08 The Ark in Enemy Hands

Chapter 5 is filled with intrigue and suspense which revivals any popular television show.

The backdrop of this chapter is still the “dark days” which we spoke about in chapter 4. After the Israelites brought the ark onto the battlefield, not only did the Philistines defeat Israel, but they captured the ark itself.

1 The Ark in Ashdod

After the ark was captured, the Philistines brought it to one of their main cities, Ashdod.

1 Samuel 5:1-5

The Philistines worshipped many false gods, but the main one was Dagon, the fish-god.

As one of the major Philistine cities, Ashdod was also the home of Dagon’s temple.

Jewish historians state that the Philistines placed the ark at the foot of the statue of Dagon, to show that he had defeated the God of the Israelites.

However, the Lord began to show his judgment of this so-called “god” by first toppling it, having to fall face down before the ark.

The Philistines the re-positioned the statue, only to find the Lord toppled it again, this time breaking off the head, and hands, with the pieces scattered over the threshold of the temple.

2 Plagues in Ashdod

God began judging the people of Ashdod because they allowed the ark to remain there:

1 Samuel 5:6-8

• God declared that He was against the people of Ashdod, because rather than learning from God’s destruction of Dagon’s statue, the people just acted as if nothing had happened.

It was much like it had been for the Egyptians when they continually refused to release the Israelites from captivity.

• The Lord had initially knocked Dagon down in front of the ark, representing how everyone will one day bow before the Lord:

Romans 14:11

The Lord then continued, his judgments by striking down the citizens with “tumors”.

• Some commentaries suggest they were severe hemorrhoids, and others suggest it was more like what would later become the bubonic plague.

The Hebrew word apholim from the root word aphal suggests these were elevated or visible tumors.

And many commentators suggest they were bleeding, anal tumors.

Finally, the people of Ashdod decided to send the ark away, but they refused to repent, or submit to the Lord.

They were concerned over what had become their personal judgment, but never concerned enough to repent.

• The people then unlovingly decided to send the ark to one of their sister cities Gath, showing no concern that those in Gath would suffer God’s judgment.

3 God’s Judgment Continues

1 Samuel 5:9-12

• It was the due to God’s sovereignty, that the Philistines sent the ark from city to city since the Lord rendered judgment upon each of these major Philistine cities.
• But still, the Philistines never repented or submitted themselves to God, but rather they just dismissed Him (sending Him away).