1 Samuel 5:10

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.

Therefore they sent {H7971} the ark {H727} of God {H430} to Ekron {H6138}. And it came to pass, as the ark {H727} of God {H430} came {H935} to Ekron {H6138}, that the Ekronites {H6139} cried out {H2199}, saying {H559}, They have brought about {H5437} the ark {H727} of the God {H430} of Israel {H3478} to us, to slay {H4191} us and our people {H5971}.

Next they sent the ark of God to 'Ekron; but when the ark of God arrived in 'Ekron the 'Ekronim shouted, "Now they've brought the ark of the God of Isra'el to us, to kill us and our people!"

So they sent the ark of God to Ekron, but as it arrived, the Ekronites cried out, โ€œThey have brought us the ark of the God of Israel in order to kill us and our people!โ€

So 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.

Commentary

1 Samuel 5:10 describes a critical moment in the Philistines' experience with the captured Ark of God. After its devastating effects in Ashdod and Gath, the Philistines sent the Ark to Ekron, hoping to escape the divine plagues. However, the Ekronites immediately recognized the danger, fearing the same judgment would befall them.

Context

This verse is part of a narrative detailing the Philistines' disastrous possession of the Ark of God, which they captured from Israel in battle (1 Samuel 4:11). Initially, they brought the Ark to Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their god, Dagon. As a result, Dagon's idol was twice found prostrate before the Ark, and the people of Ashdod were afflicted with severe tumors (1 Samuel 5:6). When the Ark was moved to Gath, the same plague of tumors, accompanied by great destruction, struck its inhabitants (1 Samuel 5:9). By the time the Ark reached Ekron, its reputation for bringing divine judgment preceded it, causing immediate alarm among the Ekronites.

Key Themes

  • The Ark's Uncontainable Power: The Ark was not merely a war trophy but the powerful symbol of God's presence. It demonstrated that the God of Israel could not be confined or dishonored without severe consequences, even among those who did not worship Him. This highlights God's sovereignty and holiness, which transcend national boundaries and pagan beliefs.
  • Divine Judgment on Idolatry: The plagues inflicted upon the Philistine cities served as a clear demonstration of the supremacy of the God of Israel over their false gods. The Ekronites' fear confirms that they recognized the devastating judgment was directly from "the God of Israel," not a random misfortune.
  • Fear of God: The Ekronites' outcry, "They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people," reveals a profound, albeit reluctant, acknowledgment of the Israelite God's destructive power. Their fear was not born of reverence but of self-preservation in the face of overwhelming divine wrath.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the God of Israel" (ืึฑืœึนื”ึตื™ ื™ึดืฉึฐื‚ืจึธืึตืœ, Elohei Yisrael) is significant. It emphasizes God's unique identity and His covenant relationship with Israel, distinguishing Him sharply from the Philistine deities like Dagon. Even in their distress, the Philistines acknowledge Him by His specific national designation, recognizing His unique and potent identity as the source of their affliction.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness and the serious consequences of treating Him or His sacred things lightly. While we do not have a physical ark today, the principle remains: God's presence is not to be trifled with, and His character demands reverence. It also shows that God can use even adverse circumstances among those who oppose Him to demonstrate His power and protect His name. True reverence for God stems from understanding His power and His righteous character, leading to a desire to honor Him rather than merely fear His wrath.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Amos 1:8

    And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Judges 1:18

    Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.

  • 2 Kings 1:2

    And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that [was] in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.

  • Joshua 15:45

    Ekron, with her towns and her villages:
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