1 Samuel 5
World English Bible
WEB1Now 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 panic 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, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
1 Samuel Chapter 5 recounts the dramatic events following the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines. After defeating the Israelites in battle, the Philistines bring the Ark to Ashdod and place it in the temple of their god, #Dagon. The chapter highlights the power of the true God of Israel as it describes how the statue of Dagon falls face down before the Ark, symbolizing the supremacy of the God of Israel over false gods. The next day, when the Philistines find Dagon again fallen, this time with its head and hands broken off, it becomes clear that their god is powerless against the God of Israel. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the futility of idolatry.
The chapter continues to describe the consequences the Philistines face for taking the Ark. They are struck with tumors, and a great panic spreads throughout the cities where the Ark is kept. The affliction is so severe that the Philistines recognize the Ark as a source of their suffering and decide to move it from city to city, but the plagues only follow them. This leads the Philistines to consult their priests and diviners, who advise them to return the Ark to Israel along with a guilt offering to appease the God of Israel. The chapter concludes with the Philistines acknowledging the power of the God of Israel, demonstrating that even in their rebellion, they cannot escape His authority and judgment.
Referenced by
- 1 Samuel 6:1v11 Samuel 6:1 mentions the Ark of the LORD being in the country of the Philistines for seven months, which follows the events of 1 Samuel 5 where the Ark caused plagues and destruction in Philistine cities.
Topics in this chapter
- Idolatry
- Ark of the Covenant
- Dagon
- Holiness
- Plagues
- God's Power
- God's Presence
- Philistines
- Sovereignty of God
- Divine Judgment
- Judgment
- False Gods
- God's Sovereignty
- God's Supremacy
- God's Will
- Hebrews
- Obedience
- Repentance
- Reverence
- Ashdod
- Blessing and Judgment
- Community
- Consequences
- Covenant Curses
- Divine Justice
- Divine Power
- Divine Presence
- Divine Retribution
- Divine Sovereignty
- Divine Supremacy
- Ekron
- Fear of God
- Fear of the Lord
- Gath
- God's Holiness
- God's Judgment
- Honor
- Mercy
- Power
- Recognition in the Bible
- Respect for God
- The Lord
- Transformation
- Wisdom
Related chapters
- 1 Samuel 6EkronPlaguesArk of the Covenant
- 1 Samuel 4AshdodArk of the CovenantPhilistines
- Exodus 7PlaguesGod's JudgmentDivine Power
- 2 Samuel 6Respect for GodArk of the Covenant
- Judges 16PhilistinesGod's Will
- Isaiah 46False Gods
- 2 Kings 1EkronFalse GodsPhilistines
- Zephaniah 2EkronAshdodPhilistines
- Exodus 12Plagues
- Exodus 25Ark of the Covenant
- Exodus 9PlaguesDivine PowerPower
- Deuteronomy 28Divine Retribution
Your study
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