1 Samuel 5

1 Samuel 5:1

EBen-ezer] See Chap. 4. 1.

Ashdod] One of the five chiefest cities of the Philistines, which is also called Azotus, Acts 8:40.

1 Samuel 5:2

of Dagon] That is, triumphing in their victory which they ascribed to their idoll. See Judg. 16. 23.

1 Samuel 5:4

the stump o Dagon] Or, the fishy part.

1 Samuel 5:5

on the threshold] Superstitiously ascribing unto it holinesse, because their idoll had touched it with his head and hands, that fell upon it.

of Dagon] That is, of Dagons temple.

1 Samuel 5:6

destroyed them] To wit, their persons with emerods, a grievous plague, in their hinder parts, as it is Psalms 78:66. and their countrey with mice, Chap. 6. 4, 5.

1 Samuel 5:8

unto Gath] Which was another of their five principall cities, not far from the sea. This city was also called Methegammah, because it was situate on a little hill called Ammah, which David afterwards took. See 2 Samuel 8. verse 1. compared with 1 Chron. 18. 1. and Hazael after him. 2 King 12. 17.

1 Samuel 5:9

in the secret parts] Which were so extream, that they could have no ease nor cure.

1 Samuel 5:10

to Ekron] Which was also one of the five principall cities of the Philistines; which in the division of the land, fell to Judahs lot, Joshua 15:35. See Judg. 1. 18. and 3. 3.

cryed out] As fearing by the coming of the ark, to have the like plagues inflicted on them, wherewith their neighbour cities were destroyed.

slay us] That is, both the lords, who it seemeth thus complained and the people.

1 Samuel 5:12

that died not] It seemeth that they were punished with some other mortall disease, besides the emerods, of which many died, and caused that deadly destruction spoken of, v. 11.