1. The ark of the Lord had been in the land of the Philistines seven months
2. when they summoned priests and diviners to ask, “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us what we should send back with it.”
3. They replied: “If you intend to send back the ark of the God of Israel, you must not send it alone, but must, by all means, make amends to God through a reparation offering. Then you will be healed, and will learn why God continues to afflict you.”