faithfulness endures, and His desire is always to draw near to His people, bringing with Him the promise of renewal and hope, turning our toil into worship.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Bethshemesh chosen as the destination for the Ark?
Bethshemesh was a strategic and theologically appropriate destination for the Ark's return for several reasons. Geographically, it was the first Israelite city on the direct route from Ekron, the last Philistine city to host the Ark, and was located in a valley accessible by cart. Theologically, Bethshemesh was a Levitical city (Joshua 21:16), meaning it was designated for priests and Levites who were responsible for the care and handling of sacred objects like the Ark according to Mosaic Law (Numbers 4:15). The Philistines, in their test, allowed the cows to choose the path, and their direct, unnatural journey to Bethshemesh confirmed God's miraculous guidance, ensuring the Ark returned to its rightful custodians in Israel.
What was the significance of the "wheat harvest" in this context?
The "wheat harvest" was a time of immense national significance in ancient Israel, typically occurring in late spring (May-June). It was a period of intense labor, but also one of great anticipation and celebration, as it provided the staple food for the coming year. The fact that the Ark arrived during this crucial time highlights God's perfect timing and sovereignty. It suggests that even amidst the most ordinary and demanding aspects of life, God can break through with His extraordinary presence and blessing. It also underscores the idea that God's restoration and joy can interrupt and transform the toil of human existence, turning a moment of physical labor into one of spiritual rejoicing, demonstrating His ability to intervene in the most mundane circumstances.
What happened immediately after the Ark's arrival at Bethshemesh?
While 1 Samuel 6:13 describes the initial joy, the narrative immediately turns to a solemn and tragic event. The people of Bethshemesh, despite their initial rejoicing, failed to treat the Ark with the reverence and prescribed holiness required by Mosaic Law. Specifically, some of them looked into the Ark, a forbidden act reserved only for the high priest on the Day of Atonement (Numbers 4:20). As a result, the Lord struck down seventy (or fifty thousand and seventy, depending on textual tradition) men of Bethshemesh, demonstrating the absolute holiness of God and the strict requirements for approaching His sacred presence (1 Samuel 6:19). This tragic event serves as a stark reminder that while God's presence brings joy and blessing, it also demands reverence, obedience, and holiness, emphasizing that His holiness is not to be trifled with.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The joyous return of the Ark of the Covenant to Bethshemesh, symbolizing God's restored presence among His people, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect fulfillment of divine presence in Jesus Christ. The Ark, a physical representation of God's dwelling, was temporary and limited, confined to a sacred space and requiring strict adherence to ritual law, ultimately being replaced by the temple. Yet, in Christ, God's presence is no longer confined to a box or a building; He is "Immanuel," God with us, the very embodiment of God's dwelling among humanity (Matthew 1:23). The initial joy of the Bethshemeshites at seeing the Ark, a mere symbol, pales in comparison to the profound, eternal joy that believers experience in encountering Jesus, the living Word and full revelation of God's glory and grace (John 1:14). He is the true and perfect Ark, the very dwelling place of God, through whom we have direct and unhindered access to the Father, not through rituals but through His blood (Ephesians 2:18). His coming, like the Ark's unexpected arrival during the harvest, interrupts the mundane and brings divine intervention, not merely for a nation, but for all who believe, ushering in a new covenant of grace and forgiveness. The ultimate fulfillment of God's presence, bringing true and lasting joy and salvation, is found in the person and work of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and makes us truly rejoice in His redemptive power (John 1:29).