1 Samuel 6:12-21 ▼

12 And the cows went in the way, on the way to Beth-shemesh, along one highway as they went, going and lowing, and they did not turn aside to the right hand or the left. And the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth-shemesh.

13 And Beth-shemesh were reaping their harvest of wheat in the valley, and they lifted their eyes and saw the ark, and they rejoiced to see it.

14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh, and it stood still there; and there was a large stone. And they split the wood of the cart, and they offered the cows as a burnt offering to YHWH.

15 And the Levites took down the ark of YHWH, and the chest that was with it in which were the articles of gold, and they placed them on the large stone, and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices in that day to YHWH.

16 And the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, and they returned to Ekron that day.

17 And these are the golden tumors that the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to YHWH; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;

18 and the golden rats—the number of all the cities of the Philistines for the five princes, from the fortified city and to the village of the countryside, even to Abel-haggedolah, which they placed in it the ark of YHWH—are to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh.

19 And He struck the men of Beth-shemesh, for they had looked into the ark of YHWH, and He struck seventy men of the people, and the people lamented because YHWH had struck the people with a great slaughter.

20 And the men of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the face of YHWH, this holy God? And to whom shall it go up from us?”

21 And they sent messengers to those dwelling in Kiriath-jearim, saying, “The Philistines have brought back the ark of YHWH; come down, take it up with you?.”