1 Sam 5 - 1 Sam 6:1-12

 https://brewminate.com/archaeological-evidence-of-ancient-philistine-cult-and-religion/

1Sa 5:1-2

1 Now the Philistines had taken the ark of God, and they brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod. 2 And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. 

Summary

1. Share '85 photo.jpg' 

1. Show Aphek, Ebenezer, Shiloh and the five Philistine cities (Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gaza and Bath)

2. Vs1 The Philistines take the ark from Ebenezer where the Israelites had brought it (in chapter 4) and they bring it to Ashdod.

3. Vs2 They bring it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. Who is Dagon?

1. a Philistine deity of fertility; represented with the face and hands of a man and the tail of a fish.

2. Stately temples were erected in honor of Dagon, which was the principal deity of the Philistines, but whose worship extended over all Syria, as well as Mesopotamia and Chaldea; its name being found among the Assyrian gods on the cuneiform inscriptions [RAWLINSON]. It was represented under a monstrous combination of a human head, breast, and arms, joined to the belly and tail of a fish like a  merman. Some consider him the "father of the gods"

3. Dagon means - "a fish".

4. Why might the ark have been placed inside the house of Dagon? Possibly as a dedication offering?

1 Sam 5:3-4

3 And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of Jehovah. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. 4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of Jehovah; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands lay cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. 

Summary

1. Vs3 When the people of Ashdod got up the next morning, there was Dagon, lying on the ground in front of the Ark of the LORD.

2. Vs3 They took Dagon and put him back in his place. 

1. The Septuagint adds: 

"And the hand of the Lord was heavy upon the Ashdodites, and he plagued them, and he smote them in their secret parts, Ashdod and her coasts." 

2. Accident? Earthquake?

3. Vs4 The following morning, they found Dagon lying on the ground in front of the ark again. Except this time Dagon's head and palms of this hands (or wrists) were broken off lying on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left intact.

1. What's a threshold? Sill

2. Septuagint adds this:

"and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off each before the threshold, and both the wrists of his hands had fallen on the floor of the porch; only the stump of Dagon was left."

3. Meaning of just Dagon falling on his face before the ark of the Lord?

1. Dagon is subject to God?

2. Dagon giving adoration to God?

3. Dagon testifying that God was above him?

4. Dagon testifying that God was superior to him?

4. Meaning of Dagon falling on his face before the ark of the Lord and having his head and hands (or arms) severed from the trunk?

1. The annihilation of Dagon?

2. Head Is the seat of wisdom? And the hands are the instrument of action? Both are cut off?

3. Complete humiliation of Dagon

4. To show that he had neither wisdom nor strength to defend himself or his worshippers. 

1 Sam 5:5-8

5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, unto this day. 6 But the hand of Jehovah was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with tumors, even Ashdod and the borders thereof. 7 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us; for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god. 8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel thither. 

Summary

1. Vs5 Anyone that came into Dagon's house after this point, whether priests or not, would walk across the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod…even unto today…

2. Vs5 The Philistines did not try and destroy it or deface it. As we saw in the earlier passages, they had a healthy fear and respect for it and the God it represented.

3. Vs6 The hand of the Lord was heavy upon Ashdod (means "I will spoil"). And he destroyed them and smote them with tumors , even Ashdod and the coasts. 

1. Show maps of Ashdod, Gath, Elkrom, and other two cities.

2. Vs6 and smote them with tumors, even Ashdod and the borders thereof.

1. H2914 - tumors, hemorrhoids

2. H6076 - hill, mound, fort, stronghold, Ophel, tumor, hemorrhoid

3. Septuagint says: 

vs6 and it burst out upon them into the ships, and mice sprang up in the midst of their country, and there was a great and indiscriminate mortality in the city.

Hemorrhoids and mice!!

4. Vs7 When the men of Ashdod saw how things were, they said, “Don’t let the Ark of the God of Israel stay with us, because he is severely attacking us and our god Dagon.”

5. Vs8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? 

1. Remember, this was booty that was captured in the midst of the battle with Israel. Maybe we shouldn't be hasty in just giving it away

6. And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel thither.

1. They answered, "Let the ark be carried to Gath" 

Who answered? 

All the lord's of the Philistines. (Ashdod, Ekron, Askelon, Gath, and Gaza.)

