New International VersionSo they did this. They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves.
New Living TranslationSo these instructions were carried out. Two cows were hitched to the cart, and their newborn calves were shut up in a pen.
English Standard VersionThe men did so, and took two milk cows and yoked them to the cart and shut up their calves at home.
Berean Standard BibleSo the men did as instructed. They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and penned up their calves.
King James BibleAnd the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
New King James VersionThen the men did so; they took two milk cows and hitched them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home.
New American Standard BibleThen the men did so: they took two milk cows and hitched them to the cart, and shut in their calves at home.
NASB 1995Then the men did so, and took two milch cows and hitched them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home.
NASB 1977Then the men did so, and took two milch cows and hitched them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home.
Legacy Standard BibleThen the men did so and took two milch cows and hitched them to the cart and shut up their calves at home.
Amplified BibleAnd the men did so, and took two milk cows and hitched them to the cart, and corralled their calves at home.
Christian Standard BibleThe men did this: They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and confined their calves in the pen.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe men did this: They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and confined their calves in the pen.
American Standard VersionAnd the men did so, and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home;
Contemporary English VersionThe Philistines followed their advice. They hitched up the two cows to the cart, but they kept their calves in a barn.
English Revised VersionAnd the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe people did this. They took two dairy cows, hitched them to a cart, and shut the calves in the stall.
Good News TranslationThey did what they were told: they took two cows and hitched them to the wagon, and shut the calves in the barn.
International Standard VersionThe men did this. They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and penned up their calves in the house.
NET BibleSo the men did as instructed. They took two cows that had calves and harnessed them to a cart; they also removed their calves to their stalls.
New Heart English BibleThe men did so, and took two milk cows, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home;
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd the men did so; and took two milch cows, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo the men did as instructed. They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and penned up their calves.
World English BibleThe men did so, and took two milk cows and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the men do so, and take two suckling cows, and bind them in the cart, and they shut up their young ones in the house;
Young's Literal Translation And the men do so, and take two suckling kine, and bind them in the cart, and their young ones they have shut up in the house;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the men did so, and they will take two heifers giving milk, and they will make them fast to the wagon, and they shut up their young in the house. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThey did therefore in this manner: and taking two kine, that had suckling calves, they yoked them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home.
Catholic Public Domain VersionTherefore, they did it in this way. And taking two cows that were feeding calves, they yoked them to the cart, and they enclosed their calves at home.
New American BibleThey acted upon this advice. Taking two milk cows, they hitched them to the cart but shut up their calves indoors.
New Revised Standard VersionThe men did so; they took two milch cows and yoked them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the men did so; and took two milch cows and tied them to the cart and shut up their calves at home;
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd the men did so and they drove two cows which were nursing, and they bound them to the cart and their offspring they enclosed in the barn OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the Philistines did so; and they took two cows that had calved for the first time, and yoked them to the waggon, and shut up their calves at home.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Ark Returned to Israel… 9but keep watching it. If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us and that it happened by chance.” 10So the mendidas instructed.They tooktwomilkcows,hitched themto the cart,and penned uptheir calves.11Then they put the ark of the LORD on the cart, along with the chest containing the gold rats and the images of the tumors.…
Cross References Exodus 25:18-22Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat, / one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold. / And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat. ...
Numbers 7:89When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.
2 Samuel 6:3-4They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart, / bringing with it the ark of God. And Ahio was walking in front of the ark.
1 Chronicles 13:7-9So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart. / David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. / When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled.
1 Chronicles 15:13-15It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.” / So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. / And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.
2 Kings 2:24Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.
2 Kings 6:17Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Isaiah 37:16“O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.
Jeremiah 3:16“In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer discuss the ark of the covenant of the LORD. It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made.
Ezekiel 10:1-22And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads of the cherubim, the likeness of a throne of sapphire. / And the LORD said to the man clothed in linen, “Go inside the wheelwork beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” And as I watched, he went in. / Now when the man went in, the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple, and a cloud filled the inner court. ...
