וַיְהִ֧י אֲרוֹן־יְהוָ֛ה בִּשְׂדֵ֥ה פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים שִׁבְעָ֥ה חֳדָשִֽׁים׃
Tabut Yang Mahakekal berada di daerah orang Filistin selama tujuh bulan.
Seder Olam Rabbah
Eli led Israel for forty years, and the day Eli died, he forsook his tabernacle, as it is said, “He rejected the tent of Joseph” (Psalm 78:67), and “He gave His strength into captivity” (Psalm 78:61). And the Ark of the Lord was in the field of the Philistines for seven months. The Philistines called and said (1 Samuel 6:1-2). The men of Kiriath-Jearim came and took it, and it was from the day the Ark rested (1 Samuel 7:2). Subtract from these seven years the time David reigned in Hebron over Judah, which remained there for thirteen years, and subtract eleven years for Samuel himself and two years for Samuel and Saul. It was from the day the Ark rested (1 Samuel 7:2). At the beginning of these twenty years, the Tabernacle was brought to Nob. Although the Ark of the Lord was in Kiriath-Jearim, in Nob they offered sacrifices for thirteen years and for seven years in Gibeon. At the end of twenty years, David moved the Ark of the Lord from Kiriath-Jearim to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite, and the Ark of the Lord stayed in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months (2 Samuel 6:11). From this, we learn that Obed-Edom was blessed only because of the Ark of God.
Saul was one year into his reign (1 Samuel 13:1). Samuel said to Saul at the time of his anointing, “You will go down before me to Gilgal” (1 Samuel 10:8). Saul went down in the first year and struck the Ammonite king, and the Israelites anointed him. In the second year, he went down and did not keep his promise. Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord” (1 Samuel 13:13). In that chapter, David was anointed, as it is said, “And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul?’” (1 Samuel 16:1). Then Samuel took the horn of oil (1 Samuel 16:13), and he was twenty-nine years old. And Saul was hostile towards David (1 Samuel 18:9), and it is said, “The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 16:14). In that chapter, Nob was destroyed, and they came to Gibeon.
All the days of Samuel the Seer were only fifty-two years. It is also said, “Eli the priest sat on the seat” (1 Samuel 1:9), and she was bitter in soul (1 Samuel 1:10). In that chapter, he was appointed as a judge, and it is said, “And he judged Israel forty years” (1 Samuel 4:18). Thirteen years remained. Subtract one year for the intercalation, eleven years for Samuel, and one year for Saul. Thus, fifty-two years. Samuel died about four months before Saul's death, as it is said, “And the number of days that David stayed in the field of the Philistines was days and four months” (1 Samuel 27:7). And afterward, David inquired of the Lord, saying (1 Samuel 30:8). Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, was forty years old when he began to reign (2 Samuel 2:10), and he reigned for two years in Jerusalem. The kingdom of Israel was therefore nullified for five and a half years. All the elders of Israel came to King Hebron (2 Samuel 5:3). In that chapter, David was anointed again, being thirty years old at his anointing (2 Samuel 5:4), and he reigned for forty years.
Saul was one year into his reign (1 Samuel 13:1). Samuel said to Saul at the time of his anointing, “You will go down before me to Gilgal” (1 Samuel 10:8). Saul went down in the first year and struck the Ammonite king, and the Israelites anointed him. In the second year, he went down and did not keep his promise. Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord” (1 Samuel 13:13). In that chapter, David was anointed, as it is said, “And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul?’” (1 Samuel 16:1). Then Samuel took the horn of oil (1 Samuel 16:13), and he was twenty-nine years old. And Saul was hostile towards David (1 Samuel 18:9), and it is said, “The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 16:14). In that chapter, Nob was destroyed, and they came to Gibeon.
