1 Samuel 6:19-20 NIV

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 6:19

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 6:19

He smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men - The present Hebrew text of this most extraordinary reading stands thus: בית־שמש באנשי ויך - איש אלף חמשים איש שבעים בעם ויך vaiyach beanshey Beith - shemesh - vaiyach baam shibim ish , chamishshim eleph ish ; "And he smote among the men of Beth-shemesh, (because they looked into the ark of Jehovah), and he smote among the people Seventy men, Fifty Thousand men." From the manner in which the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 6:20

Who is able to stand - Why this exclamation? They knew that God had forbidden any to touch his ark but the priests and Levites; but they endeavored to throw that blame on God, as a Being hard to be pleased, which belonged solely to themselves. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:17-21

Trophies and chastisement. The facts are— 1 . An enumeration by the Israelites of the golden images sent with the ark. 2 . A terrible chastisement on the men of Beth-shemesh for their profane curiosity. 3 . An effort to send the ark away, consequent on the terror created. These closing incidents of the restoration introduce for consideration— I. The TROPHIES WON IN THE CONFLICT WITH foes of the Church of God. The golden emerods and mice were expressions of pagan... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:19

He emote the men of Beth-shemesh, etc. In this verse also the text is undoubtedly corrupt. The Septuagint ascribes the sin not to all the people, but to "the sons of Jeconiah, who were not glad when they saw the ark, and he smote them." But as this reading is not supported by the other versions we may pass it by. The numbers, however, are evidently wrong. Fifty thousand men would imply a population of 250,000 people, whereas Jerusalem itself in its palmiest days never had a population of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:19-20

Irreverence. I. THE OFFENCE . The Philistines are not blamed for sending away the ark of God on a wooden car. They did not know, or, if they knew, they had no means of observing, the mode of carriage by Levites which had been prescribed in the Mosaic law. In placing the ark on a new car never before used, and drawn by young cows that had never before worn a yoke, the Philistines meant to show respect. But the men of Beth-shemesh, being Israelites, and having Levites among them, knew,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:20-21

Who is able, etc. Literally, "Who is able to stand before Jehovah, this holy God?" A punishment so severe following upon their unhallowed temerity made the inhabitants of this city of priests eager to pass the ark on to others. They therefore sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim to request them to fetc.h it away. Kiryath-yarim— for so it ought to be pronounced—means the city of forests —Woodtown, softened among us into Wooton. It was chosen apparently simply because it... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 6:19

Fifty thousand and three score and ten - Read “three” score and “ten”, omitting “fifty thousand”, which appears to have crept into the text from the margin. It is not improbable that in their festive rejoicing priests, Levites, and people may have fallen into intemperance, and hence, into presumptuous irreverence (compare Leviticus 10:1, Leviticus 10:9). God had just vindicated His own honor against the Philistines; it must now be seen that He would be sanctified in them that come near Him... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 6:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 6:20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:17-21

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:19

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:19-20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:20-21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 6:19

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