The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.
The Philistines had also invaded the cities in the lowlands and southern parts of Judah. They captured Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Sokoh and its surrounding villages, Timnah and its villages, and Gimzo with its villages. They settled in these places and lived there.
The writer is describing how the Philistines successfully invaded and occupied many towns in Judah's territory, showing how weak Judah had become.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah (around 735-715 BC), a time when the kingdom was spiritually and militarily weak due to turning away from God. The Philistines, longtime enemies of Israel living along the Mediterranean coast, took advantage of Judah's vulnerability to reclaim territory and expand their borders eastward into traditionally Israelite lands.
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