1 Samuel 5
1 Samuel 5 begins with the scene in which David is anointed as king over all Israel. Having been king only over the tribe of Judah, David now ascends to the throne, recognized by all the tribes of Israel (verses 1-5). Next, he conquers Jerusalem (Jebus) to establish it as the political center of Israel, makes it his own stronghold, and calls it the “City of David” (verses 6-10). This becomes a historic turning point in which the kingdom of Israel is newly united, and it is a process of strengthening the foundations of his rule.
1verseNow the Philistines had taken God’s ark, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
2verseThe Philistines took God’s ark, and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.
3verseWhen the people of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the LORD’s ark. They took Dagon and set him in his place again.
4verseWhen they arose early on the following morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the LORD’s ark; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso was intact.
5verseTherefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
6verseBut the LORD’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and he destroyed them and struck them with tumors, even Ashdod and its borders.
7verseWhen the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel shall not stay with us, for his hand is severe on us and on Dagon our god.”
8verseThey sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried over to Gath.” They carried the ark of the God of Israel there.
9verseIt was so, that after they had carried it there, the LORD’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion; and he struck the men of the city, both small and great, so that tumors broke out on them.
10verseSo they sent God’s ark to Ekron. As God’s ark came to Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, “They have brought the ark of the God of Israel here to us, to kill us and our people.”
11verseThey sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, “Send the ark of the God of Israel away, and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people.” For there was a deadly panic throughout all the city. The hand of God was very heavy there.
12verseThe men who didn’t die were struck with the tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
David’s Political and Spiritual Growth
While living in Jerusalem, David builds a palace and expands his kingdom further through alliances with the Philistines (verses 11-16). As God is with David, his reputation grows steadily. The author of Scripture repeatedly mentions the expansion of David’s authority and emphasizes that it is not due to David’s personal ability, but because of God’s guidance
Battles with the Philistine Army
The Philistines pose a threatening challenge to David, who has unified Israel (verses 17-25). David asks God about the war twice, and on both occasions he acts according to God’s instructions. In the first battle (the battle of Baal-perazim), he fights directly, and in the second battle, God tells him to treat “the sound of footsteps on the tops of the mulberry trees” as the signal. In this way, David puts God’s guidance ahead of his own wishes, and ultimately wins both battles decisively.
Meditation Points
- True leadership: In the process of David being established as king over all Israel, his humility and reliance on God show an example of leadership.
- God’s guidance: From David’s attitude of asking God’s will first, ahead of his own plans, when facing battle, we can consider the importance of faith that follows God’s guidance.
Try Applying This to Yourself
- When my assigned role or the position of my workplace changes, am I asking for God’s will first, like David?
- Instead of relying on my own strength in the face of problems, check whether I am putting into practice the habit of seeking God’s guidance.
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