1 Samuel 6

1 Samuel 6:9

Bethshemesh] Bethshemesh a Citie of the Priests, in the Tribe of Judah, on the North-border of it, Iosh. II. 16. and XV. 10. 1. Chron. VI. 59. Here Amaziah of Iudah fighting against Iehoash of Israel was vanquished and taken, 2 King. XIV. 2 Chron. XXV. There was another Bethshemesh a fenced Citie of Naphtali, Iosh XIX. 38. Iudg. I. 33. Another Bethshemesh, a prime Citie in Egypt, Ier. XLIII. 13. called anciently On, in later times Damieta. Bethshemesh signifies the house of the Sun; and the Cities so called, from the Temples of the Sun built therein, and the idol-worship of the Sun by the ancient inhabitants practised there.

1 Samuel 6:19

Fifty thousand and seventy men] These were not all of the Citie Bethshemesh, but of the people also of neighbouring townes and places, that came rejoycing ro see the Arke returned; but over-boldly gazing on it bare and uncovered, by the Philistines, or by themselves, contrary to the Law, Num. IV. 5, 20. If not prying presumptuously into it, out of an impious curiosity, or a pretence to see whether the Philistines had taken ought out of it, or put any thing into it.