The presence of the Ark in Dagon’s sanctuary emphasizes the Lord’s supremacy over any idol. Notice how the true and only God is shown subtly: for two consecutive days, the residents of Ashdod see their deity’s statue lying before the Ark; on the second day, it is found mutilated and destroyed. The Philistines probably believed that by defeating Israel and taking its most important religious symbol, they had also defeated its God. That is why they brought the Ark to Dagon’s temple, placing this trophy of victory at their feet. However, everything changes here. Even if the Philistines think they have defeated Israel, the living God of Israel restrains and rules over Dagon. The following verses describe God’s victory over Dagon and the Philistine people.