What might “noon” be a reference to?

There are a few possible interpretations:

1. The reference may suggest that Ashdod suffered an easy defeat. The attack that would begin in the morning would not last even a whole day before the city would be driven out.

2. The attack may have been sudden. Since the noon hour often introduces a time of rest in tropical countries (2 Samuel 4:5), the attack then would have come at noon, surprising the city and making it an easy prey (see Jeremiah 6:4; Jeremiah 15:8).¹

3. It is more likely that the idea of utter devastation is in view. Ashdod, like the other Philistine cities, would receive the judgment of the Lord God. For the major problem with the Philistines was that they occupied territory claimed by Judah.²