The answer is: Dagon

1 Samuel 5:2 - The statue of Dagon repeatedly fell over while the ark was there

The story surrounding the Ark of the Covenant and the god Dagon highlights more than just an intriguing incident; it offers rich insights into the clashes between cultures and belief systems in ancient times. When the Philistines captured the Ark from the Israelites, they placed it in the temple of Dagon, their fish-shaped deity symbolizing agriculture and fertility. This act was not just an act of triumph but of dominance, as they intended to assert Dagon's superiority over the God of Israel.

The fascinating subplot of the statue of Dagon repeatedly falling over is a brilliant narrative device. It's almost a divine commentary—how the symbolic and the spiritual meet! With each topple of Dagon, the narrative clearly emphasizes that the Ark, representing divine presence, holds overwhelming power, rendering Dagon powerless in its presence. There's a combination of sarcasm and solemnity; as this statue crumbles, so too do the claims of the Philistine supremacy.

Interestingly, Dagon’s name echoes through the ancient Near East in different cultures, and similar tales of fallen idols are found elsewhere in scripture, reflecting a larger theme where domination or idols encounter the living God, ultimately resulting in resurrection of faith or a revelation of power. This underlying message is a reminder to evaluate what acts as our modern-day 'Dagon' and how truly capable those might be when awash in divine awareness—a challenge echoed across many human interpretations of spirituality today!