At the time, the people considered the gods to be tied to objects and images. The pagan nations made lots of small images of the various gods which they worshipped. Since the ark had come into the camp of Israel, according to the understanding of the Philistines, the Lord was now with his people and would fight for them.1
7 the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “A god has come into the camp.” And they said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before.