Ashdod was one of the five major Philistine cities located along the Mediterranean coast. The people of Ashdod worshipped Dagon, a fish-god idol, and attempted to integrate their worship of Dagon with worship of the God of Israel by bringing the Ark of God to the temple of Dagon. However, God demonstrated his power over Dagon by causing the idol to fall and break before the Ark. Integration with false gods leads to their mineralization and the demise of those who worship them, as integrating foreign beliefs corrupts and destroys God's people. God will judge those who worship other gods and integrate false beliefs.