College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
1 Samuel 6 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 6
The decision to return the Ark. Although the Philistines had beaten Israel on the field of battle, they were themselves utterly defeated in their attempt to make a prize of war out of the Ark of the Testimony. As they had moved the Ark about from city to city, its trail had been marked by constant afflictions on the Philistines. In utter dismay, they gave up in their attempts to keep it and made preparations to return it to Israel.
The Ark returned. An ingenious plan was devised by the Philistines. By it they were able to determine that God was indeed directing the path of the kine. They knew then that Jehovah, the God of the Israelites, had been the source of the plagues brought against Philistia.
Men of Beth-shemesh smitten. When the Ark was returned to Israel's territory, the first spot it reached was Beth-shemesh. Some of these men did not have proper respect for the symbol of God's abiding presence; and God smote 50,070 men of Israel on account of this lack of respect.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
God's band is seen in the affairs of men. The Philistines knew that there was something very unusual about the fact that trouble came wherever the Ark was located. This might have been coincidental if it happened only a time or two; but when it happened again and again, they knew that some supernatural power was behind the occurrences. Since they saw the hand of Almighty God in these events, they rightly decided that they should repent of their wrong actions and make restitution for their misdeeds.
2.
God guides even the beasts of the field. The natural instinct of the kine was overruled. Naturally, these milk cows would want to stay close to their calves. When the calves were locked in the stall and the cows were hitched to the cart bearing the Ark of the Lord, the cows went directly away from their own calves. Nothing short of the interference of God in the natural instincts of these beasts would cause them to go against their habits. This was a sign to the Philistines that the hand of God was in the whole affair.
3.
Man should have reverence for the things of God. Only Levites and priests were to bear the Ark of the Covenant. Their duties were assigned to them (Numbers 4). The men of Beth-shemesh were quite presumptuous when they looked into the ark of the Lord (1 Samuel 6:19). This lack of respect brought punishment upon the people, and the event should be a lesson in reverence for men of all times.
CHAPTER 6 IN REVIEW
1.
What offerings did the Philistines send back by the ark?
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2.
On what conveyance did they return it?
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3.
To what point in Israel was the ark first brought?
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4.
What time of year was it when the ark came back?
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5.
What was the name of the man who received the ark?
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6.
Of what tribe was he a member?
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7.
What kind of offering did the Israelites make when the ark came back?
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8.
What name was given to the place where the offering was made?
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9.
How many men were smitten when the Israelites looked in the ark?
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10.
To what point was the ark taken after the tragedy?
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