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1 Samuel 6:14

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 6:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the cart came into the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered up the kine for a burnt-offering unto Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the cart came into the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered up the kine for a burnt-offering unto Jehovah.
1 Samuel 6:14 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11and they put the ark of Jehovah upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their tumors.
12And the kine took the straight way by the way to Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Beth-shemesh.
13And they of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
14And the cart came into the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered up the kine for a burnt-offering unto Jehovah.
15And the Levites took down the ark of Jehovah, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt-offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto Jehovah.
16And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.
17And these are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a trespass-offering unto Jehovah: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
← 1 Samuel 6:131 Samuel 6:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, etc.] In that part of the valley where they were reaping wheat which belonged to him, whom we nowhere else read; whether a priest or Levite, which is not improbable, since this was a city of the Levites, or a common Israelite, is not certain: and stood there where there was a great stone; afterwards called the great stone of Abel, (<090618>1 Samuel 6:18). By the providence of God it was so ordered, that the kine made a stop just at this place; and proceeded no further, as if sensible they were come to their journey’s end, and had brought the ark into the hands of its friends, and to a proper place for them to express their…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“and they clave--that is, the Beth-shemites, in an irrepressible outburst of joy. offered the kine--Though contrary to the requirements of the law (Lev 1:3; Lev 22:19), these animals might properly be offered, as consecrated by God Himself; and though not beside the tabernacle, there were many instances of sacrifices offered by prophets and holy men on extraordinary occasions in other places.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A great stone - (Compare Genesis 28:18; Judges 13:19). This great stone was probably used as an altar on this occasion, and the kine stopping at it of their own accord was understood by the Bethshemites as an intimation that they were to offer sacrifices on it to the Lord God of Israel, who had so wonderfully brought back the ark from its captivity. And they clave the wood of the cart ... - A similar expedient was resorted to by Araunah 2 Samuel 24:22, and by Elisha 1 Kings 19:21. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“They - Not the lords of the Philistines, but the Beth - shemites, the priest that dwelt there. Offered the kine - There may seem to he a double error in this act. First, that they offered females for a burnt - offering, contrary to Lev 1:3. Secondly, that they did it in a forbidden place, Deu 12:5-6. But this case being extraordinary, may in some sort excuse it, if they did not proceed by ordinary rules. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 6:18”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:14 This burnt offering could have been for forgiveness of sin (see 7:9-10; Lev 1:3-17), but it was more likely a freewill expression of love or thanksgiving (see Lev 22:18-22).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“offered: Sa1 7:9-17, Sa1 11:5, Sa1 20:29; Exo 20:24; Jdg 6:26, Jdg 21:4; Sa2 24:18, Sa2 24:22, Sa2 24:25; Kg1 18:30-38 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 6:16”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification