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1 Samuel 6:9

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And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, [then] he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that [it is] not his hand [that] smote us: it [was] a chance [that] happened to us.

And see {H7200}, if it goeth up {H5927} by the way {H1870} of his own coast {H1366} to Bethshemesh {H1053}, then he hath done {H6213} us this great {H1419} evil {H7451}: but if not, then we shall know {H3045} that it is not his hand {H3027} that smote {H5060} us: it was a chance {H4745} that happened to us {H1961}.

but watch to see if it goes up the road to Beit-Shemesh in its own territory. If it does, he is responsible for this great tragedy; if not, we will know that it is not his oppression which has been over us, but that what has been happening to us has been only by chance."

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.”

And see; if it goeth up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us.

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Samuel 6:9 (KJV)

This verse captures a pivotal moment of doubt and desperate inquiry from the Philistines concerning the source of their recent afflictions. After capturing the Ark of the Covenant from Israel, they had experienced severe plagues and devastation in their cities, as detailed in 1 Samuel chapter 5. Seeking to appease the God of Israel and rid themselves of the Ark, their priests and diviners devised a test.

Context

The Philistine leaders, advised by their priests and diviners, decided to return the Ark to Israel on a new cart pulled by two milk cows that had never been yoked and whose calves were kept away from them. This was a highly unusual and unnatural scenario for cows, as they would instinctively want to return to their calves. The test proposed in 1 Samuel 6:9 is their critical criterion: if the cows went directly towards the Israelite city of Bethshemesh, it would be a clear sign that the plagues were indeed divine punishment from the God of Israel. If the cows wandered off, they would conclude it was merely a "chance" occurrence, a natural calamity, and not a direct judgment from God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty vs. Chance: The Philistines, though pagan, were confronted with evidence of a powerful deity. This verse highlights their attempt to rationalize or deny divine intervention, preferring to believe in random "chance" rather than a sovereign God who judges. Their test was designed to remove all natural explanations for the cows' behavior, leaving only the supernatural as a possibility.
  • Confirmation of God's Hand: The test itself demonstrates a grudging acknowledgment of the God of Israel's potential power. They sought undeniable proof that their suffering was not accidental but directly from "his hand," indicating divine authorship of their misfortune.
  • Consequences of Disrespecting the Holy: The entire narrative underscores the severe consequences of treating holy objects and the divine presence with contempt, as the Philistines had done by taking and parading the Ark.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "it was a chance that happened to us" translates the Hebrew word מקרה (miqreh), which means "occurrence," "accident," or "chance." This word stands in stark contrast to the idea of a deliberate, divine act. For the Philistines, attributing their suffering to miqreh would allow them to avoid acknowledging the superior power of the God of Israel, thus preserving their own gods' perceived authority.

Practical Application

In our own lives, we often face circumstances that seem difficult or random. This verse challenges us to consider whether we, like the Philistines, are quick to dismiss divine influence and attribute events to mere "chance." Recognizing God's hand, even in challenging situations, can lead to a deeper understanding of His purposes and a greater reverence for His ultimate sovereignty. It reminds us that God is actively involved in the world, and His will can be discerned through careful observation and spiritual humility, rather than dismissive skepticism.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 15:10 (4 votes)

    And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which [is] Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:

  • Joshua 21:16 (3 votes)

    And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, [and] Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.

  • 1 Samuel 6:3 (3 votes)

    And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.

  • 2 Samuel 1:6 (3 votes)

    And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

  • Luke 10:31 (3 votes)

    And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:11 (3 votes)

    ¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

  • Amos 3:6 (2 votes)

    Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done [it]?