1 Samuel 6

1 Samuel 6:2

TEll us] As well by prudent advice, as by magick art.

1 Samuel 6:3

If he] This first part of their answer is, by meere advice, grounded upon the ordinary meanes of appeasing Gods wrath, by gifts offerings; but the specification of the offerings (being so absurd and ridiculous of Mice and Emerods) seemes to be sugg sted by the devill in contempt of God: Who notwithstanding accepted of it, for a memoriall that he had overcome his enemies by such poore and contemptible meanes: A trespasse offering] For it was a kind f〈…〉 trespasse, though committed through ignorance, Leviticus 5:2 Then ye shall] when God shall be thus appeased, then shall ye know that his wrath hath been the came of your evils.

1 Samuel 6:5

Give gloy] Through an humble confession and acknowledgement of you fault: See Joshua 7:19. John 9:24 Your Gods] whose esteeme and reverence he hath quite debased with his might, 1 Samuel cha. 5 v. 3, 4.

1 Samuel 6:7

Make] This savoureth of a iabolicall prediction, uttered by the idols servants: and being done without faith and without calling upon God, cannot have its beginning nor originall from his inspiration as diverse other signes: of which see upon Genesis 24:14 though Gods providence afterwards did verifie this signe by the event, to confute th enemies by their own inventions Bring the calvs] To see whether their naturall instinct towards their young ones will be overcome by a divine force, which may drive the kine to go and conduct the Arke to its place, and go away from them.

1 Samuel 6:9

His owne] Namely Gods, where he reigneth and is worshipped.

1 Samuel 6:12

Lowing] In token of griefe for leaving their young ones, and yet being forced by a suddaine and divine power, they went away from them.

1 Samuel 6:13

Bethshemsh] A city of Judah appointed for the Priests; and therefore it seemeth to be as it were pointed at by the Southsayers, verse 9. see Joshua 21:16. whereupon it is said, v 15. that the Levites were there ready to take down the Arke, and for to offer Sacrifices.

1 Samuel 6:14

And they] The Priests, which were of Bethshemesh.

1 Samuel 6:15

The Levites] The Priests of the tribe of Levi, for whom only it was lawfull to touch the Arke, Numbers 4:15.

1 Samuel 6:18

According] That is to say each city or communalty sent its golden Mouse, for it is likely that the plague of the Emerods raigned most in the cities, and the mice in the countrey.Abel] which countrey of the Philistims extended it selfe even to this stone, v. 14. which seemeth to have been afterwards called Abl, that is to say, griefe, for the reason mentioned, verse 19.

1 Samuel 6:19

Looked into] Against Gods expresse command, Numbers 4:2 Of the people] not only of Bethshemesh, but of other adjoyning places, who were all come togethr at the Arkes arrivall.

1 Samuel 6:20

Shall he] The Arke, which is the signe, and pawne of his presence and glory.