The Revenge of the Ark

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen People. The Israelite soldier's eyes darted across to the opposing hilltop. Despite the cover of night, the mere sound was a reminder of the Philistine's sprawling camp, exuberant with confidence. 00:00:16 Speaker 2: We can't just. 00:00:17 Speaker 3: Sit here in the wake of defeat. It's madness for us to simply wait for the Philistines to take us out completely. And what do you suppose we do? Say we bring back the Ark of the covelet here if the Lord is with us in battle. The Philistines were undoubtably fall like grasp before the sight. 00:00:37 Speaker 1: But in their fervor they had failed to reflect on the true nature of their defeat. God's presence hadn't left Israel. It was their hearts that had drifted far from the Lord as a fleet of ships lost to the raging seas. As the Philistines neared the Ark, panic ripped through the Israelite ranks like wildfire. The Philistine now surrounded the Ark completely. Hoffni and Finnahas turned to flee, but were quickly trampled by the fleeing soldiers. 00:01:08 Speaker 4: The Ark of God has been captured, and all glory has departed. 00:01:21 Speaker 1: The city of Ashdod was a jagged, crudely hewn city tuked under the mountain's edge. The countryside gave way to stone houses and temples jetting out of the earth. The endless movement came from merchants haggling over goods in the market place and clanging blacksmiths with smudged brows hunched in their forges. But normalcy had been disrupted at the arrival of news from the battlefield. Citizens of every age chattered about the Philistine's swift victory over the Israelites and the unexpected plunder making its way back. Trumpets blared at the city's edge. Thunderous footsteps beat with pride as soldiers paraded into Ashdod. The Ark of God glistened at the front of the triumphant march. At the mere sight. The people of Ashdod cheered with raised fists. To them, it was a sure sign that their god, Dagon, had defeated the God of Israel. The soldiers proudly filed through windy city streets to flaunt their victory. The ark bounced up and down as its bearers irreverently carried it towards the temple of Dagon. The Philistines laughed at the juxtaposition of Israel's god being carried in this small capsule into the grand house of their own God. The temple doors were thrust open out poured billows of smoke, along with the thick aroma of burning incense. The priests murmured prayers were quickly halted at the arrival of the soldiers. They scurried through the room, and instruck did the soldiers to place the ark before the idol that sat in the center of the room. The idol towered grotesquely looming over the temple. It had been intricately carved to resemble the half man, half fish form of dagon Ah. 00:03:16 Speaker 5: So the Israelite God has come as our captive, a fitting faith for the God of slaves Ah. Place it here as an offering to. 00:03:27 Speaker 6: Dagon I expect he shall multiply our crops for such an offering. 00:03:33 Speaker 1: The soldiers dropped the ark with a heavy thud. The priest turned with raised hands to address the party. 00:03:41 Speaker 5: Zak Rath el dagon. 00:03:44 Speaker 6: He has delivered the Israelites into our hands and brought us their more sacred treasure. 00:03:51 Speaker 5: The god who. 00:03:51 Speaker 6: Decimated the Egyptians has been ruined under the. 00:03:55 Speaker 5: Great power of the Philistines. 00:03:58 Speaker 1: The priest turned back to the monstrous idol and bowed his head low. His was the first voice to begin a rising chant of praise to Dagon. The sound reverberated through the hall of the temple. Their cries of empty worship were carried off into the abyss, but the ark, silent and unyielding, rested in the dark shadows of the idol. At that moment, the people of Dagon were allowed to celebrate, but Jahweh would not be mocked, a lesson all Philistines would soon learn. As dawn broke the next morning, the priests entered the temple to begin their rituals. The previous day's events added a buzz of excitement to their preparations. They dressed in oceanic green robes and adorned themselves with scale head dresses. They garnered their tools and entered the temple with anticipation. But a shocking sight awaited them. While it once proudly stood imposing itself over the worshipers of the temple, the statue of Dagon lay face down before its pedestal. The Ark of the Covenant sat precariously above the broken idol. It now seemed that Dagon lay in worship before the ark. The priests gasped in disbelief and hurried over to the statue of Dagon with frantic movements. 00:05:29 Speaker 5: This is nothing but coincidence. 00:05:32 Speaker 6: Dagon's strength remains unmatched. The fact that we possess the Israelite's ark is evidence of. 00:05:39 Speaker 1: His His nervous laughter hinted at even his own confusion, which aired on the side of worry. With grunted efforts, they slowly raised the statue upright. As he watched, the head priest blinked rapidly and scratched at his beard as he collected his thoughts. Once the statue stood back in its place, the priest reassured the others that Dagon's power remained intact. They went on with their usual routines, but the unease lingered unspoken. The following morning, the priests returned to the temple with unease. Though they had done their best to convince themselves that yesterday was only an unfortunate accident, they arrived to have their worst fears confirmed. Just as it had the day before. The statue of Dagon had toppled from its stand, Only now the idol was chipped and scattered in pieces across the floor. The hands of Dagon had snapped off and were thrown in opposite directions, while the head of Dagon rested face down at the threshold of the temple. The head priest knelt on the ground and cut the fractured face in his hands. 