1 Samuel 5:8-12

Christian Standard Bible Anglicised

⁸ So they called all the Philistine rulers together^(A) and asked, ‘What should we do with the ark of Israel’s God? ’

‘The ark of Israel’s God should be moved to Gath,’ they replied. So they moved the ark of Israel’s God. ⁹ After they had moved it, the Lord’s hand was against the city of Gath,^(B) causing a great panic. He afflicted the people of the city, from the youngest to the oldest, with an outbreak of tumours.^(C)

¹⁰ The people of Gath then sent the ark of God to Ekron, but when it got there, the Ekronites cried out, ‘They’ve moved the ark of Israel’s God to us to kill us and our people! ’^[a]

¹¹ The Ekronites called all the Philistine rulers together.^(D) They said, ‘Send the ark of Israel’s God away. Let it return to its place so it won’t kill us and our people! ’^[b] For the fear of death pervaded the city; God’s hand was oppressing them.^{(E) 12} Those who did not die were afflicted with tumours, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.^(F)