1 Samuel 6:1

1 Samuel 6:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And the ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months.
• New International Version (NIV)When the ark of the Lord had been in Philistine territory seven months,
• English Standard Version (ESV)The ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now the ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months.

Context of 1 Samuel 6:1

The ark of the Lord had been in Philistine territory seven months 2when the Philistines called for priests and people skilled in explaining omens. The Philistines asked, “What should we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us how to return it to its ⌞proper⌟ place.” 3The priests answered, “If you’re returning the ark of the God of Israel, don’t send it away empty, but by all means return it to its ⌞proper⌟ place with a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you will know why he would not turn his anger away from you.”

1 Samuel 6:1 word by word

וַיְהִ֧י אֲרוֹן־יְהוָ֛ה בִּשְׂדֵ֥ה פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים שִׁבְעָ֥ה חֳדָשִֽׁים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And the arkאֲרוֹן'ârôn 'ârôn · arkH727
• of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• was in the countryשָׂדֶהώâdeh ώâday · land: countryH7704
• of the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּיpelishtîy · PhilistineH6430
• sevenשֶׁ֫בַעsheba‛ shib‛âh · sevenH7651
• monthsחֹ֫דֶשׁchôdesh · monthH2320

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 6:1

• 1 Samuel 5:1After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
• Psalms 78:61He allowed his power to be taken captive and handed his glory over to an oppressor.

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 6:1

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The Philistines consult how to send back the ark. (1-9) They bring it to Bethshemesh. (10-18) The people smitten for looking into the ark. (19-21) Verses 1-9 Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark. Alas! where shall we…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-91Sa 6:1-9. The Philistines Counsel How to Send Back the Ark. 1. the ark ... was in the country of the Philistines seven months--Notwithstanding the calamities which its presence had brought on the country and the people, the Philistine lords were unwilling to relinquish such a prize, and tried every means to retain it with peace and safety, but in vain.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 6:1

• Ark
• Kirjath-Jearim
• Miracles

In the dictionaries

• Philistines
• Along
• David
• Ekron
• Harden
• Return
• Samuel, Books of
• Ark of the Covenant
• God
• Judah, Territory of

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings