Behold; if it goes up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then he has done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it was a chance that happened to us."
"Ancient religious protocol mandated that the worshiper not approach his god(s) empty-handed (cf. Exodus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:16)." [Note: Youngblood, p. 604.] 