Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version but keep watching it. If it goes up to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh, then the LORD has brought this great disaster on us. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us but that it happened to us by chance.” New Living Translation If they cross the border of our land and go to Beth-shemesh, we will know it was the LORD who brought this great disaster upon us. If they don’t, we will know it was not his hand that caused the plague. It came simply by chance.” English Standard Version and watch. If it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth-shemesh, then it is he who has done us this great harm, but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it happened to us by coincidence.” Berean Standard Bible but 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.” Berean Literal Bible And watch: If it goes up the way of its own border toward Beth-shemesh, He has done to us this great disaster. But if not, then we will know that it is not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.” King James Bible And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. New King James Version And watch: if it goes up the road to its own territory, to Beth Shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we shall know that it is not His hand that struck us—it happened to us by chance.” New American Standard Bible But watch: if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done this great evil to us. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.” NASB 1995 “Watch, if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.” NASB 1977 “And watch, if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we shall know that it was not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.” Legacy Standard Bible See, if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that smote us; it happened to us by chance.” Amplified Bible But watch, if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then [you will know that] He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that struck us; this disaster happened to us by chance.” Berean Annotated Bible but keep watching it. If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh (house of the sun), 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.” Christian Standard Bible Then watch: If it goes up the road to its homeland toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has made this terrible trouble for us. However, if it doesn’t, we will know that it was not his hand that punished us—it was just something that happened to us by chance.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then watch: If it goes up the road to its homeland toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has made this terrible trouble for us. However, if it doesn’t, we will know that it was not His hand that punished us—it was just something that happened to us by chance.” American Standard Version And see; if it goeth up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. Contemporary English Version Watch to see if the chest goes on up the road to the Israelite town of Beth-Shemesh. If it goes back to its own country, you will know that it was the LORD who made us suffer so badly. But if the chest doesn't go back to its own country, then the LORD had nothing to do with the disease that hit us--it was simply bad luck. English Revised Version And see, if it goeth up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. GOD'S WORD® Translation but then watch where it goes. If it goes up the road to its own country toward Beth Shemesh, then this disaster is the LORD's doing. But if not, we'll know it wasn't his hand that struck us, but what happened to us was an accident." Good News Translation Then watch it go; if it goes toward the town of Beth Shemesh, this means that it is the God of the Israelites who has sent this terrible disaster on us. But if it doesn't, then we will know that he did not send the plague; it was only a matter of chance." International Standard Version Keep watching it. If it goes up along the road to its own territory to Beth-shemesh, it's the LORD who has done this great evil to us. But if it does not, then we will know that he wasn't pressuring us. It happened to us as a natural event." NET Bible But keep an eye on it. If it should go up by the way of its own border to Beth Shemesh, then he has brought this great calamity on us. But if that is not the case, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us; rather, it just happened to us by accident." New Heart English Bible And watch; if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth Shemesh, then he has done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it was a chance that happened to us." Webster's Bible Translation And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know, that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblebut 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.” World English Bible Behold, if it goes up by the way of its own border to Beth Shemesh, then he has done us this great evil; but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us. It was a chance that happened to us.