1 Samuel 6:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the Philistines {H6430} called {H7121} for the priests {H3548} and the diviners {H7080}, saying {H559}, What shall we do {H6213} to the ark {H727} of the LORD {H3068}? tell {H3045} us wherewith we shall send {H7971} it to his place {H4725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The P'lishtim summoned the priests and soothsayers and asked them, "What are we to do with the ark of ADONAI? Tell us how to send it back where it belongs."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do with the ark of Jehovah? show us wherewith we shall send it to its place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
After seven months of devastating plagues and divine judgment, the Philistines, overwhelmed by the presence of the Ark of the LORD, desperately sought counsel from their own religious authorities. This verse captures their urgent consultation with their priests and diviners, as they collectively grappled with the severe consequences of possessing the sacred Ark and sought guidance on how to properly return it to its rightful place, acknowledging a supernatural power beyond their comprehension.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment following the narrative of the Ark's capture and its subsequent destructive journey through Philistia, detailed in [1 Samuel 4-5](/1_samuel/4-5 "1 Samuel 4 - Ark Captured, Eli's Demise"). The Israelites had suffered a crushing defeat, and the Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of God's presence, was seized by the Philistines. However, its presence brought not triumph but divine judgment upon its captors. In Ashdod, the idol Dagon repeatedly fell before the Ark, being utterly broken ([1 Samuel 5:1-5](/1_samuel/5-1 "1 Samuel 5:1-5 - Dagon Falls Before the Ark")). Then, severe plagues, specifically tumors (emerods), afflicted the people of Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron, accompanied by widespread panic and death ([1 Samuel 5:6-12](/1_samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6-12 - Plagues in Philistia")). The Philistine lords, facing escalating suffering and recognizing the "hand of God" upon them, had reached a point of utter desperation. [1 Samuel 6:2](/1_samuel/6-2 "1 Samuel 6:2 - Philistines Consult Priests") marks their formal attempt to understand and mitigate this divine wrath, setting the stage for the Ark's return journey.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a formidable Sea People, distinct from the Semitic peoples of Canaan, known for their advanced iron technology and polytheistic religion. Their pantheon included gods like Dagon (a grain/fish deity), Baal, and Ashtoreth. In their worldview, deities were often associated with specific territories or peoples, and a god's power was demonstrated through military victories or natural phenomena. When the Ark of the LORD, representing the God of Israel, began to exert overwhelming power over their land, their idol, and their bodies, it challenged their fundamental understanding of divine authority. Consulting "priests" (religious functionaries serving their gods) and "diviners" (practitioners of various forms of divination, seeking omens or supernatural guidance) was their customary method for discerning the will of their gods or explaining inexplicable events. This practice was strictly forbidden in Israelite law, as seen in [Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominable Practices"), highlighting the stark contrast between Philistine paganism and Israelite monotheism. Their consultation reveals their pagan framework for understanding a supernatural crisis, even as the true God of Israel was compelling their actions.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes central to the book of 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Sovereignty and Irresistible Power of Yahweh**. Even when His Ark is captured and His people are defeated, God demonstrates His absolute control over all nations and their false gods. The Philistines, a powerful military force, are rendered helpless by His unseen hand, forced to acknowledge His supremacy. Secondly, it illustrates the **Futility of Idolatry and Pagan Wisdom**. The Philistines' reliance on their own religious systems and human wisdom proves utterly inadequate in the face of the true God. Their gods cannot protect them, and their diviners cannot truly understand or appease Yahweh, forcing them to seek practical means to remove His holy presence. Lastly, the narrative emphasizes the **Holiness of God and the Consequences of Disrespecting His Sacred Presence**. The Ark, representing God's dwelling place among His people, is not a mere war trophy. Its presence among the unholy Philistines brings judgment, serving as a stark warning about the dangers of treating God's sacred things lightly or bringing His glory into defiled spaces, a theme echoed in Israel's own later struggles with the Ark's handling ([2 Samuel 6:6-7](/2_samuel/6-6 "2 Samuel 6:6-7 - Uzzah and the Ark")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priests (Hebrew, כֹּהֲנִים, _kohanim_):** In the Philistine context, these were the religious functionaries responsible for the rituals, sacrifices, and maintenance of their pagan temples and idols (like Dagon). They served as intermediaries between the people and their gods. The Philistines' calling for them indicates their initial approach to a divine problem through their established religious framework, seeking their gods' favor or understanding their displeasure.
* **Diviners (Hebrew, קֹסְמִים, _qosemim_):** These were practitioners of divination, a broad category of occult practices aimed at discovering hidden knowledge or foretelling the future through various means such as omens, lots, necromancy, or interpreting natural phenomena. This practice was strictly forbidden in Israelite law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominations to the LORD")). The Philistines' consultation of diviners reveals their pagan worldview, where supernatural crises were addressed by attempting to manipulate or discern the will of various deities through magical or occult methods, rather than through repentance and obedience to the one true God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners,"**: This opening clause highlights the Philistines' desperate and collective action. After enduring seven months of relentless plagues and witnessing the humiliation of their god Dagon, they turned to their highest religious and spiritual authorities. This indicates their recognition that the problem was supernatural in origin and required supernatural guidance, albeit through their own pagan channels. It underscores their profound distress and their inability to resolve the crisis through military or medical means.
* **"saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD?"**: This direct question reveals their central dilemma. They understood that the Ark was the source of their affliction, and they identified it as belonging to "the LORD" (Yahweh), indicating a grudging acknowledgment of its divine power, even if they didn't fully comprehend the God of Israel. Their question is not about how to defeat this God, but how to manage His powerful, destructive presence and alleviate their suffering. It signifies a shift from defiance to a desperate search for a solution.
* **"tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place."**: This final plea articulates their ultimate goal: to rid themselves of the Ark and the plagues it brought. They are no longer interested in keeping it as a trophy; they simply want it gone. The phrase "to his place" implies an understanding that the Ark belongs to the God of Israel and should be returned to His territory, demonstrating a forced recognition of Yahweh's claim over His sacred object and His people. It sets the stage for the Philistine's proposed method of returning the Ark, which will be detailed in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the Philistines, who captured the Ark as a symbol of Israel's defeat, are now forced to consult their own pagan authorities on how to *return* it, effectively acknowledging the superior power of the God of Israel over their own deities and military might. This creates a stark **Contrast** between the Philistines' initial triumphalism and their current abject desperation. The consultation itself highlights the **Futility** of human wisdom and pagan practices when confronted with divine power; their priests and diviners, despite their claims to supernatural insight, are utterly bewildered and can only offer practical advice born of fear. The narrative also employs **Foreshadowing**, as the Philistines' forced inquiry into the proper handling of the Ark implicitly sets the stage for the later, equally disastrous mishandling of the Ark by the Israelites themselves (e.g., Uzzah's death in [2 Samuel 6:6-7](/2_samuel/6-6 "2 Samuel 6:6-7 - Uzzah's Death")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 6:2 stands as a powerful testament to the active, sovereign presence of God, even among His enemies. It demonstrates that God needs no human army to defend His honor or vindicate His name; His holiness alone is sufficient to bring judgment upon those who desecrate His presence or defy His authority. The Philistines' consultation with their pagan priests and diviners highlights the universal human tendency to seek spiritual answers in times of crisis, yet it simultaneously underscores the impotence of false gods and human-devised religious systems when confronted with the living God. This forced acknowledgment of Yahweh's power by a pagan nation serves as a divine object lesson, revealing that God's glory cannot be contained or manipulated by human hands, nor can His holiness be trifled with without severe consequence.

