Philistines Capture Then Release the Ark of the Covenant

In this morning's first reading, the Philistines defeat Israel in battle and capture the Ark of the Covenant, bringing it back to their territory as booty.

This mural shows the Philistines preparing to send the Ark of the Covenant back to the Israelites. Possessing it brought the Philistines nothing but trouble with boils, vermin infestations and the desolation of the pagan temple in which they had housed it (shown in the painting above).