The Philistines took the ark of God Abarbinel gives several reasons why God suffered the ark of his presence to fall into the hands of these uncircumcised heathen: 1st, The Israelites were such great sinners that they were unworthy of this symbol of the divine presence among them: 2d, The idolatry of Micah remained to this day in the land, therefore God fulfilled his threatening, Leviticus 26:19-31: 3d, The sin of the priests highly provoked him to deliver up the ark, which was in their hands when they were killed: 4th, The Israelites greatly offended in carrying the ark into the battle without asking counsel of God: 5th, He resolved to demonstrate his power even among the enemies of Israel. And brought it from Eben-ezer Where the Israelites were encamped before the battle, chap. 1 Samuel 4:1; to Ashdod One of their chief cities, in which, as also at Gaza and Garb, some of the Anakims, the giants, remained till the time of David.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 5:1
1 Samuel 5:1
1 And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.