city itself and of its neighborhood, suffered from another plague, possibly occasioned by the want caused

by famine, in the form of an epidemic - probably a malignant skin disease,52 - highly infectious and fatal in its

As we gather from the context, Philistia consisted at that time of a federation of five "cities," or cantons,

under the oligarchical rule of "lords," or princes, with this provision, that no great public measure (such as

the removal of the ark, which had been placed at Ashdod by common decree) might be taken without the

consent of all. Accordingly, on an appeal of the people of Ashdod, the lords of the Philistines ordered the

removal of the ark to Gath, probably judging, that the calamities complained of were due rather to natural

causes than to its presence. But in Gath the same consequences also followed; and when on its further

transportation to Ekron the public sufferings were even greater and more sudden than before,53 the cry

became universal to return the ark to the land of Israel.

The experience of these seven months during which the ark had been in their land, not only convinced the

lords of the Philistines of the necessity of yielding to the popular demand, but also made them careful as to

the manner of handling the ark when returning it to its place. Accordingly they resolved to consult their

priests and soothsayers on this question: "What shall we do in reference to the ark of Jehovah - instruct us

with what we shall send it to its place?" The reply was to this effect, that if the ark were returned it should be

accompanied by a "trespass-offering" in expiation of their wrong (Leviticus 6:5; Numbers 5:7),54 - consisting,

according to common heathen custom,  55 of votive offerings in gold, representing that wherein or whereby

they had suffered. Never perhaps did superstition more truly appear in its real character than in the advice

which these priests pressed upon their people. Evidently they were fully acquainted with the judgments

which the God of Israel had executed upon the Egyptians when hardening their hearts, and with solemn

earnestness they urge the return of the ark and a trespass-offering. And yet they are not quite sure whether,

after all, it was not mere chance that had happened to them; and they propose a curious device by which to

decide that question (1 Samuel 6:7-9).

The advice of the pries ts was literally followed. The ark, with its trespass-offerings,56 was placed on a new

cart, which had never served profane purposes. To this were attached two milch cows, on whom never yoke

of other service had been laid, and from whom their calves had just been taken.

No force was to be used to keep them from returning to their calves; no guidance to be given what road to

take. And, behold, it happened as the priests had suggested it would, if it were God Who had smitten them.

"Though lowing as they went" for their calves, the kine took the straight road to the nearest Israelitish

border-city, Beth-shemesh ("the house of the Sun"), followed by the wondering lords of the Philistines. The

boundary was reached, and the Philistines waited to see what would happen. About fourteen miles west of

Jerusalem, on the northern boundary of the possession of Judah, about two miles from the great Philistine

plain, and seven from Ekron, lay the ancient "sun city," Beth-shemesh. It was one of those allotted by

Joshua to the priests (Joshua 21:16), though, of course, not exclusively inhabited by them. To reach it from

Ekron, the great plain has first to be traversed. Then the hills are crossed which bound the great plain of

Philistia. Ascending these, and standing on the top of a steep ridge, a valley stretches beneath, or rather

"the junction of two fine plains."  57 This is "the valley of Beth-shemesh," where on that summer afternoon

they were reaping the wheat-harvest (1 Samuel 6:13); and beyond it, on, "the plateau of a low swell or

mound," was the ancient Beth-shemesh itself.

A fit place this to which to bring the ark from Philistia, right in view of Zorah, the birth-place of Samson.

Here, over these ridges, he had often made those incursions which had carried terror and destruction to the

enemies of Israel. The sound of the approaching escort - for, no doubt, the Philistine "lords" were

accompanied by their retainers, and by a multitude eager to see the result - attracted the attention of the

reapers below. As, literally, "they lifted up their eyes" to the hill whence it slowly wound down, the

momentary fear at seeing the Philistine escort gave place first to astonishment and then to unbounded joy,