Margaret Hunter – Page 33 – Amazing Bible Timeline with World History

Posted on May 9, 2012December 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — 2 Comments

Jephthah, A Judge in Israel

The time period that God used the judges to lead Israel was instituted by God to test the people of Israel. It was also a time where God wanted to instruct his people how to live and govern their lives according to his purposes. The Israelites often strayed from the Lord during this era and worshipped other Gods. The story of Jephthah is another chapter in the history of Israel where God uses a judge to free his people from the tyranny of a foreign oppressor. He appears on the Biblical Timeline Poster around 1150 BC

Jeptha,A_Judge_in_Isreal — Jephthah didn’t realize that he would have to sacrifice his daughter.

Jephthah didn’t realize that he would have to sacrifice his daughter.

Jephthah was born of a prostitute from a man named Gilead. This man also had a wife who bore him children. When Gilead’s sons were born and grew up, they separated themselves from Jephthah. They didn’t want Jephthah to claim their father’s inheritance because he was born from an illegitimate union. Jephthah then left his home and had to live in a place called Tob. Once Jephthah was in Tob, he found other men of valour and war who gathered around him. Now Jephthah had a small force, and they apparently were known for their feats of battle and bravery.

Years later the people of Ammon made war against the Israelites, and they didn’t have anyone strong enough to repel them. So the elders went to Jephthah and asked him to defend the nation. Jephthah was angry with them and questioned them about their decision to seek his help after they forced him to leave his home.

Jephthah then told the people of Israel that he would fight for them, and if he were to win the battle, he would be their new leader. Since the people of Ammon were severely oppressing the Israelites, they agreed to his terms. Jephthah was given authority by the elders of Israel to lead the people into battle. After Jephthah was in power, he then sent messengers to the king of Ammon informing him to stop harassing the Israelites. The king of Ammon claimed that the Israelites had stolen their lands from them when they left out of Egypt. Jephthah replied that the Israelites didn’t steal anything from them. The people of Ammon didn’t listen and kept up their campaign against the Israelites.

God sent his spirit over Jephthah who then made a vow to conquer the people of Ammon, and the Lord confirmed this vow. Jephthah then conquered the people of Ammon and became the leader or judge of Israel.

This part of Jephthah’s story is similar to many of the other judges of Israel but where it differs is the vow that Jephthah made to God. Jephthah told God he would give him the first thing that came out of his house to greet him. Jephthah didn’t realize that he would have to sacrifice his daughter.

He realized the foolishness of his vow when his daughter was the first to greet him. Even though he was reluctant about offering his daughter as a sacrifice, he knew that he had to make good on his word. Jephthah sacrificed his daughter and the virgins in the land of Israel to pay homage to her memory by mourning her loss every year. Jephthah also had to fight against the Ephraimites during a later period of his reign. The Ephraimites didn’t help the Israelites against Ammon, and they ended up wanting to fight them instead. After defeating the Ephraimites, Jephthah judged the Israelites for six more years and then passed away.

Biblical References to Jephthah

Judges 11:2 Jephthah is thrown out of his home by his brothers.
Judges 11:6-7 the people ask Jephthah to lead them into battle against the people of Ammon.
Judges 11:9 Jephthah agrees to their request and becomes the leader of Israel.
Judges 11:31 Jephthah vows to sacrifice the first thing that comes out of his house to greet him if God gives him the victory against Ammon.
Judges 11: 39 Jephthah makes good on his vow and sacrifices his virgin daughter to God.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jephthah
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jdg&c=11&t=KJV#29
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jdg&c=12&v=1&t=KJV#1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Giovanni_Antonio_Pellegrini_001.jpg

Posted on May 8, 2012September 30, 2015 by Margaret Hunter — 10 Comments

Trojan War Myths and Facts

According to the Greek Myth, the famous Trojan War took place in Troy. So, what sparked the war? It was caused by the Greeks or the Achaeans when Paris who lived in Troy had taken Helen away from Menelaus who was her husband and also Sparta’s King. The Trojan War is probably the most significant event that ever occurred in Greek Myth. Its story has been narrated in various ways in a lot of Greek literary works such as “Iliad and Odyssey” by Homer, which contained fragments of the actual war. It is placed on the Biblical Timeline with World History at 1184 BC

Trojan War Around 1184 BC: Truth or Legend?

