1 Samuel 5
The ark of the covenant of God is taken into captivity, much to the Israeli army’s defeat at a place called Ebenezer. Carrying the ark back to Ashdod, and setting it in the temple of Dagon, an idol, would provide a less-than celebratory 7 months for the Philistines. In judgment of the people there, God topples the idol statue of Dagon, and brings “devastation upon them and afflicted them with tumors” (v. 6b) until the Philistines give it back to Israel. Similar to many other challenging episodes of the Bible, this chapter is riddled and interwoven with other key biblical themes which broaden our lens, helping us understand what is happening with depth.
Back in chapter 4, when the Israeli army called for the ark of the covenant to come with them to battle, its arrival caused a cheer from their camp so loud the attention of the Philistines was captured. They know full well this is the God who “struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the desert” (1 Sam. 4.8b). Instead of backing down though, they fought even harder. Bringing the ark and placing it in the temple of Dagon as a means for communicating our God’s inferiority to theirs.
For some back story, Dagon is half-man, half-fish, and according to the idolic religions of the ancient world, is the father of Baal. Intriguingly, the day after their victory over the “Hebrews and their God”, this idol statue is laying on the ground in front of the ark. However, the priests think nothing of it … Verse 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.”
This symbol of having the head and the hands cut off is for confirmation of the enemy being dead. In this case, it’s confirmation from the Lord that this idol is in fact a lifeless, man-made statue; dead. MacArthur, in his commentary, goes as far as to say God ironically put Dagon on the floor as if to pay homage the first night, then broke his hands and head off the next to display his divine judgment and authority over Dagon (pg. 310). The judgment would not stop with Dagon though, as the Philistines would experience something similar to what we see in Exodus. In complete opposition to the broken hands of Dagon, God’s hand, alive and all-powerful, is said to rest heavy on the people. As mentioned above, God’s hand brings devastation and an affliction of tumors (or something like boils or sores). It takes 7 months of moving the ark around, suffering great panic, devastation, and affliction. As if the Lord was widdling down their pride until people finally realize the same God who struck down the Egyptians for their arrogance, is doing the same to them, and in a similar fashion. Met with protest and cries from the people, the ark is then decided by the leaders to be returned back to Israel.
During this time, the news of the ark’s capture was devastating to the people of Israel, grieving Eli so much he fell over and died upon striking the ground. As stated in the previous devotional, this ark was to represent God’s dwelling among them, that His spirit was with them and in their midst. Now, not only did they lose with him in battle, but they lost his nearness too… What God did to Dagon in that temple and to the people in Philistine does not show Him to be defeated though. No, it was not by the Israeli’s power the ark returns to their nation. God alone, humbles the Philistine people, breaks down their pride, and sends it back. Israel does nothing. It is as if God is displaying His power, His sovereignty, and might in such a way as to humble both nations.
Spend time meditating on God’s sovereignty and power today. Delight in His nearness, that this same God dwells in us, His people!
