Whats with the Philistines?
The Philistines were a non-semitic people, sometimes referred to in the Scriptures as “the uncircumcised” (Jud 14:3; 15:18; 1 Sam 14:6; 31:4; 2 Sam 1:20; 1 Chr 10:4). They settled in the plain and low hill country of southwestern Palestine, being part of the great invasion of the sea peoples referred to by Rameses III of Egypt about 1200 B.C. Their knowledge of metallurgy and access to sources of iron gave them a great advantage over other nations and enabled a comparatively small number to conquer far larger groups and to extend their sway for a time over most of Palestine. They were the leading enemy of Israel from the time of Samson to the middle of the reign of David. See 1 Sam 13:19 and 21, notes. Eventually the Philistines gave their name to the whole land, in the form “Palestine.” Cp. Isa 14:29,31; see Gen 21:34, note.
