This verse reminds us that God is sovereign and will guide any willing or unwilling participant to fulfill His purposes.
So the men did this, and took two milk cows and hitched them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home. (1 Samuel 6:10)
This verse takes place when the Philistines, distressed by the plagues they suffered after capturing the ark of the covenant, decide to return the ark to Israel. Historically, this event occurs during the late period of the judges, around the 11th century BC, shortly before Israel transitioned to a monarchy under King Saul. By using two milk cows which had never been yoked, and separating them from their calves, the Philistines hoped to confirm God’s hand in the disasters that befell them: if the untrained cows voluntarily carried the ark back into Israelite territory, it would demonstrate divine intervention rather than mere coincidence.
The action of shut[ting] up their calves at home highlights the unnatural cooperation of these animals, emphasizing the power and sovereignty of the LORD. Ordinarily, milk cows would resist leaving their calves, but in this miraculous circumstance, they proceeded straight toward the Israelite border—showing that the LORD was guiding them. Geographically, 1 Samuel 6 recounts they ended up in Beth-shemesh, a Levitical city in the foothills of Judah, where the Israelites joyfully received the ark. This episode confirms biblical truths about God’s holiness, as even a foreign nation recognized they could not stand against His might without returning the ark.
Spiritually, this passage conveys that the LORD uses extraordinary means to accomplish His redemptive purposes. In the broader sweep of Scripture, the ark itself foreshadows Jesus, who brings God’s presence near to humanity, though in far greater fullness (John 1:14). The obedient trek of the milk cows hints at a God who orchestrates events, compelling all creation to acknowledge His rightful authority.
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1 Samuel 6:10 meaning
So the men did this, and took two milk cows and hitched them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home. (1 Samuel 6:10)
This verse takes place when the Philistines, distressed by the plagues they suffered after capturing the ark of the covenant, decide to return the ark to Israel. Historically, this event occurs during the late period of the judges, around the 11th century BC, shortly before Israel transitioned to a monarchy under King Saul. By using two milk cows which had never been yoked, and separating them from their calves, the Philistines hoped to confirm God’s hand in the disasters that befell them: if the untrained cows voluntarily carried the ark back into Israelite territory, it would demonstrate divine intervention rather than mere coincidence.
The action of shut[ting] up their calves at home highlights the unnatural cooperation of these animals, emphasizing the power and sovereignty of the LORD. Ordinarily, milk cows would resist leaving their calves, but in this miraculous circumstance, they proceeded straight toward the Israelite border—showing that the LORD was guiding them. Geographically, 1 Samuel 6 recounts they ended up in Beth-shemesh, a Levitical city in the foothills of Judah, where the Israelites joyfully received the ark. This episode confirms biblical truths about God’s holiness, as even a foreign nation recognized they could not stand against His might without returning the ark.
Spiritually, this passage conveys that the LORD uses extraordinary means to accomplish His redemptive purposes. In the broader sweep of Scripture, the ark itself foreshadows Jesus, who brings God’s presence near to humanity, though in far greater fullness (John 1:14). The obedient trek of the milk cows hints at a God who orchestrates events, compelling all creation to acknowledge His rightful authority.