1 Samuel 6

Chapter Summary

The Philistines, after being afflicted with tumors and other plagues, decide to return the Ark of the Covenant to Israel, along with an offering of gold tumors and rats (1 Samuel 6:1-18). The Ark is returned to Beth-shemesh, where the men of the city look into the Ark, resulting in the deaths of 50,070 men (1 Samuel 6:19). The chapter concludes with the Ark being moved to Kiriath-jearim, where it remains for 20 years, and the Israelites mourning the loss of their loved ones (1 Samuel 6:20-21). The return of the Ark and the consequences of disobedience serve as a reminder of God's power and the importance of obeying His commands.

Context for the Chapter

This chapter is part of the larger narrative of 1 Samuel, which describes the transition of leadership from the judges to the kings of Israel. The return of the Ark of the Covenant serves as a reminder of God's power and the importance of obeying His commands, and sets the stage for the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. The chapter is also connected to the larger biblical narrative, as it highlights the theme of God's holiness and the consequences of disobedience, which is a central theme throughout the Bible.

Heart Application

The chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of obeying God's commands and the consequences of disobedience. As believers, we are called to obey God's commands and to reverence His holiness, recognizing that disobedience can have severe consequences. The chapter encourages us to examine our hearts and to ensure that we are living in obedience to God's commands.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

This chapter tells the story of the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Israel after being in Philistine territory for seven months. The Philistines, who had taken the Ark, are afflicted with tumors and other plagues, and they finally decide to return it along with an offering to appease God. The chapter highlights the importance of obeying God's commands and the consequences of disobedience, as seen in the deaths of the men of Beth-shemesh who looked into the Ark (1 Samuel 6:19).

Voices from the Church

“The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God's presence and power, and the consequences of disobedience serve as a reminder of the importance of obeying God's commands.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The affliction of the Philistines and the consequences of disobedience for the men of Beth-shemesh serve as a warning to all people to reverence God's holiness and to obey His commands.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. The Philistines Return the Ark (1 Samuel 6:1-9) — The Philistines, after being afflicted with tumors and other plagues, decide to return the Ark to Israel, along with an offering of gold tumors and rats.
2. The Ark is Returned to Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6:10-12) — The Ark is returned to Beth-shemesh, where the men of the city look into the Ark, resulting in the deaths of 50,070 men.
3. The Ark is Moved to Kiriath-jearim (1 Samuel 6:13-18) — The Ark is moved to Kiriath-jearim, where it remains for 20 years, and the Israelites mourn the loss of their loved ones.
4. The Consequences of Disobedience (1 Samuel 6:19) — The chapter concludes with the deaths of the men of Beth-shemesh who looked into the Ark, serving as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience.
5. The Israelites Mourn the Loss of Their Loved Ones (1 Samuel 6:20-21) — The chapter concludes with the Israelites mourning the loss of their loved ones, and the Ark remaining in Kiriath-jearim for 20 years.

Core Doctrines

The Holiness of God

The chapter highlights the holiness of God, as seen in the consequences of disobedience for the men of Beth-shemesh who looked into the Ark.

The Importance of Obedience

The chapter emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commands, as seen in the consequences of disobedience for those who do not obey.

The Power of God

The chapter highlights the power of God, as seen in the affliction of the Philistines and the consequences of disobedience for the men of Beth-shemesh.

The Foreshadowing of Christ

The Ark of the Covenant serves as a foreshadowing of Christ, who is the ultimate manifestation of God's presence and power.

Lessons from 1 Samuel 6

1. The Importance of Obedience — The chapter teaches us about the importance of obeying God's commands, and the consequences of disobedience.
2. The Power of God — The chapter highlights the power of God, as seen in the affliction of the Philistines and the consequences of disobedience for the men of Beth-shemesh.
3. The Holiness of God — The chapter emphasizes the holiness of God, and the importance of reverencing His holiness.
4. The Foreshadowing of Christ — The Ark of the Covenant serves as a foreshadowing of Christ, who is the ultimate manifestation of God's presence and power.
5. The Importance of Reverencing God's Holiness — The chapter teaches us about the importance of reverencing God's holiness, and the consequences of not doing so.

Themes from 1 Samuel 6

1. God's Power and Holiness — The chapter highlights God's power and holiness, as seen in the affliction of the Philistines and the consequences of disobedience for the men of Beth-shemesh.
2. The Importance of Obedience — The chapter emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commands, and the consequences of disobedience.
3. The Foreshadowing of Christ — The Ark of the Covenant serves as a foreshadowing of Christ, who is the ultimate manifestation of God's presence and power.
4. The Consequences of Disobedience — The chapter highlights the consequences of disobedience, as seen in the deaths of the men of Beth-shemesh who looked into the Ark.
5. The Importance of Reverencing God's Holiness — The chapter teaches us about the importance of reverencing God's holiness, and the consequences of not doing so.

Questions for Meditation

1. What can we learn from the Philistines' experience with the Ark of the Covenant about the importance of obeying God's commands?
2. How does the chapter highlight the holiness of God, and what are the consequences of disobedience?
3. What does the chapter teach us about the power of God, and how can we apply this to our lives?
4. How does the Ark of the Covenant serve as a foreshadowing of Christ, and what are the implications of this for our understanding of God's presence and power?
5. What are some ways that we can reverence God's holiness and obey His commands in our daily lives?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on 1 Samuel 6

	Sermon	Description
	God Is Training a Holy Remnant by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the scarcity of true men of God who walk with God, seek His face, and speak His word without manipulation or greed. He highlights the need fo
	Shocking Youth Message Stuns Hearers by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher questions why so many people claim to have encountered Jesus Christ but are not permanently changed. He emphasizes the importance of genuine transforma
	The Unrelenting Humility of God by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the scene of worship described in Revelation chapter 4. The worship is directed towards the God of all creation, with thunderings, lightning
	The Cross-Centered Life, Part 2 by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living for the glory of God in all aspects of life. They share their personal journey of walking with the Lord and express
	(1 Samuel) the Holiness of God by David Guzik	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the human fascination with the supernatural and the desire to know something beyond our earthly existence. He relates this to the modern fasc
	(The Path of the Ark #3) God Rejects Flesh by Ed Miller	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of God speaking to the people of Israel after a long period of silence. The chapter being referred to is chapter 4 of a parti
	(1 Samuel) What Happens by Chance by David Guzik	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and sovereignty of God. He highlights the contrast between chance and the God who lives in heaven, asserting that God is in contro
	(The Path of the Ark #4) Christ Preeminent by Ed Miller	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the Ark of the Covenant and the Philistines' defeat of Israel. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the spiritu
	The Intrusion of Natural Life in the Service of God by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the danger of allowing natural life and worldly methods to intrude into the service of God, warning that Christianity has often become a mere outward sy
	And the Kine Went Along the Highway, by F.B. Meyer	F.B. Meyer emphasizes the divine guidance evident in the story of the kine that moved along the highway, illustrating how God can direct even the most instinctual behaviors to fulf

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 Samuel 6

In this chapter, we see the Philistines, who had taken the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites, afflicted with tumors and other plagues. The Philistines, recognizing that their affliction was a result of their disobedience, decide to return the Ark to Israel, along with an offering to appease God. The chapter highlights the importance of obeying God's commands and the consequences of disobedience, as seen in the deaths of the men of Beth-shemesh who looked into the Ark. The return of the Ark serves as a reminder of God's power and the importance of reverencing His holiness. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The ark was a symbol of God's presence, and the Philistines' affliction was a demonstration of His power.' The chapter teaches us about the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of reverencing God's holiness. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?