The Philistines were a significant group of people in the biblical narrative, often depicted as adversaries of the Israelites. They were a confederation of city-states located along the coastal region of what is now modern-day Gaza, Israel, and parts of Lebanon. The Philistines are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of their interactions and conflicts with the Israelites.

Lords of the Philistines

The term "lords of the Philistines" refers to the rulers or leaders of the five principal Philistine cities: Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. These cities formed a pentapolis, a group of five cities that were politically and militarily aligned. Each city was governed by its own lord, and together, these lords exercised significant influence over the Philistine people and their military endeavors.

In the biblical narrative, the lords of the Philistines are often portrayed as powerful and strategic leaders. They played crucial roles in the Philistines' military campaigns against Israel. One of the most notable mentions of the lords of the Philistines is in the account of Samson. In Judges 16:5 , the lords of the Philistines are described as seeking to capture Samson through the deception of Delilah: "The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, 'Entice him, and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him, bind him, and subdue him. Then each of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.'"

The lords of the Philistines also appear in the narrative of the Ark of the Covenant. After capturing the Ark from the Israelites, the Philistines experienced a series of calamities, prompting the lords to decide to return the Ark to Israel. In 1 Samuel 5:8 , the lords of the Philistines are consulted: "So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, 'What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?' They replied, 'Let the ark of the God of Israel be moved to Gath.' So they moved the ark of the God of Israel."

The influence of the Philistine lords extended beyond military matters. They were also involved in religious and cultural affairs, as seen in their interactions with the Israelites. The Philistines worshiped deities such as Dagon, and their religious practices often clashed with the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the lords of the Philistines are depicted as formidable opponents, often challenging the Israelites' faith and resilience. Their interactions with key biblical figures such as Samson, Samuel, and David highlight the ongoing struggle between the Philistines and the Israelites, a theme that runs throughout much of the Old Testament.Joshua 13:3
From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even to the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
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Judges 3:3
Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelled in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon to the entering in of Hamath.
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Judges 16:5,30
And the lords of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lies, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will give you every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.
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1 Samuel 5:8,11
They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines to them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about to Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.
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1 Samuel 6:4,12
Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden tumors, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.
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1 Samuel 7:7
And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
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1 Samuel 29:2,6,7
And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rear guard with Achish.
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Samson the Strong.
... All the lords of the Philistines were there, and upon the broad roof of the temple
were about three thousand people watching Samson while he showed his strength ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xv samson the strong.htm

The Destruction that came Upon the Philistines, and Upon
... had offered a splendid sacrifice to God, and feasted, they offered the cart and
the kine as a burnt-offering: and when the lords of the Philistines saw this ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 the destruction that.htm

The Expedition of the Philistines against the Hebrews and the ...
... them to attempt it: "O you Israelites," said he, "to whom the Philistines are still ...
to be contented with an inclination to get clear of your lords and masters ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 the expedition of.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... "Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were
there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/i praying saints of the.htm

Strength Profaned and Lost
... Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice
unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/strength profaned and lost.htm

Repentance and victory
... in Mizpeh.7. And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered
together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... with torches attached to their tails, among the standing corn of the Philistines. ...
all his might," overturned them, "and the house fell upon the lords, and upon ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Israel in Canaan.
... In the latter part of this time, their chief enemies were the Philistines, in the ...
They had no king, but were ruled by lords of their five cities, and made ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson v israel in canaan.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... afterward it came to pass he saw, And lov'da woman named Delilah, Who in the vale
of Sorek dwelt, to whom There did the lords of the Philistines come, And said ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

What Doest Thou Here?
... The lords of the Philistines said, 'What do these Hebrews here?' They
saw the inconsistency, if David and his men did not. They ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/what doest thou here.htm

Who was Samson in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Delilah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Dagon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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