They of Ashdod, i.e. the priests of Dagon. Arose early on the morrow; either to worship Dagon according to their manner, or being curious and greedy to know whether the neighbourhood of the ark to Dagon had made any alteration in either of them, that if Dagon had received any damage, they might, if possibly they could, repair it, before it came to the people's knowledge, as indeed they did, to prevent their contempt of that idol, by which the priests had all their reputation and advantage. Set him in his place again; supposing or pretending that his fall was wholly casual.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 5:3
1 Samuel 5:3
3 And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.