1184 BC sparked the beginning of the Trojan War. During this phase, the Greeks departed in various ships and left behind an enormous wooden horse that was a form of victory offering. The truth is that it was actually heaved within Troy’s walls, and the Greek soldiers would then come down from the belly of the horse after dark just to slay each and every guard. That way, they were able to successfully destroy the city.

Throughout the generations, a lot of questions about the war have been commonly asked. Did it really happen? Was it really during the 1184 BC? The answer to the first question would be a yes based on various archaeological evidence. According to studies, it didn’t really happen during the traditional date that’s told, but rather just around the 1200 BC. Where? The answer would be Asia Minor.
So, there is actually a conflict of info between the works of Homer about the Trojan War legends and the various archaeological studies conducted. However, it can’t just be a truly made up story. The said war and the folklores it comes with are firm parts of the Western Culture, especially in language enrichment.

Significant Details about the Trojan War

The war lasted for over 10 consecutive years until such time that the Greeks were able to send the wooden horse loaded with soldiers who were aimed to bring destruction to the city of Troy. Achilles, who was one of the major characters to have fought in the said war, was speared through his heel to death. Due to the invasion of the Greek soldiers, all the major structures within Troy were totally burnt. In the end, Troy lost the battle that seems to be pretty tragic if you really think about it.
Now, why did Paris have to take away Helen from Menelaus, the King of Sparta? As you may know, Paris is actually one of the gods in the said legend. The main reason Helen had been such a big interest to him was the goddess beauty that she had possessed. Aphrodite whom Paris sent along with the soldiers was actually the one who did the abduction for him.

Menelaus’s Broken Vow

Due to Menelaus’s love for Helen, he had made a vow to do whatever it took to rescue Helen. With the help of his brother, Agamemnon, he was able to win the companionship of the Achaean soldiers towards the retrieval of Helen. There are actually different versions about how it ended. There’s one where Menelaus ended it all by killing Helen. On the other hand, there was a version where he dies and reunites with his beloved Helen in a so-called “Island of the Blessed.”

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achaeans_(Homer)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles

Posted on May 7, 2012October 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — 1 Comment

Rome With References, Founding of

Most of the more accurate information on the founding of Rome is based on archaeological findings along with recordings from writers of ancient times such as Herodotus and Livy. Myth, legend, established notions, and educational guesses dominate the information on the history of Rome. This creates a plethora of facts and fiction. The founding of Rome is placed on the Bible Timeline with it’s earliest settlements during the Bronze age and the formal founding of Rome at 753 BC

The Peoples of Early Rome

Archaeological findings indicate that there were two closely related inhabitants in the area during its earliest years of habitation. These were the tribal agrarian Italic peoples in the form of the Latins and the Sabines. Both tribes dominated the early Romanian form of government through a hierarchy that existed throughout the city’s rise to dominance in the region.

Facts and Fictions Surrounding the Founding of Rome

Evidence of an early settlement in the region of Latium (this includes Rome) dates back to the Bronze Age (1500 BC). But indications of these findings are that a more established and permanent type of settlement began in 8th century BC. Archaeological findings from the early settlements of Palatine Hill indicate there was a habitation of that place from as early as 750 BC. There is an established legend that Rome was founded on April 21 753 BC. There is an evidently close collaboration in the dateline between the archaeological findings and this established legend.

