1 Now the Philistines had taken God’s ark, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
2 The Philistines took God’s ark, and brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
3 When the people of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the Lord’s ark. They took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
4 When they arose early on the following morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the Lord’s ark; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso was intact.
5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any who come into Dagon’s house, step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, to this day.
6 But the Lord’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and struck them with tumors, even Ashdod and its borders.