The Philistines And The Ark
November 4, 2019
Commentary
The Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod, which was located about thirty miles west of Jerusalem (v. 1). When the Philistines captured the ark, they thought they had something good in their hands. They took it into the house of Dagon, which was one of the many deities they worshiped. They placed the ark in front of the statue of Dagon (v. 2). The next morning, Dagon was fallen upon his face before the ark of the Lord. They placed the statue back in its place but, the next morning, it was again on its face and this time smashed into several pieces (vv. 3-5).The Philistines soon saw that there was no merit in their having the ark. In fact it was a very real danger to them.
Thinking these calamities might not be coincidental, they send the ark to another city of the Philistines. In addition to this, the people were affected with a plague, which is thought to have been boils, abscesses and swellings (v. 6). With this the ark was moved from city to city and each time it brought great trouble and chaos to the citizens and they would move it again (vv. 7-12). Although the Philistines witnessed Dagon falling on its face, they didn’t act until they were afflicted with the plagues. Then they wanted to get rid of the ark, but they were not sure how to go about it. Finally they decided to return the ark to Israel so they put it on a cart Nothing is going to happen to them for putting it on the cart because they did not know any better. However, Israel knew better and is going to judge them because of the way they handle it.
The Philistines, like most of their neighbors, worshiped many gods. They thought the more gods they could have on their side the more secure they would be. That was why they wanted the ark. It may be easier to worship things we can see whether buildings, people or Scripture itself, but such tangible things have no power in themselves. This book, the Bible is merely a respectable religious relic, or it is a sharp and effective Word of God. Your attitude toward it is largely shaped by your relationship to the God from whom it comes. A relic or antique has to be carefully stored away. God’s Word has to be used and obeyed. Which attitude accurately describes your approach to the Word of God?
Application
Just like the Philistines, who didn’t act until they were afflicted with the plague, the people today often will not respond to biblical truth until they experience pain. Am I willing to listen to God for truth’s sake or do I only turn to Him when I am hurting?
1 Samuel 5:1– 12 (NET)
1 Now the Philistines had captured the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 The Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the temple of Dagon, where they positioned it beside Dagon. 3 When the residents of Ashdod got up early the next day, Dagon was lying on the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set him back in his place. 4 But when they got up early the following day, Dagon was again lying on the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and his two hands were sheared off and were lying at the threshold. Only Dagon’s body was left intact. 5 (For this reason, to this very day, neither Dagon’s priests nor anyone else who enters Dagon’s temple steps on Dagon’s threshold in Ashdod.)
6 The Lord attacked the residents of Ashdod severely, bringing devastation on them. He struck the people of both Ashdod and the surrounding area with sores. 7 When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel should not remain with us, for he has attacked both us and our god Dagon!”
8 So they assembled all the leaders of the Philistines and asked, “What should we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They replied, “The ark of the God of Israel should be moved to Gath.” So they moved the ark of the God of Israel.
9 But after it had been moved the Lord attacked that city as well, causing a great deal of panic. He struck all the people of that city with sores. 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron.
11 So they assembled all the leaders of the Philistines and said, “Get the ark of the God of Israel out of here! Let it go back to its own place so that it won’t kill us and our people!” The terror of death was throughout the entire city; God was attacking them very severely there. 12 The people who did not die were struck with sores; the city’s cry for help went all the way up to heaven.