The Philistine priests and diviners advise returning the ark with a guilt offering of five golden tumors and five golden mice, placing it on a new cart pulled by two milk cows separated from their calves; if the cows go toward Beth-shemesh, they will know Israel's God struck them. The cows go straight to Beth-shemesh without turning; the Israelites there rejoice, sacrifice the cows, and the Levites place the ark on a great stone. However, seventy men of Beth-shemesh die for looking into the ark, and the terrified people send to Kiriath-jearim to take it.
Read 1 Samuel Chapter 6 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Samuel
Last judge and prophet who anointed both Saul and David as kings
Saul
First king of Israel, whose disobedience led to his rejection by God
David
Shepherd boy anointed as future king, man after God's own heart
Jonathan
Saul's son who became David's closest friend despite the rivalry
Hannah
Samuel's mother who prayed for a son and dedicated him to God
Pharaoh (of Exodus)
Ruler of Egypt during the Exodus
Joshua the High Priest
First High Priest of the Second Temple
Abel
First Martyr
Places in This Chapter
Gaza
View on MapGaza was one of the five major Philistine cities on the Mediterranean coast. Samson was taken here after his capture, where he pushed down the pillars of the temple of Dagon, killing himself and thousands of Philistines. Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch on the road to Gaza.
Gath
View on MapGath was one of the five major Philistine cities and the home of Goliath, the giant warrior who defied Israel. David fled to Gath to escape Saul and pretended to be insane before King Achish. The city was eventually conquered by David. The phrase "Tell it not in Gath" comes from David's lament over Saul and Jonathan.
Position in Book
Samuel's MinistryChapters 1-7
Samuel's birth and calling, the capture and return of the ark, Samuel as judge over Israel.
Saul's ReignChapters 8-15
David's RiseChapters 16-31