John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. Now therefore make a new cart , etc.] For there were no Levites, nor priests of the Lord to carry it upon their shoulders, as it was wont to be when carried, and therefore they ordered a cart to be made; and they might know the Levites were allowed wagons to carry some of their sacred things on, ( Numbers 7:1-8) and a new one for the honour of the ark, as David afterwards did, ( 2 Samuel 6:3) and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke ; which also might be designed for the honour of the ark; but there was a further view in it, at least in the providence of God; since two such creatures, who had young, would be apt, if left to themselves, as these were, to return home to them, and not to proceed on a journey; and being unaccustomed to a yoke, would draw one way, and another another, in different ways; and not go on in a direct road, as such that are used to the yoke do: and tie the kine to the cart ; in order to draw it: and bring their calves home from them ; that they might not cry after them, which would cause them to turn back.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Seven months the Philistines were punished with the presence of the ark; so long it was a plague to them, because they would not send it home sooner. Sinners lengthen out their own miseries by refusing to part with their sins. The Israelites made no effort to recover the ark Alas! where shall we find concern for religion prevail above all othe matters? In times of public calamity we fear for ourselves, for ou families, and for our country; but who cares for the ark of God? We ar favoured with the gospel, but it is treated with neglect or contempt We need not wonder if it should be taken from us; to many persons this though the heavies of calamities, would occasion no grief. There ar multitudes whom any profession would please as well as that of Christianity. But there are those who value the house, the word, an the ministry of God above their richest possessions, who dread the los of these blessings more than death. How willing bad men are to shif off their convictions, and when they are in trouble, to believe it is chance that happens; and that the rod has no voice which they shoul hear or heed!
Original Hebrew ועתה6258 קחו3947 ועשׂו6213 עגלה5699 חדשׁה2319 אחת259 ושׁתי8147 פרות6510 עלות5763 אשׁר834 לא3808 עלה5927 עליהם5921 על5923 ואסרתם631 את853 הפרות6510 בעגלה5699 והשׁיבתם7725 בניהם1121 מאחריהם310 הביתה׃1004
