The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 6:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And the kine took the straight way, that leadeth to Bethsames, and they went along the way, lowing as they went: and turned not aside neither to the right hand nor to the left: and the lords of the Philistines followed them as far as the borders of Bethsames.

Douay-Rheims

וַיִשַּׁ֨רְנָה הַפָּר֜וֹת בַּדֶּ֗רֶךְ עַל־דֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ בֵּ֣ית שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ בִּמְסִלָּ֣ה אַחַ֗ת הָלְכ֤וּ הָלֹךְ֙ וְגָע֔וֹ וְלֹא־סָ֖רוּ יָמִ֣ין וּשְׂמֹ֑אול וְסַרְנֵ֤י פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ הֹלְכִ֣ים אַחֲרֵיהֶ֔ם עַד־גְּב֖וּל בֵּ֥ית שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 3 commentaries

Justin Martyr

2nd centuryChurch Father

I find it essential to highlight one of these miracles, as it reveals to us Jesus, whom we recognize as the Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will return to judge all humanity, starting with Adam. Therefore, I say to you that when the adversaries of the Azotians took the tabernacle of the testimony, they were struck by a horrific and incurable plague. In their despair, they decided to place it on a cart drawn by newly birthed cows, seeking to discern whether they were suffering due to the presence of the tabernacle and whether it was God’s will for it to be returned to its original location.

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After doing this, the cows, unknown to anyone, did not travel back to the place from which the tabernacle had been removed; instead, they made their way to the field of a man named Abijah, the same name as that figure who was later known as Jesus, as previously mentioned, and who led the people into the promised land, distributing it among them. Upon arriving at this field, the cows came to a halt. This demonstrates that they were guided by a divine name, reminiscent of how those who remained after the exodus from Egypt were brought into the land by someone who bore the name Jesus, originally called Abijah.

Gregory the Great

6th centuryChurch Father

Upon the return of the Lord's ark to the land of Israel from the territory of the Philistines, it was positioned on a cart. The Philistines placed newly calved cows pulling this cart, while confining their calves in a nearby dwelling. The cows proceeded directly towards the road leading to Bethshemish, moving steadily and mooing, yet not veering right or left. These cows can symbolize the faithful within the Church; when they contemplate the divine commandments, it is akin to bearing the ark of the Lord. Notably, the cows are described as newly calved, representing many individuals making their way to God internally, while still entangled in worldly attachments. Nevertheless, they do not deviate from the righteous way, as they carry the Lord's ark within their hearts.

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Their destination is Bethshemish, meaning "house of the sun." As the prophet states, "And for you who reverence My name, the Sun of righteousness shall rise" (Malachi 4:2). As we journey towards the dwelling of the eternal Sun, it is essential that we remain steadfast on the path to God, resisting the temptation to yield to our worldly desires. With fervor, we should recognize that the cows drawing God's chariot move forward and moo; their cries come from deep within, yet they do not stray from their course. This is the example that God’s messengers should follow, as well as all believers within the holy Church. They are called to show love and compassion to their neighbors, but such compassion must not lead them away from the pathway toward God.

When the ark of the Lord made its way back from the land of the Philistines to Israel, it was placed on a cart pulled by cows that had recently given birth, leaving their calves at home. It is recorded that the cows proceeded directly along the road to Bethshemesh, walking, mooing, and continuing on their path without veering to either side. The leaders of the Philistines followed them until they reached the border of Bethshemesh.

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Now, what do these cows symbolize if not the faithful within the Church, who, by adhering to the commandments of the holy Word, carry the ark of the Lord upon themselves? It is noteworthy that these cows were newly calved, as many individuals may occupy a position that obstructs their connection to God, weighed down by earthly concerns. In contrast, those who spiritually bear the ark of God maintain their focus on the straight path. Consider that the cows journey toward Bethshemesh, which translates to the house of the sun. The Prophet declares, "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings" (Malachi 4:2). Therefore, if we strive to reach the dwelling of the Eternal Sun, such an endeavor is worthwhile, provided we do not wander from God's path in pursuit of worldly desires.

We should contemplate how the oxen of God, attached to the cart, forge ahead with their sounds yet remain steadfast on their route. This is how the messengers of God and all faithful believers in the Holy Church should act: they ought to show love and compassion toward their neighbors while remaining unwavering in their commitment to God's way.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.