So they sentthe arkof Godto Ekron.And as the arkof Godcameto Ekronthe Ekronitescriedout, saying,"They have broughtthe arkof the Godof Israelaroundto us, to killus and our people."
"I have beenwith you whereveryou have goneand have cutoffallyour enemiesfrom beforeyou; and I will makeyou a greatname,like the namesof the greatmenwhoare on the earth.
And Ahaziahfellthroughthe latticein his upperchamberwhich[was] in Samaria,and becameill.So he sentmessengersand saidto them, "Go,inquireof Baal-zebub,the godof Ekron,whetherI will recoverfrom thissickness."
Zabadhis son,Shuthelahhis son,and Ezerand Eleadwhom the menof Gathwho were bornin the landkilled,becausethey camedownto taketheir livestock.
"I will also cutoffthe inhabitantfrom Ashdod,And him who holdsthe scepter,from Ashkelon;I will even unleashMy powerupon Ekron,And the remnantof the Philistineswill perish,"Saysthe LordGOD.
Gooverto Calnehand look,And gofrom thereto Hamaththe great,Then godownto Gathof the Philistines.Are they betterthanthesekingdoms,Oris their territorygreaterthanyours?
from the Shihorwhichis eastof Egypt,even as faras the borderof Ekronto the north(it is countedas Canaanite);the fivelordsof the Philistines:the Gazite,the Ashdodite,the Ashkelonite,the Gittite,the Ekronite;and the Avvite
The borderproceededto the sideof Ekronnorthward.Then the bordercurvedto Shikkeronand continuedto MountBaalahand proceededto Jabneel,and the borderendedat the sea.
Ekron,with its townsand its villages;
And JudahtookGazawith its territoryand Ashkelonwith its territoryand Ekronwith its territory.
The menof Israeland Judaharoseand shoutedand pursuedthe Philistinesas faras the valley,and to the gatesof Ekron.And the slainPhilistineslayalong the wayto Shaaraim,even to Gathand Ekron.
They senttherefore and gatheredallthe lordsof the Philistinesand said,"Sendawaythe arkof the Godof Israel,and let it returnto its own place,sothat it will not killus and our people."For there was a deadlyconfusionthroughoutthe city;the handof Godwas veryheavythere.
Afterthey had broughtit around,the handof the LORDwas against the citywith verygreatconfusion;and He smotethe menof the city,bothyoungand old,so that tumorsbrokeout on them.
Now the arkof the LORDhad beenin the countryof the Philistinessevenmonths.
