The devastating plague that strikes the Philistines after they capture the Ark of the Covenant plunges them into a severe national and religious crisis. Feeling helpless and uncertain, the people turn to their spiritual leaders to uncover the source of the disaster and figure out their next steps. They seek out two distinct groups, the priests and the diviners, who act as sorcerers [מצודת ציון]. They consult these two specific groups because the crisis presents two separate dilemmas, each requiring a different type of expertise [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].
The first major issue is a fundamental hesitation about whether to return the Ark to the Land of Israel or keep it in Philistia. This matter is directed to the diviners. It is their job to use their hidden arts to determine the true nature of the plague. They must figure out if the sudden wave of disease is a direct punishment from God overseen by His divine providence, or if it is merely a natural and random occurrence [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל, אלשיך, מצודת דוד].
The second question relies on the assumption that they will indeed decide to return the Ark. This issue is brought before the priests, who serve as the experts in ritual practices, the handling of sacred objects, and the appeasement of higher powers. There are two complementary ways to understand what the Philistines are asking the priests. On a practical and ceremonial level, the people need to know the proper method of transportation. They ask the priests if the Ark should be carried on human shoulders or placed in a wagon pulled by horses or other animals [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם].
At the same time, the inquiry carries a deep spiritual weight. The Philistines realize that simply returning the Ark will not be enough to solve their problem. They ask the priests for spiritual guidance on how to express true submission and calm God's anger [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. They want to know exactly what kind of gift or guilt offering must accompany the Ark. This offering is necessary to atone for the initial theft, bring healing to those already suffering from the plague, and guarantee that the disaster will leave them completely [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל, אלשיך].