1 Samuel 6:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Desperate to be rid of the ark, the Philistines summon their religious experts to learn how to return it safely.
What Does 1 Samuel 6:2 Mean?
After seven months of suffering, the Philistine leaders convene their priests and diviners, the men trained to read omens and consult their gods. The very question betrays surrender: they no longer ask how to keep the ark but how to send it back without further harm. They have learned that the God of Israel cannot be defeated by capturing His ark.
Even those outside the covenant sensed that they were dealing with a power beyond their pagan craft. Their instinct to seek counsel before acting carries a buried truth: the holy God must be approached on His terms, not ours. What they reached for through divination, Scripture invites every reader to seek directly, in reverence and obedience toward the One whose hand they could no longer bear.
1 Samuel 6:2 in the Original Language
qosem (קֹסֵם), 'diviner' -- one who sought hidden knowledge by occult means, a practice forbidden in Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 6:2
What does 1 Samuel 6:2 mean?
Desperate to be rid of the ark, the Philistines summon their religious experts to learn how to return it safely.