CINXE.COM

<!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 6:2 the Philistines summoned the priests and diviners, saying, "What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how to send it back to its place."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/6-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/09_1Sa_06_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 6:2 - The Ark Returned to Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="the Philistines summoned the priests and diviners, saying, What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how to send it back to its place." /><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/6-2.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/6-2.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 2</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="/ad2.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/6-1.htm" title="1 Samuel 6:1">◄</a> 1 Samuel 6:2 <a href="/1_samuel/6-3.htm" title="1 Samuel 6:3">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, &#8220What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it back to its place.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the Philistines called in their priests and diviners and asked them, “What should we do about the Ark of the LORD? Tell us how to return it to its own country.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us with what we shall send it to its place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />the Philistines summoned the priests and diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how to send it back to its place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it to its place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, “What are we to do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we may send it to its place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, &#8220What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we shall send it to its place.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we shall send it to its place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the ark of Yahweh? Make us know how we shall send it to its place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners (seers), saying, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Let us know how we can send it <i>back</i> to its place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />the Philistines summoned the priests and the diviners and pleaded, “What should we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we can send it back to its place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />the Philistines summoned the priests and the diviners and pleaded, &#8220What should we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we can send it back to its place.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do with the ark of Jehovah? show us wherewith we shall sent it to its place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />the Philistines called in their priests and fortunetellers, and asked, "What should we do with this sacred chest? Tell us how to send it back where it belongs!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? shew us wherewith we shall send it to its place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />when the Philistines called for priests and people skilled in explaining omens. The Philistines asked, "What should we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how to return it to its [proper] place."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />the people called the priests and the magicians and asked, "What shall we do with the Covenant Box of the LORD? If we send it back where it belongs, what shall we send with it?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The Philistines summoned the priests and diviners and asked, "What should we do about the Ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it back to its place."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />the Philistines summoned the priests and diviners, saying, ?What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how to send it back to its place.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />the Philistines called the priests and the omen readers, saying, "What should we do with the ark of the LORD? Advise us as to how we should send it back to its place." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The Philistines called for the priests, and for the diviners, and for the magicians, saying, "What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it to its place."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us with what we shall send it to its place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, “What shall we do with Yahweh’s ark? Show us how we should send it to its place.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the Philistines call for priests and for diviners, saying, “What do we do to the Ark of YHWH? Let us know with what we send it to its place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the Philistines call for priests and for diviners, saying, 'What do we do to the ark of Jehovah? let us know wherewith we send it to its place?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Philisteim will call for the priests and for the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of Jehovah? make known to us in what we shall send it to its place?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying: What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? tell us how we are to send it back to its place? And they said: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying: “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Reveal to us in what manner we should send it back to its place.” And they said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />when they summoned priests and diviners to ask, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us what we should send back with it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us what we should send with it to its place.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the lords, saying, What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us by what means shall we send it to its place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Philistines, the Priests and the Tyrants called and they said: “What shall we do with the Ark of LORD JEHOVAH? Show us by what we shall send it to its place?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying: 'What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? declare unto us wherewith we shall send it to its place.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Philistines call their priests, and their prophets, and their enchanters, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the Lord? teach us wherewith we shall send it away to its place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/6-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=1362" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/6.htm">The Ark Returned to Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>When the ark of the LORD had been in the land of the Philistines seven months, <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: p̄ə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">the Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">summoned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: lak·kō·hă·nîm (Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">the priests</a> <a href="/hebrew/7080.htm" title="7080: wə·laq·qō·sə·mîm (Conj-w, Prep-l, Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to distribute, i.e. Determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine.">and diviners,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: na·‘ă·śeh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">shall we do</a> <a href="/hebrew/727.htm" title="727: la·’ă·rō·wn (Prep-l:: N-csc) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box.">with the ark</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: hō·w·ḏi·‘u·nū (V-Hifil-Imp-mp:: 1cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">Tell us</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: bam·meh (Prep-b:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">how</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: nə·šal·lə·ḥen·nū (V-Piel-Imperf-1cp:: 3mse) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">to send it back</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: lim·qō·w·mōw (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">to its place.