3 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. 5:3 Is 46:1–9 So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. 4 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, Dagon’s head and both of his hands were broken off and lying on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso remained. 5:4 LXX; Hb reads Only Dagon remained on it
6 The Lord’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod. 5:6 Ex 9:3; 1Sm 5:7,11 He terrified 5:6 1Sm 6:5 the people of Ashdod and its territory and afflicted them with tumors. 5:6 LXX adds He brought up mice against them, and they swarmed in their ships. Then mice went up into the land and there was a mortal panic in the city., 5:6 Perhaps bubonic plague, 5:6 Dt 28:27; Ps 78:66