◄ 1 Samuel 5:9 ►
But after they had moved the ark to Gath, the LORD's hand was also against that city, throwing it into great confusion and afflicting the men of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 5:9? 2. How does 1 Samuel 5:9 demonstrate God's power over the Philistines? 3. What can we learn about God's judgment from 1 Samuel 5:9? 4. How does God's action in 1 Samuel 5:9 connect to His covenant promises? 5. How should believers respond when witnessing God's power, as seen in 1 Samuel 5:9? 6. What does 1 Samuel 5:9 teach about respecting God's holiness in our lives? 7. Why did God afflict the people of Gath with tumors in 1 Samuel 5:9? 8. What is the significance of the Ark causing plagues in 1 Samuel 5:9? 9. How does 1 Samuel 5:9 reflect God's power over other nations? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 5? 11. What are emerods in the Bible? 12. How many fighting men were in Israel? (2 Samuel 24:9 vs. 1 Chronicles 21:5) 13. In 1 Samuel 6:4, why are golden tumors and rats treated as valid offerings for atonement? 14. Why are the census figures in 1 Chronicles 21:5 different from those in 2 Samuel 24:9? Discussion Questions 1. How does the account of the Ark in Philistine territory demonstrate God's sovereignty over all nations? 2. In what ways does the account of the Philistines' affliction challenge our understanding of God's holiness and justice? 3. How can we apply the lesson of God's judgment on the Philistines to our own lives in terms of reverence and obedience to God? 4. What are some modern-day "idols" that people might place before God, and how can we ensure we are not doing the same? 5. How does this passage encourage us to respond to God's discipline in our lives, and what other scriptures support this response? 1 Samuel 5 Bible Study Questions 1. How does the story of Dagon falling before the Ark of the Covenant demonstrate God's superiority over false gods? 2. What does the Ark of the Covenant symbolize in the context of this narrative? 3. Why do you think God afflicted the Philistines with plagues and tumors? 4. How do the Philistines' reactions to the afflictions reflect their understanding of the God of Israel? 5. In what ways might we disrespect or underestimate God in our own lives today? How can we correct this? 6. Why did God allow His Ark to be captured in the first place? 7. How does the narrative of 1 Samuel 5 relate to the concept of divine retribution? 8. How might the account of Dagon's destruction challenge our understanding of false gods today? 9. If faced with a similar situation, how might our modern societies react to the divine afflictions experienced by the Philistines? 10. Can you identify contemporary 'Arks' and 'Dagons' in your life or in the world? 11. How can we ensure respect and reverence for God in our daily lives? 12. Can you think of modern-day examples where God’s power is underestimated or disrespected? 13. How can the fear and repentance shown by the Philistines teach us about our response to divine power? 14. What are the consequences of idolatry in today's context? 15. How does 1 Samuel 5 enhance your understanding of God’s omnipotence? 16. How can we apply the lessons from this chapter to deal with the presence of ‘false gods’ in our society? 17. How might the Philistines have averted the calamities that befell them? 18. What does this chapter teach about the importance of the correct placement and treatment of what is holy? 19. Do you see any correlation between the Philistines' experience and the consequences people face today when they disregard God's supremacy? 20. What personal changes can you make in your life to ensure you're recognizing and respecting God's power and presence? Links 1 Samuel 5:9 NIV 1 Samuel 5:9 NLT 1 Samuel 5:9 ESV 1 Samuel 5:9 NASB 1 Samuel 5:9 KJV 1 Samuel 5:9 Commentaries Bible Hub