第37章 上帝的约柜
§1
第37章 上帝的约柜
§2
Chap. 37—The Ark of God
§3
上帝的约柜乃是一个神圣的木柜，专为存放十诫而制的；这十诫律法乃是上帝自身的代表。这约柜被认为是以色列的光荣和力量。上帝临格的标记日夜停留在约柜之上。在约柜前供职的祭司，都是专为这神圣职分而分别为圣的。他们戴着一个胸牌，是用各种不同宝石镶嵌而成的，这些宝石与那组成上帝圣城十二层基础的材料相同。边缘之内有十二支派的名字，刻在镶在金槽内的十二块宝石上。这是一个很豪华美丽的制作，挂在祭司肩上，罩在胸前。{4aSG 101.1}[1]
§4
The ark of God was a sacred chest, made to be the depository of the ten commandments, which law was the representative of God himself. This ark was considered the glory and strength of Israel. The token of Divine presence abode upon it day and night. The priests who ministered before it were sacredly consecrated to the holy office. They wore a breast-plate bordered with precious stones of different materials,?the same as compose the twelve foundations of the city of God. Within the border were the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, graven on precious stones set in gold. This was a very rich and beautiful work, suspended from the shoulders of the priests, covering the breast.?{4aSG 101.1}[1]
§5
在胸牌的左右有两块较大的宝石，光耀夺目。官长遇有困难问题而无法自行决定时，就转交给祭司，祭司便求问上帝，上帝就答复他们。祂如果同意，并愿使他们成功，则有明亮的荣光停在右侧的宝石上。如果祂不赞同，则有一层云雾似乎降在左侧的宝石上。当他们求问上帝关于出外作战时，右侧的宝石如果环有荣光，那就表明上帝说去，并且得胜。如果左侧的宝石有阴影遮蔽，那就是说，你不可去，你必不能得胜。{4aSG 102.1}[2]
§6
At the right and left of the breast-plate were set two larger stones, which shone with great brilliancy. When difficult matters were brought to the judges, which they could not decide, they were referred to the priests, and they inquired of God, who answered them. If in favor, and if he would grant them success, a halo of light and glory especially rested upon the precious stone at the right. If against, a vapor or cloud seemed to settle upon the precious stone at the left hand. When they inquired of God in regard to going to battle, the precious stone at the right, when circled with light, said, Go and prosper. The stone at the left, when shadowed with a cloud, said, Thou shalt not go, thou shalt not prosper.?{4aSG 102.1}[2]
§7
每当大祭司一年一度进入至圣所，在约柜前上帝可畏的临格所在供职时，他求问上帝，上帝往往就用可以听闻的声音答复他。主在不用声音答复时，就使神圣的荣光停在约柜的右边的基路伯上，来表示嘉许或悦纳。如果他们的请求被拒绝，则有阴云降在左边的基路伯上。{4aSG 102.2}[3]
§8
When the high priest entered within the most holy once a year, and ministered before the ark in the awful presence of God, he inquired, and God often answered him with an audible voice. When the Lord did not answer by a voice, he let the sacred beams of light and glory rest upon the cherubim upon the right of the ark, in approbation or favor. If their requests were refused, a cloud rested upon the cherubim at the left.?{4aSG 102.2}[3]
§9
在整个行程中四位天使总是伴随着上帝的约柜，保护它免受一切危险 ，完成一切有关约柜所要求于他们的一切任务。当来到约旦河的时候，上帝的儿子耶稣和跟随祂的众天使走在约柜的前面，水在祂面前断绝了，基督和天使站在约柜旁，祭司站在河床当中，直到以色列众人都过了约旦河。基督和天使参与了约柜围绕耶利哥的行动，最后将这巨大的城墙推倒，将耶利哥交在以色列人手中。{4aSG 102.3}[4]
§10
Four heavenly angels always accompanied the ark of God in all its journeyings, to guard it from all danger, and to fulfill any mission required of them in connection with the ark. Jesus the Son of God, followed by heavenly angels, went before the ark as it came to Jordan, and the waters were cut off before his presence. Christ and angels stood by the ark and the priests in the bed of the river until all Israel had passed over Jordan. Christ and angels attended the circuit of the ark around Jericho, and finally cast down the massive walls of the city, and delivered Jericho into the hands of Israel.?{4aSG 102.3}[4]
§11
以利任大祭司时，他提拔了他的两个儿子作祭司。惟独以利可以一年一度进入至圣所。他的儿子在圣幕门前供职，并负责宰杀祭牲及在祭坛旁司祭。他们经常滥用这一神圣的职权。他们自私自利，贪爱钱财，喜好吃喝，放荡不羁。上帝谴责了以利疏忽家庭管教的罪行。以利也责备了他的儿子，但却没有禁止他们。在他们担任祭司圣职之后，以利听到他们用敲诈手段夺取以色列民祭物的行为，以及他们大胆违犯上帝律法和使以色列陷入罪中的暴行。{4aSG 103.1}[5]
§12
When Eli was high priest, he exalted his sons to the priesthood. Eli was alone permitted to enter the most holy once a year. His sons ministered at the door of the tabernacle, and officiated in the slaying of the beasts, and at the altar of sacrifice. They continually abused this sacred office. They were selfish, covetous, gluttonous, and profligate. God reproved Eli for his criminal neglect of family discipline. Eli reproved his sons, but did not restrain them. And when they were placed in the sacred office of priesthood, Eli heard of their conduct in defrauding the children of Israel in their offerings, also their bold transgressions of the law of God, and their violent conduct, which caused Israel to sin.?{4aSG 103.1}[5]
