This chapter relates how that the ark being brought by the Philistines to Ashdod, and placed in the temple of their idol, that fell down before it, 1Sa 5:1, that the hand of the Lord was upon the men of Ashdod, and smote them with emerods, 1Sa 5:6 and being carried to Gath, the men of Gath were smitten likewise with the same, 1Sa 5:8, and after that the men of Ekron, whither it also was carried, 1Sa 5:10.
Ver. 1. And the Philistines took the ark of God,.... Which fell into their hands, Israel being beaten, and caused to flee, and the priests that had the care of the ark slain; and when possessed of it, they did not destroy it, nor take out of it what was in it, only took it up:and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.
Ebenezer was the place where the camp of Israel was pitched, 1Sa 4:1 and near to which the battle was fought. Ashdod was one of the five principalities of the Philistines, the same with Azotus, Ac 8:40.
The distance between these two places, according to Bunting was one hundred and sixty miles; though one would think the distance from each other was not so great: why it was carried to Ashdod is not plain; perhaps it might be the nearest place of note in their country; and certain it is that it was one of their most famous cities, if not the most famous;See Gill on "Isa 20:1", and had a famous idol temple in it.
Travels of the Patriarchs, &c. p.