All the days of Samuel the Seer were only fifty-two years. It is also said, “Eli the priest sat on the seat” (1 Samuel 1:9), and she was bitter in soul (1 Samuel 1:10). In that chapter, he was appointed as a judge, and it is said, “And he judged Israel forty years” (1 Samuel 4:18). Thirteen years remained. Subtract one year for the intercalation, eleven years for Samuel, and one year for Saul. Thus, fifty-two years. Samuel died about four months before Saul's death, as it is said, “And the number of days that David stayed in the field of the Philistines was days and four months” (1 Samuel 27:7). And afterward, David inquired of the Lord, saying (1 Samuel 30:8). Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, was forty years old when he began to reign (2 Samuel 2:10), and he reigned for two years in Jerusalem. The kingdom of Israel was therefore nullified for five and a half years. All the elders of Israel came to King Hebron (2 Samuel 5:3). In that chapter, David was anointed again, being thirty years old at his anointing (2 Samuel 5:4), and he reigned for forty years.
Bereshit Rabbah
“Abraham took flocks and cattle, and gave them to Avimelekh, and the two of them established a covenant” (Genesis 21:27).
“Abraham set aside seven ewes of the flock by themselves” (Genesis 21:28).
“Avimelekh said to Abraham: What are these seven ewes that you have placed by themselves?” (Genesis 21:29).
“Abraham took flocks and cattle, and gave them to Avimelekh…Avimelekh said to Abraham: What are these seven ewes?” – the Holy One blessed be He said to him [Abraham]: ‘You gave seven ewes against My wishes,13God was not pleased that Abraham was making a covenant with an idolater (see Exodus 23:32). by your life, I will delay the rejoicing of your descendants for seven generations.’14The Exodus from Egypt did not occur until seven generations after Abraham.
‘You gave him seven ewes against My wishes, by your life, they [the Philistines] will correspondingly kill seven righteous men of your descendants.’ They are: Ḥofni and Pinḥas,15The sons of Eli the priest (I Samuel 4:11). Samson, and Saul and his three sons.
‘You gave him seven ewes against My wishes, they [the Philistines] will correspondingly destroy seven Sanctuaries of your descendants.’ These are: The Tent of Meeting, Gilgal, Nov, Givon, Shilo, and the two eternal Temples [in Jerusalem].
‘You gave him seven ewes against My wishes, My Ark will correspondingly circulate in the Philistine countryside for seven months.’ That is what is written: “He sent His strength into captivity, [and His splendor into the hand of the foe]” (Psalms 78:61) – this refers to the Ark of the Covenant. And it is written: “The Ark of the Lord was in the Philistine countryside seven months” (I Samuel 6:1). “And His splendor into the hand of the foe” – this refers to the priestly vestments, as it says: “You shall make holy vestments for Aaron…and for splendor” (Exodus 28:2).
Rabbi Yirmeya in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak in the name of Rabbi Abba: Why were the people of Beit Shemesh stricken down?16When the Ark, which had been seized by the Philistines, was returned to that town (see I Samuel 6:19). It is because they demeaned the Ark. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Had one of them lost a chicken, he would have gone around to many doors [of his neighbors] in order to recover it, yet My Ark was in the Philistine countryside for seven months, and you paid it no attention. Though you paid it no attention, I will pay attention to it.’ “His right hand and His holy arm have wrought salvation for Him” (Psalms 98:1).17This verse is taken as a reference to the retrieval of the Ark from the Philistines.
That is what is written: “The cows18Who were pulling the wagon carrying the Ark from the Philistines to Beit Shemesh. went directly [vayisharna] on the road” (I Samuel 6:12) – they were walking in a straight path. [Alternatively,] they turned their faces toward the Ark19Out of respect for it. and sang a song of praise. That is what is written: “Vayisharna” – they sang a song of praise [shira] with their mouths.
What was the song that they sang? Rabbi Meir said: They recited the Song of the Sea. Here it is stated: “They went, lowing [vega’u] as they went” (I Samuel 6:12), and there [in the Song of the Sea] it is stated: “As He is greatly exalted [gao gaa]” (Exodus 15:1). Rabbi Yoḥanan said: [They sang:] “Sing to the Lord a new song” (Psalms 98:1). The Rabbis say: [They sang:] “The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice” (Psalms 97:1). Rabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Yitzḥak: [They sang] three [songs:] “Sing to the Lord a new song” (Psalms 98:1); “Sing to the Lord all the earth” (Psalms 96:1); “The Lord reigns; peoples tremble” (Psalms 99:1). Eliyahu taught: [This was their song:] ‘Rise, acacia wood,20The Ark was made of acacia wood (Exodus 25:10). soar in your abundant glory, decorated with golden embroidery, extolled in the innermost Sanctuary of the palace, adorned between two cherubs.’