Rome,_Founding_of — Aeneas’ Flight from Troy

In 8th century BC, the two existing settlements of Palatine Hill and Quirinal came together to establish a single village. This move corresponds with the date of 753 BC given by the legend. Legend also has it that the Romans origins are linked to Aeneas the son of Venus, who was an escapee from the sacking of Troy during a war between that nation and the Greeks. Aeneas is said to have fled to Italy where he established a monarchy through his son lulus (otherwise known as Julius) after founding of Alba Longa. Roman legends tell tales of what ensued during the reign of Aeneas and other subsequent kings of Alba Longa leading up to the founding of Rome.

The Actual Founding of Rome

Rome was founded by twins Romulus and Remus, brothers who were direct descendants of the Kings of Alba Longa. The story surrounding these twins is told in the famous Roman myth of Romulus and Remus. Romulus became the first and sole King of Rome after a quarrel between the two brothers concerning on which hill the city was to be established, led to Remus’murder. Romulus’ rise to this status (King of Rome) and the founding of Rome was traditionally celebrated on April 21, 753 BC. This was celebrated as the festival of Parilia, the hill on which Romulus decided the city was to be established. That celebration continues today with an array of festivals and parades. The early Romans in the centuries before Christ are known to have referred to Rome as the City of Seven Hills. Rome takes its name from its first King, Romulus.

Rome’s rise to power was largely supported by their neighbors to the north, the Etruscans. These people assisted Romulus and Rome in their conquests as they were wary of a Latin city to their south that was growing in both power and influence. The Etruscans, with the passage of time, would come to strategically replace Romulus and the Latin Kings with their own Kings.

References:
http://www.roman-empire.net/founding/found-index.html
http://www.unrv.com/empire/founding.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Founding_of_Rome
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aeneas%27_Flight_from_Troy_by_Federico_Barocci.jpg

Posted on May 4, 2012September 30, 2015 by Margaret Hunter — 1 Comment

Tola a Judge in Israel

Tola Biblical Judge

Tola, the son of Puah, was a judge of Israel whose reign spanned a total of twenty-three (23) years. His reign started after the death of Abimelech. This is supported by the Biblical Time Line Chart. Not much was recorded about the life and reign of Tola. This judge of Israel is the least spoken of or recorded judge. There are no recorded deeds of this Tola.

Tola, a_Judge_in_the_Bible — Image Description from historic lecture booklet: “From Mount Gilboa we turn to the south-west, and in what was once the tribe-land of Ephraim

Image Description from historic lecture booklet: “From Mount Gilboa we turn to the south-west, and in what was once the tribe-land of Ephraim

Tola was buried at Shamir located in Mount Ephraim where he resided until he died. Dodo of the tribe of Issachar was the grandfather of Tola. Tola is a Hebrew name that means worm, grub or scarlet.

Biblical Recordings of Tola

Judges 10:1-2. Tola takes over and leads the charge to defend Israel after the death of Abimelech. These two verses are the only biblical recordings of Tola.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tola_(Bible)
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Samaria_from_the_Southeast_(4879748112).jpg

Posted on May 3, 2012October 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — 7 Comments

Gideon Judge In Israel

Gideon was a former judge of Israel who ruled the people after he led a small army to defeat the Midianites. He is placed on the Biblical Timeline Chart at around 1179 – 1154 BC. Gideon’s story begins with the Israelites not obeying God. The Israelites were not perfect people, and they constantly wandered away from God, and he punished them when they departed from him. In this particular instance, he allowed the Midianites to become so strong that the Hebrews lived in fear of them.

According to the book of Judges, the Israelites were living in the caves and cliffs of their country since God had made the Midianites so strong. They and their allies would come to Israel and take the people’s crops at harvest time. They would camp out within the land, kill all the livestock and harass the people before taking their crops. To make matters worse, the Midians would ravage and destroy the land. Many people in Israel at the time found the situation to be unbearable, but according to scripture God had a plan to free them from this type of tyranny.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon while he was threshing wheat. (Keep in mind that Gideon was a wealthy man in Israel, but his wealth and power didn’t mean anything under these type of circumstances.) Gideon had servants, but he still had to thresh out his own wheat. When an angel of the Lord contacted Gideon, he told him about God’s plan to use him to free his people from the tyranny of the Gideonites.

