6The Lord’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod.5:6 Ex 9:3; 1Sm 5:7,11 He terrified5:6 1Sm 6:5 the people of Ashdod and its territory and afflicted them with tumors.5:6 LXX adds He brought up mice against them, and they swarmed in their ships. Then mice went up into the land and there was a mortal panic in the city.5:6 Perhaps bubonic plague5:6 Dt 28:27; Ps 78:66

7When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of Israel’s God must not stay here with us, because his hand is strongly against us and our god Dagon.”

8So they called all the Philistine rulers together5:8 1Sm 5:11; 29:6–11 and asked, “What should we do with the ark of Israel’s God?”

9After they had moved it, the Lord’s hand was against the city of Gath,5:9 1Sm 5:11; 7:13 causing a great panic. He afflicted the people of the city, from the youngest to the oldest, with an outbreak of tumors.5:9 1Sm 5:6

10The people of Gath then sent the ark of God to Ekron, but when it got there, the Ekronites cried out, “They’ve moved the ark of Israel’s God to us to kill us and our people!” 5:10 DSS, LXX read “Why have you moved... people?”

11The Ekronites called all the Philistine rulers together.5:11 1Sm 5:8 They said, “Send the ark of Israel’s God away. Let it return to its place so it won’t kill us and our people!” 5:11 DSS, LXX read “Why don’t you return it to... people?” For the fear of death pervaded the city; God’s hand was oppressing them.5:11 1Sm 5:6,9

12Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.5:12 Ex 12:30