* [Exodus 25:10-22](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10-22 - Instructions for the Ark of the Covenant")
* [Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominable Practices in the Land")
* [Psalm 115:3-8](/psalms/115-3 "Psalm 115:3-8 - The Impotence of Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's power and holiness are not confined by human expectations or limitations; He is capable of vindicating His name and demonstrating His supremacy even in the most unexpected circumstances, such as when His people are defeated and His sacred symbols are captured. The Philistines' desperate consultation with their pagan authorities serves as a potent illustration of the futility of seeking answers or security in anything other than the true God. In our own lives, when faced with challenges or uncertainties, we are often tempted to turn to human wisdom, popular ideologies, or even superstitious practices rather than seeking God's counsel through His Word and prayer. This passage calls us to a radical trust in God's sovereignty and a deep respect for His holiness. It challenges us to examine where we truly seek our answers and security, urging us to recognize that true peace and deliverance come only from acknowledging God's authority and aligning our lives with His will, rather than attempting to manipulate or appease Him through our own devices.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on human wisdom or worldly solutions rather than seeking God's guidance?**
* **How does the Philistines' forced acknowledgment of God's power challenge my own understanding of God's sovereignty in difficult circumstances?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the importance of revering God's holiness in my daily life and in my approach to worship?**
* **Where might I be treating God's presence or His Word lightly, and what steps can I take to cultivate greater reverence?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Philistines consult their own priests and diviners about the Ark of the LORD?**

