1 Samuel 6 · Grade 3
Straight Down the Road
Read the Story
The ark stayed in Philistine country seven months. The Philistines asked their priests what to do. The priests said not to send it back empty, but with a gift of golden tumors and golden mice, one for each of their five lords.
They set a test. Two milk cows that had never worn a yoke would pull a new cart, while their calves were shut up at home. If the cows went to Beth Shemesh, the Lord had sent the trouble. The cows went straight on the road, lowing as they went, and did not turn aside.
The people of Beth Shemesh were reaping wheat and rejoiced to see the ark. The Levites set it on a great stone, and the people offered the cows as a burnt offering. But some men looked into the ark, and God struck them. The people asked who was able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God.
Memory Verse
“The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh. They went along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth Shemesh.”
1 Samuel 6:12 (WEB)
Answer the Questions
What gift did the Philistines send with the ark?
Why was it surprising that the cows went straight?
What did the cows prove?
Where did the Levites set the ark?
What did the people ask after God struck the men?
The Ark Comes Home
Write what happened in each box.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for guiding every step. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How have you seen God at work in surprising ways?
- How should we act when we come to worship God?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.