The God of Israel has been conquered because His people have been defeated and the Philistines have His place of mediation, the Ark of the Covenant. 

But God has not been defeated, and it will become clear over the next 7 months that the Philistines will want nothing to do with the Israelite Yahweh. They won't be able to subdue or appease Him and God runs wild over their land with disease and pestilence. 

This is a humorous story if you are an Israelite, but a terrifying story if you are not.

What is God trying to tell us with this story?

Please come prepared to be transformed by the Word of God,

Pastor Don