Judg 3:1-4 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Judg 3:1-4: 3:1-4 The ongoing presence of the Philistines and Canaanites in the land had an instructional purpose. Skills in warfare were necessary for survival in the ancient world. God allowed a continuing presence of enemies, but they would become his provision for Israel’s training and well-being.

c1 Sam 6:16-17►

dGen 10:17►

eJosh 9:3-27►

f1 Kgs 8:65►

‏ Judges 3:1-4

Summary for Judg 3:1-4: 3:1-4 ^a The ongoing presence of the Philistines and Canaanites in the land had an instructional purpose. Skills in warfare were necessary for survival in the ancient world. God allowed a continuing presence of enemies, but they would become his provision for Israel’s training and well-being.
3:3 ^b The Philistines were never listed with the native Canaanite tribes; they were invaders from the sea who settled on the southwest coast of Israel in about 1200 BC. The Philistines were organized into five cities, each with its own ruler (cp. 1 Sam 6:16-17 ^c). They are included here with the Canaanites, anticipating the prominent role they would have as Israel’s major foe from Samson’s time onward.

• The text includes Sidonians and northern Hivites to show that Israel’s ideal boundaries were well to the north and east of what they actually possessed.

• The Hivites were Canaanite (Hamitic) peoples (Gen 10:17 ^d); little is known about them. The Gibeonites, who tricked Joshua (Josh 9:3-27 ^e) were Hivites.

• Baal-hermon is possibly the largest of the three peaks that make up Mount Hermon in the northeast corner of Israel; Lebo-hamath, in southern Lebanon, marks Israel’s northernmost ideal boundary (1 Kgs 8:65 ^f).