What does 1 Samuel 5:10 mean?

It's easy to imagine political intrigue taking place among the leaders of the five ruling cities of the Philistines (1 Samuel 6:17–18). At first, the ruler of Ashdod must have been proud to have the trophy of the ark of the God of Israel brought to his city to be held "captive" in the temple of Dagon (1 Samuel 5:1–5).

Now that the ark brings with it this plague from the Lord, nobody wants it in their city (1 Samuel 5:6–9). When the outbreak of tumors and panic overwhelm Gath, the ruler there sends the ark to Ekron, another of the five major cities of Philistia. The citizens of Ekron, though, have heard all about the ark of God that brings a plague of tumors. They begin panicking the moment the ark arrives, declaring that the leaders of the other Philistine cities must be trying to kill them with it.

The Philistine site of Ekron has been excavated and explored by archeologists, revealing a lower city, an upper tell, and an acropolis area. A huge palace and temple complex has been found. Perhaps the ark was brought to this very building while the leaders decided what to do with it.

Ekron today is known as Tel Miqne, about twenty miles, or 32 kilometers, southwest of Jerusalem. As it happens, each time the ark has been moved out of one of the Philistine cities, it is transported closer to Jerusalem and the people of Israel. In a way, the Lord seems to force the Philistines to march their captured trophy back to where it belongs.