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1 Samuel 6

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 6 of 31

1 And the ark of Jehovah was in the field of the Philistines seven months.

2 And the Philistines called for priests and for those divining, saying, What shall we do to the ark of Jehovah? Let us know with what we shall send it to its place.

3 And they said, If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, you shall not send it away empty. For turning back you shall return a guilt offering back to Him. Then you shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why His hand has not turned away from you.

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Chapter Summary

The Philistines take advice on how to send back the ark. They bring it on a new cart to Beth-shemesh. The people are killed for looking into the ark.

Key Hebrew Words

זְבָחִ֛ים sacrifice H2077 · TWOT 525a
חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים fifty H2572 · TWOT 686c
חֲמִשָּׁה֙ five H2568 · TWOT 686a
עָרֵ֤י excitement H5892 · TWOT 1587a
הִתְעַלֵּ֣ל glean H5953 · TWOT 1627b

People & Context

Philistines Consult Priests and Diviners

After the Ark is in their land for seven months, the Philistines consult diviners who advise sending the Ark back with a guilt offering.

Preparing the Cart and Offering

The Philistines prepare a new cart, attach two suckling cows, shut their calves at home, and load the Ark with five golden hemorrhoids and five golden…

The Ark Returns to Beth-shemesh

The cows pull the cart straight to Beth-shemesh. The Israelites rejoice, chop up the cart, and sacrifice the cows as a burnt offering to Jehovah.

Timeline

Philistines Consult Priests and Diviners

After the Ark is in their land for seven months, the Philistines consult diviners who advise sending the Ark back with a guilt offering.

1 Samuel 6:1-6
Preparing the Cart and Offering

The Philistines prepare a new cart, attach two suckling cows, shut their calves at home, and load the Ark with five golden hemorrhoids and five golden mice.

1 Samuel 6:7-12
The Ark Returns to Beth-shemesh

The cows pull the cart straight to Beth-shemesh. The Israelites rejoice, chop up the cart, and sacrifice the cows as a burnt offering to Jehovah.

1 Samuel 6:13-16

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