1 Samuel 6:1-13
Instead of rejecting their powerless idol, in order to fear and serve the LORD from henceforth, the Philistines only have one thought in mind: to get rid of a God as formidable as this as quickly as possible. This makes us think of an incident in the gospels when the power of the Lord had just delivered Legion, the demoniac in the country of the Gadarenes. These people had the inestimable privilege of a visit from the Son of God. However, they were blinded by their own interests and thought only of the loss of their pigs. Instead of being glad and receiving Jesus, they asked Him to leave their territory (Mark 5:17).
The world could not bear the Lord’s presence because His perfection was a judgment on it. So it wanted to be rid of Him.
The Philistines recognize the indisputable power of the God of Israel. They honour Him in their ignorant way. And the ark is sent back to the land of Israel but not without having once more demonstrated its power. In fact, notwithstanding the absence of a driver and though it is being pulled by cows who, against their natural instincts, were leaving their calves behind, the cart which is carrying the ark makes straight for the borders of Israel.