1 Samuel 6 15

1 Samuel 6:15 kjv

And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.

1 Samuel 6:15 nkjv

The Levites took down the ark of the LORD and the chest that was with it, in which were the articles of gold, and put them on the large stone. Then the men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices the same day to the LORD.

1 Samuel 6:15 niv

The Levites took down the ark of the LORD, together with the chest containing the gold objects, and placed them on the large rock. On that day the people of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the LORD.

1 Samuel 6:15 esv

And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD and the box that was beside it, in which were the golden figures, and set them upon the great stone. And the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices on that day to the LORD.

1 Samuel 6:15 nlt

Several men of the tribe of Levi lifted the Ark of the LORD and the chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors from the cart and placed them on the large rock. Many sacrifices and burnt offerings were offered to the LORD that day by the people of Beth-shemesh.

1 Samuel 6 verses

1 Samuel 6 15 Meaning

1 Samuel 6:15 describes a pivotal moment in the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Israelite territory from the Philistines. It details the authorized handling of the sacred Ark by the Levites, who carefully removed it, along with the coffer containing the golden trespass offerings, and placed them upon a specific large stone. Immediately following this, the men of Beth Shemesh, in accordance with the Law, offered burnt offerings and sacrifices to the Lord, marking a moment of worship, thanksgiving, and purification upon the Ark's re-entry.

1 Samuel 6 15 Context

1 Samuel 6:15 marks the resolution of the Ark's seven-month captivity among the Philistines. The preceding chapters (1 Sam 4-5) describe Israel's defeat, the Ark's capture, and the subsequent plagues brought upon the Philistine cities of Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron as divine judgment. Recognizing God's hand, the Philistine lords consulted their priests and diviners, who advised them to return the Ark with a "trespass offering" (guilt offering) of golden tumors and mice (1 Sam 6:1-5). This was meant to atone for their transgression and appease the God of Israel.They placed the Ark on a new cart pulled by two milk cows without calves, reasoning that if the cows went straight to Israelite territory, it was clearly the Lord's doing (1 Sam 6:7-9). The cows arrived in Beth Shemesh, a Levitical city in Judah (Joshua 21:16), known as "House of the Sun," ironically contrasting with its devotion to YHWH. The people were overjoyed at the Ark's arrival, signifying the return of God's presence to Israel. The verse immediately follows their rejoicing (1 Sam 6:13) and precedes the tragic event of the men of Beth Shemesh unlawfully looking into the Ark, resulting in a severe judgment (1 Sam 6:19-20). This historical and religious context underscores the extreme holiness of the Ark and the precise protocols for its handling and the subsequent worship.

1 Samuel 6 15 Word analysis

• And the Levites took down (וְהַלְוִיִּם הוֹרִידוּ, vehaLviyyim horidu):

  • Levites (L'viyyim): This specifies the tribe divinely appointed to handle sacred objects, especially the Ark. This action affirms the Mosaic Law, emphasizing adherence to divine regulations, unlike the Philistines' unpermitted transportation. Their presence ensures ritual purity and legitimacy of the actions.
  • took down (horidu): Implies careful removal or lowering, demonstrating reverence for the sacred object. This contrasts sharply with the Philistines merely placing it on a cart.

• the ark of the Lord (אֲרוֹן יְהוָה, 'Aron YHVH):

  • Ark ('Aron): The sacred chest symbolizing God's throne and presence among His people, containing the tablets of the Covenant. It is the focal point of Israelite worship.
  • Lord (YHVH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel and His unique authority over all creation, including the Philistines' plagues and the Ark's return.

• and the coffer that was with it (וְהָאַרְגַּז אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ, veha'argaz asher itto):

  • coffer ('argaz): A box or chest. This refers to the small box containing the Philistine's golden trespass offerings, sent as tribute and an acknowledgment of their guilt. Its presence emphasizes the Philistine's confession of wrongdoing.

• wherein the jewels of gold were (אֲשֶׁר־שָׁם כְּלֵי הַזָּהָב, asher-sham keley hazahav):

  • jewels of gold (keley hazahav): These were the five golden tumors and five golden mice, offered by the Philistines as a guilt/trespass offering (1 Sam 6:4). They symbolize the plagues inflicted upon the Philistines and their attempt to appease YHVH.

• and put them on the great stone (וַיָּשִׂמוּ אֹתוֹ עַל הָאֶבֶן הַגְּדוֹלָה, vayyasimu oto al ha'even haggedolah):

  • great stone ('even haggedolah): A significant, large stone in the field. It serves multiple purposes:
    • An impromptu, designated resting place for the sacred Ark and the offerings.
    • Potentially a makeshift altar for the immediate sacrifices.
    • A commemorative marker of this extraordinary event.

• and the men of Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the Lord. (וְאַנְשֵׁי בֵית־שֶׁמֶשׁ הֶעֱלוּ עֹלוֹת וַיִּזְבְּחוּ זְבָחִים בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לַיהוָה, ve'anshey Vet-Shemesh he'elu 'olot vayyizbechu zevachim bayyom hahu laYHVH):

  • men of Bethshemesh (anshey Vet-Shemesh): While the Levites handled the Ark, the community collectively participated in worship. Given Beth Shemesh was a Levitical city, this likely implies priestly oversight and direct involvement in the sacrifices, perhaps with congregational participation.
  • offered burnt offerings (he'elu 'olot): The 'olah (burnt offering) was completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication and atonement, indicating Israel's renewed consecration to God after the Ark's return.
  • sacrificed sacrifices (vayyizbechu zevachim): Refers to peace offerings (zevachim sh'lamim), where only parts were burned, and the rest was eaten by the worshippers and priests. These signified communion, thanksgiving, and reconciliation with God.
  • the same day unto the Lord (bayyom hahu laYHVH): Emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of their worship, demonstrating their profound gratitude and desire to correctly acknowledge God's hand in the Ark's return.

1 Samuel 6 15 Bonus section

The passage implicitly corrects two sets of "errors" or irregularities:

1. Philistine irregularities: They transported the Ark on a cart, pulled by milk cows – this was a desecration and not according to Israelite law, which required Levites to carry it on poles. However, God, in His sovereignty, used even their flawed method to accomplish His will and demonstrate His power (1 Sam 6:7-9). Once it arrived, proper Israelite procedures were to resume.
2. Initial Israelite irregularities: The priests had brought the Ark into battle without divine consultation (1 Sam 4:3-5), resulting in its capture. Here, with the Ark returned, Israel now has an opportunity to restore proper reverence and handling. This is foreshadowed by the Levites taking it down.

The large stone becoming a place for sacrifice points to early forms of worship where specific places could become holy due to divine encounters or significant events. It became a site of covenant renewal and rededication. The contrast between Beth Shemesh ("House of the Sun," a name perhaps hinting at pagan influence or ancient Canaanite worship) and its actions of immediately sacrificing to YHWH (the Lord) highlights the definitive victory of Israel's God over any pagan deity or association.

1 Samuel 6 15 Commentary

1 Samuel 6:15 marks the official and ceremonially correct re-entry of the Ark of the Covenant into Israelite worship after its profane captivity. The Levites, as mandated by the Mosaic Law, handled the Ark, affirming the divine order despite the Philistines' unconventional delivery method. Their action demonstrates respect for the sanctity of the Ark and establishes continuity with Israel's covenant obligations. The coffer with the golden objects, representing Philistine repentance, was treated as distinct but part of the momentous event, acknowledged before God. Placing the Ark and the offerings on the "great stone" likely served as a temporary, reverent altar and a memorial. The prompt burnt offerings and peace offerings signify both atonement for sin (Israel's general sin that led to the Ark's capture) and profound thanksgiving to the Lord for His miraculous intervention, demonstrating Beth Shemesh's immediate return to proper worship of YHVH. This episode serves as a vital lesson in proper worship, God's holiness, and His faithfulness in restoring His presence among His people.