1 Samuel 6:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the cart {H5699} came {H935} into the field {H7704} of Joshua {H3091}, a Bethshemite {H1030}, and stood {H5975} there, where there was a great {H1419} stone {H68}: and they clave {H1234} the wood {H6086} of the cart {H5699}, and offered {H5927} the kine {H6510} a burnt offering {H5930} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The cart entered the field of Y'hoshua the Beit-Shimshi and stood there by a big rock. They cut up the wood of the cart and offered up the cows as a burnt offering to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

And the cart came into the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered up the kine for a burnt-offering unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 6:14 chronicles the climactic moment of the Ark of the Covenant's return to Israelite territory after its capture by the Philistines. The verse vividly describes the Ark's miraculous, divinely guided journey, pulled by unyoked cows, culminating in its arrival and halt in the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite. Upon witnessing this undeniable act of God's sovereignty, the Bethshemites immediately responded with profound worship, dismantling the cart that carried the sacred Ark and offering the very cows that had transported it as a complete burnt offering to the LORD, demonstrating their reverence, gratitude, and recognition of His manifest power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as a pivotal moment within the larger narrative arc that begins with the capture of the Ark in [1 Samuel 4](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4 - The Capture of the Ark") and extends through its journey and eventual placement in [1 Samuel 7](/1_samuel/7 "1 Samuel 7 - The Ark's Journey and Samuel's Leadership"). Following the devastating defeat of Israel and the death of Eli's sons, the Ark, representing God's very presence, was taken by the Philistines. Its presence, however, brought divine judgment upon their cities—Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron—in the form of plagues and tumors, compelling them to acknowledge the supremacy of the God of Israel. In [1 Samuel 6](/1_samuel/6 "1 Samuel 6 - The Ark's Return"), the Philistine lords, advised by their priests and diviners, devised a test to ascertain if their afflictions were indeed from Yahweh. They placed the Ark on a new cart, drawn by two milk cows that had never been yoked, and sent them off without a human driver. The miraculous, direct, and unswerving journey of these cows from Ekron to Bethshemesh, a Levitical city in Judah, without turning aside, served as irrefutable proof to both Philistines and Israelites of God's sovereign hand. Verse 14 captures the immediate, awe-filled, and reverent response of the Bethshemites upon witnessing this profound divine intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Bethshemesh was a city designated for the Levites, a priestly tribe responsible for the meticulous care and handling of sacred objects, including the Ark of the Covenant. This made it a fitting and divinely appointed first destination for the Ark's return, as its inhabitants were expected to understand the protocols and reverence due to such a holy item. The act of offering a "burnt offering" (`'olah`) was a foundational practice in Israelite worship, symbolizing complete dedication, thanksgiving, and often serving as an act of atonement or purification. The use of the cart's wood as fuel for the fire and the very cows that pulled the Ark as the sacrifice underscores the spontaneity, immediacy, and profound resourcefulness of the Bethshemites. In their overwhelming awe and gratitude, they offered what was at hand, demonstrating a deep recognition of the sacredness of the moment. The "great stone" likely served as a natural, unhewn altar or a significant landmark, providentially available to facilitate this impromptu act of worship, further emphasizing the urgency and solemnity of the occasion.
* **Key Themes:** The narrative surrounding the Ark's return, culminating in this verse, powerfully articulates several core theological themes. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty** is unequivocally demonstrated; God exercises absolute control over all creation, even compelling pagan animals to fulfill His divine purpose, as evidenced by the unyoked cows' direct and unwavering path to Bethshemesh, thereby confirming to the Philistines that their afflictions originated from Him (cf. [Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the LORD's")). Secondly, the **Holiness of God** is vividly portrayed; the plagues inflicted upon the Philistines and the subsequent judgment upon the Bethshemites for irreverently looking into the Ark (later in [1 Samuel 6:19-20](/1_samuel/6-19 "1 Samuel 6:19-20 - The Bethshemites' Punishment")) underscore that God's presence demands utmost reverence, adherence to His commands, and a proper understanding of His sacred nature. Thirdly, **Worship and Atonement** are central; the Bethshemites' immediate burnt offering symbolizes their profound gratitude, their recognition of God's power, and perhaps an act of purification for the land and themselves after the Ark's return from pagan captivity. This spontaneous, costly act of worship foreshadows the ongoing necessity of proper worship and reverent approach in the presence of a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kine (Hebrew, _pârâh'_):** This term, specifically feminine, refers to a heifer or cow. In this context, it denotes the two milk cows that miraculously pulled the Ark. The significance lies in the fact that they were "milk cows" (implying they had calves, which they would naturally desire to return to) and had "never been yoked" (making them ritually unblemished and unsuitable for ordinary labor, thus highlighting the miraculous nature of their journey). Their unyoked status also meant they were untrained, making their direct, unswerving path to Bethshemesh a clear sign of divine guidance, not human direction or instinct.
