1 Samuel 6:2

“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.”

Historical Context: First, let’s consider the historical context of this verse. The events described in 1 Samuel 6 take place during the time of the judges in Israel. The Israelites had been in conflict with the Philistines, and in the previous chapter, they lost the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines in battle. The Philistines, being pagans, were unfamiliar with the ways of the God of Israel and were unsure how to handle the Ark.

Philistine Dilemma: In 1 Samuel 6:2, the Philistines called for their priests and diviners to seek advice on what to do with the Ark. They recognized that the Ark belonged to the “LORD,” referring to the God of Israel. However, they were unaware of the proper way to handle it or return it to its rightful place.

Seeking Guidance: The Philistines turned to their religious authorities, the priests and diviners, for counsel. In ancient times, diviners were often consulted for their supposed ability to communicate with deities or interpret signs and omens. The Philistines sought their guidance on how to handle the sacred Ark and return it safely to its place.

Spiritual Lessons: While this verse primarily provides historical context, we can draw some spiritual lessons from it:

• God’s Holiness: The Philistines recognized the Ark as belonging to the God of Israel, acknowledging His sacredness. The Ark represented God’s presence and covenant with His people. It serves as a reminder of God’s holiness and the importance of treating sacred things with reverence.
• Seeking Divine Wisdom: The Philistines turned to their religious authorities for guidance. This highlights the human desire to seek divine wisdom when faced with challenging or unfamiliar situations. As believers, we should also seek God’s wisdom through prayer, studying His Word, and seeking counsel from mature and knowledgeable believers when faced with difficult decisions.
• God’s Sovereignty: Despite the Philistines’ ignorance of God’s ways, God was ultimately in control. He orchestrated events to teach both the Israelites and the Philistines valuable lessons about His power and authority. This emphasizes God’s sovereignty over all nations, including those who may not acknowledge Him.
• Subsequent Events: In the subsequent verses of 1 Samuel 6, the Philistines receive instructions on how to return the Ark to Israel. They made a guilt offering of golden models of the tumors and rats that had plagued them, along with golden mice, as a symbolic gesture of repentance. They placed the Ark on a cart pulled by cows, which then led it back to Israelite territory. Through this process, God demonstrated His power and control over the situation, allowing the Philistines to return the Ark and learn from their experience.

Overall, 1 Samuel 6:2 presents a moment when the Philistines recognized the sacredness of the Ark and sought guidance on how to handle it. It provides insights into God’s holiness, the importance of seeking divine wisdom, and God’s sovereignty over all nations.