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said [of those cows]: How many exertions did [Moses,] the son of Amram, expend until he taught the art of song to the Levites, and you [the cows] recite song on your own? May your strength be true.
“Abraham set aside seven ewes of the flock by themselves” (Genesis 21:28).
“Avimelekh said to Abraham: What are these seven ewes that you have placed by themselves?” (Genesis 21:29).
“Abraham took flocks and cattle, and gave them to Avimelekh…Avimelekh said to Abraham: What are these seven ewes?” – the Holy One blessed be He said to him [Abraham]: ‘You gave seven ewes against My wishes,13God was not pleased that Abraham was making a covenant with an idolater (see Exodus 23:32). by your life, I will delay the rejoicing of your descendants for seven generations.’14The Exodus from Egypt did not occur until seven generations after Abraham.
‘You gave him seven ewes against My wishes, by your life, they [the Philistines] will correspondingly kill seven righteous men of your descendants.’ They are: Ḥofni and Pinḥas,15The sons of Eli the priest (I Samuel 4:11). Samson, and Saul and his three sons.
‘You gave him seven ewes against My wishes, they [the Philistines] will correspondingly destroy seven Sanctuaries of your descendants.’ These are: The Tent of Meeting, Gilgal, Nov, Givon, Shilo, and the two eternal Temples [in Jerusalem].
‘You gave him seven ewes against My wishes, My Ark will correspondingly circulate in the Philistine countryside for seven months.’ That is what is written: “He sent His strength into captivity, [and His splendor into the hand of the foe]” (Psalms 78:61) – this refers to the Ark of the Covenant. And it is written: “The Ark of the Lord was in the Philistine countryside seven months” (I Samuel 6:1). “And His splendor into the hand of the foe” – this refers to the priestly vestments, as it says: “You shall make holy vestments for Aaron…and for splendor” (Exodus 28:2).
Rabbi Yirmeya in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak in the name of Rabbi Abba: Why were the people of Beit Shemesh stricken down?16When the Ark, which had been seized by the Philistines, was returned to that town (see I Samuel 6:19). It is because they demeaned the Ark. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Had one of them lost a chicken, he would have gone around to many doors [of his neighbors] in order to recover it, yet My Ark was in the Philistine countryside for seven months, and you paid it no attention. Though you paid it no attention, I will pay attention to it.’ “His right hand and His holy arm have wrought salvation for Him” (Psalms 98:1).17This verse is taken as a reference to the retrieval of the Ark from the Philistines.
That is what is written: “The cows18Who were pulling the wagon carrying the Ark from the Philistines to Beit Shemesh. went directly [vayisharna] on the road” (I Samuel 6:12) – they were walking in a straight path. [Alternatively,] they turned their faces toward the Ark19Out of respect for it. and sang a song of praise. That is what is written: “Vayisharna” – they sang a song of praise [shira] with their mouths.
What was the song that they sang? Rabbi Meir said: They recited the Song of the Sea. Here it is stated: “They went, lowing [vega’u] as they went” (I Samuel 6:12), and there [in the Song of the Sea] it is stated: “As He is greatly exalted [gao gaa]” (Exodus 15:1). Rabbi Yoḥanan said: [They sang:] “Sing to the Lord a new song” (Psalms 98:1). The Rabbis say: [They sang:] “The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice” (Psalms 97:1). Rabbi Yirmeya said in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Yitzḥak: [They sang] three [songs:] “Sing to the Lord a new song” (Psalms 98:1); “Sing to the Lord all the earth” (Psalms 96:1); “The Lord reigns; peoples tremble” (Psalms 99:1). Eliyahu taught: [This was their song:] ‘Rise, acacia wood,20The Ark was made of acacia wood (Exodus 25:10). soar in your abundant glory, decorated with golden embroidery, extolled in the innermost Sanctuary of the palace, adorned between two cherubs.’
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said [of those cows]: How many exertions did [Moses,] the son of Amram, expend until he taught the art of song to the Levites, and you [the cows] recite song on your own? May your strength be true.