* **Clave (Hebrew, _bâqaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to split," "break open," "rend," or "cleave." This word precisely describes the action of the Bethshemites in breaking apart the wooden cart. This act was not merely pragmatic for obtaining fuel but also deeply symbolic. The Philistine cart, which had carried the holy Ark, was now repurposed for sacred use, its wood consumed in an offering to the LORD. It signifies the immediate, resourceful, and complete dedication of whatever was at hand to God's service, transforming an object of pagan association into an instrument of Israelite worship.
* **Burnt Offering (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh'_):** This is a specific type of sacrifice in Israelite worship, literally meaning "that which goes up" or "ascending offering." It was characterized by the complete consumption of the animal by fire on the altar, symbolizing total dedication to God and often serving as an act of atonement for general sin, thanksgiving, or profound devotion. The offering of the kine as a burnt offering signifies the Bethshemites' profound gratitude for the Ark's return and their immediate acknowledgment of God's holiness, sovereignty, and merciful intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where [there was] a great stone:"** This clause precisely identifies the location of the Ark's miraculous arrival and halt. The "field of Joshua, a Bethshemite" indicates a specific, identifiable place within Bethshemesh, a Levitical city. The detail that the cart "stood there" implies a divinely orchestrated halt, not a random stop, marking the precise end of its miraculous journey. The "great stone" serves as a natural, providentially available altar or a significant landmark, immediately suitable for the spontaneous act of worship that followed. It underscores the divine precision and provision in the Ark's return to its proper place among God's people.
* **"and they clave the wood of the cart,"** This describes the immediate and decisive action taken by the Bethshemites. They did not delay for formal preparations or a pre-built altar. In their awe and reverence, they dismantled the very vehicle that had brought the Ark. This act was both pragmatic, providing essential fuel for the sacrifice, and deeply symbolic, repurposing an object that had been in Philistine hands for a sacred Israelite ritual, thereby purifying it through fire and dedicating it to the LORD. It demonstrates their immediate and complete commitment to worship.
* **"and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD."** This is the culmination of the Bethshemites' reverent response. The "kine" (the two milk cows that had miraculously brought the Ark) were offered as a "burnt offering," signifying complete dedication, thanksgiving, and perhaps an act of communal purification. This spontaneous sacrifice was an immediate, heartfelt act of worship, acknowledging God's power, His holiness, and His mercy in returning His tangible presence to Israel. It was a profound expression of their faith and obedience in the face of an undeniable divine miracle, giving back to God what He had used for His purposes.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its theological message. **Divine Intervention** is the overarching theme, powerfully manifested through the miraculous, unguided journey of the cows, which serves as irrefutable proof of Yahweh's supreme power over both nature and pagan deities. **Symbolism** is richly woven throughout: the Ark itself symbolizes God's tangible and holy presence among His people; the "great stone" functions as an impromptu altar, symbolizing the immediate and natural response of worship that God's presence evokes; and the "burnt offering" of the kine symbolizes complete dedication, thanksgiving, and atonement. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as the Philistines' superstitious test, designed to determine if their afflictions were truly from the God of Israel, inadvertently becomes a powerful public demonstration of Yahweh's undeniable sovereignty and power over their gods and their land. Furthermore, the Bethshemites' immediate and reverent response in this verse **Foreshadows** the critical importance of proper reverence for God's holiness, a theme that will tragically be underscored later in the same chapter when many Bethshemites are struck down for irreverently looking into the Ark.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 6:14 stands as a profound testament to God's active sovereignty and the appropriate human response to His manifest presence. The miraculous return of the Ark, orchestrated by God through seemingly ordinary animals, underscores that His purposes cannot be thwarted by human or pagan opposition, and His inherent holiness demands recognition and reverence from all. The Bethshemites' immediate and costly act of worship—offering the very means of the Ark's return as a burnt offering—demonstrates a spontaneous, heartfelt dedication that acknowledges God's supreme authority and mercy. This event serves as a powerful reminder that true worship is not merely ritualistic adherence but flows from a deep recognition of God's hand in our lives and a willingness to dedicate our best, even our most unexpected blessings, back to Him. It also highlights the enduring tension between God's desire to dwell among His people and the absolute necessity of approaching His holiness with proper awe, obedience, and a humble spirit, a theme consistently woven throughout the tapestry of Scripture.

