Old Testament: 1Sa 6.3

To read the Bible in a year, read First Samuel 4–6 on April 10, In the year of our Lord Christ 2023

By Don Ruhl 

The Philistines captured the ark of God, but since it did not belong to them, and they worshiped idols, God began to trouble the Philistines. Therefore, they determined to return it to Israel, but the priests and diviners of the Philistines explained not to return it empty: 

So they said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty; but by all means return it to Him with a trespass offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why His hand is not removed from you.”

– 1 Samuel 6.3 

They knew enough of the God of Israel to at least do this much; unfortunately they did not convert to His religion. 

They knew that they could not return the ark empty, but they had to show in some way that they honored the God of Israel. 

Questions: 

• What would they know after they had returned the ark? 
• In what way had God been against them? 

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