1 Samuel 6:17-21 ▼

17 These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a guilt offering to the LORD: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, one for Ekron;

18 and the golden mice, [according] to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities and of country villages. The large stone on which they set the ark of the LORD [is a witness] to this day in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite.

19 He struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down of all the people, 50070 men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great slaughter.

20 The men of Beth-shemesh said, |Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God? And to whom shall He go up from us?|

21 So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying, |The Philistines have brought back the ark of the LORD; come down and take it up to you.|