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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 6:9 but keep watching it. If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us and that it happened by chance."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/6-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/09_1Sa_06_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 6:9 - The Ark Returned to Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="but keep watching it. If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us and that it happened by chance." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/6-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/6-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/6-8.htm" title="1 Samuel 6:8">◄</a> 1 Samuel 6:9 <a href="/1_samuel/6-10.htm" title="1 Samuel 6:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_samuel/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/6.htm">New International Version</a> but keep watching it. If it goes up to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh, then the LORD has brought this great disaster on us. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us but that it happened to us by chance.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/6.htm">New Living Translation</a> If they cross the border of our land and go to Beth-shemesh, we will know it was the LORD who brought this great disaster upon us. If they don’t, we will know it was not his hand that caused the plague. It came simply by chance.” <a href="/esv/1_samuel/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> and watch. If it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth-shemesh, then it is he who has done us this great harm, but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it happened to us by coincidence.” <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> but keep watching it. If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us and that it happened by chance.” <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/6.htm">King James Bible</a> And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/6.htm">New King James Version</a> And watch: if it goes up the road to its own territory, to Beth Shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we shall know that it is not His hand that struck us—it happened to us by chance.” <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But watch: if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done this great evil to us. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.” <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Watch, if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And watch, if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we shall know that it was not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.” <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> See, if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that smote us; it happened to us by chance.” <a href="/amp/1_samuel/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But watch, if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then [you will know that] He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that struck us; this disaster happened to us by chance.” <a href="/csb/1_samuel/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then watch: If it goes up the road to its homeland toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has made this terrible trouble for us. However, if it doesn’t, we will know that it was not his hand that punished us—it was just something that happened to us by chance.” <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then watch: If it goes up the road to its homeland toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has made this terrible trouble for us. However, if it doesn&#8217t, we will know that it was not His hand that punished us—it was just something that happened to us by chance.&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_samuel/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> And see; if it goeth up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Watch to see if the chest goes on up the road to the Israelite town of Beth-Shemesh. If it goes back to its own country, you will know that it was the LORD who made us suffer so badly. But if the chest doesn't go back to its own country, then the LORD had nothing to do with the disease that hit us--it was simply bad luck. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> And see, if it goeth up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> but then watch where it goes. If it goes up the road to its own country toward Beth Shemesh, then this disaster is the LORD's doing. But if not, we'll know it wasn't his hand that struck us, but what happened to us was an accident." <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then watch it go; if it goes toward the town of Beth Shemesh, this means that it is the God of the Israelites who has sent this terrible disaster on us. But if it doesn't, then we will know that he did not send the plague; it was only a matter of chance." <a href="/isv/1_samuel/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> Keep watching it. If it goes up along the road to its own territory to Beth-shemesh, it's the LORD who has done this great evil to us. But if it does not, then we will know that he wasn't pressuring us. It happened to us as a natural event." <a href="/msb/1_samuel/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> but keep watching it. If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us and that it happened by chance.? <a href="/net/1_samuel/6.htm">NET Bible</a> But keep an eye on it. If it should go up by the way of its own border to Beth Shemesh, then he has brought this great calamity on us. But if that is not the case, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us; rather, it just happened to us by accident." <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And watch; if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth Shemesh, then he has done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it was a chance that happened to us." <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know, that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. <a href="/web/1_samuel/6.htm">World English Bible</a> Behold, if it goes up by the way of its own border to Beth Shemesh, then he has done us this great evil; but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us. It was a chance that happened to us.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and you have seen if it goes up the way of its own border, to Beth-Shemesh—He has done this great evil to us; and if not, then we have known that His hand has not come against us; it has been an accident to us.” <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and ye have seen, if the way of its own border it goeth up to Beth-Shemesh -- He hath done to us this great evil; and if not, then we have known that His hand hath not come against us; an accident it hath been to us.' <a href="/slt/1_samuel/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And see if it shall go up the way of its bound to the House of the Sun, it did to us this great evil: and if not we shall know that not his hand struck upon us; it was a chance to us.