1 Samuel 6:10-12 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:10

And the men did so ,.... Made a new cart, not the lords of the Philistines, but workmen by their orders: and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart ; with the gear that horses, asses, or oxen, were usually fastened to a carriage they drew: and shut up their calves at home ; or, "in the house" F19 בבית "in domo", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; ; the cow house or stable where they used to be put; this they did to restrain them from following the cows, which would disturb... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:11

And they laid the ark of the Lord upon the cart ,.... Perhaps the same men that made the cart; however they were the Philistines, yet were not punished for touching it, as Uzzah was, though an Israelite, 2 Samuel 6:6 . and the coffer with the mice of gold, and the images of their emerods ; which coffer was placed in a purse or bag hung at the side of the ark, with the golden mice and emerods in it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:12

And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh ,.... Though they had none to drive, lead, or guide them, yet they steered their course to the road that led to Bethshemesh, though there were other ways they might have taken; which shows they were under the direction of God himself: and went along the highway ; or, "in one highway", or "post" F20 במסלה אחת "in via elata una", Montanus; "eadem semita", Tigurine version; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; though... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 6:12

Lowing as they went - Calling for their calves. To the right hand or to the left - Some think they were placed where two roads met; one going to Ekron, the other to Beth-shemesh. It is possible that they were put in such circumstances as these for the greater certainty of the affair: to have turned from their own homes, from their calves and known pasture, and to have taken the road to a strange country, must argue supernatural influence. The lords of the ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:10-15

Restored blessings. The facts are— 1 . The kine bearing the ark, contrary to their instincts, go away from their home to Beth-shemesh. 2 . The men of Beth-shemesh, seeing the returning ark, leave their occupations, and express their joy in sacrificial worship. 3 . The Levites, exceeding their privileges, open the ark and examine its sacred contents. 4 . The representatives of the Philistines observe the issue of their experiment and return. The rapid succession of incidents... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:12

The kine took the straight way. The Hebrew brings out the directness with which the heifers took the route to Beth-shemesh very forcibly. It says, "And the kine went straight in the way upon the way to Beth-shemesh; they went along one highway, lowing as they went," i.e. they went in one direct course, without deviating from it. Nevertheless, their continual lowing showed the great stress that was laid upon their nature in being thus compelled to separate themselves from their calves. And... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 6:12

Lowing as they went - Milking cows had been chosen on purpose to make the sign more significant. Nature would obviously dispose the cows to go toward their calves; their going in an opposite direction was therefore plainly a divine impulse overruling their natural inclination. And this is brought out more distinctly by the mention of their lowing, which was caused by their remembering their calves.And the lords ... - This circumstance of the five satraps of the Philistines accompanying the ark... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 6:12

1 Samuel 6:12. The kine took the straight way to Beth-shemesh Though they had no driver, nor visible director, and had such strong attractives to draw them back, and there were so many other ways in which they might have gone. Lowing as they went After their calves, which had been taken from them; and hereby evidencing at once both their natural and vehement inclination to their calves, and the supernatural power which overruled them to a contrary course. The lords went To prevent all... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

The ark returns (5:1-7:1)Although God used the Philistines to judge Israel, he would not allow them to dishonour him. He showed that the capture of the ark did not mean that he was inferior to the Philistine god Dagon (5:1-5). Wherever the ark went it brought trouble to the Philistine people. A plague of mice seems to have spread a painful and deadly disease throughout the country, bringing widespread suffering and death (6-12; cf. 6:5).The Philistines felt fairly certain that the ark was the... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 6:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:10-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 6:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 6:12

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:1-21

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