6:14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where [there was] a great stone: and {h} they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.
(h) That is, the men of Bethshemesh, who were Israelites.
6:14 They - Not the lords of the Philistines, but the Beth - shemites, the priest that dwelt there. Offered the kine - There may seem to he a double error in this act. First, that they offered females for a burnt - offering, contrary to Levit 1:3. Secondly, that they did it in a forbidden place, Deut 12:5,6. But this case being extraordinary, may in some sort excuse it, if they did not proceed by ordinary rules.
6:10-18 These two kine knew their owner, their great Owner, whom Hophin and Phinehas knew not. God's providence takes notice even of brute creatures, and serves its own purposes by them. When the reapers saw the ark, they rejoiced; their joy for that was greater than the joy of harvest. The return of the ark, and the revival of holy ordinances, after days of restraint and trouble, are matters of great joy.
