⁶ But the ^(A)hand of the Lord was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and He ^(B)ravaged them and struck them with ^(C)tumors,^[a] both Ashdod and its ^(D)territory. ⁷ And when the men of Ashdod saw how it was, they said, “The ark of the ^(E)God of Israel must not remain with us, for His hand is harsh toward us and Dagon our god.” ⁸ Therefore they sent and gathered to themselves all the ^(F)lords of the Philistines, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?”

And they answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried away to ^(G)Gath.” So they carried the ark of the God of Israel away. ⁹ So it was, after they had carried it away, that ^(H)the hand of the Lord was against the city with a very great destruction; and He struck the men of the city, both small and great, ^[b]and tumors broke out on them.

⁵ But the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not come in here!” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). ⁶ Now David said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be ^[a]chief and captain.” And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief. ⁷ Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it ^[b]the City of David.