§13
以色列人都知道了他们的罪行。以利谴责了他们，把他们罪恶的深重性摆在他们面前。那并不象人们彼此得罪的罪，是祭司可以为之赎罪的。祭司自己若是得罪上帝，表明公然藐视祂的权威，谁还能为他赎罪呢？以利的两个儿子并不重视父亲的劝告。以利是以色列的士师，也是大祭司，对他儿子的行为负有责任。他原应该立刻撤掉他们的祭司职任，并照他们的情况应得的审判他们。他知道，要是自己这么做，两个儿子就必须死，因为他们给以色列人树立了可憎的榜样。他既允许他们负着罪恶作以色列人的祭司，就会使百姓轻视罪恶，藐视所献的祭物。{4aSG 103.2}[6]
§14
Their crimes were known to all Israel. Eli reproved them. He presented before them the enormity of their sin. It was not like a sin against each other, which officiating priests could atone for. But if the priests themselves sin against God, and show open contempt for his authority, who should atone for them? They regarded not the counsel of their father. Eli was judge, and also high priest, in Israel, and he was responsible for the conduct of his sons. He should have at once removed them from the priesthood, and judged them as their case deserved. He knew if he should do this they must suffer death for their abominable example to Israel. Permitting them, loaded with guilt, to occupy the relation of priests to Israel, would lead the people to lightly regarded crime, and to despise the sacrificial offerings.?{4aSG 103.2}[6]
§15
主藉祂的先知责备了以利。“‘我所吩咐献在我居所的祭物，你们为何践踏？尊重你的儿子过于尊重我，将我民以色列所献美好的祭物肥己呢？’因此，耶和华以色列的上帝说：‘我曾说，你和你父家必永远行在我面前；现在我却说，决不容你们这样行。因为尊重我的，我必重看他；藐视我的，他必被轻视’”（撒上2:29，30）。{4aSG 103.3}[7]
§16
The Lord by his prophet sent a reproof to Eli. “Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation, and honorest they sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? Wherefore, the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever; but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”?{4aSG 103.3}[7]
§17
以利对他两个儿子过度的溺爱使他成了一个偏袒人的士师。他为两个儿子的罪开脱，而别人若是犯了这些罪，他是会谴责的。主藉祂的先知告诉以利：因为他在他的儿子迫使以色列人犯罪时还这样让他的儿子继续作祭司，也因为他们违背祂律法的罪，祂要在一日之内剪除他的两个儿子。以利既忽视了自己神圣的职责，上帝就要惩罚他们，他们都应灭亡。{4aSG 104.1}[8]
§18
Eli’s undue affection for his sons made him a partial judge. He excused sins in them which he would have condemned in others. The Lord informed Eli by his prophet that because he had thus suffered his sons to remain in sacred office, while they were compelling Israel to sin, and because of their transgressions of his law, he would cut off both his sons in one day. As Eli had neglected his sacred duty, God would punish them, and they should both perish.?{4aSG 104.1}[8]
§19
这对自称跟从基督却疏于约束自己的儿女、只是劝劝他们的父母们乃是一个长存的责备，他们象以利一样，虽然说：“你们为何做这么坏的事呢？”却不坚决地制止他们。这种人让上帝的圣工蒙羞，因为他们并不行使那属于他们的权威，好制止罪恶。{4aSG 104.2}[9]
§20
Here is a standing rebuke to parents, professed followers of Christ, who neglect to restrain their children, but merely entreat their children, like Eli, and who say, “Why do ye so wickedly?” but who do not decidedly restrain them. Such suffer God’s cause to be dishonored, because they do not exercise that authority which belongs to them in order to restrain wickedness.?{4aSG 104.2}[9]
§21
主向童子撒母耳说明祂因以利失职而要降罚与他的家。“耶和华对撒母耳说：我在以色列中必行一件事，叫听见的人都必耳鸣。我指着以利家所说的话，到了时候我必始终应验在以利身上。我曾告诉他必永远降罚与他的家，因他知道儿子作孽，自招咒诅，却不禁止他们。所以我向以利家起誓说：以利家的罪孽，虽献祭奉礼物，永不能得赎去”（撒上3:11-14）。{4aSG 104.3}[10]
§22
The Lord made known to the child Samuel the judgments he would bring upon Eli’s house because of his negligence. “And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house. When I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever.”?{4aSG 104.3}[10]
§23
以利的儿子在犯罪的事上是如此的胆大妄为，侮辱圣洁的上帝，任意地犯罪，以致奉上祭牲也无法赎罪。这两个邪恶的祭司竟然亵渎那预表上帝儿子的祭物。他们因自己那种亵渎的行为，践踏了那使一切祭物生效的基督赎罪宝血。{4aSG 104.4}[11]
§24
The transgressions of Eli’s sons were so daring, so insulting to a holy God, that no sacrifice could atone for such willful transgression. These sinful priests profaned the sacrifices which typified the Son of God. And by their blasphemous conduct they were trampling upon the blood of the atonement, from which was derived the virtue of all sacrifices.?{4aSG 104.4}[11]
§25
撒母耳将耶和华的话告诉了以利；“以利说：这是出于耶和华，愿祂凭自己的意旨而行”（撒上3:18）。以利明知上帝已受了侮慢，他也觉得自己有罪。他认定上帝如此刑罚他失职的罪乃是公正的。以利后来将主所晓谕撒母耳的话告诉了全以色列。他原想借此可多少纠正他过去失职的罪，那宣判在以利身上的大祸不久就临到了。{4aSG 104.5}[12]
§26