Gideon didn’t believe the angel and claimed that his clan was the least among his people and that he was the weakest member of his clan. God assured him that he was stronger than what he believed. Gideon still wasn’t convinced and wanted a sign, so he placed meat and bread on a rock, and the angel touched it with a rod. The fire then consumed the food. Gideon built an altar after this happened.

God instructed Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and to construct one in his honor. Then Gideon still wanted proof that God was with him. So he placed a wool fleece on the threshing floor. He told the Lord if there is dew only on the fleece and not the ground, and then he would believe him. God did as he requested. He then asked God to make the ground wet while leaving the fleece dry and God fulfilled this request. Once this happened Gideon was finally convinced.

Gideon gathered a bunch of men, but God ended up reducing their numbers down to 300. He then sent the 300 soldiers into battle. The Israelites snuck up on the Midianites in the darkness. In the confusion of the night, the Midianites began to slay one another. The next day many of them had fled, and they never harassed Israel again. The people wanted to make Gideon a king, but he refused. He judged Israel for 40 years, and there was peace in the land. After Gideon passed away the people of Israel turned after other Gods once again.

Gideon in the Bible

Judges 6: 1-5 the people of Israel worship other gods and God becomes angry. He decides to send the Midianites out against them.
Judges 6: 6-10 the people are frustrated and cry out to God. He sends a prophet who tells them why they’re being oppressed. He wants them to repent.
Judges 6: 11-13 an angel of the Lord appears to Gideon and tells him that he has been chosen by God to free his people.
Judges 6: 14-16 Gideon questions God’s decision for choosing him. He claims to be too weak to accomplish this feat.
Judges 6: 17-40 Gideon questions God again and makes special requests to validate his choice. Gideon finally believes the Lord.
Judges 7:2 Gideon had selected many warriors, but God wanted their numbers reduced so that they would not claim that the victory came from them.
Judges 7: 18-25 Gideon and his forces defeat the Midianites.
Judges 8: 28 Gideon ruled the Israelites for 40 years before he died.
Judges 8:33 after Gideon had died, the people of Israel started to worship foreign gods once again.

References:
http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/studies/online/judges7.htm
http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?criteria=gideon&page=1&t=KJV
http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?criteria=gideon&page=2&t=KJV
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideon
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gideon-judge.jpg

Posted on May 2, 2012March 29, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — 2 Comments

Barak

Barak was a minor character in the book of Judges of the Holy Bible. He is found on the Biblical Timeline around 1267 BC. Though his role was limited he played an important part of delivering Israel from the Canaanites. The judges of Israel ruled the land for nearly 350 years and during this time period the Israelites made God angry by worshipping foreign deities. God would punish them by sending them into captivity and then sending a savior to free them from their oppression. The judges not only guided Israel they were usually given the responsibility of delivering the people from tyranny when the time had arisen. Deborah was a female prophetess and judge, who was given the responsibility at one point in time of Israel’s history.

Barak was a general from the land of Kadesh who hailed from a city called Naphtali. He was the leader of thousands of men and he had become a highly regarded soldier in his land. He was a skilled warrior and competent generally who God had wanted to use to free his people. Apparently Barak was reluctant to follow after God’s command. So, the Judge Deborah sent for him and questioned him why he wasn’t obeying the Lord.

Barak still showed reluctance and told Deborah that he would not gather his forces against the Canaanites unless she would march with him. Barak’s reluctance to go to war probably stemmed from the fact that he didn’t have faith in God. It also could have resulted from fearing defeat by the hands of the Canaanites.

Eventually Barak listened to Deborah and went back home to gather his army. Once he had his army of ten thousand men he went to Tabor to confront the Canaanites. Deborah had told Barak that God would deliver the Canaanites into his hand if only he would obey. She also told him that his victory would not be his own and that it would be from God. So he was not to boast about any military accomplishment. Barak was able to defeat the Canaanites and not one of them remained.

