Topical Encyclopedia The Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest built by the Israelites under the guidance of Moses, is central to several miraculous events recorded in the Bible. Among these, the manner of its restoration to the Israelites after being captured by the Philistines is particularly significant.Capture by the Philistines The Ark was captured by the Philistines during a battle at Ebenezer, as recorded in 1 Samuel 4. The loss of the Ark was a devastating blow to Israel, symbolizing the departure of God's presence from His people. The Philistines took the Ark to Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their god Dagon. However, the presence of the Ark brought calamity upon the Philistines. Miraculous Events in Philistine Territory The Ark's presence in Philistine territory was marked by a series of miraculous events. The statue of Dagon fell face down before the Ark, and when set upright, it fell again, this time with its head and hands severed (1 Samuel 5:3-4). Additionally, the people of Ashdod and surrounding areas were afflicted with tumors, and a plague of mice ravaged the land (1 Samuel 5:6). Recognizing the divine hand against them, the Philistines decided to return the Ark to Israel. They consulted their priests and diviners, who advised them to send the Ark back with a guilt offering to appease the God of Israel (1 Samuel 6:2-5). Restoration to Israel The Philistines placed the Ark on a new cart, along with a chest containing gold tumors and gold mice as a guilt offering. They hitched two cows to the cart, cows that had never been yoked and had recently calved, and set them on the road to Beth-shemesh, a town in Israelite territory (1 Samuel 6:7-8). The journey of the Ark back to Israel was itself miraculous. The cows, against their natural instincts to return to their calves, went straight up the road to Beth-shemesh, lowing as they went, without turning aside (1 Samuel 6:12). This was seen as a clear sign of divine intervention, confirming that the calamities suffered by the Philistines were indeed the work of the God of Israel. Reception in Beth-shemesh Upon its arrival in Beth-shemesh, the people rejoiced at the sight of the Ark. They offered burnt offerings and sacrifices to the Lord using the wood of the cart and the cows themselves (1 Samuel 6:14-15). However, some of the men of Beth-shemesh looked into the Ark, an act of irreverence, and were struck down by the Lord (1 Samuel 6:19). Transfer to Kiriath-jearim Recognizing the holiness and power associated with the Ark, the people of Beth-shemesh sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim to take the Ark. It was then brought to the house of Abinadab on the hill, where it remained for many years under the care of his son Eleazar (1 Samuel 7:1-2). The restoration of the Ark to Israel was marked by a series of divine acts that underscored the holiness of the Ark and the presence of God among His people. These events served as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the importance of reverence and obedience to His commands. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 6:1-18And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Christ Cleansing the Temple Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals. A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ... The Historical Books. The Book of Jubilees Come from the Four Winds, O Breath! The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Introduction to Oration ii. The Reaction against Egypt Resources Were there dinosaurs on Noah's ark? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Ark of the Covenant? | GotQuestions.org Why did God strike Uzzah dead for touching the Ark of the Covenant? | GotQuestions.org Ark: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of God Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of God's Strength Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of the Testimony Ark of the Covenant was Carried by Priests of Levites Alone Ark of the Covenant was Carried: Before the Israelites in Their Journeys Ark of the Covenant was Carried: Sometimes to the Camp in War Ark of the Covenant: A Copy of the Law Laid in the Side of Ark of the Covenant: A Symbol of the Presence and Glory of God Ark of the Covenant: A Type of Christ Ark of the Covenant: Anointed With Sacred Oil Ark of the Covenant: At Kirjath-Jearim Twenty Years Ark of the Covenant: Brought by Solomon Into the Temple With Great Solemnity Ark of the Covenant: Brought Into the City of David Ark of the Covenant: Captured by the Philistines Ark of the Covenant: Covered With the Vail by the Priests Before Removal Ark of the Covenant: David Made a Tent For Ark of the Covenant: Dimensions of Ark of the Covenant: Entirely Covered With Gold Ark of the Covenant: Esteemed the Glory of Israel Ark of the Covenant: Furnished With Rings and Staves Ark of the Covenant: Mercy-Seat Laid Upon Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Fall of Dagon Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Fall of the Walls of Jericho Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Jordan Divided Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Manner of Its Restoration Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Philistines Plagued Ark of the Covenant: Placed in the Holy of Holies Ark of the Covenant: Profanation of, Punished Ark of the Covenant: Protecting of, Rewarded Ark of the Covenant: Removed from Kirjath-Jearim to the House of Obed-Edom Ark of the Covenant: Sanctified Its Resting Place Ark of the Covenant: Surrounded With a Crown of Gold Ark of the Covenant: Tables of Testimony Alone Placed In Ark of the Covenant: The Israelites Enquired of the Lord Before Ark of the Covenant: The Pot of Manna and Aaron's Rod Laid up Before Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant in John's Vision Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of God Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of God's Strength Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Covenant Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Testimony Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Aaron's Rod Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: An Oracle of God Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Captured by the Philstines Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Carried by Kohathites Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Construction of Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Directions for Making Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Holy Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: How Prepared for Conveyance Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Place of Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Pot of Manna Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Prophecy Concerning Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Remains at the House of Abinadab Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Remains in the House of Obed-Edom Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Returned by the Philistines Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Sanctification of Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Set up in Jerusalem Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Set up in Shiloh Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Siege of Jericho Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Taken to Battle Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: The Law Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Transferred to Solomon's Temple Ark: Noah's: Directions for Building of Ark: Noah's: Noah and Family Preserved In Removed from Jerusalem by Zadok at the Time of Absalom's Revolt, But Returned by Command of David Related Terms Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences) Blast-trumpets (3 Occurrences) |
    |