eaten to-day by the Philistines? Let us bring the
ark of our God from Shiloh. He may then go out with us and deliver us
from our enemies."

So the people sent to Shiloh and took from there the ark of Jehovah of
hosts. When it came to the camp, all the Israelites shouted so loud that
the earth resounded.

The Philistines heard the sound of the shouting and said, "What does
this sound of great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?" When they
knew that the ark of Jehovah had come to the camp, they were afraid, for
they said, "Their god has come to their camp. Woe to us! for it has
never been so before; but be strong and act like men." So the
Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and each fled to
his tent.

The same day a Benjamite from the ranks ran to Shiloh with his clothes
torn and with earth on his head. As he came, Eli was sitting on his seat
by the gate watching the road, for his heart was trembling for the ark
of God.

When the man came and told the people of the city, they all cried out.
Eli heard the sound of crying and said, "What is this uproar?" So the
man came quickly and told Eli, "I am the man who came from the battle,
for I fled from the ranks." Eli said, "How did it go, my son?" The
messenger answered, "Israel fled from the Philistines, and many people
were killed, and your two sons are dead, and the ark of God has been
captured." When he spoke of the ark of God, Eli fell off his seat
backward beside the gate, and his neck was broken, for he was old and
heavy, and he died.

The Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the temple of
Dagon in Ashdod and set it up by the side of Dagon. When the people of
Ashdod rose early the next day and came to the temple of Dagon, there
was Dagon on the ground flat on his face before the ark of Jehovah. Then
they raised up Dagon and set him in his place again. But when they rose
early on the following morning, there was Dagon on the ground flat on
his face before the ark of Jehovah. The head of Dagon and both his hands
were broken off on the door sill, and only his body was left.

Jehovah severely punished the people of Ashdod, for he punished them
with boils. When the men of Ashdod saw this, they said, "The ark of the
god of Israel shall not stay with us, for he is severely punishing us
and Dagon our god." So they sent for all the rulers of the Philistines
and asked, "What shall we do with the ark of the god of Israel?" They
answered, "