The Ark in the Hands of the Philistines

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1. The Ark of God in Peleshet

   Chapter 5

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   While Israel's defeat to the Philistines was a divine punishment, the Philistines perceived their victory as a testimony to their own strength, and victory over the God of Israel, whom they believe to be personified by the Ark. Chapter 5 refutes this claim.

2. Yirmiyahu's Prophecy of the End of the Days

   Rabbi David Sabato

   The second section of chapter three focuses on Yirmiyahu's prophecy regarding the end of days. In this section, Yirmiyahu portrays the ark in a negative light. What is the reason for this, and how is this prophecy connected to the prophecies of repentance that surround it?

3. "The Temple of the Lord, Are These"

   Rabbi David Sabato

   Yirmiyahu addresses the "lying words" regarding the Temple's intrinsic holiness and inability to be destroyed. The people's misconception regarding the role of the Temple led them to think that they could continue to sin without repercussions. Further discussed is the connection between this chapter and the prophecy in chapter 3 regarding the Ark and the destruction of Shilo, as well as the contrast with the prophecies of Yishayahu regarding Jerusalem.

4. I Shmuel 3-4

   Matan Al Haperek

   Matan Al HaPerek - Neta Shapira

   The induction of Shmuel into the exalted world of prophecy renews the relationship between God and His nation which had been weakened during the period of the judges. Shmuel undergoes a personal transformation that dramatically changes his own life and the collective experience of the nation. 

5. I Shmuel 5-6

   Matan Al Haperek

   Matan Al HaPerek - Neta Shapira

   These chapters follow the journey of the Ark after being captured by the Philistines. Through the attitude of the Philistines toward the Ark and their collective punishment, and through the bitter fate suffered by the people of Beit Shemesh, we learn just how dangerous inappropriate contact with the Ark can be. 

6. Lesson 3: The Rise of the Philistines

   Prof. Yehuda Elitzur

   What was the cause of this war? Who attacked? What did the attacker want to achieve? The Bible leaves these questions unanswered. Yet, we can find the answers by studying the history of the Philistine wars Israel and looking at the place of Aphek on the map.

7. Lesson 4: The Mockery of Dagon

   Prof. Yehuda Elitzur

   Underlying the Dagon story is the great prophetic debate with paganism and with the heathen notion of conquering and vanquished gods. The Bible teaches that the Philistine victory was due to the will of God, for the idols are nothing but “the work of men’s hands”. In the story of the Ark and Dagon we are taught that Israel’s failure, as well as its success, comes from the universal God who exists even within the temple of Dagon.