And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.
But after they moved the ark to that city, the LORD's power struck the city with terrible devastation. He afflicted all the men of the city, both important and ordinary people, and they suffered from painful tumors in their private areas.
God brought severe judgment and painful illness upon the city where the Philistines had moved the ark of the covenant.
📚 Historical Context
The Philistines had captured the ark of the covenant from Israel and were moving it between their cities. Each city that housed the ark experienced divine judgment, showing that God's presence could not be treated casually or used as a trophy by pagan nations. This was part of God demonstrating His power over foreign gods and peoples.
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