The Church Fathers on this verse

1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 6:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now the Bethsamites were reaping wheat in the valley: and lifting up their eyes, they saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.

Douay-Rheims

וּבֵ֣ית שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ קֹצְרִ֥ים קְצִיר־חִטִּ֖ים בָּעֵ֑מֶק וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ אֶת־עֵינֵיהֶ֗ם וַיִּרְאוּ֙ אֶת־הָ֣אָר֔וֹן וַֽיִּשְׂמְח֖וּ לִרְאֽוֹת׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

3 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Justin Martyr

2nd centuryChurch Father

I find it important to highlight one of these wonders, as it brings you closer to understanding Jesus, whom we acknowledge as the Messiah, the Son of God, who endured crucifixion, triumphed over death, ascended into glory, and will return to judge all humanity, starting with Adam. Thus, I inform you that when the adversaries of the Azotians captured the sacred tabernacle of testimony and were stricken by a dreadful and incurable plague, they resolved to place it on a cart pulled by newly calved cows, seeking to discern whether their affliction was a consequence of their actions concerning the tabernacle and whether God desired its return to its original location.

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Upon doing this, the cows, unbeknownst to anyone, did not head back to where the tabernacle had been taken but instead journeyed to the field of a man named Abijah, sharing the same name as the man who was renamed Jesus, as previously mentioned, and who led the people into the land and allocated it among them. Upon arriving at this site, the cows halted. This illustrates that they were directed by a powerful name, just as those who remained from the exodus of Egypt were led into the promised land by one who bore the name Jesus and was previously called Abijah.

Gregory the Great

6th centuryChurch Father

When the ark of the Lord was brought back to Israel from the land of the Philistines, it was set upon a cart. The Philistines placed the cows that had just calved in the cart and confined their young ones at home. Remarkably, the cows went directly toward the road leading to Bethshemesh, advancing steadily and making their natural sounds, yet they did not veer to the right or to the left. These cows can be seen as a symbol for the faithful in the Church. For those who contemplate the divine commandments are akin to carriers of the ark of the Lord.

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It is also noteworthy that these cows are described as having newly calved; many individuals are internally journeying toward God while externally tethered by worldly desires, yet they remain steadfast on the righteous path, as they carry God’s presence within their hearts. Their destination, Bethshemesh, translates to ‘house of the sun.’ The prophet states, “And for you who revere My name, the Sun of righteousness shall rise" (Malachi 4:2). As we progress toward the dwelling of the eternal Sun, we must remain focused on the route to God and not be swayed by our fleshly inclinations. With all our strength, we should remember that the cows joined to God's cart walk and make their sounds; their sounds come from their innermost being, yet they do not wander off their course. This is how God’s messengers ought to behave, and it is also the mission for all believers in the holy Church. They should show love and compassion towards their neighbors, but such compassion must not lead them away from the path to God.

Nicodemos the Haghiorite

18th centuryChurch Father

As the ark was restored to the Israelites, so too did Christ reunite with Himself when His sacred soul returned to His body, leading to His resurrection. Gregory the Theologian remarked, "Christ in Himself - ascend ye also" (Word for Easter). Thus, is it not right for us as Orthodox Christians to celebrate, having been privileged to witness the culmination and realization of the aforementioned symbols and foreshadowings of the ark? How could we not find it appropriate to rejoice spiritually in the Resurrection of our Lord?