1 Samuel 6:9

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.

Cross-references

In 1 Samuel 6:3, the priests advise a guilt offering to know God's hand; here the Philistines devise a test to confirm it.

Joshua 21:16 lists Beth-shemesh as a Levitical city, making the ark's return to a priestly location fitting.

Joshua 19:22 lists Beth-shemesh as a border town — exactly where the Ark's journey ends, confirming the location in 1 Samuel 6:9.

Joshua 15:10 identifies Beth-shemesh as a border city in Judah, confirming the destination of the ark.