Tonight I am thinking of the Philistines as I prepare for my lesson for class tomorrow.

One thing I thought of was the book 1177 B.C. The Year Civilization Collapsed by Eric H. Cline.  The book looks at what brought the Bronze age to a close in the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. It was at about this time that the Philistines came to Canaan.

The Philistines were only in Canaan for about 600 years before being carried away in 604 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar II.

Of course, I am also thinking of Gath as it is probably the city that most people identify with the Philistines.

I have visited Tel es-Safi a few times. Excavations in recent decades have made many discoveries that point to this being the probable site of Gath.

Just in the past several years the walls of a large Iron Age city have been found.

I have also visited Ashkelon which is another of the five major Philistine cities.

Someday I would like to visit Ekron (Tel Miqne) and Ashdod. It is not likely that I will ever get to visit Gaza.

I am also thinking of Khirbet al-Ra’i where I was digging earlier this year. It was interesting to see Philistine pottery and other items.

Now back to work on my presentation.

Steven