1 Samuel 5 · Grade 3
Fallen Before the Ark
Read the Story
The Philistines brought God's ark from Ebenezer to Ashdod. They set it beside Dagon in Dagon's temple, as if the Lord were a prize their god had won.
Early the next day, Dagon had fallen on his face before the Lord's ark. The people set him back in his place. The following morning he had fallen again, and his head and hands were broken off on the doorway. Only his body was left.
The Lord's hand was heavy on Ashdod, and the people were struck with tumors. They sent the ark to Gath, and then to Ekron, but the same thing happened in each city. The Philistine lords agreed to send the ark of the God of Israel back to its own place.
Memory Verse
“When they arose early on the following morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before Yahweh’s ark; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso was intact.”
1 Samuel 5:4 (WEB)
Answer the Questions
Where did the Philistines put the ark?
What happened to Dagon the first morning?
What broke off Dagon the second time?
Which cities did the ark go to?
What did the lords decide?
The Ark Among the Philistines
Write what happened in each box.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being the only true God. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- Why did each city want to send the ark away?
- How did God show His power without an army?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.