god prostrate on the floor before the desecrated sacred coffer of the Israelites. In Isa.41:

we read of the great care taken by the heathen peoples when setting up the idols that they

worshipped. They were fastened down with great care so that they should not be moved

(Isa. 41: 7), yet the fastenings of this huge figure were of no avail: it had fallen before

the Ark, lying as though in subjection and constrained to yield and do homage. The

consternation and amazement of these men can be imagined; how they would speedily

summon the work force to restore it to its place in great haste. The image did not seem to

have sustained any injury, so the incident would no doubt be noised abroad in the city as

an accident, or due perhaps to faulty workmanship in its fixing.

On the following morning, however, that explanation would be swept to the winds.

Dagon again lay prone before the Ark, but not as before. This time the head and the

hands of the image were severed; not broken off, but cut off and thrown upon the

threshold of the temple--the entrance upon which the foot of every priest or worshipper

as he passed into the temple must tread. We read in verse 4, "only the stump of Dagon

was left to him", i.e. the fish part. What an ignoble sight for these devotees to behold!

Without head or hands, surely here was a chunk of stone without wisdom or power.

One would have thought that this incontestable proof of the impotence of their god

would have convinced the Philistines of their folly in worshipping a man-made effigy,

and turn instead to the worship of the God of Israel Who had so evidently shown forth

His power. Alas, this was not so, for in verse 5 we read "Therefore neither the priests of

Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod

unto this day".  So the threshold became holy, and strange as it may seem, this

humiliation of their god was perpetuated, so that when their children asked their parents

why they should leap over the threshold, the power of Israel's God would be recounted.

There is an interesting reference to this superstition in the prophecy of Zephaniah.

This man of God was probably the great-great-grandson of Hezekiah and prophesied

during the early years of king Josiah in Judah. He speaks of the numerous idolatrous

observances, which he condemns, and among them "On that day I will punish all who

avoid stepping on the threshold" (Zeph. 1: 9, N.I.V.).  When men withhold their

allegiance to God, it would appear they lose their wits as well.

If the Philistines had considered the downfall of Dagon and been brought to repent of

their idolatries and humble themselves before the God of Israel, it might have prevented

the punishment that now fell upon them for the indignities done to the Ark. A painful

and distressing plague raged throughout the city.  The princes of Ashdod therefore

summoned the council of the nation and insisted that the Ark be removed immediately.

So Gath was the city chosen. The Philistines must have built a new temple here and

installed a new image of Dagon, for this was the place that Samson had previously

destroyed with his God-given strength.

For the second time, therefore, judgment falls upon this city, and the shameful and

humiliating disease sweeps through the populace of Gath also. The Ark of God was then

pressed upon the citizens of Ekron who quite understandably were absolutely furious: