In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 5, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

1 Samuel Chapter 5 the Philistines have captured the ark. In the mind of the Philistines they had defeated the Isrealite God, and they now believed their god to be superior. They knew the Israelite God had defeated the Egyptian gods, so this was quite a celebration for them, but their theology was also faulty. What God would allow himself to be defeated? Yahweh for one, because he cares more about the hearts of men, that the perception that he lost a battle.

The great temple of Dagon was in Ashdod. Previously there had been a greater temple in Gaza, but Sampson had destroyed it. Ashdod is also the NT city Azotus, which Philip visits in Acts 8. Once the ark is put in the temple, the statue of Dagon falls down before it overnight. The Lord  ...