Matthew 2:11On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 21:2-3saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me. / If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
Mark 11:2-3and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. / If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’”
Luke 19:30-31saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. / If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
John 12:14-15Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written: / “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion. See, your King is coming, seated on the colt of a donkey.”
Treasury of Scripture And the men did so; and took two milk cows, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home: Jump to Previous BindCalvesCartCowsHomeHouseKineLiving-PlaceMilchMilkOnesPennedShutShuttingSucklingTiedYokedYoungJump to Next BindCalvesCartCowsHomeHouseKineLiving-PlaceMilchMilkOnesPennedShutShuttingSucklingTiedYokedYoung1 Samuel 6 1.After seven months the Philistines take counsel how to send back the ark10.They bring it on a new cart with an offering unto Beth Shemesh19.The people are smitten for looking into the ark21.They send to them of Kiriath Jearim to fetch itSo the men did as instructed.This phrase highlights the obedience of the Philistines to the instructions given by their priests and diviners. In the broader biblical context, obedience to divine instruction is a recurring theme, seen in figures like Noah ( Genesis 6:22) and Abraham ( Genesis 12:4). The Philistines, though not followers of Yahweh, recognize the power of the God of Israel and act accordingly, demonstrating a universal acknowledgment of divine authority. They took two milk cows,
Milk cows, or cows that have recently given birth and are nursing calves, are significant in this context. These cows would naturally resist leaving their calves, making their selection a test of divine intervention. The use of milk cows underscores the miraculous nature of the event, as it would be against their natural instincts to leave their young. This mirrors other biblical instances where God uses the natural world to demonstrate His power, such as the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21). hitched them to the cart,
The cart was used to transport the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel. This method of transport contrasts with the prescribed method given to the Israelites, where the Ark was to be carried by Levites using poles (Exodus 25:14). The Philistines' use of a cart reflects their lack of understanding of the sacred protocols associated with the Ark, yet God still uses their actions to fulfill His purposes. and penned up their calves.
By penning up the calves, the Philistines create a situation where the cows would naturally want to return to their young. This sets the stage for a clear sign of divine intervention if the cows proceed towards Israel instead. This act is a test to determine whether the calamities they experienced were indeed caused by the God of Israel. The outcome, where the cows head straight for Israel, serves as a confirmation of God's hand in the events, similar to the signs given to Gideon (Judges 6:36-40). Persons / Places / Events 1. The PhilistinesA group of people who captured the Ark of the Covenant and experienced divine retribution, prompting them to return the Ark to Israel. 2. The Ark of the CovenantA sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence with Israel. 3. The Milk CowsTwo cows that had never been yoked, chosen to carry the Ark back to Israel, demonstrating God's power and guidance. 4. The CartA new cart built by the Philistines to transport the Ark, symbolizing their attempt to appease the God of Israel. 5. Beth ShemeshThe destination where the Ark was sent, a Levitical city in Israel, indicating the return of God's presence to His people. Teaching Points Obedience to Divine InstructionsThe Philistines followed specific instructions to return the Ark, illustrating the importance of obedience to God's commands, even for those outside the covenant community. God's Sovereignty and PowerThe use of untrained milk cows to transport the Ark demonstrates God's control over creation and His ability to accomplish His purposes through unlikely means. Reverence for the SacredThe careful handling of the Ark by the Philistines, despite their pagan background, serves as a reminder of the reverence due to God and His holy objects. Trust in God's GuidanceThe journey of the cows to Beth Shemesh without human direction reflects the need to trust in God's guidance in our lives, even when the path seems uncertain. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 6:10?
2.How does 1 Samuel 6:10 demonstrate God's sovereignty over creation and events?
3.What can we learn about obedience from the actions of the cows?
4.How does this verse connect to God's guidance in Proverbs 3:5-6?
5.In what ways can we trust God's direction in our daily decisions?
6.How does 1 Samuel 6:10 encourage reliance on God's power and wisdom?
7.What is the significance of the cows in 1 Samuel 6:10?
