Bible Strands
1 Samuel 5:8
So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” “It must be moved to Gath,” they replied. So they carried away the ark of the God of Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Philistine officials in Ashdod convene their political leaders immediately after Dagon falls and a plague strikes the city. They ask what to do with the ark of the God of Israel and command it moved to Gath.
The words — וַ/יַּאַסְפוּ֩ (va/i.ya.'as.Fu) means “and they gathered,” marking the formal assembly of the Philistine leadership. סַרְנֵ֨י (sar.Nei) translates to “rulers” or “princes,” identifying the specific authorities consulted on the crisis.
The thread — The ark’s transfer to Gath reappears in 1 Samuel 17:4 as Goliath’s home city and in Amos 6:2 as a known Philistine center. The political consultation mirrors the Ekronites’ identical assembly in 1 Samuel 5:11.
Why it lands — The text records a human council attempting to manage divine presence through relocation rather than repentance. It requires the reader to note that moving the ark only extends the judgment instead of removing it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 5:11 Then the Ekronites called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel. It must return to its place, so that it will not kill us and our people!” For a deadly confusion had pervaded the city; the hand of God was very heavy upon it.
- 1 Samuel 17:4 Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height,
- Amos 6:2 Cross over to Calneh and see; go from there to the great Hamath; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Is their territory larger than yours?
- Zechariah 12:3 On that day, when all the nations of the earth gather against her, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who would heave it away will be severely injured.