1 Samuel 5

When I read some of the stories in the Old Testament, I can't help but ask myself - What does it take to be converted?  Obviously, it is really about one not wanting to give up his or her power and  lifestyle.

After the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant -

"...the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.

3 ¶ And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him."  (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 5:2 - 4)

Then -

"...the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods..."  (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 5:6)

For -

"...he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts."  (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 5:9)

My understanding it this is large infected boils much like the Bubonic plague.  The Philistines finally concluded that the Ark and Israel's God was the cause so they attached two cows to a cart upon which the Ark was placed and concluded that if the cows actually took the cart, leaving their calves, to Beth-shemesh, that this would be a proving sign that their conclusions were true for -

"...when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 6:16)

Having had this great witness, why wouldn't the Philistines repent?