Samuel told Eli the words of the Lord, “and he said, It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.” Eli knew that God had been dishonored, and?he felt that he had sinned. He submitted that God was just in thus punishing his sinful neglect. The word of the Lord to Samuel was made known by Eli to all Israel. In doing this, he thought to correct in a measure his past sinful negligence. The evil pronounced upon Eli was not long delayed.?{4aSG 104.5}[12]
§27
以色列人和非利士人作战失败了，阵亡的约有四千人。希伯来人甚为恐惧。他们知道如果其他民族听说他们这次的失败，就会受到鼓励也来攻打他们了。以色列的长老们认定他们之所以失败，是因为上帝的约柜不在他们中间。于是他们派人到示罗去把约柜抬来，他们想起从前如何抬着约柜渡过约旦河并很容易地征服了耶利哥，所以他们断定只要把约柜抬来，他们就必胜过他们的仇敌。他们没有认识到，他们的力量乃在于顺从那贮存在约柜内代表上帝的律法。那两个腐化的祭司何弗尼和非尼哈是与神圣的约柜在一起，他们正在干犯上帝的律法。这两个罪人将约柜带到以色列人的营中。于是战士们的士气恢复了，他们觉得有必胜的把握。{4aSG 105.1}[13]
§28
The Israelites made war with the Philistines, and were overcome, and four thousand of them were slain. The Hebrews were afraid. They knew if other nations should hear of their defeat, they would be encouraged to also make war with them. The elders of Israel decided that their defeat was because the ark of God was not with them. They sent to Shiloh for the ark of the covenant. They thought of their passage over Jordan, and the easy conquest of Jericho, when they bore the ark, and they decided that all that was necessary was to bring the ark to them, and they would triumph over their enemies. They did not realize that their strength was in their obedience to that law contained in the ark, which was a representative of God himself. The polluted priests, Hophni and Phinehas, were with the sacred ark, transgressing the law of God. These sinners conducted the ark to the camp of Israel. The confidence of the men of war was restored, and they felt confident of success.?{4aSG 105.1}[13]
§29
“耶和华的约柜到了营中，以色列众人就大声欢呼，地便震动。非利士人听见欢呼的声音，就说：在希伯来人营里大声欢呼，是什么缘故呢？随后就知道耶和华的约柜到了营中。非利士人就惧怕起来，说：有神到了他们营中。又说：我们有祸了！向来不曾有这样的事。我们有祸了！谁能救我们脱离这些大能之神的手呢？从前在旷野用各样灾殃击打埃及人的，就是这些神。非利士人哪，你们要刚强，要作大丈夫，免得作希伯来人的奴仆，如同他们作你们的奴仆一样；你们要作大丈夫与他们争战。非利士人和以色列人打仗，以色列人败了，各向各家奔逃。被杀的人甚多；以色列的步兵仆倒了三万。上帝的约柜被掳去；以利的两个儿子何弗尼、非尼哈也都被杀了”（撒上4:4-11）。{4aSG 105.2}[14]
§30
“And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the Lord was come into the camp. And the Philistines were afraid; for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore. Woe unto us! Who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to?you. Quit yourselves like men, and fight. And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent. And there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.”?{4aSG 105.2}[14]
§31
非利士人以为这约柜就是以色列人的神。他们一点不明白，那创造天地、并在西奈山颁布祂律法的永生上帝，是根据人顺从或违背那贮存在神圣约柜中祂的律法而使他们或兴盛或衰败的。{4aSG 106.1}[15]
§32
The Philistines thought this ark was the Israelites’ god. They knew not that the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, and gave his law upon Sinai, sent prosperity and adversity according to the obedience or transgression of his law, contained in the sacred chest.?{4aSG 106.1}[15]
§33
以色列人大败，被杀的人甚多。以利当时正坐在路旁，提心吊胆地等待从战场上传来的消息。他惟恐上帝的约柜被非利士军队掳去而遭受亵渎。有一个从阵上逃跑的报信人来到示罗，告诉以利说他的两个儿子已经被杀。他听到这个消息还能勉强保持镇定，因为这原是在他意料中的。但及至那送信的说，“并且上帝的约柜被掳去”（撒上4:17）时，以利就因极度痛苦而从他的座位上前后摇晃，终于向后跌倒死了。他也受到那降在他儿子身上的上帝的忿怒，他对于他们的罪孽负有大部分责任，因为他很有罪地疏忽了禁止他们。上帝的约柜被非利士人掳去这件事，被认为是以色列人所能遭遇的最大不幸。非尼哈的妻子临死时给她孩子起名为以迦博说：“荣耀离开以色列，因为上帝的约柜被掳去了”（撒上4:22）。{4aSG 106.2}[16]
§34
There was a very great slaughter in Israel. Eli was sitting by the wayside, watching with a trembling heart to receive news from the army. He was afraid that the ark of God might be taken, and polluted by the Philistine host. A messenger from the army ran to Shiloh and informed Eli that his two sons had been slain. He could bear this with a degree of calmness, for he had reason to expect it. But when the messenger added, “And the ark of God is taken,” Eli wavered in anguish upon his seat, and fell backward and died. He shared the wrath of God which came upon his sons. He was guilty in a great measure of their transgressions, because he had criminally neglected to restrain them. The capture of the ark of God by the Philistines was considered the greatest calamity which could befall Israel. The wife of Phinehas, as she was about to die, named her child Ichabod, saying, “The glory is departed from Israel, for the ark of God is taken.”?{4aSG 106.2}[16]
§35
上帝允许祂的约柜被以色列人的敌人掳走，是要告诉他们，他们妄想依靠象征祂同在的约柜，却又干犯约柜里面的诫命，是多么地无用。上帝让神圣的约柜从他们中间挪去，是要借此打消他们所夸耀的力量和自负。{4aSG 106.3}[17]
