1 Samuel 5

1 Samuel 5

Morgan - Send away the ark of the God o f Israel, and let it go again to its own place.—1 Sam. 5.11 This short chapter is full of interest, in that it shows how God is able to become His own witness when His people fail in their testimony to Him among the nations. All that is essential in this story is of abiding application. To Israel the ark was the centre and symbol of their national life. In itself it was devoid of power. In the hour of peril from Philistine attack, and hoping to save themselves, the people had brought this Ark into the midst of the fight. That was an entirely superstitious use thereof, and had proved utterly unavailing. The Ark was not a charm equal to delivering disobedient Israel. But God would not permit the enemies of His people to trifle with it. If men hold their peace, stones will cry out; and if chosen witnesses are unfaithful to God, then He will make the Ark, which is the symbol of His presence, the occasion of His judgment upon His enemies. Thus Philistia was made to feel that if she had been able for the moment to conquer and break the power of Israel, she had still to deal with the God of Israel, and that was a different matter. This cry of the people to the Philistine lords to send the Ark away was the result of- this conviction. Thus God constantly breaks through on human consciousness directly, not always in ways which we describe as supernatural, but always with certainty and conviction. This fact may give us encouragement, but it must not be used as an excuse for the infidelity of those who should be His witnesses. Had Israel been obedient Philistia had never taken the Ark of God. (Life Applications from Every Chapter of the Bible) 1 Samuel 5:12 And the men who did not die were smitten with tumors and the cry of the city went up to heaven. BGT 1 Samuel 5:12 καὶ οἱ ζῶντες καὶ οὐκ ἀποθανόντες ἐπλήγησαν εἰς τὰς ἕδρας καὶ ἀνέβη ἡ κραυγὴ τῆς πόλεως εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν KJV 1 Samuel 5:12 And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven. NET 1 Samuel 5:12 The people who did not die were struck with sores; the city's cry for help went all the way up to heaven. CSB 1 Samuel 5:12 The men who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven. ESV 1 Samuel 5:12 The men who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven. NIV 1 Samuel 5:12 Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven. NLT 1 Samuel 5:12 Those who didn't die were afflicted with tumors; and the cry from the town rose to heaven. NRS 1 Samuel 5:12 those who did not die were stricken with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven. RSV 1 Samuel 5:12 the men who did not die were stricken with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven. YLT 1 Samuel 5:12 and the men who have not died have been smitten with emerods, and the cry of the city goeth up into the heavens. NKJ 1 Samuel 5:12 And the men who did not die were stricken with the tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven. NJB 1 Samuel 5:12 The people who did not die were afflicted with tumours, and the wailing from the town rose to the sky. NAB 1 Samuel 5:12 Those who escaped death were afflicted with hemorrhoids, and the outcry from the city went up to the heavens. LXE 1 Samuel 5:12 For there was a very great confusion in all the city, when the ark of the God of Israel entered there; and those, who lived and died not were smitten with emerods; and the cry of the city went up to heaven. ASV 1 Samuel 5:12 And the men that died not were smitten with the tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven. died: 1Ki 19:17 Am 5:19 the cry: 1Sa 9:16 Ex 12:30 Isa 15:3-5 Jer 14:2 25:34 48:3 CRYING OUT TO HEAVEN And the men who did not die were smitten (nakah) with tumors (ophel) and the cry of the city went up to heaven - The deadly plague stimulated a cry up to heaven, which is usually what a sudden tragedy does to people. So even today when people are suddenly confronted with devastating news they cry out "O God!" Sadly these Gathites cry out to the heaven, but not to the God who made the heavens and earth!