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand you have seen if it goes up the way of its own border, to Beth-Shemesh—He has done this great evil to us; and if not, then we have known that His hand has not come against us; it has been an accident to us.” Berean Literal Bible And watch: If it goes up the way of its own border toward Beth-shemesh, He has done to us this great disaster. But if not, then we will know that it is not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.” Young's Literal Translation and ye have seen, if the way of its own border it goeth up to Beth-Shemesh -- He hath done to us this great evil; and if not, then we have known that His hand hath not come against us; an accident it hath been to us.' Smith's Literal Translation And see if it shall go up the way of its bound to the House of the Sun, it did to us this great evil: and if not we shall know that not his hand struck upon us; it was a chance to us. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd you shall look: and if it go up by the way of his own coasts towards Bethsames, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, we shall know that it is not his hand hath touched us, but it hath happened by chance. Catholic Public Domain Version And you shall watch. And if, indeed, it ascends by the way of his own parts, toward Beth-shemesh, then he has done this great evil to us. But if not, then we shall know that it is by no means his hand that has touched us, but instead it happened by chance.” New American Bible Then watch! If it goes up to Beth-shemesh along the route to the LORD’s territory, then it was the LORD who brought this great calamity upon us; if not, we will know that it was not the LORD’s hand, but a bad turn, that struck us.” New Revised Standard Version And watch; if it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth-shemesh, then it is he who has done us this great harm; but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd watch, for if it goes up by the way of the border which goes up to Beth-shemesh, then it is the LORD who has done us this great evil; but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that afflicted us, but it has happened to us by chance. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And see, if it goes on the road of the border that goes up to Bayth Shemesh, LORD JEHOVAH has done this great evil to us, and if not, we will know that it was not his hand that has come to us, but it was chance to us” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And see, if it goeth up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then He hath done us this great evil; but if not, then we shall know that it is not His hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And ye shall see, if it shall go the way of its coasts along by Baethsamys, he has brought upon us this great affliction; and if not, then shall we know that his hand has not touched us, but this is a chance which has happened to us. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Ark Returned to Israel…8Take the ark of the LORD, set it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending Him as a guilt offering. Then send the ark on its way, 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 men did as instructed. They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and penned up their calves.… Cross References If it goes up the road to its homeland, 1 Samuel 5:11 Then the Ekronites called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel. It must return to its place, so that it will not kill us and our people!” For a deadly confusion had pervaded the city; the hand of God was very heavy upon it. 1 Samuel 4:22 “The glory has departed from Israel,” she said, “for the ark of God has been captured.” 1 Chronicles 13:3 Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.” toward Beth-shemesh, Joshua 21:16 Ain, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh—nine cities from these two tribes, together with their pasturelands. 1 Chronicles 6:59 Ashan, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh, together with their pasturelands. Joshua 15:10 The border curled westward from Baalah to Mount Seir, ran along the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), went down to Beth-shemesh, and crossed to Timnah. it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. 1 Samuel 5:7 And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.” 1 Samuel 5:9 But after they had moved the ark to Gath, the LORD’s hand was also against that city, throwing it into great confusion and afflicting the men of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors. 1 Samuel 5:10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron, but as it arrived, the Ekronites cried out, “They have brought us the ark of the God of Israel in order to kill us and our people!” But if it does not, Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. 1 Kings 22:28 But Micaiah replied, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Take heed, all you people!” 1 Samuel 14:9 If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them. then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us Exodus 9:15 For by this time I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the earth. Exodus 9:3 then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. 