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>They replied, “If you return the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it away empty, but by all means return it to Him with a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you will understand why His hand has not been lifted from you.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/7-11.htm">Exodus 7:11-12</a></span><br />But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. / Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/8-7.htm">Exodus 8:7</a></span><br />But the magicians did the same thing by their magic arts, and they also brought frogs up onto the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/9-11.htm">Exodus 9:11</a></span><br />The magicians could not stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and on all the Egyptians.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-12.htm">Exodus 12:12</a></span><br />On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a></span><br />Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Isaiah 19:3</a></span><br />Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/47-12.htm">Isaiah 47:12-13</a></span><br />So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! / You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-2.htm">Daniel 2:2</a></span><br />So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-7.htm">Daniel 4:7</a></span><br />When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners came in, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/5-7.htm">Daniel 5:7</a></span><br />The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Acts 8:9-11</a></span><br />Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-6.htm">Acts 13:6-8</a></span><br />They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16-18</a></span><br />One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-8.htm">2 Timothy 3:8</a></span><br />Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/9-20.htm">Revelation 9:20-21</a></span><br />Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. / Furthermore, they did not repent of their murder, sorcery, sexual immorality, and theft.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us with which we shall send it to his place.</p><p class="hdg">called</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/41-8.htm">Genesis 41:8</a></b></br> And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but <i>there was</i> none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/7-11.htm">Exodus 7:11</a></b></br> Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/47-12.htm">Isaiah 47:12,13</a></b></br> Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail… </p><p class="hdg">wherewith</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-9</a></b></br> Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, <i>and</i> bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/6-1.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-14.htm">Arts</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-15.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/judges/9-37.htm">Diviners</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-1.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-5.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-15.htm">Show</a> <a href="/judges/16-13.htm">Wherewith</a> <a href="/judges/5-29.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/6-3.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">Arts</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-9.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-6.htm">Diviners</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-4.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-11.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-9.htm">Show</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-8.htm">Wherewith</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-3.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/6-1.htm">After seven months the Philistines take counsel how to send back the ark</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/6-10.htm">They bring it on a new cart with an offering unto Beth Shemesh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/6-19.htm">The people are smitten for looking into the ark</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/6-21.htm">They send to them of Kiriath Jearim to fetch it</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>the Philistines summoned the priests and diviners</b><br>In ancient Near Eastern cultures, priests and diviners were often consulted for guidance on religious and spiritual matters. The Philistines, a seafaring people known for their conflicts with Israel, relied on these figures to interpret the will of their gods. This reflects a common practice of seeking supernatural insight during times of crisis. The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred object representing the presence of the God of Israel, and were experiencing calamities as a result. This consultation indicates their recognition of the ark's power and their desperation to appease the God of Israel.<p><b>saying, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD?</b><br>The Philistines' question reveals their acknowledgment of the ark's significance and their fear of the consequences of keeping it. The ark, central to Israelite worship, contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments and symbolized God's covenant with Israel. The Philistines' troubles, including plagues and the destruction of their idol Dagon, led them to seek a solution. This question underscores the tension between the Philistines' pagan practices and the power of the God of Israel, highlighting the ark's role as a divine instrument.<p><b>Tell us how to send it back to its place.”</b><br>The Philistines' desire to return the ark to its rightful place reflects their understanding that the ark belonged to the Israelites and their God. This request for guidance on how to return it safely indicates their fear of further divine retribution. The phrase "its place" refers to the ark's intended location among the Israelites, specifically in the tabernacle. This action foreshadows the eventual return of the ark to Israel and the restoration of proper worship. It also illustrates the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and the futility of opposing His will.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A group of people who were often in conflict with the Israelites. They had captured the Ark of the Covenant and were experiencing divine retribution as a result.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests_and_diviners.htm">Priests and Diviners</a></b><br>Religious figures among the Philistines who were consulted for spiritual guidance. They were tasked with determining how to return the Ark to the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ark_of_the_lord.htm">Ark of the LORD</a></b><br>The sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel. Its capture and presence among the Philistines brought calamity upon them.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/return_of_the_ark.htm">Return of the Ark</a></b><br>The event where the Philistines sought to return the Ark to the Israelites to alleviate the plagues they were experiencing.