2. Septuagint says "and they of Gath said, let the ark of God come to us; and the ark of God came to Gath''

1 Sam 5:9-10

9 And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of Jehovah was against the city with a very great discomfiture: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great; and tumors brake out upon them. 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people. 

Summary

1. Vs9 After the ark was brought to Gath, the hand of God was against the city tumult. He smote the men (people?) with tumors or hemorrhoids in their secret parts (?).

1. Secret parts? Inner hemorrhoids?

2. Septuagint adds this juicy detail: "and the Gittites made to themselves images of emerods"

2. Vs10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.

1. Ekron, the third city to receive the ark. 

Remember the 5 Lords of the Philistines? This is the third of five cities that the Philistine lord's are from: (Ashdod, Gath, now Ekron) (and also Ashkelon and Gaza)

2. Ekronites cry out "They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people."

1. Did the hemorrhoids/tumors begin to appear in Ekron?

2. They cry out:

"They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people."

Who are they blaming? Their own Philistine lord's, or the Israelites??

1 Sam 5:11-12

11 They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to its own place, that it slay us not, and our people. For there was a deadly discomfiture throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. 12 And the men that died not were smitten with the tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

Summary

1. Vs11 The lord's of the Philistines gathered together and said, "we have to send away the ark of the God of Israel. Let it go back to its own place so it doesn't kill us and our people."

2. Vs11 for there was deadly discomforture throughout the city, and the hand of God was heavy there. 

1. What does this mean? I'm assuming that the "heavy hand of God" refers to the death of many. Maybe pestilence.

3. V12 Those that lived were smitten with tumors. And the cry of Ekron went up to heaven.

1 Sam 6:1-4

1 And the ark of Jehovah was in the country of the Philistines seven months. 2 And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do with the ark of Jehovah? show us wherewith we shall send it to its place. 3 And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but by all means return him a trespass-offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you. 4 Then said they, What shall be the trespass-offering which we shall return to him? And they said, Five golden tumors, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines; for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.

Summary

1. Vs1 The ark was with the Philistines for 7 months.

2. Vs2 Philistines call for the priests and their diviners or prophets asking "What shall we do with the ark? Tell us how we should send it back to its place.”

3. Vs3 "If you send the ark back, don't send it empty. Be sure to include a trespass or guilt offering. And it will be known to you why his hand does not turn away from you."

4. Vs4 The Philistines ask "What shall be the trespass/guilt offering that we return to him?"

5. Vs4 The diviners/prophets respond: Five golden tumors or hemorrhoids and five golden mice according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, since the same plague was on all of you and on your lords.

1Sa 6:5-8 

5 Wherefore ye shall make images of your tumors, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land. 6 Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed? 7 Now therefore take and prepare you a new cart, and two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke; and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them; 8 and take the ark of Jehovah, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass-offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.

Summary

1. Vs5 Make images of the mice and your tumors

2. Vs5 And give glory to the God of Israel

3. God's strength forces the Philistines to honor Him.

4. Vs6 The Philistines are well aware that Pharaoh and Egypt had hardened hearts.

5. Vs6 And when God had mocked the Egyptians, they let the Hebrews go and they left. Anything different?

6. Vs7 Now this is what we should do:

1. Make a new cart

2. Take two milk cows that have calves but have never been yoked (female cows)

3. Tie the cows to the cart

4. Lead their calves home from behind them (so they don't see)

Why?

7. Vs8 con't

1. Take the ark and put it on the cart

2. Put the trespass offering (of the golden mice and golden tumors/hemorrhoids) in a box besides the ark.

3. Then send it off.

1Sa 6:9

9 And see; if it goeth up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. 

Summary

1. Vs9 If the cows take the ark to the border of Israel via Beth-shemesh, then God has done this great evil to us.

2. Vs9 If the cows do not take the ark back to the border of Israel via Beth-Shemesh, then this evil that has happened in our land, was not done by the god of Israel. Therefore it would be random chance

1Sa 6:10-12

10 And the men did so, and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home; 11 and they put the ark of Jehovah upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their tumors. 12 And the kine took the straight way by the way to Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Beth-shemesh.

1 Samuel 4

 1Sa 4:1

1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. 

