They said, "If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, don't send it empty; but by all means return him a trespass-offering: then you shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you."
"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.] 