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.

1 SAMUEL 6:2KJV
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1 Samuel 6:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 6:2 mean?

1 Samuel 6:2 describes how the Philistines, troubled by the presence of the ark of the LORD, summoned their priests and diviners to ask what they should do with it and how to return it to its proper place. The Philistines wanted guidance on how to handle the ark, which they believed was causing them problems.

The setting is after the Philistines had captured the ark of the LORD (the sacred chest representing God's presence) from Israel, but they experienced calamities while it was in their land. Unsure how to resolve the situation, the Philistine leaders turned to their own religious experts—priests and diviners—for advice on how to send the ark back. This verse shows the Philistines’ recognition that the ark was not just an ordinary object and that special care was needed in dealing with it.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 6:2

  • אֲרוֹן (aron, "ark"): This word refers specifically to the sacred chest that represented the presence and covenant of the LORD among the Israelites. Its use here highlights that the Philistines understood they were dealing with something uniquely holy to Israel.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, "LORD"): The Philistines refer to the ark as belonging to the LORD, using the specific name for Israel’s God. This shows a level of respect or at least recognition of the God whose power they had witnessed.
  • כֹּהֲנִים (kohanim, "priests") and קֹסְמִים (qosemim, "diviners"): The Philistines consult both their religious leaders and those who practiced divination, showing they were seeking both ritual and supernatural guidance, not just practical advice.

Why 1 Samuel 6:2 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Philistines did not treat the ark as a mere trophy of war but recognized its spiritual significance and the dangers of mishandling it.
  • It connects to the wider passage by setting up the process through which the ark would be returned to Israel, showing the fear and respect it inspired even among Israel’s enemies.
  • The involvement of both priests and diviners highlights the Philistines’ reliance on their own religious traditions and superstitions when faced with the unknown power of Israel’s God.