They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about [thither].
Ver. 8. What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?] Vexation should have given them understanding: and they should have consulted in this case with the priests and people of God, who could best have directed them what to do: but this they were farthest from. Afflictions, God's hammers, without the Holy Ghost and his fire, do but beat upon cold iron.
Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about.] It was so, by a providence, through all the five cities of the Philistines, Veluti tributum per singulas poenam violatae religionis exigens, a thus exacting the tribute of just punishment upon them all, for religion violated.
a Joseph., lib. vi. cap. 1.