§36
God permitted his ark to be taken by their enemies to show Israel how vain it was to trust in the ark, the symbol of his presence, while they were profaning the commandments contained in the ark. God would humble them by removing from them that sacred ark, their boasted strength and confidence.?{4aSG 106.3}[17]
§37
非利士人得意扬扬，因为他们认为得到了以色列人有名的神，就是为他们施行奇事，使他们令敌人惊恐的神。他们把上帝的约柜带到亚实突，安置在一座辉煌的殿中，为了尊荣他们最崇拜的神大衮，就放在他们神的旁边。早晨这些神的祭司进到庙中，他们惊恐地发现大衮脸俯于地仆倒在耶和华的约柜前。他们将大衮扶起来，仍立在原处。他们以为他或许是偶然倒下来了。但又次日清早，他们发现它仍象先前一样倒了下来，脸伏于地，连头和两手都折断了。伴随着约柜的天使推倒了这无知觉的偶像神，之后又使它残缺不全，以显示上帝、永生的上帝，是高于一切假神的，在祂面前一切异教的神尽属虚无。非利士的异教徒非常尊崇他们的神大衮；所以当他们发现它已大受毁伤便甚忧愁，并认为是对他们极其不祥之兆。他们认为这是表明非利士人以及他们所有的诸神终必被希伯来人所制胜所毁灭，而且希伯来人的上帝必定较比一切的神明更伟大更强盛。他们将上帝的约柜从他们的神庙里挪出另放在一处。{4aSG 106.4}[18]
§38
The Philistines were triumphant, because they had, as they thought, the famous God of the Israelites, which had performed such wonders for them, and had made them a terror to their enemies. They took the?ark of God to Ashdod, and set it in a splendid temple, made in honor of their most popular god, Dagon, and placed it by the side of their god. In the morning the priests of these gods entered the temple, and they were terrified to find Dagon fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. They raised Dagon and placed him in his former position. They thought he might have accidentally fallen. But the next morning they found him fallen as before upon his face to the ground, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were cut off. The angels of God, who ever accompanied the ark, prostrated the senseless idol god, and afterward mutilated it, to show that God, the living God, was above all gods, and before him every heathen God was as nothing. The heathen possessed great reverence for their god, Dagon, and when they found it ruinously mutilated, and lying upon its face before the ark of God, they were sad, and considered it a very bad omen to the Philistines. It was interpreted by them that the Philistines and all their gods would yet be subdued and destroyed by the Hebrews, and the Hebrews’ God would be greater and more powerful than all gods. They removed the ark of God from their idol temple, and placed it by itself.?{4aSG 106.4}[18]
§39
亚实突人开始大大遭殃了。主毁灭他们，他们便想起埃及人曾遭的灾祸和他们的神被毁伤的事，确信是因为他们把上帝的约柜留在这里才招致了这一切的苦难。上帝希望向拜偶像的非利士人证明，也向祂的百姓证明，约柜对于那些顺从祂律法的人来说是力量和能力，对于悖逆和邪恶的人来说，它却是刑罚和死亡。{4aSG 107.1}[19]
§40
The men of Ashdod began to be greatly afflicted. The Lord destroyed them, and they remembered the plagues brought upon Egypt, and their mutilated god, and they were convinced that it was because they kept the ark of God that these distressing afflictions came upon them. God would evidence to the idolatrous Philistines, and also to his people, that the ark was strength and power to those who were obedient to his law, and to the disobedient and wicked it was punishment and death.?{4aSG 107.1}[19]
§41
当亚实突人确信是希伯来人的上帝因祂的约柜而在使他们受苦时，他们就决定不让约柜留在他们那里了。他们说：“因为祂的手重重加在我们和我们神大衮的身上”（撒上5:7）。国中的大人物与官长们一起商量，要拿以色列上帝的约柜怎么办。他们虽耀武扬威地把它掳来了，却不知道对这神圣的柜子怎么办；因为它非但没有成为他们的权柄和力量，反而成了一个大负担和沉重的咒诅。他们决定把它送到迦特去。但灭命的天使继续在迦特开展他们灭命的工作。有许多迦特人死了，他们不敢再把约柜留在迦特，免得以色列的上帝用祂的咒诅消灭所有的迦特人。{4aSG 107.2}[20]
§42
When the men of Ashdod were convinced that it was the God of the Hebrews who caused their afflictions, because of his ark, they decided that the ark of the God of Israel should not abide with them. “For,” say they “his hand is sore upon us and upon Dagon our god.” The great men and rulers consulted together,?relative to what they should do with the ark of the God of Israel. They had taken it in triumph, but knew not what to do with the sacred chest; for instead of its being a power and strength to them, it was a great burden, and a heavy curse. They decided to send it to Gath. But the destroying angels carried on their work of destruction also in that place. Very many of them died, and they dared not retain the ark longer in Gath, lest the God of Israel should consume all the people by his curse.?{4aSG 107.2}[20]
§43
迦特人决定把约柜送到以革伦去。当拜偶像的祭司们把上帝的约柜送到以革伦时，以革伦人大大惊慌，就喊嚷起来：“他们将以色列上帝的约柜运到我们这里，要害我们和我们的众民”（撒上5:10）！以革伦人也遭了殃，死了大量的人。他们到他们的神那里去求助，就象亚实突和迦特城的人所做的一样，却没有得到解救。他们便自卑，向约柜所属的以色列的上帝呼求，求祂救他们脱离苦难。“于是打发人去请非利士的众首领来，说：‘愿你们将以色列上帝的约柜送回原处，免得害了我们和我们的众民！’原来上帝的手重重攻击那城，城中的人有因惊慌而死的；未曾死的人都生了痔疮。合城呼号，声音上达于天”（撒上5:11,12）。{4aSG 108.1}[21]
