1. Philisthim autem tulerunt arcam Dei et asportaverunt eam a lapide Adiutorii in Azotum
2. tulerunt Philisthim arcam Dei et intulerunt eam in templum Dagon et statuerunt eam juxta Dagon
3. cumque surrexissent diluculo Azotii altera die ecce Dagon jacebat pronus in terram ante arcam Domini et tulerunt Dagon et restituerunt eum in loco suo
4. rursumque mane die alio consurgentes invenerunt Dagon jacentem super faciem suam in terram coram arca Domini caput autem Dagon et duæ palmæ manuum ejus abscisæ erant super limen
5. porro Dagon truncus solus remanserat in loco suo propter hanc causam non calcant sacerdotes Dagon et omnes qui ingrediuntur templum ejus super limen Dagon in Azoto usque in hodiernum diem
6. adgravata autem est manus Domini super Azotios et demolitus est eos et percussit in secretiori parte natium Azotum et fines ejus
7. videntes autem viri azotii hujuscemodi plagam dixerunt non maneat arca Dei Israël apud nos quoniam dura est manus ejus super nos et super Dagon deum nostrum
8. et mittentes congregaverunt omnes satrapas Philisthinorum ad se et dixerunt quid faciemus de arca Dei Israël responderuntque Getthei circumducatur arca Dei Israël et circumduxerunt arcam Dei Israël
9. illis autem circumducentibus eam fiebat manus Dei per singulas civitates interfectionis magnæ nimis et percutiebat viros uniuscujusque urbis a parvo usque ad majorem et conputrescebant prominentes extales eorum
10. miserunt ergo arcam Dei in Accaron cumque venisset arca Dei in Accaron exclamaverunt Accaronitæ dicentes adduxerunt ad nos arcam Dei Israël ut interficiat nos et populum nostrum
11. miserunt itaque et congregaverunt omnes satrapas Philisthinorum qui dixerunt dimittite arcam Dei Israël et revertatur in locum suum et non interficiat nos cum populo nostro
12. fiebat enim pavor mortis in singulis urbibus et gravissima valde manus Dei viri quoque qui mortui non fuerant percutiebantur in secretiori parte natium et ascendebat ululatus uniuscujusque civitatis in cælum
Footnotes:
5:1-4 - The Ark of the Covenant is captured by the Philistines and placed in the temple of Dagon. However, the presence of the Ark causes the statue of Dagon to fall and be destroyed, symbolizing God's superior power over idols and pagan gods (see also Exodus 20:3-5 and Isaiah 44:9-11).
5:6-7 - The Lord severely punishes the Philistines with plagues, demonstrating that His power is not limited to Israel but extends to all nations. God's judgment on the Philistines also reinforces the sanctity of the Ark (see also Numbers 14:18 and Revelation 16:9).
5:8-9 - The Philistine leaders decide to move the Ark to another city, but God's judgment follows them. This highlights human inability to escape divine justice and the respect that must be given to sacred objects (see also Jeremiah 25:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 10:21).
5:10-12 - The people of Ekron ask for the Ark to be returned to Israel after suffering devastating plagues. This response emphasizes the reverence required for God's presence and the reality that His holiness demands respect (see also 1 Samuel 6:19-20 and Hebrews 12:28-29).
Verses related to Liber I Samuelis, 5:
1 Samuel chapter 5 reports the misadventures of the Ark among the Philistines. How does God demonstrate His supremacy over false gods? This intriguing text describes the disasters that afflict the Philistines while they possess the Ark, including the fall of Dagon and the plagues. The chapter explores themes such as God's holiness, His power over pagan nations, and the consequences of desecrating the sacred. 1 Samuel 5 reveals the incapacity of idols before the true God. Reflect with us on five biblical passages that illuminate the eternal truths of this revealing chapter.
Isaiah 46:1-2: "Bel bends, Nebo bends; their idols are carried away by pack animals. The images that are carried in procession weigh a lot; they are a burden to the exhausted. Together they bow and kneel; they cannot free themselves from the burden, and they themselves go into captivity." - This verse echoes the events of 1 Samuel 5, where the idol Dagon falls before the ark, showing the powerlessness of idols.
Exodus 12:12: "That same night I will pass through Egypt and kill all the firstborn, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord!" - Just as God judged the gods of Egypt, in 1 Samuel 5 He judges Dagon, the god of the Philistines.
Psalms 115:4-7: "Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see; they have ears but cannot hear, noses but cannot smell; they have hands but cannot feel anything, feet but cannot walk; and they do not make any sound with their throat." - This psalm mocks idols, just as Dagon is humiliated in 1 Samuel 5.
Acts 19:26: "You see and hear how this man, not only in Ephesus, but in almost the entire province of Asia, has convinced and led astray many people, saying that gods made by human hands are not gods." - Paul in Acts echoes the lesson of 1 Samuel 5, that gods made by human hands are not true gods.
Daniel 5:23: "But you, your son Belshazzar, did not humble yourself, although you knew all this. On the contrary, you have exalted yourself above the Lord of heaven. You had the utensils brought from his temple, and you and your nobles, your wives and concubines drank wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver, of gold, of bronze, of iron, of wood, and of stone, who can neither see nor hear nor understand. But you did not honor the God who holds your life and all your ways in his hands." - This trial against Belshazzar for desecrating the sacred objects and worshiping false gods mirrors the events of 1 Samuel 5, where the Philistines are tried for desecrating the ark and worshiping Dagon.
FAQ:
What happened to the statue of Dagon when the Ark was taken to Ashdod?
When the Ark was placed in the temple of Dagon, the statue of the god fell before the Ark, symbolizing God's superiority. (1 Samuel 5:2-4)
What plagues did the Philistines suffer after capturing the Ark?
The Philistines suffered tumors and a plague of rats in every city where the Ark was taken, as punishment for capturing it. (1 Samuel 5:6-12)
Why did the Philistines return the Ark of the Covenant?
The Philistines returned the Ark because of the plagues that devastated their cities, recognizing that they were being punished by the God of Israel. (1 Samuel 5:11-12)
How did the Philistine cities react to the presence of the Ark?
Each city that received the Ark was struck by plagues, leading the Philistine leaders to decide to send the Ark back to Israel. (1 Samuel 5:8-12)
What was the impact of the Ark on the temple of Dagon?
The presence of the Ark overturned the statue of Dagon twice, breaking its head and hands, demonstrating God's supremacy. (1 Samuel 5:3-4)
