"Watch,ifit goesup by the wayof its own territoryto Beth-shemesh,then He has doneus thisgreatevil.But ifnot, then we will knowthat it was not His handthat struckus; it happenedto us by chance."
The youngmanwho toldhim said,"By chanceI happenedto be on MountGilboa,and behold,Saulwas leaningon his spear.And behold,the chariotsand the horsemenpursuedhim closely.
Ben-dekerin Makazand Shaalbimand Beth-shemeshand Elonbeth-hanan;
So Joashkingof Israelwentup, and he and Amaziahkingof Judahfacedeach other at Beth-shemesh,whichbelonged to Judah.
But when Pharaohsawthat there was relief,he hardenedhis heartand did not listento them, as the LORDhad said.
I againsawunderthe sunthat the raceis not to the swiftand the battleis not to the warriors,and neitheris breadto the wisenorwealthto the discerningnorfavorto men of ability;for timeand chanceovertakethem all.
O LORD,Your handis liftedup [yet] they do not seeit. They see[Your] zealfor the peopleand are putto shame;Indeed,firewill devourYour enemies.
Ifa trumpetis blownin a citywill not the peopletremble?Ifa calamityoccursin a cityhas not the LORDdoneit?
"And by chancea priestwas going downon that road,and when he sawhim, he passed by on the other side.
The borderturnedaboutfrom Baalahwestwardto MountSeir,and continuedto the slopeof MountJearimon the north(that is, Chesalon),and wentdownto Beth-shemeshand continuedthroughTimnah.
and Ainwith its pasturelandsand Juttahwith its pasturelands[and] Beth-shemeshwith its pasturelands;ninecitiesfrom thesetwotribes.
Then the mendidso,and tooktwomilchcowsand hitchedthem to the cart,and shutup their calvesat home.
And the cowstookthe straightwayin the directionof Beth-shemesh;they wentalong the highway,lowingas they went,and did not turnasideto the rightor to the left.And the lordsof the Philistinesfollowedthem to the borderof Beth-shemesh.
They said,"Ifyou sendawaythe arkof the Godof Israel,do not sendit empty;but you shall surelyreturnto Him a guiltoffering.Thenyou will be healedand it will be knownto you whyHis handis not removedfrom you."
