Hebrew-English
I. Summary
The Philistines, who have the ark in their possession, are afflicted with hemorrhoids. The people beg their leaders to return the ark to the Israelites.
II. Photo
The ark causes trouble the Philistines: “The Philistines took the Ark of God and brought it into the temple of Dagon and they set it up beside Dagon. Early the next day, the Ashdodites found Dagon lying face down on the ground in front of the Ark of the Lord.” (vv. 2-3)
III. Important Verses
2-5: The Philistines took the Ark of God and brought it into the temple of Dagon and they set it up beside Dagon. Early the next day, the Ashdodites found Dagon lying face down on the ground in front of the Ark of the LORD. They picked Dagon up and put him back in his place; but early the next morning, Dagon was again lying prone on the ground in front of the Ark of the LORD. The head and both hands of Dagon were cut off, lying on the threshold; only Dagon’s trunk was left intact. That is why, to this day, the priests of Dagon and all who enter the temple of Dagon do not tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod.
11-12: They too sent messengers and assembled all the lords of the Philistines and said, “Send the Ark of the God of Israel away, and let it return to its own place, that it may not slay us and our kindred.” For the panic of death pervaded the whole city, so heavily had the hand of God fallen there; and the men who did not die were stricken with hemorrhoids. The outcry of the city went up to heaven.
IV. Outline
1-5. The ark defeats the statue of Dagon in Ashdod
6. The Ashdodites are afflicted with hemorrhoids
7-9. The ark is moved to Gath; The Gathites are afflicted with hemorrhoids
10-12. The ark is moved to Ekron; The Ekronites are afflicted with hemorrhoids
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 15 (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
McCarter, P. Kyle, Jr. “1 Samuel,” Anchor Bible vol. 8 (New York: Doubleday, 1980)
Photo taken from http://unblinkingeye.com/Travel/India/I7/IN22/FallenIdol.jpg
