SEV Biblia, Chapter 6:3
Y ellos dijeron: Si enviáis el arca del Dios de Israel, no la enviéis vacía; mas le pagaréis la expiación; y entonces seréis sanos, y conoceréis por qué no se apartó de vosotros su mano.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 6:3
Verse 3. Send it not empty] As it appears ye have trespassed against him, send him an offering for this trespass. Why his hand is not removed] The sense is, If you send him a trespass-offering, and ye be cured, then ye shall know why his judgments have not been taken away from you previously to this offering.
It is a common opinion, says Calmet, among all people, that although the Supreme Being needs nothing of his creatures, yet he requires that they should consecrate to him all that they have; for the same argument that proves his independence, infinitude, and self-sufficiency, proves our dependence, and the obligation we are under to acknowledge him by offering him due marks of our gratitude and submission. Such sentiments were common among all people; and God himself commands his people not to appear before him without an offering, Exod. xxiii. 15: None shall appear before me empty.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. And they said, if ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty , etc.] As they perceived they had either resolved upon, or at least were inclined to do; and which they also thought advisable and therefore would have them by no means send it away as it was, but with some presents along with it; for the meaning of this word “empty” is not that they should take care that all that were in it when taken should go with it, and nothing be taken out of it, or it be stripped of its contents; but that some gifts and offerings should be sent along with it: perhaps they might have some notion of, or respect unto a law in Israel, ( Exodus 23:15) or might say this from a common principle received among Heathens, that deities were to be appeased by gifts f110 : but in any wise return him a trespass offering ; here again they seem to have some notion of the sorts and kinds of sacrifice among the Israelites; and advise to a trespass offering, to make satisfaction and atonement for the offence they had committed in taking away the ark; and that they should make restoration not only by returning the ark, but by sending an expiatory offering along with it: then ye shall be healed ; of the disease with which they were smitten; for it seems it still continued on them, at least on many: and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you ; which was because the ark was detained by them; but when that should be sent home, and they be healed upon it, then it would be a plain case that the reason why the disease was inflicted and continued was because of that.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark Alas! where shall we find concern for religion prevail above all othe matters? In times of public calamity we fear for ourselves, for ou families, and for our country; but who cares for the ark of God? We ar favoured with the gospel, but it is treated with neglect or contempt We need not wonder if it should be taken from us; to many persons this though the heavies of calamities, would occasion no grief. There ar multitudes whom any profession would please as well as that of Christianity. But there are those who value the house, the word, an the ministry of God above their richest possessions, who dread the los of these blessings more than death. How willing bad men are to shif off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is chance that happens; and that the rod has no voice which they shoul hear or heed!
Original Hebrew
ויאמרו 559 אם 518 משׁלחים 7971 את 853 ארון 727 אלהי 430 ישׂראל 3478 אל 408 תשׁלחו 7971 אתו 853 ריקם 7387 כי 3588 השׁב 7725 תשׁיבו 7725 לו אשׁם 817 אז 227 תרפאו 7495 ונודע 3045 לכם למה 4100 לא 3808 תסור 5493 ידו 3027 מכם׃ 4480
