1 Samuel 6 2

1 Samuel 6:2 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 6:2 nkjv

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."

1 Samuel 6:2 niv

the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, "What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it back to its place."

1 Samuel 6:2 esv

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."

1 Samuel 6:2 nlt

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."

1 Samuel 6 verses

1 Samuel 6 2 Meaning

The Philistines, suffering divine judgment and unable to cope with the presence of the Ark of the Lord, gathered their religious experts—their own priests and diviners—to seek counsel. Overwhelmed by the calamities, they urgently inquire about the proper course of action for dealing with the Ark and how they should send it back to its rightful place, implicitly acknowledging its powerful connection to the God of Israel. Their question reveals their perplexity, fear, and desire for an exact method to end their affliction.

1 Samuel 6 2 Context

This verse appears after seven months of severe suffering endured by the Philistine cities that had housed the Ark of the Lord (1 Sam 6:1). After the Ark was captured from Israel, it was brought to Ashdod where it humiliated the Philistine god Dagon, breaking his idol before the Ark twice (1 Sam 5:1-5). Subsequently, the Lord struck Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron with devastating tumors and widespread panic, leading to high mortality (1 Sam 5:6-12). The Philistines had previously tried to move the Ark from city to city, only to spread the plague. Now, their frustration and desperation reached a climax, recognizing that their suffering was directly attributable to the presence of the Ark of the God of Israel. This verse marks their collective decision to seek professional religious guidance within their own pagan framework on how to rid themselves of this powerful, terrifying object.

1 Samuel 6 2 Word Analysis

• Then the Philistines (וַיִּקְרְאוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים, vayyiqre'u Pelishtim):
  • Philistines: The Pelishtim were Israel's persistent enemies, culturally distinct from the Semitic peoples. Their action here signifies a corporate decision driven by desperation and the complete failure of their own military and religious strength against the Ark. Their collective suffering forced this united front.
• called for (וַיִּקְרְאוּ, vayyiqre'u):
  • Means "to summon" or "to assemble." This verb suggests a formal, authoritative convocation, indicating the gravity and urgency of the situation requiring the highest religious expertise in their society. It was not a casual consultation.
• the priests (הַכֹּהֲנִים, hakohanim) and the diviners (וְהַקֹּסְמִים, v'haqosemim):
  • Priests (kohanim): Though sharing the same Hebrew term as Israelite priests, these were servants of pagan deities (likely Dagon, Baal, etc.), overseeing cultic rites and sacrifices. Their role was to mediate between people and their gods according to Philistine religious traditions.
  • Diviners (qosemim): Individuals who practiced various forms of divination (interpreting omens, portents, dreams, natural phenomena, casting lots, necromancy) to discern divine will or gain secret knowledge. This practice was a fundamental aspect of pagan religiosity, seeking to manipulate or understand the hidden forces of their gods, in stark contrast to God's direct revelation in Israel. Their inclusion highlights the Philistine's pagan worldview and their search for mystical or magical solutions. The Mosaic Law strictly forbade such practices (Deut 18:9-12).
  • Grouped: The consultation of both priests and diviners underscores the Philistines' complete reliance on their established pagan religious system for guidance, hoping that through these experts, they could find a ritualistic or mystical way to appease the unknown powerful entity causing their affliction. This is a direct literary and theological contrast to Israel, who would ideally consult the Lord directly through prophets, Urim and Thummim, or their own legitimate priests.
• saying (לֵאמֹר, lemor):
  • A common Hebrew introductory particle, simply meaning "to say," introducing the direct speech of the Philistines to their religious experts.
• “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord (מַה נַּעֲשֶׂה לַאֲרוֹן יְהוָה, mah na'aseh la'aron YHWH)?
  • What shall we do? (mah na'aseh): Expresses profound bewilderment, helplessness, and a desperate cry for practical instructions. They are out of their depth, facing a problem their own gods cannot solve and their usual methods of warfare cannot conquer.
  • ark of the Lord (la'aron YHWH): This is a significant confession from the Philistines. They identify the Ark not merely as "an ark" or "the Israelite ark" but specifically as the "Ark of YHWH" – the covenant name of God. This indicates their grudging acknowledgment of its association with the distinct, powerful God of Israel, whom they have come to fear. It shows that even pagans were forced to recognize the uniqueness of YHWH.
  • Full phrase: This rhetorical question encapsulates their dilemma. The Ark is not a military trophy but a source of judgment, prompting them to seek a solution that is both religious and pragmatic, to mitigate divine wrath.
• Tell us how we should send it to its place (הוֹדִעוּנוּ אֵיךְ נְשַׁלְּחֶנּוּ אֶל מְקוֹמוֹ, hod'i'unu eich n'shall'chennu el m'qomo).”
  • Tell us how (hod'i'unu eich): "Inform us, make us know, by what method." They are looking for precise instructions, a specific protocol or ritual that would ensure a safe removal without incurring further judgment. This points to their superstition and desire for an orderly solution rather than haphazard action.
  • we should send it (n'shall'chennu): "To dispatch," "to release," or "to send away." This emphasizes their fervent desire to be rid of the Ark, which has brought only disaster. It’s a concession to the God of Israel.
  • to its place (el m'qomo): Refers to the Ark's proper location within Israelite territory, acknowledging it does not belong with them and should return to its home. This is another subtle acknowledgment of Israel's God and His ownership.
  • Full phrase: This segment reveals the Philistines' intention: not to return it casually, but correctly, according to specific guidelines. Their motivation is not piety towards YHWH, but a pragmatic attempt to halt the devastating plagues and re-establish normalcy.

1 Samuel 6 2 Bonus section

• The Philistine's reference to the "ark of the Lord" (YHWH) is highly significant. This specific name for the God of Israel would have been known to them through previous conflicts, but now they attribute the calamities directly to this specific Deity, not just "the God of Israel." It shows a coerced recognition of His distinct power.
• The Philistines, like Pharaoh in Exodus, were forced by God's escalating judgment to inquire of their religious specialists about divine will concerning His sacred objects. Both pagan powers eventually realized they must send God's people/presence away.
• The irony is palpable: the Philistines captured the Ark to secure victory and subjugate Israel, but God used the very "trophy" to inflict a humbling, internal defeat on their cities and religious systems, compelling them to return it themselves. This foreshadows a recurring theme in the Bible: God defending His name and glory, even when His people are in disgrace or disobedience.

1 Samuel 6 2 Commentary

1 Samuel 6:2 powerfully illustrates the profound impact of God's sovereignty on a pagan nation. The Philistines, having confidently seized the Ark as a symbol of their triumph, quickly learned it was not a mere idol but the locus of divine judgment and irresistible power. Their consultation of priests and diviners highlights the cultural chasm between them and Israel: while Israel was called to seek God directly through His revealed Word and authorized mediators, the Philistines relied on a superstitious system of interpreting omens and manipulating spiritual forces. This reliance, while culturally typical, underscores the futility of human wisdom or pagan spiritualism against the true and living God. The very questions they pose—"What shall we do?" and "How shall we send it?"—reveal their fear-filled desperation and a grudging acknowledgment of YHWH's overwhelming power, compelling them to consider actions aligned with His divine will, even though they remain unbelievers. This verse marks the turning point where the Philistines transition from possessing to desperately expelling the Ark, an outcome achieved by divine intervention without Israelite military action.