1 The Lord’s chest was in Philistine territory for seven months.
2 The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners. "What should we do with the Lord’s chest?" they asked. "Tell us how we should send it back to its own home."
3 They replied, "If you are returning the chest of Israel’s God, don’t send it back empty, but be sure to return a guilt offering to him. Then you will be healed, and it will become clear to you why God’s hand hasn’t left you alone."
4 "What compensation offering should we return to him?" they asked.The priests and diviners replied: "Five gold tumors and five gold mice, matching the number of the Philistine rulers, because the same plague came on all of you and your rulers.