¹² The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn^(A) them in the fire.^(B)

²⁰ And he took the calf the people had made and burned^(A) it in the fire; then he ground it to powder,^(B) scattered it on the water^(C) and made the Israelites drink it.

¹⁸ They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods^(A) but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands.^(B)

² Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.^{(A) 3} When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen^(B) on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. ⁴ But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken^(C) off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. ⁵ That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.^(D)

⁶ The Lord’s hand^(E) was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation^(F) on them and afflicted them with tumors.^[a](G)

²⁵ The images of their gods you are to burn^(A) in the fire. Do not covet^(B) the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared^(C) by it, for it is detestable^(D) to the Lord your God.

⁵ This is what you are to do to them: Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles^[a](A) and burn their idols in the fire.^(B)

¹² “On that same night I will pass through^(A) Egypt and strike down^(B) every firstborn^(C) of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods^(D) of Egypt. I am the Lord.^(E)