Thoughts on the Bible Readings 1 Samuel 5, 6, Isaiah 51, Revelation 7, 8, 9 for June 24th

The readings in Samuel follow the journey of the ark whilst it is in Philistine possession until its return to the covenant people at the "forest of the woods" (Kirjath-jearim see Psalm 132). Firstly in Ashdod Yahweh's supremacy is shown over Dagon the fish god, by its symbolic prostration before Israel's God and finally it being shattered. Following this the inhabitants were plagued with tumours, called emerods, or haemorrhoids in the AV; these tumours seemingly being occasioned by a mice plague. Despairingly the ark is relocated to each of the five chief cities and the plagues of mice and tumours following the pattern. The Philistines were terrified that Israel's God would destroy them and so they devised a scheme to make a trespass offering of gold fashioned after their plagues and to send the ark home. They took two cows, which were still feeding their calves, and contrary to the natural expectation wend their way to the house of Joshua in Beth-shemesh. Here curiosity overtook the foolish inhabitants who decided, contrary to God's laws, to gaze inside the ark and consequently 70 men died. Like the Philistines the ark was relocated to Kirjath-jearim where it remained for about 90 years before eventually being brought triumphantly by David to its resting place in Jerusalem.