Study notes

1 Samuel 5

Introducing 1 SamuelWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

2:12–7:17 Section

Eli’s sons did evil things as priests and Eli didn’t stop them. Samuel acted differently than they did. Samuel wasn’t in the family line of Aaron. But he served God faithfully like priests were supposed to.

The first message that Samuel shared as a prophet was against Eli and his sons. The prophecy came true after a battle between the people of Israel and the Philistines. The Israelites wanted God to protect them and to help them win the battle. They used the ark of the covenant to try and force God to do this. But they weren’t obeying God or trusting him to save them. This was very different from how the ark was used in the battle against Jericho (Joshua 6:1–14).

Eli’s sons were killed in the battle with the Philistines. Eli died when he heard that the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant. The Philistines suffered a plague because they had taken the ark. The plague was God’s judgement against them. It showed them that God was more powerful than their false gods.

When the ark was returned to Israel, Samuel served the Israelites as their leader. He was the last one to lead like the 12 judges had led. He helped the Israelites turn back to God. They stopped worshipping false gods and instead worshipped only God. This showed that they were being faithful to the Mount Sinai covenant. Then God saved them from their enemies. This was one of the covenant blessings.

5:2

Dagon was a god worshipped by the Philistines (see Judges 16:23–24). The name might come from the Hebrew word dag, which means "fish." This would be an appropriate name for a god of seafaring people. However, it is more likely related to the Hebrew word dagan, which means "grain." This would indicate a god of fertility or agriculture.

5:4

his head and his hands broken off: This was a symbol of God's power over the idol (1 Samuel 5:7; see also 17:51).

5:5

step on the threshold: The Philistines might have thought Dagon's statue broke because they did not honor him correctly. However, their real mistake was worshiping an idol instead of the one true God (Isaiah 44:6–20).

5:6

tumors: The Hebrew word might just mean "swellings." Another possible translation is "hemorrhoids." They could have been deadly buboes from the bubonic plague, affecting the lower body, especially the rectal area. Rats are known to carry the plague.

5:8

  • rulers (or overlords): Each of the five major Philistine cities had its own ruler (1 Samuel 6:16–18).

  • It must be moved: Even with the clear danger, the Philistines valued their captured trophy so much that they chose to move it instead of returning it.

  • Gath, one of the five major Philistine cities, was close by.

5:10

Ekron, one of the five main Philistine cities (see 1 Samuel 6:17), was only five miles north of Gath.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources