Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 5:1

AND the Philistines took the ark of God , and brought it from Eben-Ezer unto Ashdod .

Quest. Why were not they immediately killed, who touched the Ark, as afterwards Uzzah was? 2 Sam. 6. 7. Ans. First, Because the Sin of the Philistines was not so great, because the Law forbidding this, was not given, or at least was not known to them; whereas Uzzah's Fact was a transgression, and that of a known Law. Secondly, Because God designed to reserve the Philistines for a more publick and more shameful punishment, which had been prevented by this.

Where they found it in the Camp of the Israelites, chap. 4. 1.

Called also Azotus: whither they brought it, either because it was the first City in their way, or rather because it was a great and famous City, and most eminent for the worship of their great God Dagon.