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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:10-18

We are here told, I. How the Philistines dismissed the ark, 1 Sam. 6:10, 11. They were made as glad to part with it as ever they had been to take it. As God had fetched Israel out of the house of bondage, so now he fetched the ark out of its captivity, in such a manner as that Egypt was glad when they departed, Ps. 105:38. 1. They received no money or price for the ransom of it, as they hoped to do, even beyond a king's ransom. Thus it is prophesied of Cyrus (Isa. 45:13), He shall let go my... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:19-21

Here is, 1. The sin of the men of Beth-shemesh: They looked into the ark of the Lord, 1 Sam. 6:19. Every Israelite had heard great talk of the ark, and had been possessed with a profound veneration for it; but they had been told that it was lodged within a veil, and even the high priest himself might not look upon it but once a year, and then through a cloud of incense. Perhaps this made many say (as we are apt to covet that which is forbidden) what a great deal they would give for a sight of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:13

And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley ,.... Which began at Pentecost, in the month Sivan, about our May; so that there were many people in the fields, who were eyewitnesses of this wonderful event: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it ; for though the ark while in the tabernacle was only seen by the high priest, when he went into the holy of holies; yet this having been brought out from thence, and exposed in the camp of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:14

And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite ,.... In that part of the valley where they were reaping wheat which belonged to him, whom we nowhere else read; whether a priest or Levite, which is not improbable, since this was a city of the Levites, or a common Israelite, is not certain: and stood there where there was a great stone ; afterwards called the great stone of Abel, 1 Samuel 6:18 . By the providence of God it was so ordered, that the kine made a stop just at this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:15

And the Levites took down the ark of the Lord ,.... Or, "had took it down" F24 הורידו "deposuerant", Meudoza; so Pool. ; for this, though here related, was done as soon as the ark came into the field, or quickly after, and before the burnt offering could be made, which was burnt with the wood of the cart; and though the persons that took it down are called Levites, they were priests, who were of the tribe of Levi; for it was the work of the priests to take it down, though the Levites... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:16

And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it ,.... Observed all that was done, how the kine performed their journey, drew the cart in which the ark was straight to Bethshemesh, stopped in a field near it, where it was received joyfully by the people, and sacrifices offered on account of it: they returned to Ekron the same day ; as they might very well, since it was but twelve miles from Bethshemesh. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:17

And these are the golden emerods, which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the Lord ,.... Along with the ark: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon, one, for Gath one, for Ekron one ; which were the five principalities of the Philistines that belonged to the five lords before mentioned; and each of these were at the expense of a golden emerod, and sent it along with the ark to make atonement for the offence they had been guilty of in taking and detaining it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:18

And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords ,.... That is, as many golden mice as there were cities under the jurisdiction of the five lords, which are the same before mentioned: both of fenced cities and of country villages ; walled and unwalled towns; it seems by this, as it was but reasonable it should be, that the several villages adjacent and belonging to the five principal cities contributed their part towards the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:19

And he smote the men of Bethshemesh ,.... That is, God smote them, though they had received the ark with such expressions of joy, and had offered sacrifices on account of it; yet sinning in one particular after mentioned, which was highly resented, they were smitten by him with a thunderbolt, as Josephus says F26 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 1. sect. 4. : because they had looked into the ark of the Lord ; which was forbidden the Levites, Numbers 4:20 out of curiosity these men opened the... read more

John Gill

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

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