What does 1 Samuel 6:13 mean?

Seven months after it had been captured in battle (1 Samuel 4:10–11; 6:1), the ark of the Lord (Exodus 25:10–16) has returned to Israelite territory. The Philistines had transported the ark from one city to another, trying to escape the plague its proximity seemed to have brought on the people (1 Samuel 5). Finally, they loaded the ark onto a cart, hitched it to two untrained cows whose calves were shut up at home, and allowed the cows to take it where they would. If the cows went to Beth-shemesh, in Israelite territory, then the Philistines would know the plagues had been from God. Observed by the Philistine lords, the cows did, indeed, go to Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6:7–12).

This is May or June, and the people of the town are harvesting wheat in the Sorek Valley, an annual event that was a time of celebration. When they look up and see the cows approach with a cart, they recognize the ark of the Lord and rejoicing erupts all around.

It's clear that everyone knew the Philistines had captured the ark. It would have been experienced as a national tragedy, along with the defeat in battle that cost more than thirty thousand Israelite lives (1 Samuel 4:10). The sons of Eli, the priest of Israel, were killed, as well (1 Samuel 4:11). When the news got out that Eli had also died, most Israelites likely agreed with the final words of Eli's daughter-in-law: that the glory had departed from Israel because the ark of the Lord had been captured (1 Samuel 4:20–22).

Now, mysteriously, it was back. Perhaps the Lord would be with Israel once more.