1 Samuel 12:15 But if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you as it was against your fathers. and that it happened by chance.” Ecclesiastes 9:11 I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all. Treasury of Scripture And see, if it goes up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he has done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us. Beth-shemesh Joshua 15:10 And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah: Joshua 21:16 And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes. he. Amos 3:6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? we shall 1 Samuel 6:3 And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you. not his hand Isaiah 26:11 LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them. a chance 2 Samuel 1:6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 2 Samuel 1:6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. Ecclesiastes 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. Jump to Previous Beth Bethshemesh Beth-Shemesh Beth-She'mesh Border Chance Coast Disaster Evil Hand Harm Israel Shemesh Smote Struck Territory Watch Watching Way Work WorkingJump to Next Beth Bethshemesh Beth-Shemesh Beth-She'mesh Border Chance Coast Disaster Evil Hand Harm Israel Shemesh Smote Struck Territory Watch Watching Way Work Working1 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 Shemesh 19. The people are smitten for looking into the ark 21. They send to them of Kiriath Jearim to fetch it but keep watching it. The Philistines were instructed to observe the path of the cart carrying the Ark of the Covenant. This reflects the ancient practice of seeking signs to discern divine will. Watching for signs was common in the ancient Near East, as seen in other biblical narratives like Gideon's fleece (Judges 6:36-40). 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.” Persons / Places / Events 1. PhilistinesThe people who captured the Ark of the Covenant and experienced plagues as a result. 2. Ark of the Covenant The sacred chest representing God's presence, captured by the Philistines. 3. Beth-shemesh A town in Israelite territory where the Ark was to be returned. 4. Cows Two milk cows were used to carry the Ark back to Israelite territory, serving as a test of divine intervention. 5. Plagues The afflictions that struck the Philistines, prompting them to return the Ark. Teaching Points Divine SovereigntyGod's control over events is evident, as the Philistines sought to determine if their suffering was by His hand or by chance. Testing God's Will The Philistines' test with the cows illustrates human attempts to discern God's will, reminding us to seek His guidance in our decisions. Repentance and Acknowledgment The Philistines' decision to return the Ark shows a recognition of God's power, prompting us to acknowledge His authority in our lives. God's Presence and Holiness The Ark symbolizes God's presence, reminding us of the reverence due to Him and the consequences of disregarding His holiness. Providence Over Chance The passage challenges the belief in chance, affirming that God orchestrates events according to His purpose. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 6:9?2. How does 1 Samuel 6:9 demonstrate God's sovereignty over the Philistines' decision? 3. What does the Philistines' test reveal about their understanding of God's power? 4. How can we discern God's will in uncertain situations, like in 1 Samuel 6:9? 5. What other biblical instances show God directing outcomes through seemingly random events? 6. How can we apply the lesson of seeking God's guidance in our daily decisions? 7. What does 1 Samuel 6:9 reveal about God's control over events? 8. How does 1 Samuel 6:9 challenge our understanding of divine intervention? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in 1 Samuel 6:9? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 6? 11. In 1 Samuel 6:9, what evidence outside the text confirms the supposed divine sign for the Ark’s journey? 12. How is it scientifically plausible for Jacob’s hip to be permanently injured simply by a touch (Gen. 32:25)? 13. How could an 'evil spirit from the Lord' (1 Samuel 19:9) align with a belief in a benevolent God? 14. (1 Chronicles 13:9 vs. 2 Samuel 6:6) Why does Chronicles call the threshing floor 'Chidon,' while Samuel labels it 'Nachon,' and which is correct? What Does 1 Samuel 6:9 Mean If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh• The Philistine diviners propose a clear, observable test (cf. Judges 6:36-40) to settle the matter of divine judgment. • Two milk cows, recently calved and never before yoked, would normally resist leaving their young or pulling a cart; for them to walk straight to Beth-shemesh—about ten miles uphill (Joshua 15:10)—would defy nature. • This line reveals that the pagans understood Yahweh’s ownership of the Ark and that Beth-shemesh, a Levitical town (Joshua 21:16), belonged to “its homeland.” • Cross references show God often employs unlikely animal behavior to prove His hand (Numbers 22:28-30; 1 Kings 13:24-25). It is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster • The Philistines acknowledge the severity of the tumors and death described earlier (1 Samuel 5:9-12). • By conceding that only Yahweh could reverse His own judgment, they echo Pharaoh’s magicians who finally admitted, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19). • Accepting the outcome as divine would compel them to honor the prescribed guilt offering (1 Samuel 6:4-5) and cease resisting Israel’s God. • Their statement unwittingly affirms God’s covenant faithfulness to defend His glory without human help (Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 42:8). But if it does not, then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us and that it happened by chance • The alternative allows the Philistines to preserve pride should