And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months.
Ver. 1. And the ark of the Lord was in the country.] Heb., In the field of the Philistines: whence some have thought, that being plagued for it while in their houses, they set it in the open fields, and were thereupon plagued with mice and moles, that turned up their fields and devoured their grain.
Seven months.] Not four months only, as Josephus, falsely. This was a long while for God's people to be without that visible pawn of his presence and glory; so that they might seem to be as forlorn and forsaken of him. Such a misery may befall any people, to be bereft of God's ordinances; or any soul, to be for a time without the sense of his gracious presence and light of his countenance. But God hath promised to his to be "a little sanctuary unto them," Eze 11:16 and "not to leave them," or if he do so, yet "not to forsake them," Heb 13:5 provided that they look upon all other comforts as so many Ichabods, till he return unto them in mercy and lovingkindness.