1 Samuel 5:7

And when the men of Ashdod saw that [it was] so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.

And when the men {H582} of Ashdod {H795} saw {H7200} that it was so, they said {H559}, The ark {H727} of the God {H430} of Israel {H3478} shall not abide {H3427} with us: for his hand {H3027} is sore {H7185} upon us, and upon Dagon {H1712} our god {H430}.

When the people of Ashdod came to understand what was happening, they said, "The ark of the God of Isra'el can't remain with us, because he is oppressing us and our god Dagon."

And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.”

And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us; for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.

Commentary

1 Samuel 5:7 captures a pivotal moment in the Philistines’ experience with the Ark of the Covenant, highlighting their growing fear and understanding of the God of Israel's power.

Context

Following the Philistines' capture of the Ark of God in battle (1 Samuel 4:11), they brought it to Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their god, Dagon. The preceding verses (1 Samuel 5:1-5) describe the dramatic and repeated humiliation of their idol Dagon, who was found prostrate and broken before the Ark. Simultaneously, the people of Ashdod began to suffer from severe afflictions, likely tumors or emerods, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 5:6. This verse marks the Ashdodites' collective realization and decision: the Ark's presence was devastating to them and their deity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Unchallengeable Sovereignty: Even when seemingly captive, God demonstrates His supreme authority over all creation and false gods. The Ark, representing His presence, was not a mere trophy but an instrument through which He asserted His power.
  • The Futility of Idolatry: Dagon, a prominent Philistine deity, proved utterly powerless against the God of Israel. This event serves as a stark reminder of the vanity and emptiness of worshipping man-made idols.
  • Divine Judgment: The afflictions upon Ashdod were direct consequences of their disrespect for God's holiness and their attempt to subjugate Him to their pagan system. God’s hand was "sore upon them," indicating a heavy, severe judgment.
  • Recognition of True God: The Philistines, though pagan, were forced to acknowledge the terrifying power of Yahweh, concluding that the Ark could not remain with them. This recognition, born of fear, underscores God's ability to reveal Himself even to His enemies.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his hand is sore upon us" uses a Hebrew term (כָּבְדָה kâbĕdâ) which literally means "was heavy" or "was grievous." This emphasizes the severity and oppressive nature of the judgment they were experiencing. It was not a light discomfort but a profound and painful affliction that compelled them to act.

Practical Application

This passage offers profound lessons for today. It reminds us that God is sovereign and cannot be contained or manipulated by human efforts or false beliefs. Any "gods" or idols we elevate in our lives—whether money, power, fame, or self—will ultimately prove powerless and bring affliction when they challenge God's rightful place. We are called to recognize God's authority and wisdom, understanding that His hand, whether in blessing or discipline, is always purposeful. Just as the men of Ashdod realized the danger of defying the true God, we too must examine where our loyalties lie and ensure that God alone holds the supreme position in our hearts and lives.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 12:33 (5 votes)

    And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We [be] all dead [men].

  • Jeremiah 46:25 (2 votes)

    The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and [all] them that trust in him:

  • 1 Samuel 4:8 (2 votes)

    Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these [are] the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.

  • Exodus 8:8 (2 votes)

    Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.

  • Exodus 8:28 (2 votes)

    And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.

  • Exodus 10:7 (2 votes)

    And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?

  • Jeremiah 48:7 (2 votes)

    For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity [with] his priests and his princes together.