When the ark of the LORDThe ark of the LORD, also known as the Ark of the Covenant, was a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. It symbolized God's presence and covenant with Israel. The ark was central to Israelite worship and was kept in the Holy of Holies within the tabernacle. Its capture by the Philistines was a significant event, indicating a period of spiritual decline for Israel. The ark's presence among the Philistines demonstrated God's sovereignty and power, even outside Israel.
had been in the land of the Philistines
The Philistines were a confederation of sea peoples who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan. They were often in conflict with the Israelites. The capture of the ark by the Philistines occurred after the Israelites were defeated in battle at Ebenezer (1 Samuel 4). The ark was taken to several Philistine cities, including Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron, causing plagues and distress wherever it went. This movement of the ark among the Philistine cities highlights the futility of their attempts to control or benefit from the ark, as it brought calamity rather than blessing.
seven months
The duration of seven months signifies a complete period of time, often associated with divine intervention or judgment in biblical literature. During these months, the Philistines experienced severe afflictions, including tumors and a plague of mice, as a direct consequence of possessing the ark. This period of suffering led the Philistines to recognize the power of the God of Israel and seek a way to return the ark to its rightful place. The number seven frequently appears in the Bible, symbolizing completeness or perfection, and in this context, it underscores the totality of the Philistines' experience with the ark.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The Ark of the LORDThe sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel.
2.
The PhilistinesA group of people who were enemies of Israel and had captured the Ark during a battle.
3.
The Land of the PhilistinesThe territory where the Philistines lived, which included five major cities: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron.
4.
Seven MonthsThe duration for which the Ark remained with the Philistines, during which they experienced plagues and misfortune.
5.
The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, whose presence was symbolized by the Ark and who demonstrated His power over the Philistines.
Teaching Points
The Sovereignty of GodThe Ark's presence in Philistine territory demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations. Despite being captured, God used the situation to reveal His power and authority.
The Consequences of DisobedienceThe Philistines' experience with the Ark serves as a reminder of the consequences of opposing God's will. It highlights the importance of reverence and obedience to God.
God's Presence and HolinessThe Ark symbolizes God's holy presence. Believers are called to approach God with reverence and purity, recognizing His holiness in their lives.
The Importance of RepentanceThe Philistines eventually sought to return the Ark, acknowledging their inability to withstand God's judgment. This underscores the need for repentance and turning back to God.
God's Faithfulness to His CovenantDespite Israel's failures, God remained faithful to His covenant, as symbolized by the Ark. Believers can trust in God's faithfulness even when they fall short.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 6:1?
2.How does 1 Samuel 6:1 demonstrate God's power over the Philistines' idols?
3.What lessons can we learn from the Philistines' handling of the Ark?
4.How does 1 Samuel 6:1 connect to God's sovereignty in Exodus?
5.How can we apply the Philistines' fear of God to our daily lives?
6.What does the Ark's presence in Philistine territory teach about God's holiness?
7.Why did the Ark of the LORD remain in Philistine territory for seven months?
8.What does 1 Samuel 6:1 reveal about God's power over the Philistines?
9.How does the Ark's presence in Philistine land challenge their belief in their gods?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 6?
11.What are emerods in the Bible?
12.Why does a just and loving God kill people merely for looking into the Ark in 1 Samuel 6:19?
13.In 1 Samuel 6:4, why are golden tumors and rats treated as valid offerings for atonement?
14.In 1 Samuel 6:9, what evidence outside the text confirms the supposed divine sign for the Ark's journey?What Does 1 Samuel 6:1 Mean
When- The opening adverb signals a turning point. After the plague-filled chaos of1 Samuel 5, the narrative pauses to show that God’s judgment was not momentary but sustained.
- Like the “when” ofGalatians 4:4, the Lord’s timetable is exact; He allows events to ripen until His purpose is clear.
- The Philistines endured seven months of tumors and terror (1 Samuel 5:6–12), proving that delay in repentance only prolongs suffering.
The ark of the LORD- Not a mere religious relic, the ark is introduced again as “of the LORD,” reminding readers ofExodus 25:22 where God said, “There I will meet with you.”
-1 Samuel 4:22 had lamented, “The glory has departed from Israel,” yet the glory never departed from the ark itself.
