1 Samuel 6:12

“And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.”

This verse is part of the narrative of the return of the Ark of the Covenant to the Israelites by the Philistines. To fully understand the significance of this verse, it’s helpful to provide some context from the preceding verses.

Samuel 6:1-12 tells the story of how the Philistines, after capturing the Ark of the Covenant during a battle with the Israelites, decided to return it due to the calamities that befell them wherever the Ark was present. In their attempt to return it, they placed the Ark on a cart pulled by two cows that had never been yoked. The Philistines devised a test to determine whether the God of Israel was responsible for the plagues they had experienced or if it was mere coincidence.

The kine (cows) took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh: The cows, guided by God’s intervention, instinctively and miraculously traveled directly to Bethshemesh. Despite not having been trained or yoked for this task, they followed the divine leading, reflecting God’s sovereignty over creation. This demonstrates God’s power to work through even ordinary creatures to accomplish His purposes.

The cows went along the highway, lowing as they went: The cows moved forward, making their way along the established path, emitting lowing sounds. This behavior highlights their recognition of the separation from their calves (which were left behind in Philistine territory) and their yearning to return to their homeland. The lowing can also be seen as a form of praise to God for His intervention and their successful journey.

The cows turned not aside to the right hand or to the left: Another remarkable aspect of this verse is the cows’ unwavering determination to stay on course. Their obedience to the divine leading is evident as they neither deviated to the right nor to the left. This emphasizes the faithfulness and commitment of these animals in fulfilling God’s purposes, contrasting the disobedience and arrogance displayed by the Philistines.

The lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh: The Philistine lords, witnessing this extraordinary event, followed the cows until they reached the border of Bethshemesh. Their purpose was likely to confirm the outcome of the test and witness the return of the Ark to Israelite territory. This demonstrates the acknowledgment of God’s power and the necessity for the Philistines to observe the resolution of the situation.

In summary, 1 Samuel 6:12 captures a pivotal moment in the story of the return of the Ark of the Covenant. It highlights God’s sovereignty and intervention through the obedience of the cows, which miraculously led them directly to Bethshemesh. The verse also showcases the Philistine lords’ recognition of God’s power and their acknowledgment of His involvement in the events that had transpired. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of God’s ability to use ordinary means to accomplish His purposes and the importance of recognizing His sovereignty in our lives.