MPV Commentary

The Philistines Counsel How to Send Back the Ark.

1. The ark of God had been in the country of the Philistines for seven months. Despite the calamities it had brought upon them, the Philistine lords were unwilling to relinquish such a valuable prize and tried every means to retain it with peace and safety, but in vain.

2-3. The Philistines called for the priests and diviners, who united all parties by recommending a course that would enable them to discriminate between the true character of the calamities and propitiate the incensed Deity for any acts of disrespect shown to His ark.

4. Five golden emerods (votive or thank offerings) were made in the form of metallic models or images of diseased body parts, a common practice among heathen nations. Similarly, five golden mice were created, with some identifying them as the jerboa or jumping mouse of Syria and Egypt, while others believed they represented the short-tailed field mouse that often swarms in Palestine.

5. The Philistines proposed to give glory to the God of Israel by presenting these propitiatory gifts, acknowledging His power and making reparation for the injury done to His ark. They also suggested lightening His hand from off their gods (Elohim).

6. The Philistines were reminded that they hardened their hearts like the Egyptians and Pharaoh, who had suffered appalling judgments.

7. To send back the ark, the Philistines decided to make a new cart for cleanliness and neatness, as well as to avoid using one that had been applied to meaner or more common services. They chose two milch kine (untrained heifers) to pull the cart, which would be unlikely to pursue a direct path to Israel.

8. The Philistines took the ark of the Lord and laid it upon the cart, along with a coffer containing their jewels by its side. This mode of carrying the sacred symbol was forbidden, but the ignorance of the Philistines made the indignity excusable.

9-12. Beth-shemesh, a city of priests in Judah, was chosen as the destination for the ark. The Philistine lords went after the cart to give their tribute of homage and prevent imposture. As they watched, the kine lowed, attesting their ardent longing for their young and the supernatural influence controlling their movements.

12. The result of this journey led to the deeper humiliation of the Philistines and a greater illustration of God's glory.

14. Upon arriving at Beth-shemesh, the people rejoiced irrepressibly and offered the kine as sacrifices, although contrary to the requirements of the law.

17-18. Five golden emerods were placed in the city of Abel (meaning "stone"), representing the five principal cities of the Philistines. The number of golden mice was greater, sent from walled towns as well as country villages.

19. God struck down seventy men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark, treating it with less reverence than the Philistines themselves.

21. Kirjath-jearim (the city of woods) was chosen as a more fitting place for the residence of the ark due to its strength and proximity to Beth-shemesh.