* [Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the LORD's")
* [Leviticus 1:3-9](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3-9 - Regulations for Burnt Offerings")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in 1 Samuel 6:14 profoundly invites us to consider our own responses to God's undeniable presence and work in our lives. Just as the Bethshemites immediately recognized the divine hand in the Ark's return and responded with costly worship, we are called to cultivate a spirit of prompt gratitude, sacrificial dedication, and profound reverence when we perceive God's providence, power, or presence. This verse challenges us to move beyond passive observation to active, wholehearted, and sometimes costly worship. It serves as a potent reminder that God's holiness is not to be trifled with, and His manifest presence, whether in His written Word, in the gathered community of believers, or through the indwelling Holy Spirit, demands our utmost awe, respect, and obedience. Our lives, like the cart and kine, are to be wholly consecrated to Him, transformed from instruments of the world into offerings of praise and service. This involves not just grand, public gestures, but a daily posture of acknowledging His sovereignty and dedicating our resources, time, talents, and very selves to His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I recognize and respond to God's sovereign hand in the unexpected or miraculous events of my life, both big and small?**
* **What does "reverence for God's presence" truly look like in my daily walk, particularly in my approach to Scripture, prayer, and corporate worship?**
* **In what practical and sacrificial ways can I offer myself as a "living sacrifice" to the Lord today, embodying the complete dedication seen in the Bethshemites' burnt offering?**

### FAQ
**Why were the cows offered as a burnt offering, especially since they were used for the Ark's return?**

Answer: The offering of the cows as a burnt offering served multiple, deeply significant purposes, reflecting the Bethshemites' immediate and profound response to God's miraculous intervention. Firstly, it was a spontaneous act of **thanksgiving** for the safe return of the Ark, recognizing God's power and mercy in delivering His sacred presence back to Israel. Secondly, as a "burnt offering" (`'olah`), it symbolized **complete dedication** to the LORD, signifying that everything, even the very instruments God used for His miraculous work, belonged wholly to Him. This symbolized a total consecration. Thirdly, the cows had never been yoked ([1 Samuel 6:7](/1_samuel/6-7 "1 Samuel 6:7 - The Philistines' Test")), making them ritually unblemished and therefore suitable for sacrifice, even though they were not typically sacrificial animals in other contexts. This spontaneous act was not a prescribed sin offering but a general act of worship, an act of purification for the land, and a profound acknowledgment of God's holiness after the Ark's time in pagan hands. It underscored the immediate, heartfelt, and total devotion of the Bethshemites.

**What is the significance of the "great stone" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "great stone" served as a crucial element in the narrative, primarily functioning as a **natural altar** or a **sacred marker** for the spontaneous act of worship. Its presence at the precise spot where the cart stopped suggests divine providence, providing an immediate and fitting location for the burnt offering. In ancient Israelite culture, significant stones or pillars were often used to commemorate divine encounters or important events, serving as memorials or places of worship (e.g., [Genesis 28:18](/genesis/28-18 "Genesis 28:18 - Jacob's Pillar at Bethel") or [Joshua 24:26-27](/joshua/24-26 "Joshua 24:26-27 - Joshua's Stone of Witness")). Here, it provided a stable, prominent surface for the sacrifice, underscoring the gravity and public nature of the event. It highlights the Bethshemites' immediate and unhesitating response to God's manifest presence, utilizing what was readily available to honor Him in a profound act of worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The events of 1 Samuel 6:14, particularly the spontaneous burnt offering of the kine and the cart, find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The Ark, symbolizing God's tangible presence dwelling among His people and representing His covenant faithfulness, ultimately points to Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel")). Just as the Ark's miraculous return was divinely orchestrated, so too was Christ's journey to earth, not by human will or effort but by divine purpose, culminating in His ultimate, self-sacrificial offering. The burnt offering of the cows, wholly consumed and signifying complete dedication and atonement, powerfully foreshadows the perfect and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. His body was "broken" (like the cart's wood was "clave") and His life "poured out" as a single, all-sufficient offering that truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Unlike the repeated and imperfect sacrifices of the Old Testament, Christ's sacrifice was a "once for all" act, perfectly fulfilling the Law and bringing eternal redemption and access to God ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Sacrifice")). Our response to Christ's finished work is akin to the Bethshemites' immediate worship: we are called to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")), dedicating our entire lives to Him in gratitude for His ultimate act of love and atonement.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 24:22

And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what [seemeth] good unto him: behold, [here be] oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and [other] instruments of the oxen for wood.

Judges 21:4

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

Exodus 20:24

An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

1 Samuel 11:5

¶ And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What [aileth] the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.

2 Samuel 24:25

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

1 Kings 19:21

And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

Judges 6:26

And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.