Philistia and Israel had one interesting point in common with each other.
They were both loosely held together alliances struggling to achieve unification.
When Israel entered Canaan under Joshua’s leadership, they were a coalition of 12 independent tribes.
Saul was the first ruler to achieve some limited success in uniting these tribes into one nation.
But full unification was still far from reality.
Philistia was in a similar situation.
They were NOT a sovereign nation under one supreme leader.
They were a federation made up of five tiny kingdoms.
They were bound together by common ethnic ties, but that was the extent of it.
So when Achish (the King of Gath) allowed David and his men to settle in his territory, no doubt, that raised the eyebrows of the kings who ruled the other four Philistine cities.
For sure they viewed Achish’s decision with suspicion and considered it dangerous.
We’ll see how this mistrust manifested in chapter 28.
So when David asked if he could move out into the countryside, that request was highly welcomed.
They ended up settling in the village area of Ziklag.
This was perfect because it was an ethnically mixed area made up of both Hebrews and Philistines.
As I mentioned earlier, Ziklag used to be a Hebrew town belonging to Judah.
The Philistines took the region over…
But that didn’t mean every last Israelite was booted out.
Those Hebrews who didn’t mind being under Achish’s rule were allowed to remain in peace.
And they were soon joined by other Philistines who moved in.
So, in many ways, this arrangement was PERFECT for David.
First, given the mixed nature of the place, David would’ve been much more comfortable in Ziklag than any other Philistine town anywhere else in Philistia…
Second, Ziklag was far enough into Philistine territory that Saul wouldn’t chase him, yet it wasn’t so far that Achish wouldn’t be able to keep a good eye on David’s activities.
But there was one major drawback.
The area was unprotected and isolated.
This meant it was vulnerable to attacks from desert gangs and even the Amalekites.
So this is where we’re at in terms of the current situation.
Let’s switch over to the takeaway.
What comes to mind is the importance of a nation being unified under one single ruler.
For example wanna know why America struggles with so many issues involving crime, homelessness, border problems, racism, and so on?
It’s because the nation is so fractured.
The country is fractured politically, morally, and theologically.
Not to mention the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
It was the same with Israel both past and present.
Per God’s command, if they had booted out the Canaanites and maintained firm border controls…
They wouldn’t have struggled back then…
And they wouldn’t be struggling today.
In fact, October 7th never would’ve happened.
Ya, feel me?
The failure to complete the task as ordered, which was to cleanse the land of all the people living there, was Joshua’s fault, and this has been a thorn in our side since those days.
You’d think we would learn, right? But…Noooooooo!!!
In 1967 we took back the Golan Heights, and then returned it.
We took Jerusalem, but let the enemy have back one of our most sacred sites.
In every decisive battle between Israel and her surrounding enemies, we have taken lands that are ours, lands Joshua should have taken, but then returned them to those God told us to eradicate. Why? To please God?
Again, Nooooooo!
We did it to please the world, and that is why October 7th was inevitable.
Today we are still not cleaning house, and the proof is that our people in Gaza are still hostages, months later.
Israel needs to take a lesson from the past, and march through Gaza- not slowly, not pussy-footing it’s way along, but to do a Sherman’s March through Gaza, once and for all, and NEVER give anything back.
(For those not familair with American history, in the American Civil War, General Sherman marched his men through the South, destroying everything and everyone in his way until he achieved his military goal).
Once Israel decides to do as God says, and not what the UN wants, they will then be blessed with the sort of protection and peace that God gave to the kings of Judea when they did as he commanded.
I wish most believers would understand the simple truths you expressed here.
Can’t put it better.
I think the unification of the tribes of Israel and control over the whole promised land will ONLY be achieved under Messianic rule. Meanwhile, Oct’7 will keep on repeating itself over and over until “you look into him whom you pierced.”
Agreed. May Messiah return soon.