§44
They of Gath decided to send the ark to Ekron. And as the idolatrous priests bore the ark of God to Ekron, the people of Ekron were greatly alarmed and cried out, “They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.” The Ekronites were also afflicted, and great numbers of them died. They went to their gods for help, as the cities of Ashdod and Gath had done, but they obtained no relief. They had humbled themselves to cry to the God of Israel to whom the ark belonged for relief from their affliction. “So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place that it slay us not, and our people; for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city. The hand of God was very heavy there. And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods, and the cry of the city went up to heaven.”?{4aSG 108.1}[21]
§45
上帝的约柜留在非利士人那里达七个月之久。他们已经战胜以色列人并掳来了上帝的约柜，他们原以为以色列人的力量全在于此，所以他们想今后必永保安全，再也不必惧怕以色列人的军队了。但正在他们因胜利而欢庆之中，遍地发出了哀号之声，而原因却终于归到上帝的约柜上面。它被人诚惶诚恐地搬来搬去，而上帝所降的灾患竟一路追随着它，直至非利士人大感困恼，真不知应如何处理它。伴随约柜的使者保护了它不受一切损毁。非利士人不敢将柜打开；因为他们的神大衮既已遭遇非常的不幸，致使他们连摸约柜或挨近它也都不敢了。他们将祭司和占卜的聚了来，问他们向上帝的约柜应当怎样行。他们建议将它送回到它原来归属的子民那里去，同时也送上一份贵重的赔罪祭礼，如果得蒙上帝悦纳的话，他们就可得痊愈。他们也应当明白上帝的手之所以加在他们身上，乃是因为他们掳了祂的约柜，这约柜原只能属于以色列的。{4aSG 108.2}[22]
§46
The ark of God was kept by the Philistines seven months. They had overcome the Israelites, and had taken the ark of God, wherein they supposed their power consisted, and thought that they should ever be in safety, and have no more fear of the armies of Israel. But in the midst of their joy at their success, a wailing was heard all over the land, and the cause was at length credited to the ark of God. It was borne from place to place in terror, and destruction from God followed its course, until the Philistines were greatly perplexed to know what to do with it. Angels who accompanied it, guarded it from all harm. And the?Philistines did not dare to open the chest, for their god, Dagon, had met with such a fate, they feared to touch it, or to have it near them. They called for the priests and the diviners, and inquired of them what they should do with the ark of God. They advised them to send it back to the people to whom it belonged, and to send with it a costly trespass-offering, which if God would be pleased to accept, they would be healed. They should also understand that God’s hand was upon them because they had taken his ark, which belonged alone to Israel.?{4aSG 108.2}[22]
§47
当时有人不赞成这一办法。把约柜送回去未免太失面子了，同时他们也强调说，决没有一个非利士人敢冒生命的危险将这曾经如此危害他们的上帝的约柜送去。他们的顾问劝百姓不可硬着心，象埃及人和法老所作的一样，致使更严重的灾难临到他们。他们既都不敢搬运上帝的约柜，祭司和占卜的便向他们建议说：“现在你们应当造一辆新车，将两只未曾负轭的有乳的母牛，套在车上，使牛犊回家去离开母牛。把耶和华的约柜放在车上，将所献赔罪的金物装在匣子里，放在柜旁，将柜送去。你们要看看，车若直行在以色列的境界到伯示麦去，这大灾就是耶和华降在我们身上的；若不然，便可以知道不是祂的手击打我们，是我们偶然遇见的。非利士人就这样行，将两只有乳的母牛套在车上，将牛犊关在家里。……牛直行大道往伯示麦去，一面走一面叫，不偏左右”（撒上6:7-10,12）。{4aSG 109.1}[23]
§48
Some were not in favor of this. It was too humiliating to carry back the ark, and they urged that no one of the Philistines would dare venture his life to carry the ark of the God of Israel which had brought such death upon them. Their counselors entreated the people not to harden their hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh had done, and cause still greater afflictions and plagues to come upon them. And as they were all afraid to take the ark of God, they advised them, saying, “Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them. And take the ark of the Lord, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass-offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go. And see if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil. But if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home. And the kine took the straight way to the way of Beth-shemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.”?{4aSG 109.1}[23]
§49
非利士人知道：除非有某种看不见的能力在激动那两只母牛，它们是决不肯把小牛犊留在家里的。那两只母牛一直走到伯示麦，虽然一路为自己的牛犊哀叫，但仍一直离开它们走去。非利士人的首领们跟在约柜后面，一直到伯示麦的边境。他们不敢将神圣的约柜全交给两只母牛。他们惟恐万一约柜遭遇不幸，便有更大的灾害要临到他们。他们一点也不知道，有上帝的使者伴随着那约柜，一路引导着那两只牛到达约柜原来归属的地方。 伯示麦的居民这时正在田间收割，他们看见上帝的约柜在一辆车上，由两只牛拉着，便大大欢喜。他们知道这必是上帝的作为。牛将那载着约柜的车子拉到一块大磐石旁边，便自行停止。利未人将耶和华的约柜和非利士人的供物拿了下来，将装载约柜的车子和那两只牛，以及非利士人的供物，都献给上帝为燔祭。非利士人的首领们便回到以革伦去，瘟疫也就停止了。 {4aSG 109.2}[24]
