The ark of the covenant was captured by the Philistines and set up beside Dagon in the house of Dagon in Ashdod. The next morning, Dagon was fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD. He was put back in his place, but he fell again the next morning with his head and both hands lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk was left. This is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter his house do not tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod. (1 Samuel 5:1-5)