“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.”
Samuel 5:9 describes a significant event:that took place after the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant, which represented the presence of God among the Israelites.
The Philistines had brought the ark to the city of Ashdod and placed it in the house of their god, Dagon. However, the next day, when the people of Ashdod entered the temple of Dagon, they found the statue of Dagon lying face down before the ark. They lifted it up and set it in its place, presuming it was a coincidence or a random event.
However, the following morning, they found Dagon once again fallen before the ark, but this time with his head and hands broken off, lying on the threshold of the temple.
This verse reveals:the consequence of the Philistines’ disrespectful treatment of the ark of the covenant. God, in His sovereignty, began to manifest His power against the city of Ashdod. The “hand of the Lord” refers to His divine intervention and judgment upon the Philistines. The verse further explains that God’s judgment was severe, resulting in a “very great destruction” in the city. The term “emerods” mentioned in the verse refers to tumors or painful swellings. This affliction affected the men of the city, both young and old, in their “secret parts” or private areas.
The inclusion of this detail highlights the severity and humiliation of the punishment inflicted by God upon the Philistines. This event demonstrates that God is not to be mocked or treated with disrespect. The Philistines had taken the ark as a prize of war, believing it to be just another captured item. However, God made it abundantly clear that His presence and power were not to be trifled with.
It is essential to note that this verse:should be read in the broader context of the narrative found in 1 Samuel. The subsequent events unfold with the ark being moved to different cities, each experiencing similar calamities until it is eventually returned to the Israelites.
Overall, 1 Samuel 5:9 teaches us about the holiness of God and the consequences of disrespecting His presence. It serves as a reminder that we must approach God with reverence, humility, and honor, acknowledging His authority and power.
