Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.
Then the Philistine rulers gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon and to celebrate. They said, 'Our god has handed over Samson our enemy to us.'
The Philistine leaders are throwing a huge religious celebration because they believe their god Dagon helped them capture their greatest enemy, Samson.
📚 Historical Context
This takes place after Delilah betrayed Samson by cutting his hair, which was the source of his God-given strength. The Philistines had been Israel's oppressors for years, and Samson had been their greatest threat, killing thousands of their people. Dagon was a major Canaanite fertility god, often depicted as half-man, half-fish, and the Philistines believed this god had given them victory over Israel's champion.
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