1 Samuel 5:1

The Ark in Ashdod and Ekron

1 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

Read Chapter Compare

PREVIOUS 1 Samuel 4:22 NEXT 1 Samuel 5:2

1 Samuel 5:1 in Other Translations

KJV

1 And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.

ESV

1 When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

NLT

1 After the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they took it from the battleground at Ebenezer to the town of Ashdod.

MSG

1 Once the Philistines had seized the Chest of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod,

CSB

1 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod,

1 Samuel 5:1 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 5:1

And the Philistines took the ark of God
Which fell into their hands, Israel being beaten, and caused to flee, and the priests that had the care of the ark slain; and when possessed of it, they did not destroy it, nor take out of it what was in it, only took it up:

and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.
Ebenezer was the place where the camp of Israel was pitched, ( 1 Samuel 4:1 ) and near to which the battle was fought. Ashdod was one of the five principalities of the Philistines, the same with Azotus, ( Acts 8:40 ) . The distance between these two places, according to Bunting ^F17 was one hundred and sixty miles; though one would think the distance from each other was not so great: why it was carried to Ashdod is not plain; perhaps it might be the nearest place of note in their country; and certain it is that it was one of their most famous cities, if not the most famous; (See Gill on Isaiah 20:1), and had a famous idol temple in it.

FOOTNOTES:

F17 Travels of the Patriarchs p. 122.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

1 Samuel 5:1 In-Context

1 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.

3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place.

4 But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained.

5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.

Cross References 2

1. S 1 Samuel 4:1; 1 Samuel 7:12
2. S Joshua 11:22; S Joshua 13:3