8.How does 1 Samuel 6:10 demonstrate God's sovereignty?
9.Why were the cows used instead of another animal in 1 Samuel 6:10?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 6?
11.What are the key events in 1 Samuel?
12.Why do 1 Chronicles 19 and 2 Samuel 10 present slight variations in numbers and details of the battles, and which version is more historically accurate?
13.How can the dramatic shift in Saul's demeanor in 1 Samuel 10:6 be explained scientifically or psychologically?
14.How do the signs given to Saul in 1 Samuel 10:2-7 align or conflict with other biblical accounts of miraculous signs?What Does 1 Samuel 6:10 Mean So the men did as instructedThe Philistine leaders followed the precise directions given by their priests and diviners (1 Samuel 6:7–9). • Obedience, even among pagans, underscores the universal principle that God honors compliance with His revealed will—compare Israel’s “the Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD had commanded Moses” (Exodus 39:42) and Samuel’s reminder that “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). • Their action sets the stage for God to demonstrate His power; when humans do what He says, He takes full responsibility for the outcome (Joshua 1:7;John 14:15).
They took two milk cowsMilk cows were nursing mothers, normally kept close to their calves and unaccustomed to pulling loads. • Choosing these cows created a test only God could pass. Left to natural instinct, the animals would stay near their young. • This mirrors earlier divine tests that required animals unused to labor—such as the heifer with “no yoke” inNumbers 19:2 andDeuteronomy 21:3—highlighting purity and the direct intervention of the LORD.
hitched them to the cartThe cows were placed under a yoke for the first time and attached to a brand-new cart (1 Samuel 6:7). • A new cart symbolized respect for the holy object it carried, just as later “they set the ark of God on a new cart” in David’s day (2 Samuel 6:3). • By yoking untrained animals, the Philistines acknowledged that only the God of Israel could direct their path—echoing the proverb, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31).
and penned up their calvesSeparating the cows from their nursing calves removed every earthly incentive for the animals to head toward Israel. • Their natural pull would be back to the pen. If the cows instead went straight to Beth-shemesh, the Philistines would know the plague’s end came from “the hand of the LORD” (1 Samuel 6:9). • The scene recalls God’s frequent use of unlikely means—whether ravens feeding Elijah (1 Kings 17:4) or a donkey speaking to Balaam (Numbers 22:28)—to prove His sovereign control over creation.
summary1 Samuel 6:10 shows deliberate, careful obedience to God’s revealed instructions, setting up an unmistakable test of His sovereignty. By selecting nursing cows, yoking them to a new cart, and shutting their calves away, the Philistines removed every natural reason for the animals to travel toward Israel. When the cows defy instinct and head straight for Beth-shemesh, all doubt vanishes: the LORD alone directed their steps. The verse reminds us that obedient action, even by those outside the covenant, becomes a stage on which God displays His absolute power and faithfulness.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew So the menהָאֲנָשִׁים֙(hā·’ă·nā·šîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male persondidוַיַּעֲשׂ֤וּ(way·ya·‘ă·śū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6213:To do, make[as instructed].כֵּ֔ן(kên)Adverb
Strong's 3651:So -- thusThey tookוַיִּקְח֗וּ(way·yiq·ḥū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3947:To taketwoשְׁתֵּ֤י(šə·tê)Number - fdc
Strong's 8147:Two (a cardinal number)milkעָל֔וֹת(‘ā·lō·wṯ)Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 5763:To suckle, give milkcows,פָרוֹת֙(p̄ā·rō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6510:A heifer, cowhitchedוַיַּאַסְר֖וּם(way·ya·’as·rūm)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 631:To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battlethem to the cart,בָּעֲגָלָ֑ה(bā·‘ă·ḡā·lāh)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5699:Something revolving, a wheeled vehicleand penned upכָּל֥וּ(kā·lū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3607:To shut up, restrain, withholdtheir calves.בְּנֵיהֶ֖ם(bə·nê·hem)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1121:A son
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OT History: 1 Samuel 6:10 The men did so and took two (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
