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Historical Period

The rise of Israel in the hills and the Philistines on the coast.

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Israel & the Philistines · 1208-1004 BC
The Ancient Levant

Israel & the Philistines

Out of the Bronze Age wreckage, two new peoples took shape in the land: the Philistines, sea-raiders who settled the coastal plain in five great cities, and the Israelites, villagers of the highlands whose story the Hebrew Bible would tell. Through the age of the Judges and the wars over the Ark, the pressure of the Philistines drove the Israelite tribes toward their first king. Slide across the Iron Age dawn of Israel.

1208 BC
Emergence of Israel
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1208 BC

Emergence of Israel
  • Cultural

    The Merneptah Stele names Israel

    The Merneptah Stele, whose text holds the earliest known mention of Israel
    Via Wikimedia Commons

    An Egyptian victory monument mentions 'Israel' as a people in Canaan — the earliest known reference to the name.

9 milestones

Meanwhile

Around 1208 BC

Full Chronicle

Israel & the Philistines

Out of the Bronze Age wreckage, two new peoples took shape in the land: the Philistines, sea-raiders who settled the coastal plain in five great cities, and the Israelites, villagers of the highlands whose story the Hebrew Bible would tell. Through the age of the Judges and the wars over the Ark, the pressure of the Philistines drove the Israelite tribes toward their first king. Slide across the Iron Age dawn of Israel.

  1. Emergence of Israel

    • The Merneptah Stele names Israel

      An Egyptian victory monument mentions 'Israel' as a people in Canaan — the earliest known reference to the name.

  2. Iron Age I

    • The Philistines settle the coast

      The Philistines, one of the Sea Peoples, settle the southern coast in a league of five cities.

  3. Iron Age I

    • Israel in the highlands

      Hundreds of new farming villages spring up in the central hill country, the seedbed of the Israelite people.

  4. Age of the Judges

    • The age of the Judges

      In the biblical tradition, the tribes of Israel are led by 'judges' — war-leaders raised up in times of crisis.

  5. Age of the Judges

    • The Ark and the fall of Shiloh

      The Philistines rout Israel, capture the Ark of the Covenant, and destroy the sanctuary at Shiloh.

  6. Toward Monarchy

    • Samuel and the demand for a king

      The prophet Samuel, last of the judges, reluctantly anoints a king to unite Israel against the Philistines.

  7. United Monarchy

    • Saul, the first king

      Saul is made the first king of Israel and wins early victories, but his reign ends in failure and gloom.

  8. United Monarchy

    • The rise of David

      A shepherd of Bethlehem, David wins fame against the Philistines and a following that eclipses the king.

  9. United Monarchy

    • The death of Saul at Gilboa

      Saul and his sons fall in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, opening the way for David.