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who were the rightful custodians of the Ark. The return of the Ark was significant for them as it symbolized the restoration of God's presence among them.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_for_god's_presence.htm">Reverence for God's Presence</a></b><br>The Ark symbolized God's presence, and the Philistines' experience teaches us the importance of reverence and respect for the divine.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_godly_counsel.htm">Seeking Godly Counsel</a></b><br>The Philistines sought advice from their spiritual leaders. As Christians, we should seek godly counsel and wisdom in our decisions, especially when dealing with spiritual matters.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The plagues on the Philistines remind us that there are consequences for actions that go against God's will. Obedience to God brings peace and blessing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/restoration_and_repentance.htm">Restoration and Repentance</a></b><br>The return of the Ark signifies the possibility of restoration and reconciliation with God. We are encouraged to repent and seek restoration in our relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite being captured, the Ark's presence among the Philistines demonstrated God's sovereignty and power over all nations and peoples.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'ephod'_mean.htm">What does 'ephod' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_1_chr_16_and_2_sam_6_differ.htm">Why does 1 Chronicles 16 differ from 2 Samuel 6 in describing the Ark's journey and the people's offerings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reliable_is_the_urim_and_thummim_claim.htm">Exodus 28:30: How reliable is the claim about the Urim and Thummim, given the lack of concrete archeological evidence or consistent references elsewhere?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_sam_2_6_align_with_evidence.htm">In 1 Samuel 2:6, it states God 'kills and makes alive'--does this literal claim align with any scientific or historical evidence?</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>(2) <span class= "bld">What shall we do to the ark of the Lord?</span>--During the seven months which followed the great Philistine victory of Aphek, the Ark remained in the country of the enemies of Israel. It was removed from temple to temple in the various cities, but the same doom always followed it. The inhabitants of the city where was the Ark were smitten with deadly abscesses, in addition to which, from the statement in <a href="/1_samuel/6-5.htm" title="Why you shall make images of your tumors, and images of your mice that mar the land; and you shall give glory to the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.">1Samuel 6:5</a>, a plague of field-mice during the same period probably desolated the land. In their distress the Philistine rulers, determining to get rid of the fatal trophy of which they were once so proud, consulted their priests and diviners as to the most graceful and effective way of returning the captured Hebrew emblem. The "diviners" in the counsels of all the nations of antiquity occupy a distinguished place. We hear of them under different designations, as magicians, sorcerers, soothsayers, augurs, oracles, &c. They plied their strange trade, now with the aid of arrows, now with the entrails of slain animals, now with observation of the stars, now with the watching of natural signs, the flight of birds, &c. These men, who in one form or other dabbled in occult science, and perhaps here and there were aided by evil and unclean spirits, but who more frequently traded on the credulity and superstition of their fellows, occupied a considerable position among the nations of antiquity. We hear of them frequently among the Israelites, who seem to have adopted this class of advisers from the heathen nations around them. Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/3-2.htm" title="The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,">Isaiah 3:2</a>) specially mentions them, and reckons these diviners among the leading orders of the State. The English Version, however, with singular inconsistency, renders the word in that same passage by "prudent;" possibly, it has been ingeniously suggested, owing to the translators being displeased at finding the professors of a forbidden art ranked so highly among the chosen people.<p>In the first verse the LXX. add, "and the land swarmed with mice," another of the many explanatory additions so common in the Greek translation of the Hebrew.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/6-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">the Philistines</span><br /><span class="heb">פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ə·liš·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> </span><span class="str2">Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">summoned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרְא֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the priests</span><br /><span class="heb">לַכֹּהֲנִ֤ים</span> <span class="translit">(lak·kō·hă·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and diviners,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלַקֹּֽסְמִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·laq·qō·sə·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7080.htm">Strong's 7080: </a> </span><span class="str2">To distribute, determine by lot, magical scroll, to divine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַֽה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall we do</span><br /><span class="heb">נַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(na·‘ă·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with the ark</span><br /><span class="heb">לַאֲר֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(la·’ă·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> </span><span class="str2">A chest, ark</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD?</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Tell</span><br /><span class="heb">הוֹדִעֻ֕נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hō·w·ḏi·‘u·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">us how</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמֶּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(bam·meh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to send it back</span><br /><span class="heb">נְשַׁלְּחֶ֥נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(nə·šal·lə·ḥen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to its place.”</span><br /><span class="heb">לִמְקוֹמֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lim·qō·w·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing, a spot, a condition</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/6-2.htm">1 Samuel 6:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/6-2.htm">1 Samuel 6:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/6-2.htm">1 Samuel 6:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/6-2.htm">1 Samuel 6:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/6-2.htm">1 Samuel 6:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/6-2.htm">1 Samuel 6:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/6-2.htm">1 Samuel 6:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/6-2.htm">1 Samuel 6:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/6-2.htm">1 Samuel 6:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/6-2.htm">1 Samuel 6:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/6-2.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 6:2 The Philistines called for the priests (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/6-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 6:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 6:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/6-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 6:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 6:3" /></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>