§50
The Philistines knew that the cows would not be induced to leave their young calves at home, unless they should be urged so to do by some unseen power.?The cows went direct to Beth-shemesh, lowing for their calves, yet going directly from them. The lords of the Philistines followed after the ark, unto the border of Beth-shemesh. They dare not trust that sacred chest wholly to the cows. They feared if any evil happened to it, that greater calamities would come upon them. They knew not that angels of God accompanied the ark, and guided the cows in their course where it belonged. The people of Beth-shemesh were reaping in the field, and when they saw the ark of God upon the cart, drawn by the cows, they were greatly rejoiced. They knew that it was the work of God. The cows drew the cart, containing the ark, to a large stone, and stood still of themselves. The Levites took down the ark of the Lord, and the offering of the Philistines, and they offered the cart and the cows which had borne the sacred ark, and the offering of the Philistines, unto God as a burnt-sacrifice. The lords of the Philistines returned to Ekron and the plague was stayed.?{4aSG 109.2}[24]
§51
伯示麦的居民好奇心重，要探知约柜成就如此奇妙事迹的能力何在。他们将约柜本身看作是非常有能力的，而没有将能力归功于上帝。原来除了上帝所特别指定的人以外，没有什么人能观看揭去盖子的约柜而不致被击杀，因为这就好像是看到上帝亲身一样。当地居民既为满足自己的好奇心而打开约柜探察它神圣的隐密处，这是连拜偶像的异邦人都不敢做的，因此那些伴随约柜的天使就击杀了他们中间五万人。{4aSG 110.1}[25]
§52
The men of Beth-shemesh were curious to know what great power could be in that ark, which caused it to accomplish such marvelous things. They looked upon the ark alone as being so powerful, and were not accrediting the power to God. None but men sacredly appointed for the purpose could look upon the ark, divested of its coverings, without being slain, for it was as though looking upon God himself. And as the people gratified their curiosity, and opened the ark to gaze into its sacred recesses, which the heathen idolaters had not dared to do, the angels attending the ark slew above fifty thousand of the people.?{4aSG 110.1}[25]
§53
伯示麦的居民便惧怕那约柜，说：“谁能在耶和华这圣洁的上帝面前侍立呢？这约柜可以从我们这里送到谁那里去呢？于是打发人去见基列耶琳的居民，说：非利士人将耶和华的约柜送回来了，你们下来将约柜接到你们那里去罢”（撒上6:20,21）。基列耶琳的居民于是将约柜搬到亚比拿达家里，并将他的儿子分别为圣看守约柜。希伯来人在非利士人权下计二十年之久，他们深深地谦卑并悔改自己的罪，撒母耳便为他们代求，上帝也再度向他们施恩。非利士人来和他们作战，耶和华又为以色列人行了奇事，结果他们胜过了敌人。{4aSG 110.2}[26]
§54
And the people of Beth-shemesh were afraid of the ark, and they said, “Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? And to whom shall he go up from us? And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, saying, ‘The Philistines have brought again the ark of the Lord. Come ye down, and fetch it up to you.’” The people of Kirjath-jearim brought the ark of the Lord to the house of Abinadab, and?sanctified his son to keep it. For twenty years the Hebrews were in the power of the Philistines, and they were greatly humbled, and repented of their sins, and Samuel interceded for them, and God was again merciful to them. And the Philistines made war with them, and the Lord again wrought in a miraculous manner for Israel, and they overcame their enemies.?{4aSG 110.2}[26]
§55
约柜一直停留在亚比拿达家直到大卫作王时。他将以色列中所挑选的三万人聚集在一起，要去把上帝的约柜运上来。他们将约柜从亚比拿达家抬出来，放在一辆新车上。亚比拿达的儿子乌撒和亚希约赶这新车。大卫和以色列全家在耶和华面前用各样乐器奏乐。“到了拿艮的禾场，因为牛失前蹄，乌撒就伸手扶住上帝的约柜，上帝耶和华向乌撒发怒；因这错误击杀他，他就死在上帝的约柜旁”（撒下6:6,7）。因为牛失脚，乌撒向它们发怒。他显示出对上帝的不信任，好像那位将约柜从非利士地带出来的上帝不能照看好约柜似的，看护约柜的众天使因乌撒大胆急躁地将手放在约柜上而击倒了他。{4aSG 111.1}[27]
§56
The ark remained in the house of Abinadab until David was made king. He gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand, and went to bring up the ark of God. They set the ark upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, drave the cart. David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of musical instruments. “And when they came to Nachon’s threshing-floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it, for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.” Uzzah was angry with the oxen, because they stumbled. He showed a manifest distrust of God, as though he who had brought the ark from the land of the Philistines, could not take care of it. Angels who attended the ark struck down Uzzah for presuming impatiently to put his hand upon the ark of God.?{4aSG 111.1}[27]
