Ashdod had the temple of Dagon and was likely the most important of all Philistine cities. It was located near the Mediterranean coast.1 It was a common practice in the ancient Near East to capture an enemy’s gods
and a people whose gods were in their enemy's hands were considered to be completely conquered.2
1 Les Philistins prirent l'arche de Dieu, et ils la transportèrent d'Eben-Ezer à Asdod.