Summary
The Philistines get much more than they bargained for in their battle trophy. They take the ark back to the temple of Dagon and set it down to offer it as a gift to their god. The next day Dagon is bowed down to the ark! So they pick their ‘god’ up off of the ground and put him back in place only to find him on his face the next day with his hands and his head cut off. Along with this visual, the people in the city became afflicted with tumors. In fear they send the ark to Gath, where the same thing happens. The Philistines decide to return the ark to Israel WITH a peace offering to God. They set up a scenario to determine if the God of Israel was responsible for all that had happened. They attached a cart with the ark on it to two milk cows and separated them from their calves. If they walked back to their calves all that had happened was a coincidence, if not then God would direct the cows (and the ark) back to Israel. The cows took the ark home. In all this God makes clear to Israel, and to the Philistines, who He is and that there is no one who can stand before Him.
Bible References
- 1 Samuel 5:1 - 7:2
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