1 Samuel 6
DOYLYChap. VII. ver. 2. — while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, &c.] This is not to be understood of the whole time that the ark remained there; for it continued in this place till the time of David, 2 Sam. vi. 3, about forty-six years. Thus the expression, “it was twenty years,” refers to the time when “the house of Israel lamented after the Lord,” that is, were awakened to some sense of their duty, and began to seek the favour of God, and to lament their apostasy from Him. Bp. Patrick. Kirjath-jearim is expressly reckoned among the cities of Judah at Josh. xv. 60; lying in the north border of that tribe: the name means “the city of Jearim,” being taken from mount Jearim, upon or near which it lay. Dr. Wells.
— the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.] The
hearts, then a put away the strange gods and b Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and c serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
1 Samuel 6:5
- — to Mizpeh.] There were two or three places of this name, Josh. xv. 38; xviii. 26. This is supposed to have been in the confines of Benjamin and Judah. Dr. Wells.
1 Samuel 6:6
- — drew water, and poured it out] As this sentence refers to a day of humiliation and prayer, interpreters commonly expound the pouring out of water in connexion with the same. But conjectures about the meaning are various. Some think that they washed their bodies in water, signifying the purification of their bodies from the filthiness of sin; others, that this water was poured on the ground, in token of the expiation of their sin, which they hoped might be remembered no more, as water poured on the ground could no more be seen. However, it seems more probable that they poured out water in token of joy, after they had fasted and confessed their sins, as they were wont to do in the feast of tabernacles: to this custom Isaiah refers, Is. xii. 3, “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” There is the greater reason in this interpretation, because Samuel had just conveyed to them a promise of deliverance from the Philistines, on condition of their repentance; which made them rejoice in hope of it, because they did now sincerely turn to God. Bp. Patrick, Dr. Wells.
Both to CHRIST about 1120. a Josh. 24. 15, 23. b Judg. 2. 13. c Deut. 6. 4. Matt. 4. 10. Luke 4. 8. d Judg. 2. 11. not silent from us from crying. answered.
1 Samuel 6:9
- — by the way of his own coast] By the coast of the land of Israel, to Beth-shemesh, a city of Judah. Dr. Wells.
1 Samuel 6:10
- — and shut up their calves at home:] Natural instinct would have undoubtedly made the milch kine return home to their calves, if the hand of God had not led them in a contrary direction.
1 Samuel 6:19
- — because they had looked into the ark] God had strictly forbidden this, not only to the common people, but also to the sons of Levi, Numb. iv. 20. In this instance, their curiosity made them forget their duty; being desirous perhaps to discover whether the Philistines had taken out the tables of the covenant, or wishing to have a view of such an ancient sacred monument, written by God’s own hand. By. Patrick. It was a particular prohibition, Numb. iv. 20, that not only the common people, but even the Levites themselves, should not dare to look into the ark, or any other of the holy utensils belonging to the service of God, upon pain of death; and the severity of this law will not seem unreasonable, when it is considered, how much, in every nation, it has been accounted the greatest profaneness to obtrude into the mysteries of religion: and if the Philistines, for their irreverence to the ark, were treated with less rigour than the Beth-shemetes, it should be remembered, that the former were not instructed in the laws of God, nor placed under an obligation to observe them. Stackhouse. The ark dealt blows and death on every side; to Philistines, to Israelites; to both of them for profaning it, the one with their idol, the other with their eyes. It is a fearful thing to use the holy ordinances of God with an irreverent boldness: fear and trembling become us in our access to the majesty of the Almighty. By. Hall. The punishment which befell the men of Beth-shemesh for looking into the ark, tended to produce in the Israelites reverence and fear; and to make them sensible, that, if the Lord returned to dwell among them, they should take care not to provoke Him to wrath, lest His presence might become as fatal to them, as it was to the Philistines. It is a great advantage to have God present among us, in the signs of His covenant, and pledges of His grace and favour: but this engages us to reverence that holy and righteous God, lest by offending Him we expose ourselves to His vengeance. Ostervold. — fifty thousand and threescore and ten men.] This translation seems evidently wrong, and is caused by a transposition of the words. As Beth-shemesh was but a small village, it is improbable that it should contain as many inhabitants as are here mentioned to be slain. The interpretation of Bochart is far more reasonable, He smote threescore and ten men, fifty out of a thousand: meaning, that God was so indulgent as not to slay Eleazar is sanctified. The Israelites repent at Mizpeh. Before CHRIST about 1140.
and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.