שופטים, פרק ט״ז, פסוק כ״ג

The Philistine leadership orchestrates a massive gathering of thanksgiving and celebration following the capture of their greatest threat. This event merges religious worship with a sense of national triumph, as they attribute their monumental success directly to their idol, Dagon. The commentators agree that the Philistines gather to offer sacrifices because they firmly believe their idol handed Samson over to them. Alongside the religious rites, the massive crowd comes together to rejoice over the elimination of this danger [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. As they sacrifice and celebrate, the crowds loudly declare that their idol has delivered their enemy into their hands.

However, the underlying motivations for this joy differ significantly between the leadership and the general public [מלבי״ם]. The Philistine lords celebrate Samson's capture primarily because he is a formidable national adversary. In contrast, the common people rejoice for much more personal and painful reasons. Samson had devastated their country, burned their agricultural fields, and caused massive casualties. The ordinary citizens suffered these devastating blows directly, whereas the leadership did not experience the physical and economic ruin firsthand.

Driven by a profound sense of gratitude toward their idol for Samson's downfall, the gathering ultimately decides to bring him out to perform for them. This public display is orchestrated so that every person present can look upon him with their own eyes and physically witness the great victory their idol has secured for them [רלב״ג].