Philistines

The Philistines meet the patriarchs first, and peaceably. Abimelech, king of Gerar, takes Sarah and is warned in a dream, then makes a covenant with Abraham at Beersheba (Genesis 20:2–18; 21:22–32). Later he comes to Isaac with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol his army commander, saying, "We see plainly that the LORD has been with you" (Genesis 26:26–31).

By the time of the judges the relationship is war. The story of Samson is set entirely in Philistine territory, and its turning point is Delilah of the Valley of Sorek, paid by the lords of the Philistines to learn the secret of his strength (Judges 16:4–21). The capture of the ark at Aphek follows, and the wife of Phinehas names her child Ichabod, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured" (1 Samuel 4:21–22).

The champions of Gath are listed with unusual care. Goliath six cubits and a span, defies the armies of Israel for forty days and falls to a stone (1 Samuel 17:4–51). His brother Lahmi is killed by Elhanan (1 Chronicles 20:5); Saph and Ishbi-benob both of the descendants of the giants, are struck down in the later wars of David (2 Samuel 21:16–18); and a huge man of Gath with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot taunts Israel and is killed by Jonathan son of Shimei (2 Samuel 21:20–21).

Not every Philistine is an enemy. Achish, king of Gath, son of Maoch shelters David when Saul hunts him and calls him trustworthy even when his own commanders refuse to fight beside him (1 Samuel 27:2–6; 29:6–9). Ittai the Gittite, newly arrived with six hundred men, refuses to turn back when Absalom rebels: "Wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be" (2 Samuel 15:19–21).