Bible Strands
1 Samuel 6:2
the Philistines summoned the priests and diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how to send it back to its place.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Philistines call their priests and diviners together after the ark has remained in their land for seven months. They ask these religious officials what must be done with the ark and how to properly send it back to its original location.
The words — The verb וַ/יִּקְרְא֣וּ (va/i.yik.re.'U) literally means “they summoned,” marking an official call to authority. The noun פְלִשְׁתּ֗ים (fe.lish.Tim) identifies the political entity seeking religious guidance.
The thread — This pattern of rulers consulting diviners and magicians appears in Genesis 41:8, Exodus 7:11, and Daniel 2:2. In each case, political leaders rely on occult specialists to interpret divine or supernatural events.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to observe how pagan leadership responds to unexplained divine power through established religious channels. It demands attention to the procedural nature of ancient crisis management and the limits of human divination.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the Lord? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.
Cross-references
- Genesis 41:8 In the morning his spirit was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
- Exodus 7:11 But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts.
- Daniel 2:2 So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king,
- Daniel 5:7 The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
- Isaiah 2:6 For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with influences from the east; they are soothsayers like the Philistines; they strike hands with the children of foreigners.
- Isaiah 47:12 So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!
- Micah 6:6 With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?
- Matthew 2:4 And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.