The Philistines were one segment
of a major movement of people (the Sea Peoples), during the 13-12th
centuries BC, from the Aegean (Greece and Western Turkey) southwards
into the Mediterranean coastline. Amos 9:7 links them with Caphtor (Crete?).The Philistines were one segment
of a major movement of people (the Sea Peoples), during the 13-12th
centuries BC, from the Aegean (Greece and Western Turkey) southwards
into the Mediterranean coastline. Amos 9:7 links them with Caphtor (Crete?).
Olive press in partially reconstructed
Philistine village near Eqron
After
Rameses III defeated them in a battle on land and sea (c1190BCE)
he settled them on the southern coast of Palestine (the land which
now bears their name). They organized themselves into a league
of city-states, particularly the five major cities of Askalon,
Ashdod, Eqron, Gath and Gaza. Philistine expansion inland from
this rich coastal strip brought them into conflict with Israel.
This ended with David's creation of a small empire. Competition
between the Philistines and Judah led to fighting intermittently
throughout the period of the Hebrew kingdoms.
The Philistines had a rich material culture, and early control of iron technology. This control was largely responsible for their early military success.
The ninth century saw incursions by Judah into Philistia (2 Chron 17:11) and the reverse (2 Chron 21:16-17). Uzziah, king of Judah in Amos' day, conducted successful campaigns against the Philistines as well as other neighbors, Ahaz however, a little later, lost territory to them.
This page is part of the Postmodern
Bible - Amos commentary, if you have reached it as a standalone
page, to view it in context, go to www.bible.gen.nz
© Tim Bulkeley, 1996-2004, Tim
Bulkeley. All rights reserved.