How did the Philistines learn that things do not happen by chance (1 Samuel 6:9)?

Answer

The Philistines became enemies of Israel and engaged in numerous battles against God’s people. On one occasion, they believed they had achieved a significant victory over Israel, but the Philistines would soon discover that events do not occur randomly (1 Samuel 6).

Towards the end of the period of the judges, the Philistines and the Israelites found themselves in conflict once more. Following a defeat at the hands of the Philistines, the leaders of Israel decided to influence the outcome of the next battle by bringing the ark of the covenant into the camp (1 Samuel 4:3-6). The leaders treated it as a kind of talisman. Initially, the ark provided a psychological boost for the Israelites, but the Philistines emerged victorious and seized the ark (1 Samuel 4:10-11).

To celebrate their triumph, the Philistines placed the ark of the covenant in the temple of their god Dagon, but the idol repeatedly fell face down before the ark (1 Samuel 5:3-5). They transferred the ark from Dagon’s temple to different cities, and in each city the ark visited, the inhabitants suffered from sickness and tumors (1 Samuel 5:6-12). After seven months, the Philistine leaders realized that action needed to be taken, so they consulted the priests and diviners «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. », (1 Samuel 6:2). They were advised to place trespass offerings inside the ark and give glory to God (1 Samuel 6:3-8). The Philistines were starting to understand that events do not occur randomly.

The Philistine priests and diviners advised them to observe the ark as it was transported on a cart pulled by two cows to determine its path. If the ark went back to its own territory through Beth Shemesh, then the Philistines would recognize that God was the one who had brought affliction upon them. Conversely, if the ark took a different route, they would realize that God was not responsible, and that all the misfortune that had befallen them was by chance «And see, if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil; but if not, then we shall know that it is not His hand that struck us; it was a chance occurrence that happened to us.», (1 Samuel 6:9). The Philistines followed the instructions of their priests (1 Samuel 6:10-12) and witnessed as the ark traveled directly to Beth Shemesh (1 Samuel 6:13-14). The cows, separated from their calves, “went straight toward Beth Shemesh, staying on the road and mooing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left” «And the cows took the straight path to Beth-shemesh, and went along the highway, mooing as they went, and did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines followed them to the border of Beth-shemesh.», (1 Samuel 6:12). The Philistine leaders could now be sure that the destruction of the Dagon idol and the plague that afflicted them were not random occurrences. These events had been orchestrated by the one true God. The Philistines discovered that events do not occur randomly.

When the ark was returned, all the people of Israel cried out to God, “And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.,” (1 Samuel 7:2). They returned to the Lord (1 Samuel 7:3-4) and acknowledged their sin before God, “And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.,” (1 Samuel 7:6). The Philistines attacked again, but this time God won the victory for Israel, “And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.,” (1 Samuel 7:10). The Philistines may have learned that things do not happen by chance and that the one true God is in control, but they forgot that lesson quickly.

Besides providing important historical data, these events can serve us as a cautionary tale. They warn us to learn well that things do not happen by chance. God is the sovereign Creator and has the authority and power over His creation. The Philistines failed to remember that and set themselves against the people whom God had chosen. The Philistines endured difficult consequences as a result. It would have been much better for them if they had remembered the lesson they learned when the ark took the path to Beth Shemesh—that things do not happen by chance.