Don’t tell the news in Gath, [3] Don’t announce it in the streets of Ashkelon. [4] Those Philistine cities would be happy!
Those foreigners [5] would be glad.
Lord, you have been kind enough to bless my family.You were kind enough to promise that my family will serve you forever. Lord, you yourself blessed my family, so my family really will be blessed forever!”
The people of Ashdod called the five Philistine rulers together. The people of Ashdod asked the rulers, “What must we do with the Holy Box [64] of the God of Israel?”
The Philistines had taken some cities from Israel. But the Israelites won back those towns. Israel rescued those cities throughout the Philistine area, from Ekron to Gath.