1 Samuel 5
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1Now the Philistines had taken God’s ark, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2The Philistines took God’s ark, and brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. 3When the people of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before Yahweh’s ark. They took Dagon, and set him in his place again. 4When they arose early on the following morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before Yahweh’s ark; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso was intact. 5Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any who come into Dagon’s house, step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, to this day. 6But Yahweh’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and struck them with tumors, even Ashdod and its borders. 7When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel shall not stay with us; for his hand is severe on us, and on Dagon our god.” 8They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried over to Gath.” They carried the ark of the God of Israel there. 9It was so, that after they had carried it there, Yahweh’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion; and he struck the men of the city, both small and great so that tumors broke out on them. 10So they sent God’s ark to Ekron. As God’s ark came to Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, “They have brought the ark of the God of Israel here to us, to kill us and our people.” 11They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, “Send the ark of the God of Israel away, and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people.” For there was a deadly confusion throughout all the city. The hand of God was very heavy there. 12The men who didn’t die were struck with the tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
World English Bible (public domain)
“But when they rose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off upon the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.”
1 Samuel 5:4
Summary
In 1 Samuel chapter 5, the narrative follows the Ark of the Covenant after it has been captured by the Philistines during a battle against Israel. The Philistines bring the Ark to Ashdod and place it in the temple of their god Dagon. The next morning, the idol of Dagon has fallen face down before the Ark, and upon their next visit, its head and hands are broken off, symbolizing the defeat of the Philistine god in the presence of Yahweh. This event illustrates God's sovereignty over false gods and the futility of relying on idols. Following this, the Philistines experience severe afflictions, which the text describes as plagues, leading to unrest among the cities of Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron. The fear of the Lord begins to spread as they realize the calamities are directly related to having the Ark among them, prompting them to seek a solution to rid themselves of it. Eventually, they decide to return the Ark to Israel, demonstrating God's ultimate authority and reminding the nations of His power and holiness, leaving a profound lesson about the consequences of opposing Him.
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