1 Samuel 5
Overview
1 Samuel 5 details the intriguing and tumultuous events that occur after the Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant from Israel. The chapter showcases the power of God and the consequences faced by the Philistines for possessing the Ark unworthily. Key aspects include:
The Ark in Ashdod: The Philistines bring the Ark to Ashdod and place it in the temple of Dagon, their god. The next day, Dagon is found fallen, face down, before the Ark. They set Dagon up again, but the following morning, Dagon is found fallen again, with his head and hands broken off.
The Plague in Ashdod: The LORD's hand is heavy upon the people of Ashdod, and He strikes them with tumors. As a result of this affliction, the people of Ashdod decide that the Ark cannot stay with them.
The Ark Sent to Gath: The Ark is then sent to Gath, another Philistine city. However, the LORD's hand is against Gath as well, causing a great panic. The people there are afflicted with tumors.
The Ark Moved to Ekron: The Ark is subsequently sent to Ekron, but as it arrives, the Ekronites cry out, fearing the same fate. The people of Ekron are also struck with a deadly panic and afflicted with tumors.
Philistine Council: Seeing the devastating impact of the Ark in their cities, the Philistine lords gather to discuss what to do with the Ark. The chapter sets up the subsequent decision to return the Ark to Israel.
1 Samuel 5 demonstrates the power of God, even in a foreign land and among non-believers. The afflictions brought upon the Philistine cities serve as a testament to the divine nature of the Ark and a warning against its improper handling or reverence. This chapter also reflects the theme of God defending His own honor, regardless of human involvement or the location of the Ark.
The Ark in Ashdod: The Philistines bring the Ark to Ashdod and place it in the temple of Dagon, their god. The next day, Dagon is found fallen, face down, before the Ark. They set Dagon up again, but the following morning, Dagon is found fallen again, with his head and hands broken off.
The Plague in Ashdod: The LORD's hand is heavy upon the people of Ashdod, and He strikes them with tumors. As a result of this affliction, the people of Ashdod decide that the Ark cannot stay with them.
The Ark Sent to Gath: The Ark is then sent to Gath, another Philistine city. However, the LORD's hand is against Gath as well, causing a great panic. The people there are afflicted with tumors.
The Ark Moved to Ekron: The Ark is subsequently sent to Ekron, but as it arrives, the Ekronites cry out, fearing the same fate. The people of Ekron are also struck with a deadly panic and afflicted with tumors.
Philistine Council: Seeing the devastating impact of the Ark in their cities, the Philistine lords gather to discuss what to do with the Ark. The chapter sets up the subsequent decision to return the Ark to Israel.
1 Samuel 5 demonstrates the power of God, even in a foreign land and among non-believers. The afflictions brought upon the Philistine cities serve as a testament to the divine nature of the Ark and a warning against its improper handling or reverence. This chapter also reflects the theme of God defending His own honor, regardless of human involvement or the location of the Ark.
1 Samuel 5
1 And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.
2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
3 And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
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5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.
6 But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.
7 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.
8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.
9 And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.
10 Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.
11 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
12 And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
End of 1 Samuel 5
1 Year Plan: Apr 23 - 1 Sa 4, 1 Sa 5, Ps 46
2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
3 And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
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5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.
6 But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.
7 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.
8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.
9 And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.
10 Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.
11 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
12 And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
End of 1 Samuel 5
1 Year Plan: Apr 23 - 1 Sa 4, 1 Sa 5, Ps 46
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