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And you shall look: and if it go up by the way of his own coasts towards Bethsames, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, we shall know that it is not his hand hath touched us, but it hath happened by chance. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And you shall watch. And if, indeed, it ascends by the way of his own parts, toward Beth-shemesh, then he has done this great evil to us. But if not, then we shall know that it is by no means his hand that has touched us, but instead it happened by chance.” <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/6.htm">New American Bible</a> Then watch! If it goes up to Beth-shemesh along the route to the LORD’s territory, then it was the LORD who brought this great calamity upon us; if not, we will know that it was not the LORD’s hand, but a bad turn, that struck us.” <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And watch; if it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth-shemesh, then it is he who has done us this great harm; but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And watch, for if it goes up by the way of the border which goes up to Beth-shemesh, then it is the LORD who has done us this great evil; but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that afflicted us, but it has happened to us by chance. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And see, if it goes on the road of the border that goes up to Bayth Shemesh, LORD JEHOVAH has done this great evil to us, and if not, we will know that it was not his hand that has come to us, but it was chance to us”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And see, if it goeth up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then He hath done us this great evil; but if not, then we shall know that it is not His hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us.' <a href="/sep/1_samuel/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And ye shall see, if it shall go the way of its coasts along by Baethsamys, he has brought upon us this great affliction; and if not, then shall we know that his hand has not touched us, but this is a chance which has happened to us. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/6-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=1454" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/6.htm">The Ark Returned to Israel</a> …8Take the ark of the LORD, set it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending Him as a guilt offering. Then send the ark on its way, 9<a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: ū·rə·’î·ṯem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">but keep watching it.</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ya·‘ă·leh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">it goes up</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">the road</a> <a href="/hebrew/1366.htm" title="1366: gə·ḇū·lōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Border, boundary, territory. Or gbul; from gabal; properly, a cord, i.e. a boundary; by extens. The territory inclosed.">to its homeland,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1053.htm" title="1053: bêṯ (Prep) -- From bayith and shemesh; house of sun; Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1053.htm" title="1053: še·meš (N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and shemesh; house of sun; Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine.">toward Beth-shemesh,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">it is the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">who has brought</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">on us</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: haz·zōṯ (Art:: Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: hag·gə·ḏō·w·lāh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">great</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: hā·rā·‘āh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">disaster.</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">But if</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">it does not,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: wə·yā·ḏa‘·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">then we will know</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">it was not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">His hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/5060.htm" title="5060: nā·ḡə·‘āh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. Lay the hand upon; by implication, to reach; violently, to strike.">that punished</a> <a href="/hebrew/bā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">us</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">and that it</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">happened</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4745.htm" title="4745: miq·reh (N-ms) -- Accident, chance, fortune. From qarah; something met with, i.e. An accident or fortune.">by chance.”</a> 10So the men did as instructed. They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and penned up their calves.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/8-19.htm">Exodus 8:19</a> “This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said. <a href="/judges/6-37.htm">Judges 6:37-40</a> then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” / And that is what happened. When Gideon arose the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. / Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me; let me speak one more time. Please allow me one more test with the fleece. This time let it be dry, and the ground covered with dew.” ... <a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a> Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. <a href="/2_kings/1-2.htm">2 Kings 1:2-3</a> Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers and instructed them: “Go inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this injury.” / But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’ <a href="/isaiah/7-11.htm">Isaiah 7:11-14</a> “Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” / Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? ... <a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">Matthew 12:38-39</a> Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” / Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. <a href="/luke/11-29.htm">Luke 11:29-30</a> As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. / For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation. <a href="/john/6-30.htm">John 6:30-31</a> So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? / Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” <a href="/acts/5-38.htm">Acts 5:38-39</a> So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail. / But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.” <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a> For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">1 Corinthians 1:22</a> Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, <a href="/hebrews/2-4.htm">Hebrews 2:4</a> and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. <a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a> Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. <a href="/exodus/4-1.htm">Exodus 4:1-5</a> Then Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to my voice? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” / And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. / “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21-22</a> You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?” / When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And see, if it goes up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he has done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us.Beth-shemesh<a href="/joshua/15-10.htm">Joshua 15:10</a> And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:<a href="/joshua/21-16.htm">Joshua 21:16</a> And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.he.<a href="/amos/3-6.htm">Amos 3:6</a> Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?we shall<a href="/1_samuel/6-3.htm">1 Samuel 6:3</a> And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.not his hand<a href="/isaiah/26-11.htm">Isaiah 26:11</a> LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.a chance<a href="/2_samuel/1-6.htm">2 Samuel 1:6</a> And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.<a href="/2_samuel/1-6.htm">2 Samuel 1:6</a> And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:11</a> I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/18-28.htm">Beth</a> <a href="/judges/1-33.htm">Bethshemesh</a> <a href="/joshua/21-16.htm">Beth-Shemesh</a> <a href="/judges/1-33.htm">Beth-She'mesh</a> <a href="/judges/19-29.htm">Border</a> <a href="/judges/15-15.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/judges/11-20.htm">Coast</a> <a href="/judges/20-41.htm">Disaster</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-23.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-5.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/15-3.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-5.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/1-33.htm">Shemesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-4.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-1.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/ruth/2-9.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm">Watching</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-8.htm">Way</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-18.htm">Work</a> <a href="/judges/9-31.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/6-12.htm">Beth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-12.htm">Bethshemesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-12.htm">Beth-Shemesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-13.htm">Beth-She'mesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-12.htm">Border</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-7.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-13.htm">Coast</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-17.htm">Disaster</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-6.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-12.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-7.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-2.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-12.htm">Shemesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-19.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-19.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-13.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-11.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-21.htm">Watching</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-12.htm">Way</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-12.htm">Work</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-25.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 6</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/6-1.htm">After seven months the Philistines take counsel how to send back the ark</a> 10. <a href="/1_samuel/6-10.htm">They bring it on a new cart with an offering unto Beth Shemesh</a> 19. <a href="/1_samuel/6-19.htm">The people are smitten for looking into the ark</a> 21. <a href="/1_samuel/6-21.htm">They send to them of Kiriath Jearim to fetch it</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>but keep watching it. The Philistines were instructed to observe the path of the cart carrying the Ark of the Covenant. This reflects the ancient practice of seeking signs to discern divine will. Watching for signs was common in the ancient Near East, as seen in other biblical narratives like Gideon's fleece (<a href="/judges/6-36.htm">Judges 6:36-40</a>).If it goes up the road to its homeland, The road to Beth-shemesh was a direct route from the Philistine territory back to Israelite land. The Philistines were testing whether the cows, untrained and separated from their calves, would take the unusual step of heading straight to Israel, indicating divine intervention.toward Beth-shemesh, Beth-shemesh was a Levitical city in the territory of Judah (<a href="/joshua/21-16.htm">Joshua 21:16</a>). Its name means "house of the sun," and it was strategically located near the border of Philistine territory. Archaeological evidence suggests it was a significant settlement during the time of the judges and early monarchy.it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. The Philistines acknowledged the possibility that the calamities they experienced were acts of the God of Israel. This reflects a recognition of Yahweh's power, similar to the acknowledgment by Pharaoh in <a href="/exodus/8-19.htm">Exodus 8:19</a>. The "great disaster" refers to the plagues and afflictions that had befallen them since capturing the Ark.But if it does not, This part of the test was to determine if the events were merely coincidental. The Philistines were seeking to discern between divine causation and random chance, a common concern in ancient cultures when interpreting omens.then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us The Philistines were attempting to differentiate between divine judgment and natural occurrences. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God's hand is often discerned through signs and wonders, as seen in the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12).and that it happened by chance.” The concept of chance or randomness is addressed in various parts of Scripture, often contrasted with divine sovereignty. <a href="/proverbs/16-33.htm">Proverbs 16:33</a> states, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD," emphasizing God's control over seemingly random events.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a> The people who captured the Ark of the Covenant and experienced plagues as a result. 2. <a href="/topical/a/ark_of_the_covenant.htm">Ark of the Covenant</a> The sacred chest representing God's presence, captured by the Philistines. 3. <a href="/topical/b/beth-shemesh.htm">Beth-shemesh</a> A town in Israelite territory where the Ark was to be returned. 4. <a href="/topical/c/cows.htm">Cows</a> Two milk cows were used to carry the Ark back to Israelite territory, serving as a test of divine intervention. 5. <a href="/topical/p/plagues.htm">Plagues</a> The afflictions that struck the Philistines, prompting them to return the Ark.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_sovereignty.htm">Divine Sovereignty</a> God's control over events is evident, as the Philistines sought to determine if their suffering was by His hand or by chance. <a href="/topical/t/testing_god's_will.htm">Testing God's Will</a> The Philistines' test with the cows illustrates human attempts to discern God's will, reminding us to seek His guidance in our decisions. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_acknowledgment.htm">Repentance and Acknowledgment</a> The Philistines' decision to return the Ark shows a recognition of God's power, prompting us to acknowledge His authority in our lives. <a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_and_holiness.htm">God's Presence and Holiness</a> The Ark symbolizes God's presence, reminding us of the reverence due to Him and the consequences of disregarding His holiness. <a href="/topical/p/providence_over_chance.htm">Providence Over Chance</a> The passage challenges the belief in chance, affirming that God orchestrates events according to His purpose.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 6</a> <a href="/q/any_external_proof_of_ark's_divine_sign.htm">In 1 Samuel 6:9, what evidence outside the text confirms the supposed divine sign for the Ark’s journey? </a> <a href="/q/can_a_touch_injure_jacob's_hip.htm">How is it scientifically plausible for Jacob’s hip to be permanently injured simply by a touch (Gen. 32:25)? </a> <a href="/q/how_does_1_sam_19_9_fit_a_good_god.htm">How could an 'evil spirit from the Lord' (1 Samuel 19:9) align with a belief in a benevolent God?</a> <a href="/q/why_'chidon'_in_chronicles,_'nachon'_in_samuel.htm">(1 Chronicles 13:9 vs. 2 Samuel 6:6) Why does Chronicles call the threshing floor 'Chidon,' while Samuel labels it 'Nachon,' and which is correct?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) It was a chance that happened to us.--The priests and diviners were not certain whether the plague had been sent by the offended God of Israel or had visited Philistia in the ordinary course of nature. This strange experiment would satisfy the minds of the Philistine people. If the cows, contrary to their expectation, kept on the road to Bethshemesh, this would be a sign that they were driven and guided by a Divine power, and it would be clear to all that the Ark was a dangerous possession, and that they were well rid of it. They would be assured then that the scourge they were suffering from came from the angry Israelite Deity. If, on the other hand, the animals, left to themselves, returned to their own stalls, which, evidently, the diviners expected would be the case--then the Philistines might safely retain the Ark, being confident that their late sufferings were simply the results of natural causes. It will be remembered (<a href="/1_samuel/6-7.htm" title="Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke, and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:">1Samuel 6:7</a>) that these were milch cows, whose calves were shut up in the stall. The diviners felt quite sure that the cows, left to their own instincts, would, unless driven by some Divine power, come back to their young ones in the stall. What the priests and diviners advised was done, and the next two verses (10 and 11) relate how the restoration of the Ark was carried out in the way prescribed above.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 9. - His own coast, or "border." The ark throughout this verse is spoken of as if it were itself a deity. Beth-shemesh - i.e. "the house of the sun," also called Irshemesh, "city of the sun" (<a href="/joshua/19-41.htm">Joshua 19:41</a>) - had evidently been in the time of the Canaanites the seat of this popular idolatry. It was now a city of the priests, situated in the tribe of Judah, on its northeastern border, next the tribe of Dan, and was the nearest Israelite town to Ekron. If, then, the kine, albeit unused to the yoke, left their calves behind, and drew the cart by the most direct route unto the land of Judah, they would give the required proof that the Philistines were smitten by the hand of Jehovah, and that it was no chance that had happened unto them. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/6-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>but keep watching it. וּרְאִיתֶ֗ם (ū·rə·’î·ṯem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not it goes up יַֽעֲלֶה֙ (ya·‘ă·leh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively the road דֶּ֨רֶךְ (de·reḵ) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action to its homeland, גְּבוּל֤וֹ (gə·ḇū·lōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1366.htm">Strong's 1366: </a> A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed toward Beth-shemesh, שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ (še·meš) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1053.htm">Strong's 1053: </a> Beth-shemesh -- 'sun temple', three places in Palestine, also a place in Egypt it is the LORD ה֚וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are who has brought עָ֣שָׂה (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make on us לָ֔נוּ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> this הַזֹּ֑את (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, great הַגְּדוֹלָ֖ה (hag·gə·ḏō·w·lāh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Great, older, insolent disaster. הָרָעָ֥ה (hā·rā·‘āh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil But if וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not it does not, לֹ֗א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no then we will know וְיָדַ֙עְנוּ֙ (wə·yā·ḏa‘·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know that כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction it was not לֹ֤א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no His hand יָדוֹ֙ (yā·ḏōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand that punished נָ֣גְעָה (nā·ḡə·‘āh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5060.htm">Strong's 5060: </a> To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike us בָּ֔נוּ (bā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> and that it ה֖וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are happened הָ֥יָה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be by chance.? מִקְרֶ֥ה (miq·reh) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4745.htm">Strong's 4745: </a> Something met with, an accident, fortune <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/6-9.htm">1 Samuel 6:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/6-9.htm">1 Samuel 6:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/6-9.htm">1 Samuel 6:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/6-9.htm">1 Samuel 6:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/6-9.htm">1 Samuel 6:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/6-9.htm">1 Samuel 6:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/6-9.htm">1 Samuel 6:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/6-9.htm">1 Samuel 6:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/6-9.htm">1 Samuel 6:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/6-9.htm">1 Samuel 6:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-9.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 6:9 Behold (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/6-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 6:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 6:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/6-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 6:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 6:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>