00:06:55 Speaker 5: This this is no mere accident. 00:06:59 Speaker 1: When others entered the temple, the chance to control the narrative was lost. They gasped in horror. No one dared speak above a whisper, asking what kind of sorcery lay within the ark that sat ominously in the center of the room. Seeds of fear had been planted the day before, and now they were beginning to sprout like weeds. The head priest rose to his feet slowly. His terror seized him as the truth spilled from his lips. 00:07:30 Speaker 6: The God of Israel is here, and he has humiliated our God. 00:07:35 Speaker 1: The scene was the first piece of undeniable evidence that the idol of their god was not only powerless before the presence of the God of Israel, but lay at his mercy. The priests had cleaned up the fallen statue of Dagon and quickly ordered a new one to be erected in its place, Yet no one knew what to do with the ark. Every priest dreaded the idea of coming near it, let alone moving it. They had decided by unanimous vote to leave the ark in its place, hoping that the worst was over. But as days passed, news of a strange sickness spreading through the south end of town had made its way throughout the city. Dozens of people had reportedly been afflicted with painful tumors, and their suffering grew by the hour. Within the week, all of Ashtod was stricken by the horrendous plague. They had seen illness spread before, but it was soon realized that this was no ordinary pestilence. The Lord of Ashdod sent messages to the other lords of the Philistines in desperation. Several days later, they gathered with haste as panic festered within each one. The leader of Ashdod solemnly looked around the room. Their faces were pale and drawn. Many had pulled up their tunics over their mouths and noses, how to fear of inhaling the disease that beset the city. 00:09:06 Speaker 7: Lords of Felicitia welcome as you know, we have been plagued by the Israelite god. We must be rid of this blasted arch. Within a month, there will be none left alive. 00:09:20 Speaker 8: Ah, does that god of slaves really have power over Dagon? 00:09:27 Speaker 2: The statue of Dagon has been crushed, Our people have been plagued. 00:09:32 Speaker 7: There's no other explanation. 00:09:35 Speaker 8: Then why not destroy it? 00:09:38 Speaker 2: And that might even more curses. No, the people of Akron can do it within their borders. The kingdom of Eshdad will have none of it. 00:09:48 Speaker 1: The Lord of Akron leered at the Lord of Ashtod before scanning the others. But it was the Lord of Gath who spoke up, the same captain that had claimed the ark in battle. 00:10:00 Speaker 4: The kingdom of Gath shall receive it. All men are made of bronze. 00:10:05 Speaker 2: Do you think your men are stronger than Dagon? 00:10:10 Speaker 4: Have you seen my son, the Titan of Gas. We have been blessed by Dagon. We will stand where the men of Ashdod have fallen. 00:10:20 Speaker 7: If it were under other circumstances, I'd challenge you to erkadeem battle of honor. But I need that arc out of my kingdom. 00:10:29 Speaker 4: You take it. The warriors of Gath will take the Ark. 00:10:35 Speaker 1: The confidence of Gath's leaders was admirable, but misplaced. As soon as the Ark arrived in their city, they were soon struck by the same plague that had befallen Ashdod. The once proud warriors and ferocious men of Gath were reduced to trembling men. Outcries of suffering poured into the streets like rattles of death. The leaders of goathth met and reasoned with themselves about what to do with the Ark. They chose not to give the other cities the same courtesy that had been received from Ashtod. Instead, they were determined to send the Ark out of the city immediately, and decided to have it presented to Ekron before the end sun fell beneath the plains. The ark was carried off. As it sat atop a wagon drawn by cowering men, it seemed to taunt them with its mysteries. The Ark arrived at the gates of Ekron, but made its way no further into the city. Hundreds of Ekronites had surrounded the entrance and shouted with disdain. The leaders commanded the guards to keep the Ark outside the city while they called for a council with the other Philistine lords. Regardless of their attempts to protect the city. Ekron, too felt the wrath of the Lord. No city walls or armed guards could stop his hand of judgment. As the plague swept through the people of Akron in their waiting, the lords convened with the same trepidation as before. Each man was even more desperate than before to protect his own city. 00:12:15 Speaker 8: We cannot keep the ark. Both Ashdod and Gath nearly perished because of it, and if it wasn't for me, Akron would have followed suit. We cannot expect any one of our cities to risk taking the thing. We must return it to the Israelites. No one here dared deny that their God's hand is heavy upon us. Unless we want to endure his wrath any longer, we must rid ourselves of his presence. 00:12:48 Speaker 1: One of the priests nodded his head slowly and squinted at the Lord of Akron. 00:12:53 Speaker 6: We see that it is necessary to seek deliverance for the Philistines. 00:12:58 Speaker 5: Therefore, if you say the way the ark back to its people, do not send it empty. The terrors that we have endured are by. 00:13:06 Speaker 6: No means distinct from his judgment by all means return it to him. 00:13:12 Speaker 5: But you must do so with the trespass offering. Do that, and you will be healed. And it will be known to you why his hand is not removed from you. 00:13:23 Speaker 8: And is this tress as offering that we shall return to him. 00:13:28 Speaker 6: You shall cast five golden tumors and five golden. 00:13:32 Speaker 5: Rats, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines. But the same plague was on all of you and your lords. 00:13:41 Speaker 6: Therefore you shall make images of your tumors and images of your rats that ravage this land. 00:13:48 Speaker 1: The lords bowed in acceptance of the advice, but the priests were not finished with their warnings. 00:13:55 Speaker 6: And you shall give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps then it will lighten his hands from you, from your gods, and. 00:14:04 Speaker 5: From the land. 00:14:05 Speaker 1: The morning of the ark's departure was thick with tension. The cows were securely yoked to the cart. They snorted and pulled as their calves were taken away to be penned. Next, the ark was carefully loaded by shaking hands. The Philistine lords watched intently as the cows began to move. They held their breaths as they approached a fork in the road. Should the cattle pull left, they could rest easy, knowing their pains were nothing more than chance. But should they pull right, then there was no doubt their troubles were from the Righteous God of Israel. The cows continued lowing as they steered the car towards the border of Israel. Without hesitation. They continued steadfast on a straight path, as though they were being guided by an unseen hand. The Philistines followed the car from a distance with a mixture of fear and awe. In the fields surrounding Beth Shemesh, golden grains swayed and rustled in the warm breeze. Sickles were swinging rhythmically as the crop fell to the ground. In the distance, two cows drew near. They groaned as the cart behind them tugged at their shoulders. Some of the harvesters stretched their backs and watched. They saw no drivers guiding the cart, save for five men who trailed the cart at a distance. They waited in confusion before noticing the cargo that followed the cattle. Ecstatic murmur filled the ears of the workers. 00:15:44 Speaker 3: Is that it can't be the ark of God has returned to his people. 00:15:51 Speaker 1: Some of the men raced towards the cart, as others darted towards Beth Shemesh to alert the leaders. There, the cows were released from them their harnesses and led to the nearby stables. The ark was delicately removed as the burdened cart creaked. They placed the ark on a large nearby stone. The other men returned with some men from the city. They had brought with them incense and burnt offerings, and promptly offered them up to the Lord in thanksgiving and praise. They bowed in reverence as their hearts tinged with joy at the miracle they had beheld. However, a large group of men couldn't contain their elation. As smoke drifted high into the air, they called for the ark to be opened. Some of their hands moved for the seat of mercy that enclosed the ark. They pulled the lid open with hopes of seeing what glory lay within, But to their dismay, the ark burst with a brilliant and blinding light. The men who had been intrigued with the ark's contents were thrown back and hid the stony ground like rags doors. Those who were spared, stepped back and fell to their faces. Just as he had displayed to the Philistines, God was reminding his people that no one could escape his perfect judgment. One of the men lifted his head off the ground and spoke with a quivering voice. 00:17:19 Speaker 3: See here, brothers, who was able to stand before the Lord. Send messages to kiyak Jahim. Tell them the Philistines have brought the ark back to us. And most importantly, as to whom shall we send the yark away from us? They shall take it with them. 00:17:37 Speaker 1: The ark was dutifully carried to kirriat Jaharim. It was brought to the house of Abinadab, a reverend man who had devoted himself to caring for the ark. He consecrated his son Eliezer to guard the ark and did so faithfully for twenty years. For two decades, the ark remained in Kiryat Jahari. Though it was no longer in the tabernacle, its presence served as a reminder of God's holiness and power, a testament to his unstoppable will. Losing the Ark had sobered the Israelites to their misguided ways over the years they had wandered from Him, but with the arc back in Israel. Day by day, their hearts were turning back to him. This Prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Coltefianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwoald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinski. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris bag You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review,