Summary

1. So Bible scholars think that the beginning of verse 1 belongs at the end of chapter 3. At the end of this verse:

1. 1Sa 3:21 And Jehovah appeared again in Shiloh; for Jehovah revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of Jehovah. "And the word of Samuel came to all Israel."

2. If so, then it suggests that it wasn't God that sent Israel out to fight against the Philistines. Based on the results that we will see occur, this may be the case.

3. Share "Aphek-Ebenezer.jpg"

1. 26 miles from Shiloh to Ebenezer

2. 1-1.5 miles from Ebenezer to Aphek

1Sa 4:2-3

2 And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines; and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. 3 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath Jehovah smitten us to-day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of Shiloh unto us, that it may come among us, and save us out of the hand of our enemies. 

Summary

1. Vs2 The Philistines put themselves in array against Israel. What does that mean?

1. Maybe put themselves in a row like the civil war?

2. Maybe they just got themselves setup for battle?

2. Vs2 Did Israel put themselves in array against the Philistines?? Unsure

3. Vs2 The Philistines kill about 4000 men

4. Vs3 The elders say "why did the Lord defeat us before the Philistines today?" Thoughts?

1. Either they thought that God told them to go?

2. Or maybe they thought if they went out against their enemies, God would automatically honor their request? Not sure

3. Does God automatically honor our requests in life to go against our enemies?

5. Vs3 Let us fetch the ark out of Shiloh that it may come to us and save us from our enemies? What does this sound like to you?

1. Sounds like the Elders are treating God like a good luck charm that will "help us accomplish our will". Using God

2. Foolishly placing their confidence in an external symbol, and not in the Lord himself

3. Like in a vampire movie, someone without any faith will just grab a crucifix and use it against a vampire. 

1 Sam 4:4-5

4 So the people sent to Shiloh; and they brought from thence the ark of the covenant of Jehovah of hosts, who sitteth above the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 And when the ark of the covenant of Jehovah came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. 

Summary

1. Vs4 So they go to Shiloh, and get the ark. (50 mile round trip-ish)

2. Vs4 Hophni and Phinehas are at Shiloh with the ark. 

1. If you have read the entire chapter, what can we safely assume? That Hophni and Phinehas travel to Ebenezer with the ark also.

3. Vs5 All Israel shouts with a great shout, so the earth makes an uproar. Why do they shout?

1. Their good luck charm has arrived?

2. Now God has arrived on the scene. We will win now!!

1 Sam 4:6-9

6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of Jehovah was come into the camp. 7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore. 8 Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods? these are the gods that smote the Egyptians with all manner of plagues in the wilderness. 9 Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight. 

Summary

1. Vs6 The Philistines hear the shout…Notice their reaction!

 

1. What does this shout mean?

2. Didn't we just kill 4000 of their men?

3. Oh no, what if they brought the ark of their God into their camp?

1. Seem to have respect for God. Wonder why?

2. Vs7 The Philistines reaction

1. Afraid

2. Woe unto us!

3. Nothing like this has ever happened before! 

1. Seemed to be mindful of the reality of the spirit realm and that the Israelites God (or gods-per Septuagint) was truly there within their camp now and would oppose them.

2. Probably more mindful of the reality of the spirit realm then the Israelites were.

3. Vs8 Woe unto us! Who shall deliver us out of the hands of these:

1. Mighty god's (elohim)

1. Again, mindful of the spirit realm

2. "These are the same God's that smote the Egyptians with plagues in the wilderness!"

How did they know about that?

4. Vs9 Philistines give themselves a pep talk.

1. Be strong and be (behave like) men!

2. Don't become slaves to the Hebrews like they have been to us.

3. Be men and fight!

Who seems to respect God more? Israel or the Philistines?

1 Sam 4:10-11

10 And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man to his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. 11 And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain. 

