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22 verses. Israel and the Philistine battle it out. Israel loses, some 4000 casualties. In despair Israel decides to bring along the Ark. The two corrupt sons of the high priest come along. The Philistine are first concerned with the arousal of spirit among Israel, but then man up, and defeat Israel once more, killing 30,000 soldiers this time around. The sons of the high priest are killed too, and the Ark is taken away. Israel is devastated. At first, when the Philistine realize that the Ark was brought about, they become concerned because of the prevailing stories of what the God of Israel has done to the Egyptians.
12 verses. The Philistine take the Ark as their spoils of victory, present it as a symbol to their prowess, but soon realize that wherever the Ark is placed, some mysterious plagues are brought about. They finaly decide to return it to stop the beating.
21 verses. For 7 months the Ark was in Philistine captivity, and while not sure, they blamed it for a series of bizarre beatings they sustained. They finally decided to return it, along with a treasure of Gold, showing remorse. They conducted a final experiment, loading the Ark on a carriage dragged by cows, deciding based on the direction taken by the cows whether the blows they suffered are coincidental or Ark-orginated. They concluded the latter. The people of Beit-Shemesh who received the Ark was joyous, but somehow made a grave error in treating the Ark. God was angry and killed 50,000 of them.
17 verses. Samuel took good command of Israel. Prevailed on them to banish the idols and focus on God Allmighty. He judges and ruled them fairly and well. Twenty years after the return of the Ark, Samuel called Israel for an event of prayer and re-engagement with God. As Israel gathered, the Philistine were curious and came around. Their presence scared Israel who beseeched Samuel to speak on their behalf to God. Samuel did, and God creates a big boom that shocked the Philistines and allowed Israel to royally defeat them. As long as Samiel lived, the chapter claims, the Philistine were subdued. They returned to Israel the cities they conquered, and there was also peace between Israel and the Emorites.