1 Samuel 6: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Samuel 6 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The Philistines had Yahweh's ark for seven months and consulted their priests and diviners on how to return it (vv. 1-2). They advised sending the ark back with a trespass offering of five golden tumors and five golden mice to appease Yahweh (vv.

Key verse

“He struck of the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into Yahweh’s ark, he struck fifty thousand seventy of the men. Then the people mourned, because Yahweh had struck the people with a great slaughter.”
1 Samuel 6:19 (WEB)

Outline

1 Samuel 6:1–2 Philistines Consult Priests
1 Samuel 6:3–5 Instructions for the Offering
1 Samuel 6:6–9 Caution Against Hardening Hearts
1 Samuel 6:10–12 The Ark's Return
1 Samuel 6:13–15 Joyful Reception in Beth Shemesh
1 Samuel 6:16–18 Philistine Lords Depart
1 Samuel 6:19–21 Consequences of Irreverence

Discussion questions

In v2, who do the Philistines call upon for guidance regarding the Ark?
What specific offerings do the Philistines prepare in v4 to send back with the Ark?
In v9, what does the test of the cows' path imply about the Philistines' understanding of divine intervention?
Why does Yahweh strike the men of Beth Shemesh in v19 after they look into the Ark?
When have you been reminded of 'the holiness of God' in a situation like the Philistines' return of the Ark?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Samuel 6: 1 Samuel 5, 2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 13.

Before next time: read 1 Samuel 7.