The Philistines were an ancient people who occupied the southwestern coast of Canaan, an area that is part of modern-day Israel and the Gaza Strip. Known for their conflicts with the Israelites, the Philistines are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. Their territory was characterized by a confederation of five major cities, often referred to as the "Pentapolis," which included Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. These cities were centers of commerce, military strength, and cultural development, contributing to the Philistines' reputation as a formidable power in the region.

Gaza: Gaza was one of the principal cities of the Philistines and is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. It was a strategic location due to its position on the trade routes between Egypt and the Levant. In Judges 16:21, Gaza is notably the place where Samson was imprisoned and later brought down the temple of Dagon, killing many Philistines in the process: "Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and took him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison."

Ashkelon: Ashkelon was another significant city, known for its fortifications and trade. It is mentioned in the context of the Philistine cities that were to be judged by God. In Zephaniah 2:4, the prophet declares, "For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon will lie in ruins. At midday Ashdod will be emptied, and Ekron uprooted."

Ashdod: Ashdod was a major Philistine city, particularly noted for its temple to Dagon. In 1 Samuel 5:1-2, the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines and brought to Ashdod: "After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, brought it into the temple of Dagon, and set it beside his statue."

Ekron: Ekron was a key city in the Philistine pentapolis, often associated with agriculture and trade. It is mentioned in the context of the Philistine cities that were to be judged. In 1 Samuel 5:10, after the Ark of the Covenant caused plagues in Ashdod and Gath, it was sent to Ekron: "So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. As the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, 'They have brought the ark of the God of Israel around to us to kill us and our people!'"

Gath: Gath is perhaps best known as the home of Goliath, the giant warrior defeated by David. It was a city of considerable military importance. In 1 Samuel 17:4, Goliath is introduced: "Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height."

The Philistine cities were not only military strongholds but also centers of culture and religion. The Philistines worshiped deities such as Dagon and Baal-Zebub, and their religious practices often brought them into conflict with the Israelites. Despite their eventual decline and absorption into other cultures, the Philistines left a lasting impact on the history and narrative of the biblical lands.1 Samuel 6:17
And these are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering to the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... to look on in security at the ruin of the Philistines, the hereditary ... of the Tigris
probably recommenced as soon as the king had quitted the country. ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... land of Canaan: the judges"The Philistines and the ... to reconnoitre and report on the
country.* Its population ... troops, and yet its inhabitants had been more ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

In Judaea
... Samson had come down upon the Philistines, and here ... The Shephelah, of course, is
the country along the ... infer from Talmudical documents that Lydda had been the ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

Paul in Corinth.
... seeds of truth in one city, or country, they made ... was gladly received by the Gentiles,
who had lived in ... the way of the land of the Philistines, although that ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxi paul in corinth.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... similar in form to those of the Philistines or the ... obviate such a disaster, the
Assyrians had constructed a ... In a country thus unequally favoured by nature, the ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... He devastated the surrounding country, razed the city walls to ... about 25,000 hoplites,
and about as many more light ... numbers to the enemy, but it had no cavalry ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... beginning of his reign Assur-bani-pal had shown them ... offer any serious resistance:
he overran the country from end ... and left, and laid desolate for many a year ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... of Damascus, Moab, Edom, or the Philistines.* The daily ... woods and passes of an unknown
country, which daily ... of this formidable chain, and had endeavoured to ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... were inhabited at a later period by the Philistines (Josh ... led to the invasion of
the Hyksos, had settled around ... where the rugged nature of the country served to ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... and too dear for easy circulation through many hands ... whether he was executed or fled
the country, but his friends were tortured to death or had to purchase ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

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