The World Behind the Text
Important historical information to know and understand the text
1 Samuel
What was going on historically around this time?
In the Late Bronze Age (1550–1200) there had been an ongoing
struggle between major political powers seeking control of Palestine. Around 1200 the Sea Peoples arrived and all of
the major powers were either wiped out (e.g., the Hittites) or neutralized
(Egypt). Moving into the Iron Age, there
were no longer major groups holding power, so control of the region allowed for
the smaller states to test their strength, develop and build regional
“empires.” The Philistines were able to
take advantage of this early on. The
Philistines are mentioned throughout the books of Judges and 1 and 2 Samuel,
and they came into the Palestine area when the Sea Peoples were no longer
allowed in Egypt. The tribe that came to be known as the
Philistines settled on the southern coast of Palestine.
There they established their five capital cities of Ashkelon, Ashdod,
Ekron (Tell Miqne), Gath (Tell es-Safi) and Gaza.