1 Samuel 6:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:1-9

The first words of the chapter tell us how long the captivity of the ark continued?it was in the country of the Philistines seven months. In the field of the Philistines (so it is in the original), from which some gather that, having tried it in all their cities, and found it a plague to the inhabitants of each, at length they sent it into the open fields, upon which mice sprang up out of the ground in great multitudes, and destroyed the corn which was now nearly ripe and marred the land. With... read more

John Gill

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

Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts ?.... And would not let Israel go, when their dismission was demanded by Moses and Aaron in the name of the Lord; but was refused from time to time, being given up to judicial blindness and hardness of heart: and it seems by this, that though it was proposed by some to send back the ark, and which the priests and diviners approved of; yet there were some that were against it, who, notwithstanding the... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts - They had heard how God punished the Egyptians, and they are afraid of similar plagues. It appears that they had kept the ark long enough. Did they not let the people go - And has he not wrought wonderfully among us? And should we not send back his ark? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:1-9

Seeking light. The facts are— 1 . The Philistines, oppressed by Providence, are uncertain what to do with the ark. 2 . They, consulting the priests and diviners, are advised to send the ark away with all due honours and safeguards in case it is sent at all. 3 . They are instructed how to carry out the advice, and warned not to refuse so to do. 4 . Having done their best, they are to learn the truth from the issue. The incidents recorded furnish an instance of men seeking... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:6

Wherefore do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh? On this reference to Egypt see on 1 Samuel 4:8 . It is remarkable that they so correctly point out that it was the obduracy of the Egyptians which made their punishment so severe. Yet finally even they, in spite of their determined opposition were compelled to let Israel go. So now the question is whether the Philistines will restore the ark on the warning of one plague, or whether they will hold out till they have been... read more

Joseph Benson

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

1 Samuel 6:6. Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts They express themselves thus, either because some opposed the sending home the ark, though most had consented to it; or because they thought they would hardly send it away in the manner prescribed, by giving glory to God, and taking shame to themselves. 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 6:6

as = according as. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 6:6

6. Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts?—The memory of the appalling judgments that had been inflicted on Egypt was not yet obliterated. Whether preserved in written records, or in floating tradition, they were still fresh in the minds of men, and being extensively spread, were doubtless the means of diffusing the knowledge and fear of the true God. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 6:1-9

1. The plan to terminate God’s judgment 6:1-9The Philistines acknowledged Yahweh’s superiority over Dagon, but they believed they could manipulate Him (1 Samuel 6:3). Guilt offerings were common in ancient Near Eastern religions."Ancient religious protocol mandated that the worshiper not approach his god(s) empty-handed (cf. Exodus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:16)." [Note: Youngblood, p. 604.] Evidently the reason the Philistines fashioned images of mice (1 Samuel 6:4) was that there was some... read more

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