1 Samuel 6

The Return of the Ark

1 When the ark of the Lord had been in Philistine territory for seven months, 2 the Philistines summoned the priests and the diviners  * 6:2 Gn 41:8; Ex 7:11; Is 2:6 and pleaded, "What should we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us how we can send it back to its place."

3 They replied, "If you send the ark of Israel’s God away, do not send it without an offering.  * 6:3 Dt 16:16 Send back a guilt offering to him,  * 6:3 Lv 5:15–16 and you will be healed. Then the reason his hand hasn’t been removed from you will be revealed."  * 6:3 DSS, LXX read healed, and an atonement shall be made for you. Shouldn’t his hand be removed from you? "