Why does it say "va'Tichbad"?
Malbim: Since the Pelishtim did not heed when their god was stricken, their bodies were stricken.
What is the meaning of "va'Yshimem"?
Rashi: This is an expression of Shemamah (desolate)
It is written ba'Afolim, and we pronounce "ba'Techorim". What is this?
Rashi, based on Midrash Shmuel 10:4: It is hemorrhoids, an affliction of the anus. A mouse rose from the depth and removed his innards 1 , and returned to the depth.
Radak: It is written like a euphemism. Afolim refers to height; really, it is Tachtonim (hemorrhoids, an expression of the bottom).
Midrash Shmuel: At first, this was when he sat on his rump. They made (Midrash Tehilim 78 - copper) benches [to guard against the mice]. The mouse told the bench, I am a Shali'ach of the Creator, and you are His creation - give honor to your Creator! The bench cleaved, the mouse rose from the depth and removed his innards, and returned.
Why did Hashem strike them with hemorrhoids?
Kli Yakar (Lani'ado): They attributed their victory to their strength. Hashem sent this to make them [weak] like women amidst pain, and bleeding from the bottom, like women.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that a mouse rose from the depth and removed his innards. Why did Hashem send this bizarre affliction?
Refer to 4:8:3:3**.