§57
“那日，大卫惧怕耶和华，说：耶和华的约柜怎可运到我这里来？于是大卫不肯将耶和华的约柜运进大卫的城，却运到迦特人俄别以东的家中。耶和华的约柜在迦特人俄别以东家中三个月；耶和华赐福给俄别以东和他的全家”（撒下6:9-11）。{4aSG 111.2}[28]
§58
“And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, How shall the ark of the Lord come to me? So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite.” David knew that he was a sinful man, and he was afraid that, like Uzzah, he should in some way be presumptuous, and call forth the wrath of God upon himself. “And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite, three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and all his household.”?{4aSG 111.2}[28]
§59
上帝要教训祂的百姓，祂的约柜对于那些干犯其中所贮诫命的人乃是恐怖与死亡，但对于那些遵守祂诫命的人却是福惠与能力。大卫既听说俄别以东全家因上帝约柜的缘故大蒙恩惠，而且他所行的尽都顺利，便急欲将约柜运到自己的城里来。但在大卫敢于搬运那神圣的约柜之前，他事先将自己分别为圣献与上帝，并且吩咐国内一切掌权的人，都要摆脱世俗以及一切足以使他们在神圣敬虔上分心的事。如此，他们必须专为搬运神圣约柜到大卫的城这一件事分别为圣。“大卫就去，欢欢喜喜地将上帝的约柜从俄别以东家中抬到大卫的城里。抬耶和华约柜的人走了六步，大卫就献牛与肥羊为祭”（撒6:12,13）。{4aSG 111.3}[29]
§60
God would teach his people that, while his ark was a terror and death to those who transgressed his commandments contained in it, it was also a blessing and?strength to those who were obedient to his commandments. When David heard that the house of Obed-edom was greatly blessed, and that all that he had prospered, because of the ark of God, he was very anxious to bring it to his own city. But before David ventured to move the sacred ark, he sanctified himself to God, and also commanded that all the men highest in authority in the kingdom should keep themselves from all worldly business, and everything which would distract their minds from sacred devotion. Thus should they sanctify themselves for the purpose of conducting the sacred ark to the city of David. “So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.”?{4aSG 111.3}[29]
§61
大卫脱掉了王服，穿上了与祭司一样的衣服，是之前没有人穿过的，免得有一点不洁在他的衣服上。他们每走六步就立一个坛，向上帝庄严地献祭。主特别的福气停留在大卫王身上，他就这样在祂的百姓面前表示了对上帝约柜的崇敬。“大卫穿着细麻布的以弗得，在耶和华面前极力跳舞。这样，大卫和以色列的全家欢呼吹角，将耶和华的约柜抬上来。耶和华的约柜进了大卫城的时候，扫罗的女儿米甲从窗户里观看，见大卫王在耶和华面前踊跃跳舞，心里就轻视他”（撒下6:14-16）。{4aSG 112.1}[30]
§62
David laid off his kingly attire, and clothed himself with garments similar to the priests, which had never been worn before, that not the least impurity might be upon his clothing. Every six paces they erected an altar and solemnly sacrificed to God. The special blessing of the Lord rested upon king David, who thus manifested before his people his exalted reverence for the ark of God. “And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart.”?{4aSG 112.1}[30]
§63
扫罗王女儿的自尊和骄傲对大卫王的做法感到震惊，他竟脱了王服，丢下权杖，身披祭司所穿简朴的细麻衣。她认为他正在以色列众民面前大大地羞辱自己。但上帝却在众以色列人面前尊荣了大卫，让祂的灵停留在他身上。大卫降卑自己，上帝却将他升高。他以上帝默示的方式唱歌弹琴，创作了最迷人的乐曲。他稍微感受到了众圣徒都要体验的那种神圣的喜乐，那时上帝使他们从苦境回转，并与凡遵守了祂诫命的人立和平的约。“众人将耶和华的约柜请进去，安放在所预备的地方，就是在大卫所搭的帐幕里；大卫在耶和华面前，献燔祭和平安祭”（撒下6:17）。{4aSG 112.2}[31]
§64
The dignity and pride of king Saul’s daughter was shocked that king David should lay aside his garments of royalty, and lay by his royal scepter, and be clothed with the simple linen garments worn by the priest. She thought that he was greatly dishonoring himself before the people of Israel. But God honored David in the sight of all Israel by letting his Spirit abide upon?him. David humbled himself, but God exalted him. He sung in an inspired manner, playing upon the harp, producing the most enchanting music. He felt in a small degree that holy joy that all the saints will experience at the voice of God when their captivity is turned, and God makes a covenant of peace with all who have kept his commandments. “And they brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before the Lord.”?{4aSG 112.2}[31]
§65
所罗门造好圣殿之后，招聚了以色列的长老和民间最有声望的人，将耶和华的约柜从大卫城搬出来。这些人献身与上帝，并且极其严肃而恭敬地跟在扛抬约柜的祭司后面。“祭司和利未人将耶和华的约柜运上来，又将会幕和会幕的一切圣器具，都带上来。所罗门王和聚集到他那里的以色列全会众，一同在约柜前献牛羊为祭，多得不可胜数”（王上8:4,5）。{4aSG 113.1}[32]
§66
After Solomon had finished building the temple, he assembled the elders of Israel, and the most influential men among the people, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David. These men consecrated themselves to God, and with great solemnity and reverence, accompanied the priests who bore the ark. “And they brought up the ark of the Lord, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up. And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.”?{4aSG 113.1}[32]
