Nahath and Jalam threw their helmets into the air and jumped for joy. Finally the Philistines had beaten the Israelites. It was a day of celebration. The Philistine nation had been at war for years with the pesky Israelites but today was a special day. When the Philistines won the battle they also won the Israelite’s most prized possession: the coveted Ark of the Covenant.
Nahath and Jalam ran to join the crowd that was gathering around the Ark scooping up their helmets as they went by. Both young men had dark hair and dark brown eyes. People said they could be twins except they weren’t brothers and Nahath was several inches taller than his friend Jalam.
Could it be true? Had they really gotten possession of the Israelite’s Ark? Nahath could hardly believe his eyes. Nahath knew the Israelites believed their God lived in the Ark so the Philistines had actually taken the Israelites God away from them. That would definitely hurt the Israelites.
“Look Jalam,” Nahath shouted over the roar of the crowd. “Isn’t it beautiful. It is overlaid with pure gold. It must be worth a fortune.”
Jalam looked at him with shining eyes. “It is certainly beautiful. What do you think the leaders and High Priests will do with it?”
“I don’t know but they had better be careful with it. I’ve heard people die from handling it wrong,” Nahath said. They both looked at the shiny, gold Ark sitting in the bright sunlight.
After the usual victory speeches and the order to gather their supplies, the Philistine army slowly made their way back to Ashdod the Philistine city where both Nahath and Jalam grew up. It was a beautiful sea port city and one of the centers for worship of their god Dagon.
That evening Jalam came to the home where Nahath lived with his parents. After the customary greeting Jalam motioned Nahath to come outside.
“Nahath, did you hear? They are going to put the Israelite Ark of the Covenant in the house of Dagon,” Jalam said.
“That seems like a strange place to put it.” Nahath stated. “Shall we go up and see it?”
Jalam nodded and both young men turned and walked rapidly to the house of Dagon.
“Well look at that,” Nahath exclaimed. “There’s so many people here we can’t even get close.”
“I guess everyone else wanted to get a look at it too,” Jalam said. “Let’s come back in the morning. Maybe it will be less busy then. I’m tired tonight.”
“It was a long, hard battle today,” Nahath said. “I heard thirty thousand Israelite foot soldiers were killed. That is a lot of men.”
“That is a lot of soldiers,” exclaimed Jalam. “I heard too that their HIgh Priest’s two sons were killed. Not only did we get their God, but we killed two of their High Priests. I’d say it’s been a good day.”
Nahath threw his arm around his friend’s shoulders with a big grin. “It certainly was!”
The next morning Nahath went early to Jalam’s house and the two of them went directly to the house of Dagon. Several soldiers and High Priests were running around excitedly but no people had come yet.
“Hey!” Nahath called a soldier running by. “What is all the excitement about?”
“The strangest thing happened overnight,” the young soldier replied. “Dagon fell over during the night and was laying face down in front of Israel’s Ark of the Covenant. The High Priests are furious! I have to get help to set him back up.”
As the soldier started to run off Jalam grabbed his arm. “We can help you if you need us.” He looked at Nahath for confirmation.
“Sure,” Nahath said.
“Thanks, but it will take more than the three of us. If you will wait here, I’ll go see who else I can find.” as he ran down the hill.
“Let’s go inside and see what happened,” Nahath said. It took a few minutes for their eyes to adjust to the dim light but when they did they were amazed. Their god, Dagon was laying on the floor, facedown.
“Look at that,” Nahath exclaimed. “It looks like Dagon is bowing down before the Ark of the Covenant.”
“It sure does. How could an enormous god like Dagon just fall over?” Jalam asked.
“I don’t know but it’s going to take several men to lift him back up,” Nahath said and looked at his friend.
With great difficulty the men the soldier had found set Dagon back into place. It was talked about all over town that day. Nahath and Jalam enjoyed the wild speculation of how it could have happened but no one really knew.
That night as Jalam was parting from Nahath he said, “Do you suppose we ought to go back up there early in the morning and see if Dagon has stayed in his place?”
With a big grin Nahath nodded and went into his house.
Again the next morning as Nahath and Jalam neared the house of Dagon they could see soldiers and High Priests running back and forth excitedly.
“Now what?” Nahath said looking at Jalam. “Hey Kenaz.” he yelled to a fellow soldier running by. “What happened?”
Kenaz stopped and quickly said, “Dagon fell over again and this time he’s broken.”
“Oh no,” Jalam stated. “Come on Nahath. Let’s go see.” They both started to run.
Again Dagon was laying on his face in front of the Ark of the Covenant but this morning the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off and laying on the threshold. Only the trunk of his body lay where it had fallen.
Jalam looked at Nahath in amazement. “How could this have happened?”
“I have no idea,” Nahath said with wonder. As he looked at the broken god a fearful idea started to take ahold of his mind. “Jalam, do you think the God of the Israelites could have done this?”
“I don’t know. Let’s go to the market and see what the people of Ashdod think,” Jalam said. Quickly the two went down the hill and found groups of people gathered in the market. Everyone was as amazed as Nahath and Jalam. Nahath could see fear in the people’s eyes and hear it in their voices as they talked about the strange occurrences.
Nahath pulled Jalam to one side. “Jalam, have you noticed how many people are complaining of not feeling well the last couple of days?” Nahath asked his friend.
Jalam shrugged his shoulders and said, “No, I haven’t paid much attention.”
“Well I have. It seems more than usual are complaining of finding lumps and bumps in various places on their bodies. It makes me wonder.” Nahath said quietly.
“Have you found any new lumps or bumps on you?” Jalam asked. “I haven’t.”
“No, but my dad and my uncle both were talking about finding some yesterday. I wonder what it means?
“Let’s keep a count of everyone we hear of that has found one today,” Nahath said.
By the end of the day when Nahath and Jalam totaled their numbers and names they were surprised at the outcome. “Nahath, do you think we should tell someone about this?” Jalam asked looking concerned.
“I would say so but who do we tell?” Nahath said shrugging. “This is a lot of sick people.”
“We could start by telling the High Priest and if they don’t listen we could tell our commanding officer.” Jalam said.
“I agree. That sounds like a good plan. Besides, I want to find out what they did with Dagon. He was pretty broken up this morning when we left.” The two men turned and started up the hill once more.
When they reached the house of Dagon there were several people talking to the High Priests so they had to wait in line.
/> “Jalam, from what I can hear from conversations around us most of these people are here about new bumps they have found on their bodies,” Nahath informed Jalam.
“Can I help you, my sons?” a High Priest stood at their side.
“Well, I don’t know,” Nahath said not knowing if what they had come for was that important anymore.
“We have been hearing a lot of people complaining about being sick the last couple of days,” Jalam said. “Is there more than usual?”
“Yes, there are,” the High Priest said looking at the two men curiously. “Why do you ask?”
“We have been listening to the people today and made a list of everyone who has said they have a new lump or bump,” Nahath said showing the High Priest the long list.
“That is great,” the High Priest said. “We need this information right now. You have done well. Thank you.” Nahath and Jalam turned away confused that the High Priest thought the information was so important.
“What do you think they want that list for?” Jalam asked Nahath.