EGW → Biblical Foundation
Select an Ellen White book from the sidebar to see each passage mapped to the Bible verses it amplifies, cites, or echoes.
Scripture Index
Ellen White & Bible Cross-Reference
1 Samuel 6:2
"And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the Lord? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place."
"For seven months the ark remained in Philistia, and during all this time the Israelites made no effort for its recovery. But the Philistines were now as anxious to free themselves from its presence as they had been to obtain it. Instead of being a source of strength to them, it was a great burden and a heavy curse. Yet they knew not what course to pursue; for wherever it went the judgments of God followed. The people called for the princes of the nation, with the priests and diviners, and eagerly inquired, “What shall we do to the ark of Jehovah? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place?” They were advised to return it with a costly trespass offering. “Then,” said the priests, “ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why His hand is not removed from you.” PP 586.3"
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on the biblical text. The wording is nearly identical, indicating a clear and intentional reference.
1 Samuel 6:5
"Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land."
"To ward off or to remove a plague, it was anciently the custom among the heathen to make an image in gold, silver, or other material, of that which caused the destruction, or of the object or part of the body specially affected. This was set up on a pillar or in some conspicuous place, and was supposed to be an effectual protection against the evils thus represented. A similar practice still exists among some heathen peoples. When a person suffering from disease goes for cure to the temple of his idol, he carries with him a figure of the part affected, which he presents as an offering to his god. PP 587.1"
EGW directly refers to the practice of making images of emerods and mice, as described in 1 Samuel 6:5. This is a clear and direct allusion.
1 Samuel 6:19
"And he smote the men of Beth–shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter."
"unseen, ever attended it in all its journeyings. The irreverent daring of the people at Beth-shemesh was speedily punished. Many were smitten with sudden death. PP 589.2"
The EGW passage directly references the event described in 1 Samuel 6:19, where the men of Beth-shemesh were smitten for looking into the Ark of the Lord. The mention of the punishment and the location makes this a clear allusion.
"The survivors were not led by this judgment to repent of their sin, but only to regard the ark with superstitious fear. Eager to be free from its presence, yet not daring to remove it, the Beth-shemites sent a message to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, inviting them to take it away. With great joy the men of this place welcomed the sacred chest. They knew that it was the pledge of divine favor to the obedient and faithful. With solemn gladness they brought it to their city and placed it in the house of Abinadab, a Levite. This man appointed his son Eleazar to take charge of it, and it remained there for many years. PP 589.3"
The EGW passage directly refers to the events described in 1 Samuel 6:19, specifically the judgment upon the men of Beth-shemesh for looking into the ark. While not a direct quote, it's a clear reference to the narrative and its consequences.
"Upon David the divine rebuke accomplished its work. He was led to realize as he had never realized before the sacredness of the law of God and the necessity of strict obedience. The favor shown to the house of Obed- edom led David again to hope that the ark might bring a blessing to him and to his people. PP 706.2"
The EGW passage describes David's reflection on the sacredness of God's law after the incident with Uzzah and the ark. The reference to Obed-edom and the blessing he received is contrasted with the disaster at Beth-shemesh, creating a thematic parallel about approaching God with reverence and obedience.