Summary

1. Vs10 The battle begins, and the Philistines whack the Israelites. The Israelites all flee back to his tents.

2. Vs10 30,000 footmen of Israel were slaughtered (34,000 in total)

3. Vs10 What can we take from this slaughter in regards to the ark?

 

1. The ark offered no refuge or security for the Israelites. 

1. Esp in the cavalier way they used it. Seemingly bringing it along in order to bless their endeavor.

4. Vs11 The Philistines take the ark of the covenant. Is this a punishment for Israel? For what?

5. Vs11 Eli's two sons Hophni and Phinehas were both killed.

1. Spiritually speaking, which day does this occur? Which day does God judge the Eli and his sons ministry (or the church)? Day 7

2. Based on the types and shadows that we see, what is removed from Israel on day 7? 

1. The presence of God

1 Sam 4:12-15

12 And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head. 13 And when he came, lo, Eli was sitting upon his seat by the wayside watching; for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out. 14 And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man hasted, and came and told Eli. 15 Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were set, so that he could not see. 

Summary

1. Vs12 A man of Benjamin out of the battle that comes to Shiloh on the same day…HUGE METAPHOR!!!

1. A man of Benjamin? Why?

1. Hos 5:7-10 

7 They have dealt treacherously against Jehovah; for they have borne strange children: now shall the new moon devour them with their fields. 8 Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: sound an alarm at Beth-aven; behind thee, O Benjamin. 9 Ephraim shall become a desolation in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be. 10 The princes of Judah are like them that remove the landmark: I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.

2. Jer 6:1 

Flee for safety, ye children of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise up a signal on Beth-haccherem; for evil looketh forth from the north, and a great destruction.

The "Benjamin's" blow the trumpet

2. Benjamin was the last and youngest son of Jacob. Joseph his older brother is metaphoric for Jesus the first fruits of God. 

3. Benjamin on the other hand is metaphoric for the younger brother of Jesus or the many sons or the trees of righteousness that grow on day 7.

4. Means "son of the right hand".

1. Luk 6:6-11 

6 And it came to pass on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man there, and his right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find how to accuse him. 8 But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man that had his hand withered. Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. 9 And Jesus said unto them, I ask you, is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to destroy it?  10 And he looked round about on them all, and said unto him, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

2. Vs12 The man of Benjamin came to Shiloh on the same day…

1. Which day? Day 7 or 3

3. Vs12 The man of Benjamin had his clothes rent…

1. Joe 2:13 

and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

2. Here is the trumpet again:

Joe 2:14-15 

14 Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal-offering and a drink-offering unto Jehovah your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly;

4. Vs12 The man of Benjamin had "earth upon his head".

1. Jos 7:6 

And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of Jehovah until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust upon their heads.

Mourning, humility, etc are the heart of the 7th day man.

5. Vs13 When he arrived, Eli was sitting there on a seat beside the road, watching because his heart trembled for the Ark of God. The man went into the town to give the report, and the whole town cried out.

1. What did we say the Eli ministry represents? The church.

2. The ark of God was taken by the Philistines and no longer dwells with us. 

3. Hophni and Phinehas are dead.

6. Vs14 Eli hears the sound of the cry and asks "what is the meaning of all the noise"? Then the man quickly comes and tells Eli.

1. Notice how the ignorant church system is unaware that the presence of God has been stolen or that his two sons are now dead either.

7. Vs15 almost as if it's an answer to our question about the state of the church, it describes Eli as having eyes that were "fixed" so that he could not see.

1 Sam 4:16-18

16 And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to-day out of the army. And he said, How went the matter, my son? 17 And he that brought the tidings answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. 18 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that Eli fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. 

Summary 

1. Vs16 Eli asks the man from Benjamin, "where did you come from"?

1. He says twice "Out of the army (or array)". The first two instance in the bible that uses this word:

1. Exo 39:37 

the pure candlestick, the lamps thereof, even the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for the light;

2. Lev 24:6 

And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before Jehovah. (Cakes)

Lamps and cakes set in order in God's holy place or on His holy table.

2. Vs16 Eli says "how did it go"?

1. Again, Eli the church is completely ignorant of their condition.

3. Vs17 The man responds "Israel has fled before the Philistines and there's been a great slaughter among the people and your two sons Hophni and Phinehas are dead"

4. Vs17 …and the ark of God has been taken. 

1. In other words, God's presence no longer dwells within the church on day 7.

5. Vs18 Once Eli hears about the ark He falls off his seat backwards and breaks his neck and dies.

1 Sam 4:19-22

19 And his daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and brought forth; for her pains came upon her. 20 And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast brought forth a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. 21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel; because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 And she said, The glory is departed from Israel; for the ark of God is taken.