5 Therefore neither the priests H3548 of Dagon, H1712 nor any that come H935 into Dagon's H1712 house, H1004 tread H1869 on the threshold H4670 of Dagon H1712 in Ashdod H795 unto this day. H3117
In the same day H3117 also will I punish H6485 all those that leap H1801 on the threshold, H4670 which fill H4390 their masters' H113 houses H1004 with violence H2555 and deceit. H4820
And the captain H8269 of the LORD'S H3068 host H6635 said H559 unto Joshua, H3091 Loose H5394 thy shoe H5275 from off thy foot; H7272 for the place H4725 whereon thou standest H5975 is holy. H6944 And Joshua H3091 did H6213 so.
Their idols H6091 are silver H3701 and gold, H2091 the work H4639 of men's H120 hands. H3027 They have mouths, H6310 but they speak H1696 not: eyes H5869 have they, but they see H7200 not: They have ears, H241 but they hear H8085 not: noses H639 have they, but they smell H7306 not: They have hands, H3027 but they handle H4184 not: feet H7272 have they, but they walk H1980 not: neither speak H1897 they through their throat. H1627
The idols H6091 of the heathen H1471 are silver H3701 and gold, H2091 the work H4639 of men's H120 hands. H3027 They have mouths, H6310 but they speak H1696 not; eyes H5869 have they, but they see H7200 not; They have ears, H241 but they hear H238 not; neither is there H3426 any breath H7307 in their mouths. H6310 They that make H6213 them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth H982 in them.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Samuel 5
Commentary on 1 Samuel 5 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 5
It is now time to enquire what has become of the ark of God; we cannot but think that we shall hear more of that sacred treasure. I should have thought the next news would have been that all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, had gathered together as one man, with a resolution to bring it back, or die in the attempt; but we find not any motion made of that kind, so little was there of zeal or courage left among them. Nay, we do not find that they desired a treaty with the Philistines about the ransom of it, or offered any thing in lieu of it. "It is gone, and let it go.' Many have softness enough to lament the loss of the ark that have not hardiness enough to take one step towards the recovery of it, any more than Israel here. If the ark will help itself it may, for they will not help it. Unworthy they were of the name of Israelites that could thus tamely part with the glory of Israel. God would therefore take the work into his own hands and plead his own cause, since men would not appear for him. We are told in this chapter,
1Sa 5:1-5
Here is,
1Sa 5:6-12
The downfall of Dagon (if the people had made a good use of it, and had been brought by it to repent of their idolatries and to humble themselves before the God of Israel and seek his face) might have prevented the vengeance which God here proceeds to take upon them for the indignities done to his ark, and their obstinate adherence to their idol, in defiance of the plainest conviction. Lord, when thy hand is lifted up they will not see, but they shall see, Isa. 26:11. And, if they will not see the glory, they shall feel the weight, of God's hand, for so the Philistines did. The hand of the Lord was heavy upon them (v. 6), and he not only convinced them of their folly, but severely chastised their insolence.