⁵ That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.^(A)

⁶ The Lord’s hand^(B) was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation^(C) on them and afflicted them with tumors.^{[a](D) 7} When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the god of Israel must not stay here with us, because his hand is heavy on us and on Dagon our god.” ⁸ So they called together all the rulers^(E) of the Philistines and asked them, “What shall we do with the ark of the god of Israel?”

They answered, “Have the ark of the god of Israel moved to Gath.^(F)” So they moved the ark of the God of Israel.

⁹ But after they had moved it, the Lord’s hand was against that city, throwing it into a great panic.^(G) He afflicted the people of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors.^[b]

⁷ David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David.