1 Samuel 5:4

1Sa 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon [was] fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands [were] cut off upon the threshold; only [the stump of] Dagon was left to him.

Ver. 4. Behold, Dagon was fallen, &c. ] This second fall convinced them that it was no chance, but the very finger of God. 1Sa 5:7 Woe, woe to our stupidity. Vae, vae stupori nostro.

And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands. ] The head, saith Peter Martyr, signifieth wisdom, and the hands power. To show them that he had neither wisdom nor power to help them, was this done.

Upon the threshold. ] That those that came to his temple to worship him might now tread upon him, as unsavoury salt, as a dunghill deity. But they made no such good use of it, as appeareth by the sequel.

Only the stump of Dagon was left to him, ] i.e., The fishy part, whence he had his name; for of his feet there is no mention made, and his shoulders, breast, and belly were battered and mutilated.