1 Samuel 6:18 NIV

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

The Philistines return the Ark to Israel2. The diviners] The Philistines appear to have been notorious for their attachment to divination: see on Isaiah 2:6. 3. The trespass offering was always brought to atone for some wrong done to, or some right withheld from, God or man. 5. Aristotle relates that in harvest entire crops were sometimes destroyed in a single night by the ravages of field-mice.7. The new cart and the kine who had worn no yoke were signs of respect. 9. Under ordinary... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 6:18

(18)And the golden mice.—We have here a far greater number of “golden mice” mentioned as being offered in expiation than appear specified in the directions of the priests and diviners (1 Samuel 6:4). The truth was that whilst the human sickness was confined to the five cities, the plague of field mice no doubt extended over the whole country. The inhabitants of all the villages were anxious to do their part to propitiate the insulted Hebrew God, and to get rid of the plague which was... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

The Ark in the Harvest-field 1 Samuel 6:13 The ark had been a prisoner in the land of the Philistines since the fatal day when the army of Israel was completely overthrown. Its presence had brought mischief and misery, plague and death to the cities of Ashdod and Ekron, and after seven months' sojourn it was sent back to its own country with all respect and with all care. I. The coming of the ark at that time to that particular occupation of the men of Beth-shemesh was to them a great... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

CHAPTER VII.THE ARK AMONG THE PHILISTINES.1 Samuel 5:1-12; 1 Samuel 6:1-21ALTHOUGH the history in Samuel is silent as to the doings of the Philistines immediately after their great victory over Israel, yet we learn from other parts of the Bible (Psalms 78:60-64 ) Jeremiah 7:12; Jeremiah 26:9) that they proceeded to Shiloh, massacred the priests, wrecked the city, and left it a monument of desolation, as it continued to be ever after. Probably this was considered an appropriate sequel to the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

CHAPTERS 6:1-7:2 1. The counsel of the Philistines (1 Samuel 6:1-9 ) 2. The ark at Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6:10-20 ) 3. The ark at Kirjath-jearim (1 Samuel 6:21 ; 1 Samuel 7:1-2 ) The ark had remained among the Philistines seven months. For them they were months of suffering and deadly destruction. Now they plot to get rid of the ark and of Him whose hand rested so heavily in judgment upon them. The advice of the heathen priests and diviners is that the ark should be sent away with... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

The seven months during which the Philistines had possessor of the ark was a full time in which to prove the severity of God's hand in solemn displeasure. How could they bear it any longer? There is a question in their minds, however, as to how to send it back. If, as they discern, it has been an offense to God that they have taken the ark, how is that offense to be paid for? For this they consult their idolatrous priests and diviners, who tell them they must return it with a trespass... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

ELI ’S DEATH ; THE LOSS OF THE ARK GOD SPEAKS TO SAMUEL (1 Samuel 3:0 ) “The word of the Lord was precious [or rare] in those days” (1 Samuel 3:1 ) is introductory to the record that it was now heard in the case of Samuel. It was Israel’s sin that hid God’s face from them and caused His voice to be silent so long only twice heard during the period of the Judges (Judges 4:4 ; Judges 6:8 ) but He was again to be gracious unto them in this respect, and a new epoch was to open in their... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:18

(18) And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite. This stone of memorial was made similar to others of God's people; Jacob's Bethel and Gideon's Oprah. But were not all these considered, yet more particularly in faith, with an eye... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:18

Abel. A stone or rock, on which the Jews say Abraham had offered sacrifice; (St. Jerome, Trad. T.[Tirinus?]) Hebrew, "or mourning," was so called afterwards, on account of so many being slain; (Menochius) so the place, to which the Egyptians accompanied the remains of Jacob, was styled "Abol," the mourning of Egypt, Genesis l. 11. (Haydock) --- The Septuagint read Abon, "the stone." All the towns belonging to the Philistines, as far as this place, sent each their golden images, or contributed... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 6:10-18

10-18 These two kine knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophin and Phinehas knew not. God's providence takes notice even of brute creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced; their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest. The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy. read more