The House that, Eli the deceased priest, built for the LORD, part seven NIV

1 Samuel 5:8- part seven God's judgment upon the Philistines and Dagon, their false god, for their oppression of Israel continued. So they moved the ark of the God of Israel. But after they had moved it, the LORD's hand was against that city, throwing it into great panic. He afflicted the people of that city, both old and young, with an outbreak of tumors. So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. As the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out,"They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to kill us and our people. So they called together all of the rulers of the Philistines and said,"Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to it's own place or it will kill us and our people. For death had filled the city with panic; God's hand was very heavy upon it. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up into heaven. The beginning of part eight; The Ark Returned to Israel 1 Samuel 6:1-9 When the ark of the LORD had been in Philistine territory seven months, the Philis- tines called for the priests and the diviners and said,"What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it back to it's place." They answered,"If you return the ark of the god of Israel, do not send it away empty, but by all means send a guilt offering to him. Then you will be healed, and you will know why his hand has not been lifted from you." The Philistines asked,"What guilt offering shall we send to him?" They replied,"Five gold tumors and five gold rats, according to the number of the Philistine rulers. Make models of the tumors and the rats that are destroying the country, and pay honor to Israel's god. Perhaps he will lift his hand from you and and your gods in your land. Why did you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When he treated them harshly, did they not send the Israelists out so they could go on their way? Now then get a cart ready, with two cows, that have calved and have never been yoked. Hit the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. Take the ark of the LORD and put it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to him as a guilt offering. Send it on its way, but keep watching it. If it goes to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh, then the LORD has brought this great disaster on us. Praise be our LORD God! Roxanne Lea Dubarry Roxy Lea 1954/October Country July 13, 2024