This is an I-Heart podcast.

Guaranteed Human.

Previously on the chosen people,

the Israelite soldier's eyes darted across to the opposing hilltop.

Despite the cover of night,

the mere sound was a reminder of the Philistine sprawling camp,

exuberant with confidence.

We can't just sit here in the wake of defeat. It's madness for us to simply wait for the Philistines to take us out completely.

And what do you suppose we do?

I say we bring back the Ark of the Covenant here.

If the Lord is with us in battle, the Philistines were undoubtedly

fall like grass before the sight. But in their fervor, they had failed to reflect on the true

nature of their defeat. God's presence hadn't left Israel. It was their hearts that had drifted

far from the Lord as a fleet of ships lost to the raging seas.

As the Philistines neared the Ark, panic ripped through the Israelite ranks like wildfire.

The Philistines now surrounded the Ark completely.

Hoffney and Phinehas turned to flee, but were quickly trampled by the fleeing soldiers.

The Ark of God has been captured, and all glory has departed.

The city of Ashdod was a jagged, crudely hewned city tucked under the mountain's edge.

The countryside gave way to stone houses and temples jetting out of the earth.

The endless movement came from merchants haggling over goods in the marketplace

and clanging blacksmiths with

...