Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 5:5

5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagons house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day .

Out of a Religious reverence, supposing this place to be Sanctified by the touch of their god, who first fell here, and being broken here, touched it more thoroughly than he did other parts. This Superstition of theirs was Noted and Censured long after, Zephan. 1. 9. Herein they manifested their stupendious Folly, both in making a perpetual Monument of their own and Idols shame, which in all reason they should rather have buried in eternal Oblivion; and in turning a [illegible: 1 word] and certain Argument of Contempt, into an occasion of further Veneration.

When this History was Written, which if Written by Samuel towards the end of his Life, was a sufficient ground for this expression, this Superstitious usage having then continued for many Years.

Marginal references: Of the Temple.