Abimelech the Philistines

Philistine Origin …Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor⒈ (Amos 9.7)

Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.

...And the sons of Ham and Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, and Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim. (Genesis 10.1,6,13,14)

Philistim is a root from which we have the names Philistia, Palestina and the Philistines. The word means, “the land of sojourners.”

They are thought to have been sea people from the Aegean They are thought to have been sea people from the Aegean. They could have served as soldiers to Pharaoh and the Hitite kings finally settling in Philistia.

The principal cities of the Philistines were Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath and Ekron, situated in the Southwest of Palestine and there are many references to these cities in the Bible.

Ashdod Ekron Gath Ashkelon Gaza

Since these people were sons of Ham, they likely knew of the God that Abraham served. In Genesis 20:11 Abraham said he lied to Abimelech about Sarah because,

11 …, "I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place 11 …, "I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place.” At this time in history the Philistines had apparently not lost their fear of God.

Genesis 21:22 gives an account of Abimelech and Abraham making an agreement to live peaceably together.

 22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, "God is with you in everything you do.

23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you are living as an alien the same kindness I have shown to you." 24 Abraham said, "I swear it."

In the rest of this chapter, the two men swear an oath over a well that had been a source of dispute. Abraham dug the well and claimed his right to use the well.

The two men came to an agreement The two men came to an agreement. Abimelech accepted seven lambs agreeing that Abraham had right to the well.

Because of this agreement, the place was named Beersheba meaning, well of seven or well of the oath.

Gerar bibleatlas.org

Read Chapter 22