After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, brought it into the temple of Dagon and placed it next to his statue. When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. This time, both Dagon’s head and the palms o f his hands were broken off and lying on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso remained. 1 Samuel 5:1-4 HCSB
Dagon was the chief god of the Philistines. They believed that he sent rain and assured them of a bountiful harvest. The Philistines also worshiped other gods. They thought that the more gods they had on their side, the more victories and success they would enjoy. Since the Ark of God had brought victories to the Israelites, they assumed it would also help them.
Notice that the Scriptures tell us that the people got up early in the morning. This indicates that no one would have bothered the statue of Dagon during the night, therefore it was the act of the One true God of the Israelites that toppled the statue of Dagon. He was face down facing the Ark of God in a position of worship and reverence, indicating that the God of the Israelites was greater than Dagon. The God of Israel is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. No other god is greater.
Challenge: The God of Israel is the Lord of lords and King of kings. Have you made Him the Lord and King of your life? How many gods do you have in your life? There should be no other gods before the one true God.