1. The ark of the Lord had been in Philistine territory seven months
2. when the Philistines called for priests and people skilled in explaining omens. The Philistines asked, “What should we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us how to return it to its ⌊proper⌋ place.”
3. The priests answered, “If you’re returning the ark of the God of Israel, don’t send it away empty, but by all means return it to its ⌊proper⌋ place with a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you will know why he would not turn his anger away from you.”
4. The Philistines asked, “What kind of guilt offering should we give him?”The priests answered, “Five gold tumors and five gold mice for the ⌊five⌋ Philistine rulers because all of you and your rulers suffer from the same plague.
5. Make models of your tumors and your mice which are destroying the country, and give glory to the God of Israel. Maybe he will no longer be so hard on you, your gods, and your country.
6. Why should you be as stubborn as the Egyptians and their Pharaoh were? After he toyed with the Egyptians, didn’t they send the Israelites on their way?