1 Samuele 6:20

20 E quelli di Beth-Scemesh dissero: "Chi può sussistere in presenza dell’Eterno, di questo Dio santo? E da chi salirà l’arca, partendo da noi?".

1 Samuele 6:20 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 6:20

And the men of Bethshemesh said, who is able to stand before
this holy Lord God?
&c.] The Targum is,

``before the ark of this holy Lord God;''

which is said either by way of complaint of the severity of God, and the strictness of his justice; or in reverence of his holiness, acknowledging their imperfection, sin, and guilt, by reason of which they could not stand before him; nor can any, but on account of the mercy seat over the ark, or through Christ, his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice:

and to whom shall he go up from us?
that is, the ark, the symbol of God's presence, which they seem to be desirous of parting with; being unworthy of it, and conscious of their impurity in comparison of God that dwelt in it; and of their weakness to give the honour and reverence that was due unto it; and yet they knew not who were fit for it, or would choose to receive it, because of the danger they were liable to through every inadvertency in them, and irreverence of that.

1 Samuele 6:20 In-Context

18 E de’ topi d’oro ne offriron tanti quante erano le città dei Filistei appartenenti ai cinque principi, dalle città murate ai villaggi di campagna che si estendono fino alla gran pietra sulla quale fu posata l’arca dell’Eterno, e che sussiste anche al dì d’oggi nel campo di Giosuè, il Beth-scemita.

19 L’Eterno colpì que’ di Beth-Scemesh, perché aveano portato gli sguardi sull’arca dell’Eterno; colpì settanta uomini del popolo. Il popolo fece cordoglio, perché l’Eterno l’avea colpito d’una gran piaga.

20 E quelli di Beth-Scemesh dissero: "Chi può sussistere in presenza dell’Eterno, di questo Dio santo? E da chi salirà l’arca, partendo da noi?".

21 E spedirono de’ messi agli abitanti di Kiriath-Jearim per dir loro: "I Filistei hanno ricondotto l’arca dell’Eterno; scendete e menatela su fra voi".