John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:21
And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim ,.... Which was a city further on in the tribe of Judah, and lay among some woods, from whence it had its name, and was formerly called Kirjathbaal, from Baal's being worshipped there; of which see Joshua 15:9 , they might choose to send hither to fetch the ark from them, because it was at a greater distance from the Philistines, their city Bethshemesh being on the borders of them; and because it might be a place of greater... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:20
And the men of Bethshemesh said, who is able to stand before this holy Lord God ?.... The Targum is,"before the ark of this holy Lord God;'which is said either by way of complaint of the severity of God, and the strictness of his justice; or in reverence of his holiness, acknowledging their imperfection, sin, and guilt, by reason of which they could not stand before him; nor can any, but on account of the mercy seat over the ark, or through Christ, his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice: ... read more