Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 6:16

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

They returned to Ekron. —The five Philistine princes, when they had watched the strange scene from a distance, returned; their mission was accomplished, and the question solved as to the source of the plagues which had visited their country.