Answer: The Philistines consulted their own religious authorities because they were facing a crisis of supernatural origin that their military and medical means could not resolve. As a polytheistic society, their natural inclination when confronted with a powerful, destructive force (which they recognized as coming from "the LORD") was to seek guidance from their established religious leaders—their priests, who served their gods, and their diviners, who specialized in interpreting divine will or omens. This was their cultural framework for understanding and responding to perceived divine displeasure. They did not know the God of Israel, nor did they have access to His prophets or His Law. Therefore, they turned to the only spiritual resources available to them, hoping their own deities or divination practices could provide insight into appeasing or managing the God of Israel, who was clearly demonstrating His power over their land and their gods, as seen in [1 Samuel 5:1-5](/1_samuel/5-1 "1 Samuel 5:1-5 - Dagon Falls Before the Ark").

**What does this verse reveal about the Philistines' understanding of the God of Israel?**

Answer: This verse reveals a grudging, fear-driven acknowledgment of the God of Israel's power, rather than a true understanding or reverence. While they identify the Ark as belonging to "the LORD" (Yahweh), they do not worship Him or seek to understand His covenant. Instead, their question, "What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place," indicates that they perceive Him as a powerful, territorial deity whose presence is dangerous and needs to be removed. They recognize His ability to bring judgment (plagues, tumors, death, the humiliation of Dagon in [1 Samuel 5:6-12](/1_samuel/5-6 "1 Samuel 5:6-12 - Plagues in Philistia")), but they still operate within their pagan worldview, attempting to manage or appease this foreign deity through their own religious rituals and divinations. They understand His power but not His character, His holiness, or His redemptive purpose.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate plea of the Philistines in 1 Samuel 6:2, seeking to rid themselves of the Ark's destructive presence, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate solution to humanity's far greater problem of sin and God's holy wrath. The Ark, a tangible symbol of God's holy presence, brought judgment and death to those who treated it irreverently or without proper atonement. Humanity, in its fallen state, is inherently unholy and incapable of standing in God's presence without being consumed by His righteous judgment, as dramatically illustrated by the Philistine plagues. However, in Christ, the ultimate "Ark" of God's presence, we find not judgment but reconciliation. Jesus, as [Immanuel, "God with us"](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel, God With Us"), perfectly embodies God's holiness and presence, yet He came not to bring destruction but salvation. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the full weight of divine judgment on the cross, thereby removing the curse that sin brought upon humanity ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Unlike the Philistines who sought to send God's presence *away* to escape judgment, the New Covenant invites us to draw *near* to God through Christ's atoning sacrifice, granting us access to His holy presence without fear of condemnation ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")). Thus, what the Ark represented as a terrifying, untouchable holiness, Christ fulfills as an approachable, redemptive holiness, making peace between God and humanity.

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

Exodus 7:11

Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

Genesis 41:8

And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but [there was] none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

Daniel 2:2

Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

Daniel 5:7

The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. [And] the king spake, and said to the wise [men] of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and [have] a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Matthew 2:4

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Micah 6:6

¶ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, [and] bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

Micah 6:9

¶ The LORD'S voice crieth unto the city, and [the man of] wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.