1 Samuel 5:9

And it was [so], that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.

And it was so, that, after {H310} they had carried it about {H5437}, the hand {H3027} of the LORD {H3068} was against the city {H5892} with a very {H3966} great {H1419} destruction {H4103}: and he smote {H5221} the men {H582} of the city {H5892}, both small {H6996} and great {H1419}, and they had emerods {H2914}{H6076} in their secret parts {H8368}.

But after it arrived there, ADONAI oppressed that city, causing terrible panic. He struck the people of the city, great and small alike; tumors broke out on them.

But after they had moved the ark to Gath, the LORDโ€™s hand was also against that city, throwing it into great confusion and afflicting the men of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors.

And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of Jehovah was against the city with a very great discomfiture: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great; and tumors brake out upon them.

Commentary

1 Samuel 5:9 vividly describes the severe divine judgment inflicted upon the Philistine city of Gath, after the Ark of the Covenant was brought there. This verse underscores the immense power and holiness of God, even when His chosen people, Israel, had failed to protect His sacred presence.

Context

Following their victory over Israel and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant, the Philistines first brought it to Ashdod. There, the idol Dagon was humiliated before the Ark, and the people of Ashdod were struck with a plague of tumors (1 Samuel 5:6). In an attempt to escape this calamity, the Philistine lords decided to move the Ark to Gath. However, as 1 Samuel 5:9 reveals, God's judgment followed, demonstrating that His presence, even in captivity, carried overwhelming power and demanded reverence, irrespective of location.

Key Themes

  • God's Unchallengeable Sovereignty: This passage powerfully illustrates that God's authority and power are absolute. The Philistines, despite their military might, were powerless against the divine hand that afflicted them.
  • The Seriousness of Disrespecting God's Holiness: The Philistines treated the Ark as a mere war trophy, failing to grasp its profound spiritual significance as the symbol of God's presence. Their irreverence brought swift and devastating consequences.
  • Divine Judgment Against Idolatry: While not explicitly stated as direct punishment for their idolatry in Gath, the overarching narrative shows God's opposition to pagan worship and His vindication of His own name against false gods like Dagon.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the hand of the LORD" (Hebrew: yad Yahweh) is a common biblical idiom signifying divine power, intervention, or judgment. Here, it explicitly points to God as the direct cause of the calamity.

The term "emerods" (Hebrew: 'ophalim, ืขืคืœื™ื) refers to a painful affliction, most likely hemorrhoids or tumors, particularly in the groin or anal region, as indicated by the KJV's "in their secret parts." This specific and humiliating plague served as a clear sign of God's hand, forcing the Philistines to acknowledge the true source of their suffering. This affliction was so memorable that the Philistines later offered golden models of these emerods as a trespass offering.

Practical Application

This account serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of reverencing God and His holy presence. It teaches us that:

  • God's glory and holiness cannot be trifled with, and He will defend His own name.
  • Ignoring or disrespecting spiritual truths, even out of ignorance, can lead to severe consequences.
  • God's power transcends human understanding and geographical boundaries. His judgment is not limited to one place or people.

Ultimately, 1 Samuel 5:9 calls believers to a deeper awe and respect for God's majesty, understanding that His nature demands reverence and obedience, and that our God is a consuming fire to those who oppose Him.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • 1 Samuel 5:6

    ยถ But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, [even] Ashdod and the coasts thereof.

  • 1 Samuel 7:13

    ยถ So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

  • Deuteronomy 2:15

    For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.

  • 1 Samuel 12:15

    But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as [it was] against your fathers.

  • Psalms 78:66

    And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.

  • 1 Samuel 6:11

    And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.

  • Amos 9:1

    ยถ I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.
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