They brought it into the house of Dagon (see the marginal reference) in order to enhance the triumph of the gods of the Philistines over the God of Israel. (Compare 1 Samuel 31:9; Judges 16:23; Isaiah 37:12.)
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 5:2
1 Samuel 5:2
2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.