1 Samuel 6:2

“And the Philistines called for the priests and for the diviners, etc.] The one were skilled in the rites and ceremonies of religion, not only of their own, but of other nations, particularly of Israel; and that they were not strangers to the history and affairs of that people is plain from (<090606>1 Samuel 6:6) and the other were skilled in judicial astrology, and knowledge of future events, at least as they pretended to; and therefore were both thought fit persons to advise with on the occasion of the ark, and the circumstances they were in through that: saying, what shall we do to the ark of the Lord? shall we send it back to its own land, or not? the Ekronites had moved it might be sent…”

“the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners--The designed restoration of the ark was not, it seems, universally approved of, and many doubts were expressed whether the prevailing pestilence was really a judgment of Heaven. The priests and diviners united all parties by recommending a course which would enable them easily to discriminate the true character of the calamities, and at the same time to propitiate the incensed Deity for any acts of disrespect which might have been shown to His ark.”

“The word for “priest” here is the same as that used for the priests of the true God; that for diviners is everywhere used of idolatrous or superstitious divining. Three modes of divination are described Ezekiel 21:21-22, by arrows, by teraphim, and by the entrails of beasts. (Compare Exodus 7:11; Daniel 2:2). return to 'Top of Page'”

“6:2 priests and diviners: Divination was a part of Philistine religion (cp. 28:7; Deut 18:10-14).”

“called: Gen 41:8; Exo 7:11; Isa 47:12, Isa 47:13; Dan 2:2, Dan 5:7; Mat 2:4 wherewith: Mic 6:6-9 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 6:3”