And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.
The people of Israel did wrong things again that God saw and disapproved of, so God allowed the Philistines to rule over them for forty years.
This verse shows that when God's people repeatedly chose to do wrong, God allowed their enemies to have power over them as a consequence.
📚 Historical Context
This verse introduces the cycle that repeats throughout the book of Judges - Israel would turn away from God, face oppression from enemies, cry out to God, and then be delivered by a judge God raised up. The Philistines were a sea-faring people who settled along the Mediterranean coast and became one of Israel's most persistent enemies during this period.
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