the cows wander; “chance” echoes the world’s refusal to acknowledge God (Luke 16:31; Romans 1:20-21). • Scripture consistently refutes randomness in divine dealings (Proverbs 16:33; Amos 3:6). • The tension between “the LORD” and “chance” exposes the heart’s struggle either to submit to revealed truth or cling to superstition. • God’s sovereignty stands vindicated when the cows go straight, leaving no room for coincidence (1 Samuel 6:12). Summary 1 Samuel 6:9 records the Philistines’ own test to determine whether the plagues came from Yahweh or mere happenstance. By setting up conditions that would naturally prevent the cows from reaching Beth-shemesh, they ensured any successful journey could only be miraculous. The verse highlights humanity’s innate awareness of divine power, the futility of attributing God’s clear actions to chance, and the Lord’s unmatched ability to defend His holiness. (9) It was a chance that happened to us.--The priests and diviners were not certain whether the plague had been sent by the offended God of Israel or had visited Philistia in the ordinary course of nature. This strange experiment would satisfy the minds of the Philistine people. If the cows, contrary to their expectation, kept on the road to Bethshemesh, this would be a sign that they were driven and guided by a Divine power, and it would be clear to all that the Ark was a dangerous possession, and that they were well rid of it. They would be assured then that the scourge they were suffering from came from the angry Israelite Deity. If, on the other hand, the animals, left to themselves, returned to their own stalls, which, evidently, the diviners expected would be the case--then the Philistines might safely retain the Ark, being confident that their late sufferings were simply the results of natural causes. It will be remembered (1Samuel 6:7) that these were milch cows, whose calves were shut up in the stall. The diviners felt quite sure that the cows, left to their own instincts, would, unless driven by some Divine power, come back to their young ones in the stall. What the priests and diviners advised was done, and the next two verses (10 and 11) relate how the restoration of the Ark was carried out in the way prescribed above.Verse 9. - His own coast, or "border." The ark throughout this verse is spoken of as if it were itself a deity. Beth-shemesh - i.e. "the house of the sun," also called Irshemesh, "city of the sun" (Joshua 19:41) - had evidently been in the time of the Canaanites the seat of this popular idolatry. It was now a city of the priests, situated in the tribe of Judah, on its northeastern border, next the tribe of Dan, and was the nearest Israelite town to Ekron. If, then, the kine, albeit unused to the yoke, left their calves behind, and drew the cart by the most direct route unto the land of Judah, they would give the required proof that the Philistines were smitten by the hand of Jehovah, and that it was no chance that had happened unto them.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew but keep watching it.וּרְאִיתֶ֗ם (ū·rə·’î·ṯem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not it goes up יַֽעֲלֶה֙ (ya·‘ă·leh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively the road דֶּ֨רֶךְ (de·reḵ) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action to its homeland, גְּבוּל֤וֹ (gə·ḇū·lōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed toward Beth-shemesh, שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ (še·meš) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1053: Beth-shemesh -- 'sun temple', three places in Palestine, also a place in Egypt it is the LORD ה֚וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are who has brought עָ֣שָׂה (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make on us לָ֔נוּ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's Hebrew this הַזֹּ֑את (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, great הַגְּדוֹלָ֖ה (hag·gə·ḏō·w·lāh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent disaster. הָרָעָ֥ה (hā·rā·‘āh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil But if וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not it does not, לֹ֗א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no then we will know וְיָדַ֙עְנוּ֙ (wə·yā·ḏa‘·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural Strong's 3045: To know that כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction it was not לֹ֤א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no His hand יָדוֹ֙ (yā·ḏōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand that punished נָ֣גְעָה (nā·ḡə·‘āh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike us בָּ֔נוּ (bā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's Hebrew and that it ה֖וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are happened הָ֥יָה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be by chance.” מִקְרֶ֥ה (miq·reh) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4745: Something met with, an accident, fortune Links 1 Samuel 6:9 NIV1 Samuel 6:9 NLT 1 Samuel 6:9 ESV 1 Samuel 6:9 NASB 1 Samuel 6:9 KJV 1 Samuel 6:9 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 6:9 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 6:9 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 6:9 French Bible 1 Samuel 6:9 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 6:9 Behold (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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