1 Samuel - Caput 6

1 Samuel 6.1 fuit ergo arca Domini in regione Philisthinorum septem mensibus 1 Samuel 6.2 et vocaverunt Philisthim sacerdotes et divinos dicentes quid faciemus de arca Dei indicate nobis quomodo remittemus eam in locum suum qui dixerunt 1 Samuel 6.3 si remittitis arcam Dei Israhel nolite dimittere eam vacuam sed quod debetis reddite ei pro peccato et tunc curabimini et scietis quare non recedat manus eius a vobis 1 Samuel 6.4 qui dixerunt quid est quod pro delicto reddere debeamus ei responderuntque illi 1 Samuel 6.5 iuxta numerum provinciarum Philisthim quinque anos aureos facietis et quinque mures aureos quia plaga una fuit omnibus vobis et satrapis vestris facietisque similitudines anorum vestrorum et similitudines murium qui demoliti sunt terram et dabitis Deo Israhel gloriam si forte relevet manum suam a vobis et a diis vestris et a terra vestra 1 Samuel 6.6 quare gravatis corda vestra sicut adgravavit Aegyptus et Pharao cor suum nonne postquam percussus est tunc dimisit eos et abierunt 1 Samuel 6.7 nunc ergo arripite et facite plaustrum novum unum et duas vaccas fetas quibus non est inpositum iugum iungite in plaustro et recludite vitulos earum domi 1 Samuel 6.8 tolletisque arcam Domini et ponetis in plaustro et vasa aurea quae exsolvistis ei pro delicto ponetis in capsella ad latus eius et dimittite eam ut vadat 1 Samuel 6.9 et aspicietis et si quidem per viam finium suorum ascenderit contra Bethsames ipse fecit nobis malum hoc grande sin autem minime sciemus quia nequaquam manus eius tetigit nos sed casu accidit 1 Samuel 6.10 fecerunt ergo illi hoc modo et tollentes duas vaccas quae lactabant vitulos iunxerunt ad plaustrum vitulosque earum concluserunt domi 1 Samuel 6.11 et posuerunt arcam Dei super plaustrum et capsellam quae habebat mures aureos et similitudinem anorum 1 Samuel 6.12 ibant autem in directum vaccae per viam quae ducit Bethsames et itinere uno gradiebantur pergentes et mugientes et non declinabant neque ad dextram neque ad sinistram sed et satrapae Philisthinorum sequebantur usque ad terminos Bethsames 1 Samuel 6.13 porro Bethsamitae metebant triticum in valle et elevantes oculos viderunt arcam et gavisi sunt cum vidissent 1 Samuel 6.14 et plaustrum venit in agrum Iosue Bethsamitae et stetit ibi erat autem ibi lapis magnus et conciderunt ligna plaustri vaccasque inposuerunt super ea holocaustum Domino 1 Samuel 6.15 Levitae autem deposuerunt arcam Dei et capsellam quae erat iuxta eam in qua erant vasa aurea et posuerunt super lapidem grandem viri autem bethsamitae obtulerunt holocausta et immolaverunt victimas in die illa Domino 1 Samuel 6.16 et quinque satrapae Philisthinorum viderunt et reversi sunt in Accaron in die illa 1 Samuel 6.17 hii sunt autem ani aurei quos reddiderunt Philisthim pro delicto Domino Azotus unum Gaza unum Ascalon unum Geth unum Accaron unum 1 Samuel 6.18 et mures aureos secundum numerum urbium Philisthim quinque provinciarum ab urbe murata usque ad villam quae erat absque muro et usque ad Abel magnum super quem posuerunt arcam Domini quae erat usque in illa die in agro Iosue Bethsamitis 1 Samuel 6.19 percussit autem de viris bethsamitibus eo quod vidissent arcam Domini et percussit de populo septuaginta viros et quinquaginta milia plebis luxitque populus quod percussisset Dominus plebem plaga magna 1 Samuel 6.20 et dixerunt viri bethsamitae quis poterit stare in conspectu Domini Dei sancti huius et ad quem ascendet a nobis 1 Samuel 6.21 miseruntque nuntios ad habitatores Cariathiarim dicentes reduxerunt Philisthim arcam Domini descendite et ducite eam ad vos

1 Samuel : Caput 6

Return of the Ark to Israel

Chapter 6 of the book of 1 Samuel recounts the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Israel, a momentous event that highlights the undeniable power of the God of Israel. The Philistines, after enduring terrible trials, realize the greatness of this God and decide to return the Ark. This fascinating text addresses crucial themes such as divine recognition by pagan nations, the respect due to God, and the consequences of treating holy things lightly.

The Sovereignty of God

In 1 Samuel 6, we discover how God exercises His sovereign control over events. The Philistines, faced with plagues, seek to appease God's wrath by sending the Ark back. This story invites us to meditate on our own respect for sacred things.

Meditation on Scripture

To further our reflection on the themes of this chapter, we offer five related biblical passages:

Exodus 25:14-15

"Put the poles in the side rings of the ark to carry it. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be removed." This passage establishes the rules for transporting the Ark, which are unfortunately violated in 1 Samuel 6 when the Philistines place it on a chariot.

Numbers 4:15

"After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sacred objects and all their utensils, when the camp is moved, the Kohathites shall come and carry them, but they may not touch any sacred object; if they do, they shall die." This law, concerning the handling of sacred objects, explains why touching the Ark in 1 Samuel 6 was so serious.

2 Samuel 6:6-7

"When they came to the threshing floor of Nahm, Uzzah stretched out his arm and held the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah because of his irreverent act, and God struck him, and he died there, beside the ark of God." This subsequent event underscores the danger of mishandling the Ark, as shown in 1 Samuel 6.

Psalms 132:8

"Arise, O Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your power." This psalm reflects the importance of the Ark as a symbol of God's presence, a central theme of 1 Samuel 6.

1 Chronicles 13:9-10

"When they came to the threshing floor of Kidom, Uzzah stretched out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen were stumbling. The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and the Lord struck him because he had touched the ark." This parallel passage reinforces the sacredness of the Ark and the consequences of improper handling, as shown in 1 Samuel 6.

Conclusion

As we meditate on these passages, we are called to recognize God's power and respect the holy things around us. May our faith grow through this reflection and may we honor God's presence in our lives.