1 Samuel 5:6-8

Expanded Bible

⁶ The ·Lord was hard [^Lhand of the Lord was heavy] on the people of Ashdod and ·their neighbors [its environs]. He ·caused them to suffer [ravaged/terrified them] and ·gave them [struck/afflicted them with] ·growths on their skin [tumors; or hemorrhoids]. ⁷ When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The Ark of the God of Israel can’t stay with us. ·God is punishing [^LHis hand is heavy on] us and Dagon our god.” ⁸ The people of Ashdod called all five Philistine ·kings [rulers] together and asked them, “What should we do with the Ark of the God of Israel?”

The rulers answered, “Move the Ark of the God of Israel to Gath [^Canother major city of the Philistines to the southeast of Ashdod].” So the Philistines moved it to Gath.