The Ongoing Contest with God
1 Samuel 5–6

Paul J. Bucknell

What appears to be God’s defeat becomes a clear demonstration of His sovereignty as Dagon falls before the ark and the Philistines begin to learn who truly reigns.

1 Samuel 5-6

Paul J. Bucknell

Since shortly after the creation of the earth, there has been an ongoing struggle between the world and God’s kingdom on earth. Augustine brilliantly wrote about this many centuries ago in his famous “The City of God.” Do not assume, however, that this struggle is truly fair or that the results are in question. In typical contests, one expects and demands fairness from both sides, but this is not a typical contest. In fact, this wouldn't even be considered a contest if it weren't for mankind's belief that, by revolting against God, he can overcome God’s eternal power, wisdom, and love. It’s a crazy, Satan-inspired conspiracy that has no chance of winning.

1 Samuel 4 illustrates how the Philistines, full of joy over their victory against Israel, might appear to be winning from an initial glance. However, a closer look reveals the true toll: 4,000 Israelites died initially, and later, the casualties surged to about 30,000. The entire Israelite society collapsed, with the priests dying and the ark of the covenant—the sacred ark where God's presence was displayed—being captured. Defeat sends a message that there's no future or hope–just surrender. This is exactly where the Israelites found themselves. When the Ark was taken, all their hope that God would protect or save them vanished. That's why Eli’s grandson, born on the day of that devastating loss, was named Ichabod, meaning “The glory of the Lord has departed.” Even the Israelites lost hope. Yet, God’s kingdom runs deeper and is more foundational than what we see in earthly events.

1 Samuel 5-6 begins its three-fold challenge against the idea that the contest is over. Although the Israelites were now beside the Philistines, many of their loved ones had been brutally killed, others captured, women violated, and the God of the Israelites taken by Dagon, the god of the Philistines, the contest was by no means finished. The Philistines, those without God’s Word, could not easily understand God's ways, but they were to learn that what they saw as victory was not true victory, as deeper things were happening beneath the surface.

Facing Traumatic Situations

This traumatic situation that befell God’s people can lead people to wonder how powerful or caring God is. They assume God is great and that He always defends and prospers His people. He would never allow His Name to be trampled upon, right? I have encountered believers who are being shaken in their faith. Some are questioning elections, but others are deeply troubled by life events: death, sickness, job loss, spouse issues, etc. A solid theological framework protects the believer’s mind during these times because it covers all of life’s situations. Some reduce the gospel solely to spiritual salvation, unaware that God has influence over all things, visible and invisible. We need not be troubled in our souls by life events. Pray? Yes. Cry out to God? Yes (1 Sam 7:2,8). But not troubled.

A biblical mindset is needed to answer life’s difficult issues and instill a strong faith in us.

Perhaps this discussion is moving too quickly for you. You may still be wondering why we claim there is no contest, no battle, no victory when, in fact, there was. A good understanding of 1 Samuel 5 and 6 will give us a solid foundation to answer these troubling questions by first establishing the necessary theological framework—that is, a way to understand life events.

We'll view these two chapters as lessons for both the Philistines and God’s people. The Philistines are learning that God is real through the events He brings into their lives. For God’s people, we learn from God’s Word—what He records here. Our Lord wants to show us that even when things appear to be going badly, God has not forsaken His people. This is the reason He earlier placed Samuel in the priesthood, to serve as a prophet and judge.

1) Learning From Strangeness (1 Samuel 5:1-5)

5:1 Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. 3 When the Ashdodites arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set him in his place again. 4 But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day. (1 Samuel 5:1-5)

Abruptly, in the very next verse after the victory (5:1), we see that the Ark of God was taken to Ashdod. The Philistines, treating it like a trophy, placed the Ark of God beside Dagon, their patron god. However, the very next morning, the fish-like god Dagon was found bowing with its face in the dirt before the Ark of the Covenant. As seen in verse 3, “Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD.” They lifted Dagon up and set him back in his place, but the same thing happened again. This time, when Dagon’s idol fell, its head and palms were cut off from the trunk, forming the idol’s broken parts. All of this happened right in front of the newly moved Ark of the Covenant, which was placed next to Dagon, causing him to bow in the dust before the Living God.

Two Conclusions

There are two conclusions from this, one explicit and one implied. First, the powerful insight in verse 5 helps us realize that although Dagon completely lost the fight, the Philistines did not abandon their idol. They had invested too much in their religion to toss it aside. They could, without much difficulty, remake the idol from another piece of wood. That would be easier than rejecting its power! So, even though Dagon had clearly lost the battle, the Philistines continued their worship, but they would simply avoid stepping on the spot where Dagon’s head and hands had been cut off.

Application

Humans don’t easily admit defeat. If possible, they refuse to acknowledge that what they believe might be wrong or even useless, even if they admit it outwardly. Why do people seek wealth? Because they believe the wealthy have a better life. But even the rich—though often sad and irritable—can have money slip through their fingers and still refuse to let go of their illusions. Can’t they see?

Another example of humans searching blindly is through their specific beliefs. Why are more and more people in the West believing in reincarnation? How do they know they are right about their future? In reality, they do not know. This is very different from Jesus, who came from heaven, spoke truth, and showed us the way of life, death, and resurrection where people will be judged—either to hell or eternal life. Reincarnation is a system of judgment, but most believers in reincarnation do not believe in a personal God who judges. So, who cares about human choices? What would make someone come back as an animal or plant? Without a personal, all-powerful God to judge and compare each person’s actions against a moral standard, this doctrine of reincarnation becomes irrational.

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Heb 9:27).

The second conclusion, though unspoken, was likely included to help God’s people see that God is always great–even when it may seem that He is not. Although victory was claimed over God’s people and the enemy celebrated conquering the God of the Israelites, things were not so simple. They could celebrate, but they did not truly win. They could no longer believe that Dagon, their idol god, was greater than the God of the Ark. Although they appeared to win, they were still the real losers.