The Ark Returned to Israel
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Background and Context

The Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest built by the Israelites under the guidance of Moses, held the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. It symbolized God's presence among His people and was central to Israelite worship and identity. The Ark was housed in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. However, during a period of spiritual decline and disobedience, the Ark was captured by the Philistines in a battle at Ebenezer (1 Samuel 4).

The Philistine Captivity of the Ark

The Philistines, having captured the Ark, brought it to Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their god Dagon. However, the presence of the Ark brought calamity upon the Philistines. The statue of Dagon fell before the Ark, and the people of Ashdod were afflicted with tumors. Recognizing the power of the God of Israel, the Philistines moved the Ark to Gath and then to Ekron, but the same plagues followed (1 Samuel 5).

The Decision to Return the Ark

After seven months of suffering, the Philistines sought counsel from their priests and diviners on how to return the Ark to Israel. They were advised to send it back with a guilt offering to appease the God of Israel. The offering consisted of five golden tumors and five golden rats, representing the plagues that had struck the Philistine cities (1 Samuel 6:1-5).

The Return of the Ark

The Philistines placed the Ark on a new cart, hitched it to two cows that had never been yoked, and sent it towards the Israelite territory. The cows, guided by divine intervention, headed straight for Beth-shemesh, an Israelite town. The people of Beth-shemesh were overjoyed to see the Ark and offered sacrifices to the Lord (1 Samuel 6:10-15).

The Ark at Beth-shemesh

The return of the Ark was not without incident. Some men of Beth-shemesh looked inside the Ark, an act of irreverence, and were struck down by the Lord. This event instilled a renewed fear and respect for the holiness of God among the Israelites (1 Samuel 6:19-20).

The Ark at Kiriath-jearim

Recognizing the need for proper care and reverence, the people of Beth-shemesh sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim to take the Ark. The men of Kiriath-jearim brought the Ark to the house of Abinadab on the hill and consecrated his son Eleazar to guard it. The Ark remained there for twenty years, during which time the Israelites lamented after the Lord, leading to a period of spiritual renewal under the leadership of Samuel (1 Samuel 7:1-2).

Significance

The return of the Ark to Israel marked a pivotal moment in the nation's history. It underscored the holiness and power of God, the importance of obedience and reverence, and the consequences of neglecting divine commandments. The event also set the stage for Israel's spiritual revival and the eventual establishment of the monarchy under Saul and David. The Ark's return was a testament to God's enduring covenant with His people and His willingness to restore them when they turned back to Him in repentance and faith.
Subtopics

Ark

Ark of Bulrushes

Ark of Moses

Ark of Noah

Ark of Testimony

Ark of the Covenant

Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of God

Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of God's Strength

Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of the Covenant of the Lord

Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of the Testimony

Ark of the Covenant was Carried by Priests of Levites Alone

Ark of the Covenant was Carried: Before the Israelites in Their Journeys

Ark of the Covenant was Carried: Sometimes to the Camp in War

Ark of the Covenant was Holy

Ark of the Covenant: A Copy of the Law Laid in the Side of

Ark of the Covenant: A Symbol of the Presence and Glory of God

Ark of the Covenant: A Type of Christ

Ark of the Covenant: Anointed With Sacred Oil

Ark of the Covenant: At Kirjath-Jearim Twenty Years

Ark of the Covenant: Brought by Solomon Into the Temple With Great Solemnity

Ark of the Covenant: Brought Into the City of David

Ark of the Covenant: Captured by the Philistines

Ark of the Covenant: Covered With the Vail by the Priests Before Removal

Ark of the Covenant: David Made a Tent For

Ark of the Covenant: Dimensions of

Ark of the Covenant: Entirely Covered With Gold

Ark of the Covenant: Esteemed the Glory of Israel

Ark of the Covenant: Furnished With Rings and Staves

Ark of the Covenant: Mercy-Seat Laid Upon

Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Fall of Dagon

Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Fall of the Walls of Jericho

Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Jordan Divided

Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Manner of Its Restoration

Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Philistines Plagued

Ark of the Covenant: Placed in the Holy of Holies

Ark of the Covenant: Profanation of, Punished

Ark of the Covenant: Protecting of, Rewarded

Ark of the Covenant: Removed from Kirjath-Jearim to the House of Obed-Edom

Ark of the Covenant: Sanctified Its Resting Place

Ark of the Covenant: Surrounded With a Crown of Gold

Ark of the Covenant: Tables of Testimony Alone Placed In

Ark of the Covenant: The Israelites Enquired of the Lord Before

Ark of the Covenant: The Pot of Manna and Aaron's Rod Laid up Before

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant in John's Vision

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of God

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of God's Strength

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Covenant

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Testimony

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Aaron's Rod

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: An Oracle of God

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Captured by the Philstines

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Carried by Kohathites

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Ceremonies Connected With, on the Day of Atonement

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Construction of

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Directions for Making

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Holy

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: How Prepared for Conveyance

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: On Special Occasions Carried by Priests: Crossing Jordan

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Place of

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Pot of Manna

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Prophecy Concerning

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Remains at the House of Abinadab

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Remains in the House of Obed-Edom

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Returned by the Philistines

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Sanctification of

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Set up in Jerusalem

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Set up in Shiloh

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Siege of Jericho

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Taken to Battle

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: The Law

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Transferred to Solomon's Temple

Ark: Noah's: Animals Saved In

Ark: Noah's: Directions for Building of

Ark: Noah's: Noah and Family Preserved In

Ark: of Bullrushes

Removed from Jerusalem by Zadok at the Time of Absalom's Revolt, But Returned by Command of David

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The Ark Rests on Ararat
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