The First Book of Samuel

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 5 -

Now the Philistines had captured the ark of God, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

The Philistines took the ark of God, brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it up beside Dagon.

When the people of Ashdod got up early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face down on the ground before the ark of Yahweh. So they took Dagon and set him up in his place again.

But when they got up early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face down on the ground before the ark of Yahweh. The head of Dagon and both of his hands were lying cut off in the doorway. Only the trunk of Dagon remained.

This is why, even today, the priests of Dagon and anyone who comes into Dagon’s house does not step on the doorway of Dagon in Ashdod.

Yahweh’s hand was heavy upon the people of Ashdod. He destroyed them and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territories.

When the men of Ashdod realized what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay with us, because his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god.”

So they sent for and gathered together all of the rulers of the Philistines; they said to them, “What should we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath.” So they carried the ark of the God of Israel there.

But after they brought it around, Yahweh’s hand was against the city, causing a very great confusion. He afflicted the men of the city, both small and great; and tumors broke out on them.

So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came into Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, “They have brought to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people.”

So they sent for and gathered together all of the rulers of the Philistines; they said to them, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, so that it does not kill us and our people.” For there was a deathly panic throughout the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

The men who did not die were afflicted with the tumors, and the cry of the city went up to the heavens.

Now the Philistines had taken God’s ark, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

The Philistines took God’s ark, and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.

When the people of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the LORD’s ark. They took Dagon and set him in his place again.

When they arose early on the following morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the LORD’s ark; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso was intact.

Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

But the LORD’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and he destroyed them and struck them with tumors, even Ashdod and its borders.

When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel shall not stay with us, for his hand is severe on us and on Dagon our god.”

They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried over to Gath.” They carried the ark of the God of Israel there.

It was so, that after they had carried it there, the LORD’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion; and he struck the men of the city, both small and great, so that tumors broke out on them.

So they sent God’s ark to Ekron. As God’s ark came to Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, “They have brought the ark of the God of Israel here to us, to kill us and our people.”

They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, “Send the ark of the God of Israel away, and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people.” For there was a deadly panic throughout all the city. The hand of God was very heavy there.

The men who didn’t die were struck with the tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.