-2 Samuel 6:2 underscores its holiness: “the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the LORD of Hosts”. Wherever the ark goes, God’s sovereign presence goes.
Had been- The perfect tense highlights prolonged residency. For well over half a year the Philistines possessed what was never theirs to hold.
-1 Samuel 5:1 reveals how they seized it; verse 3 shows Dagon bowing before it; verse 6 records divine strikes. Every day of that seven-month span magnified God’s patience and power.
- Much like Obed-Edom later prospered while the ark stayed three months in his house (2 Samuel 6:11), the Philistines experienced the opposite because their hearts remained hardened.
In the land of the Philistines- God intentionally placed His throne in enemy territory.Judges 13:1 notes that Israel’s disobedience often delivered them into Philistine hands, yet even in captivity the Lord reigns.
-Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the LORD’s.” Pagan borders cannot fence Him out.
- By confounding Philistine gods (1 Samuel 5:4) and cities (5:10-12), He demonstratedExodus 12:12: “I will execute judgment on all the gods of Egypt”—and, by extension, on Philistia.
Seven months- Seven in Scripture often marks completeness (Genesis 2:2;Leviticus 23’s seventh-month feasts). Here it signals the full measure of Philistine misery before release.
- God could have rescued the ark instantly, yet seven months allowed every major Philistine city to taste judgment, vindicating His holiness universally (1 Samuel 5:8-12).
- The number also contrasts with the ark’s later three-month stay with Obed-Edom, where blessing, not curse, was complete (2 Samuel 6:11-12).
summary1 Samuel 6:1 reminds us that God’s throne, symbolized by the ark, remains His regardless of location or captor. He governs the calendar (“when”), the vessel (“the ark of the LORD”), the duration (“had been”), the geography (“in the land of the Philistines”), and the completeness of His dealings (“seven months”). The verse testifies to His unchallenged sovereignty, patient justice, and purposeful timing—truths still rock-solid for every believer today.
Verses 1, 2. -
The ark of Jehovah was in the country - literally, the field,
i.e. the territory -
of the Philistines seven months, during which long time the people wherever the ark was deposited were afflicted in their persons with a most painful malady. The princes determined, therefore, to restore it to Israel, and convened
the priests and the diviners, that they might advise them as to the manner in which this purpose should be best carried out, lest some error or want of due reverence might only serve to increase their sufferings. It would be the duty of the priests to see that the proper ceremonial was observed in moving the ark, while the diviners would decide what day and hour and special method would be lucky. The importance of the diviner,
qosem, is shown by his being mentioned in
Isaiah 3:2 in an enumeration of the leading orders in the state. He is placed there between the prophet and the elder or senator; but the A.V., displeased perhaps at finding one who practised a forbidden art nevertheless described as practically so valued, translates the word
prudent. Literally it means a
divider or
partitioner, because it was his office to separate things into the two classes of lucky and unlucky.
Tell us wherewith, etc, Though this translation is tenable, the right rendering is probably
how. The princes did not assume that gifts must accompany the ark, but inquired generally as to the best method of restoring it. So the answer of the priests and diviners is not merely that expiatory offerings are to be made, but that the ark is to be sent back in such a way as to give proof that Jehovah had intervened, or the contrary (vers. 7, 8, 9).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
When the arkאֲרוֹן־(’ă·rō·wn-)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727:A chest, arkof the LORDיְהוָ֛ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelhad beenוַיְהִ֧י(way·hî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bein the landבִּשְׂדֵ֥ה(biś·ḏêh)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7704:Field, landof the Philistinesפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים(p̄ə·liš·tîm)Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430:Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistiafor sevenשִׁבְעָ֥ה(šiḇ·‘āh)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7651:Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite numbermonths,חֳדָשִֽׁים׃(ḥo·ḏā·šîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2320:The new moon, a month
Links
1 Samuel 6:1 NIV1 Samuel 6:1 NLT1 Samuel 6:1 ESV1 Samuel 6:1 NASB1 Samuel 6:1 KJV
1 Samuel 6:1 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 6:1 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 6:1 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 6:1 French Bible1 Samuel 6:1 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 6:1 The ark of Yahweh was (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
