KJV ORIGINAL
But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
But the Lord's power came down hard on the people of Ashdod, and he brought destruction on them, striking them with painful tumors throughout Ashdod and all the surrounding areas.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
God is showing his power by bringing painful affliction to the Philistines who had captured his ark, demonstrating that no one can dishonor him without consequences.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred after the Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant from Israel and placed it in their temple next to their god Dagon in the city of Ashdod. The painful tumors (possibly bubonic plague) were God's response to this act of taking his sacred ark and treating it as a trophy alongside pagan idols.
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