§67
所罗门照他父亲的榜样，每走六步就献祭一次。祭司们歌唱奏乐，并以隆重的仪式，“将耶和华的约柜抬进内殿，就是至圣所，放在两个基路伯的翅膀底下。基路伯张着翅膀，在约柜之上，遮掩约柜和抬柜的扛”（王上8:6,7）。{4aSG 113.2}[33]
§68
Solomon followed the example of his father David. Every six paces he sacrificed. With singing, and with music, and great ceremony, “the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim. For the cherubim spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above.”?{4aSG 113.2}[33]
§69
这是一所非常壮丽的圣所，是按照上帝在山上所指示摩西，后来又赐给大卫的样式而建筑的。地上的圣所原是依照天上圣所而造的。除了约柜上方的基路伯外，所罗门又另外造了两个更大的天使，站在约柜的两端，代表天使一直看护着上帝的律法，圣幕的华美与壮丽难以形容。在圣殿中与在圣幕中一样，神圣的约柜被非常严肃恭敬地抬进来，安放在两个侍立在地上高贵基路伯的翅膀下。{4aSG 113.3}[34]
§70
A most splendid sanctuary had been made, according to the pattern showed to Moses in the mount, and afterward presented by the Lord to David. The earthly sanctuary was made like the heavenly. In addition to the cherubim on the top of the ark, Solomon made two other angels of larger size, standing at each end?of the ark, representing the heavenly angels always guarding the law of God. It is impossible to describe the beauty and splendor of this tabernacle. There, as in the tabernacle, the sacred ark was borne in solemn, reverential order, and set in its place beneath the wings of the two stately cherubim that stood upon the floor.?{4aSG 113.3}[34]
§71
圣歌队以各种乐器伴奏，同声合唱、颂赞上帝。正当歌声和乐器声响彻圣殿的院宇、并洋溢于耶路撒冷全城时，上帝荣耀的云彩充满了那殿，正如从前充满圣幕一样。“祭司从圣所出来的时候，有云充满耶和华的殿；甚至祭司不能站立供职，因为耶和华的荣光充满了殿”（王上8:10,11）。{4aSG 114.1}[35]
§72
The sacred choir united their voices, with all kinds of musical instruments, in praise to God. And while the voices in harmony, with instruments of music, resounded through the temple, and were borne upon the air through Jerusalem, the cloud of God’s glory took possession of the house, as it had formerly filled the tabernacle. “And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.”?{4aSG 114.1}[35]
§73
所罗门王立在祭坛前面的一座铜制的高台上，为百姓祝福。后来他便下跪，向天举手，向上帝倾吐诚恳庄严的祈祷，这时全会众恭敬下拜，面伏于地。所罗门结束祈祷之后，有神奇的火焰从天下降，焚烧了祭物。{4aSG 114.2}[36]
§74
King Solomon stood upon a brazen scaffold before the altar and blessed the people. He then knelt down, and with his hands raised upward, poured forth earnest and solemn prayer to God, while the congregation were bowed with their faces to the ground. After Solomon had ended his prayer, a miraculous fire came from heaven and consumed the sacrifice.?{4aSG 114.2}[36]
§75
圣殿建成数百年之后，因为以色列人犯罪的缘故，上帝所说祂的子民如果离弃他、那圣殿必然遭受的大祸终于实现了。上帝曾应许所罗门，如果他常保持忠贞，他的百姓也遵守祂的诫命，那荣耀的圣殿就必永远保持它的荣美，作为以色列因遵命而得以昌盛并蒙福的证据。{4aSG 114.3}[37]
§76
Because of the sins of Israel, the calamity which God said should come upon the temple, if his people departed from him, was fulfilled some hundreds of years after the temple was built. God promised Solomon, if he would remain faithful, and his people would obey all his commandments, that that glorious temple should stand forever in all its splendor, as an evidence of the prosperity and exalted blessings resting upon Israel for their obedience.?{4aSG 114.3}[37]
§77
因为以色列干犯上帝的诫命和许多邪恶的行为，上帝就让他们被敌人掳去，为要降卑和惩罚他们。上帝在圣殿被毁灭之前，已向祂少数忠心的仆人说明以色列人所引以为荣的圣殿之必有的遭遇。他们将圣殿作为偶像，又得罪上帝。祂又向他们说明以色列民被掳的事。这些义人在圣殿遭受毁灭的前夕，曾将那贮有石版的约柜搬走，并以悲哀和忧伤的心情将它秘藏在山洞里；由于以色列人的罪，这约柜要离开他们，永远再不归还给他们。那神圣的约柜至今仍然隐藏着。自从它被隐藏以来，始终没有受过干扰。{4aSG 114.4}[38]
§78
Because of Israel’s transgression of the commandments of God, and their wicked acts, God suffered them to go into captivity to humble and punish them. Before the temple was destroyed, God made known to a few of his faithful servants the fate of the temple, which was the pride of Israel, and which they regarded?with idolatry, while they were sinning against God. He also revealed to them the captivity of Israel. These righteous men, just before the destruction of the temple, removed the sacred ark containing the tables of stone, and with mourning and sadness, secreted it in a cave where it was to be hid from the people of Israel, because of their sins, and was to be no more restored to them. That sacred ark is yet hid. It has never been disturbed since it was secreted.?{4aSG 114.4}[38]