Philistines, << FIHL uh steenz or fuh LIHS tihnz, >> were an ancient people who settled along the coast of Canaan about the same time that the Israelites were entering the land from the east. The Philistines were part of a larger movement known as the Sea Peoples who had fled disruptive conditions in the Aegean area near the end of the 1200’s B.C. The center of the Philistine territory was in and around the cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. This area corresponds to what is now southwestern Israel. The name Palestine, used for this region and nearby areas, comes from the name Philistine.
During the 1100’s and 1000’s, the Philistines and the Israelites fought many battles. The Philistines had learned the art of smelting iron from the Hittites. This gave them a military and economic advantage over the Israelites. Only after the Israelites anointed Saul as their first king about 1025 B.C. did they become strong enough to drive the Philistines back. After David became king of Israel about 1000 B.C., he subdued the Philistines. After about 600 B.C., the Philistines ceased to exist as a distinct people. The word philistine today means a person who is indifferent or hostile to the arts.
