MPV Commentary

The Philistines were shocked to find their idol Dagon lying prostrate before the Ark of God. When they had first set it up, it had fallen over, but now its degradation was even more apparent. Its head and arms were severed from the trunk and lay in separate places, as if violently torn off. Only the lower part remained.

The Philistines' idol was now a picture of humiliation, clearly showing that the God of Israel was superior. As a result, no one dared to tread on the threshold of Dagon's temple, out of superstition and reverence for their god. This practice continued even in later years, as recorded at the time when this history was written.