Ekron

Illustration of Ekron

The northernmost of the five Philistine cities, Ekron received the captured Ark of the Covenant last in its unwelcome tour of Philistine territory, after Gath's people were also struck with tumors and begged not to keep it any longer. Its residents cried out in terror at the ark's arrival, having already heard what befell Ashdod and Gath, and the Philistine lords finally agreed to send the ark back to Israel with guilt offerings. Ekron later worshipped Baal-zebub as its patron deity, whom King Ahaziah of Israel notoriously consulted instead of the LORD.

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Details

Region
Philistia
Modern Location
Tel Miqne, Israel
Strongest connections in Scripture
1 Samuel 5

Nearby Places

(within ~40 km)

Key Passages

The Ark Arrives at Ekron

1 Samuel 5:10-12

Ekron's terrified citizens receive the plague-bringing ark last, finally forcing the Philistine lords to send it back to Israel with guilt offerings.

T10herefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.

11 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. 12 And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

Key Chapters

1 Samuel 5 The Ark Among the Philistines 3 min read