The Return of the Ark refers to the event described in the Old Testament when the Ark of the Covenant was returned to the Israelites after being captured by the Philistines. This significant event is primarily recorded in 1 Samuel 5-7.

Background and Capture of the Ark

The Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest built by the Israelites under the guidance of Moses, symbolized God's presence among His people. It contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. During a battle at Ebenezer, the Israelites, seeking victory over the Philistines, brought the Ark from Shiloh to the battlefield. However, due to Israel's disobedience and presumption, God allowed the Ark to be captured by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:10-11).

The Ark Among the Philistines

The Philistines took the Ark to Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their god Dagon. The following morning, they found the statue of Dagon fallen face down before the Ark. After setting it back in place, they discovered it fallen again the next day, with its head and hands severed (1 Samuel 5:2-4). This event demonstrated the superiority of the God of Israel over the Philistine deity.

The presence of the Ark brought calamity upon the Philistines, afflicting them with tumors and a plague of mice. Recognizing the divine judgment, the Philistines decided to move the Ark to different cities, but each city experienced similar afflictions (1 Samuel 5:6-12).

The Return of the Ark to Israel

After seven months, the Philistines sought counsel from their priests and diviners on how to return the Ark to Israel. They were advised to send it back with a guilt offering of five golden tumors and five golden mice, representing the plagues that had struck them (1 Samuel 6:1-5).

The Philistines placed the Ark on a new cart, hitched to two cows that had never been yoked, and sent it towards the Israelite territory. The cows, guided by God, went straight to Beth-shemesh, a town in Israel, without deviation (1 Samuel 6:7-12).

Reception at Beth-shemesh

The people of Beth-shemesh were overjoyed to see the Ark and offered sacrifices to the Lord. However, some of the men of Beth-shemesh looked inside the Ark, violating its sanctity, and were struck down by God (1 Samuel 6:19). This incident underscored the holiness of the Ark and the necessity of reverence towards God's commands.

The Ark at Kiriath-jearim

Fearing further judgment, the people of Beth-shemesh sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, asking them to take the Ark. The men of Kiriath-jearim brought the Ark to the house of Abinadab on the hill and consecrated his son Eleazar to guard it (1 Samuel 7:1). The Ark remained there for twenty years until King David eventually brought it to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1-15).

The Return of the Ark highlights the sovereignty and holiness of God, demonstrating His power over the false gods of the nations and His requirement for His people to approach Him with reverence and obedience.