1 Samuel 6:1-3

New Living Translation

The Philistines Return the Ark

6 The Ark of the Lord remained in Philistine territory seven months in all. ² Then the Philistines called in their priests and diviners and asked them, “What should we do about the Ark of the Lord? Tell us how to return it to its own country.”

³ “Send the Ark of the God of Israel back with a gift,” they were told. “Send a guilt offering so the plague will stop. Then, if you are healed, you will know it was his hand that caused the plague.”