If the Philistines expected that taking the ark of the covenant would be to their advantage, then they were sorely mistaken. Indeed, the ark became a very costly trophy. After taking possession of the ark, they transported it to one of their cities called Ashdod. There they set it in the temple of Dagon, their chief god. This was likely their way of declaring the superiority of Dagon over the God of Israel. However, the morning after setting the ark in the temple of Dagon, they found the statue of their god lying prostrate, face down before the ark. The next night the statue of Dagon was found mutilated. The people of Ashdod were also struck with tumors. What followed was a rather pathetic game of hot potato. Ashdod sent the ark away to Gath, which caused the people of Gath to panic, so they sent it quickly away to another Philistian city called Ekron, the inhabitants of which had no desire to possess it, so great had the hand of the LORD punished the Philistines.

The LORD is the God of history. His sovereignty extends beyond all boundaries, even, as the Philistines learned, into their own temples. That the ark was captured did not mean that Yahweh was vanquished. All of the events involving the ark and the conflict between Israel and the Philistines were under the sway of God’s providence. The picture of Dagon prostrated before the ark is both sober and a bit comical. Man’s attempts to make gods for himself are as pathetic as they are grievous.

What a contrast is displayed in this account between the free and sovereign LORD and the idols of man. While the Philistines busy themselves moving and repairing their god, the LORD moves all of history according to his wise purpose. What a comfort this is for the church of Jesus Christ, who, in various times and places, is mocked and persecuted by those whose gods will ultimately fall down before King Jesus.