Philistine in Biblical History

Bible History

Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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What is a Philistine?
        PHILIS'TINE
        heavy-armed soldiers wearing a round copper helmet, a coat-of-mail, brazen greaves. Their weapons were a javelin and long lance, and each had an attendant to bear his shield and weapons, like the Greeks in the Homeric poems. The light-armed soldiers were archers. The Philistines had fortified encampments, surrounded their towns with lofty walls, and kept the territories they had conquered in subjection by means of garrisons. They were a commercial as well as a warlike people, and not only competed with the Phoenicians by sea, but endeavored to keep in their own hands the inland and caravan traffic.


        But at the Exodus the Philistines seem to have been such a mighty and warlike people that it was thought best for the Israelites to avoid their land, lest "the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt." Ex 13:17.


        Thenceforward, during the whole period of O.T. history, the Israelites and the Philistines were frequently brought in contact. The Philistines are mentioned three hundred and ten times in the O.T. from Genesis to Zechariah, but the limits of this article will allow of only the briefest outline of the leading events.


        The land of the Philistines was within the limits of the land promised to Israel, Num 34:5-6; Eze 13:17; Eze 23:31, and it was assigned to Judah and Dan, Josh 15:45-47; Josh 19:41-45, but no attempt to conquer it was made under Joshua's leadership. They had a league of their five chief towns, Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, under the direction of the five lords or kings.


        After Joshua's death Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron were taken, Judg 1:18, but not permanently held, by Israel. The Philistines gained the ascendency and long held it, although occasionally shaken off for a brief period, as by Shamgar, Jud 3:31; Neh 10:7; and Samson. Judg 13-16. Even Samson, who broke up the subjection of forty years, did not succeed in permanently delivering his people from the Philistine yoke. Under Eli the Israelites again resisted, but were defeated at Aphek, 30,000 slain, and the ark captured. 1 Sam 4:1-11. Under Samuel's leadership success crowned the arms of Israel. 1 Sam 7:11-14. When Saul became king he continued the contest against the ancient foe, and Jonathan and his armor-bearer began the fight which terminated in the slaughter of the Philistines at Michmash. 1 Sam 13-14. David killed Goliath later, and the Philistines were pursued to the gates of Gath and Ekron with great slaughter (30,000 killed and 60,000 wounded, according to Josephus). 1 Sam 17.


        David, after inflicting many defeats upon the Philistines, sought refuge among them from the malignity of Saul. 1 Sam 19:8; 1 Sam 23:1-5; 1 Sam 27:1-7; 1 Sam 29; Ps 56, title. Saul and his sons were slain at Gilboa by the Philistines. 1 Sam 31; 1 Chr 10:1. When David became king the Philistines attacked him. He defeated them at Baal-perazim and Rephaim. During Solomon's reign the Philistines were subjects, 1 Kgs 2:39-40; 1 Kgs 4:21, 1 Kgs 4:24, and he fortified Gezer and some other border-towns. After the division of Israel the Philistines engaged in hostilities at various times with both kingdoms. 1 Kgs 16:15; 2 Chr 21:16-17. Jehoshaphat, Uzziah, and Hezekiah defeated them. 2 Chr 17:11; 2 Chr 26:6; 2 Kgs 18:8. As Philistia was on the great route between Egypt and Assyria, it was often involved in the great wars between those powers. Ashdod was taken by Sargon, king of Assyria, after a siege of three years, Isa 20:1, and to Sennacherib most of the towns became subject. Isa 36. Pharaoh took Gaza. Jer 47:1.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'philistine' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
bible-history.com - Schaff's

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