Barak,_Judge_in_Isreal — Jael Shows to Barak, Sisera Lying Dead, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot

Jael Shows to Barak, Sisera Lying Dead, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot

During the course of the battle, Barak chased after the leader of the Canaanites named Sisera. The Canaanite leader was killed by a woman named Jael who plunged a tent peg into his head. Once Barak found out where Sisera was at Jael showed him where his body was at because she already had killed him.

Deborah was with Barak when he won this victory. God had given Israel the victory through both of them. They ultimately defeated Jabin the Canaan King and the Canaanites were no longer a threat to Israel.

Bible References for Barak

Judges 4: 1-2 God is angry once again with Israel for their idolatry and decides to use the Canaanites to punish them for their sins.
Judges 4:3 the people of Israel cry out to God for deliverance.
Judges 4:6 the prophetess Deborah calls for Barak and tells him about obeying God by sending out his soldiers to fight.
Judges 4:8 Barak tells Deborah he will only fight if she goes into battle with him.
Judges 4: 10-13 Barak gathers his forces and goes to war against the Canaanites at Tabor.
Judges 4: 16 Barak’s forces kill the Canaanites to the last man.
Judges 4: 18 -21 Jael slays Sisera with a tent peg.
Judges 4: 22 Barak confirms Sisera’s death.
Judges 4: 23-24 God gives the Israelites victory over the Canaanite king Jabin and his armies.

References:
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jdg&c=4&v=1
http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/B/BARAK/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barak
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tissot_Jael_Shows_to_Barak,_Sisera_Lying_Dead.jpg

Posted on May 1, 2012September 23, 2015 by Margaret Hunter — 7 Comments

Samson A Judge In Israel

Samson is known as the strongest man to have walked the earth. Bible history points to Samson as the 15th judge of Israel, and that he reigned as a judge for as much as 20 years. He is found on the Bible Timeline between 1154BC and 1124BC. Samson is a Hebrew name that translates: “Strong, distinguished.” One of the main highlights of Samson’s life was his involvement with the Philistine woman Delilah that translates as “languishing trouble.”

Samson as a Judge

Samson may have been considered the most famous of the judges to have been appointed to Israel. He is also considered to be the most unusual with his unorthodox, and many times law-breaking ways of getting things done. The very nature of the tool with which Samson was blessed to deliver Israel (his strength) made him different and set him apart from other judges who led Israel. Samson was to single-handedly defeat the Philistines as opposed to using an army. Samson’s weakness was his love for Philistine women and his love for Delilah was to be his undoing. In spite of the many warnings that God gave him, Samson would allow the Philistine women to influence to sin over and over.

The Role of Samson’s Parents

Samson the Nazarite came from the tribe of Dan. He was born in a small town called Zorah close to the place inhabited by the Philistines. He was born to Manoah and his childless wife who one day had a visit from an angel. The angel that appeared to her told her that she would give birth to a son who would one day deliver the Hebrews from the hands of the Philistines.

The angel also gave her specifications as to how the child Samson was to be brought up, including his dedication to God from birth and his grooming. Manoah’s wife told him of the dream, and he prayed for another appearance from the Angel. His prayer was answered, and the angel appeared a second time to both Manoah and his wife. The angel repeated the predictions and the stipulations concerning the birth and upbringing of Samson.

Samson_Judge_and_Strong_Man — Samson destroys the temple

The Lord at work in Samson

The Bible reveals that God started to manifest himself in the boy Samson from an early age while he was in Mahaneh Dan which is located between the place known as Zorah and the other Eshtaol. God had specifically blessed Samson with great strength so that he would be able to fight the Philistines and deliver Israel. His long hair was a symbol of strength, and no razor was to touch his head.

The Bible records that Samson’s first demonstration of the Lord’s strength in him came when he ripped an attacking lion apart while he was on his way to visit his Philistine bride-to-be. The Bible relates that the Spirit of the Lord took control of Samson, and he overcame the lion. The second manifestation of this power was to come when Samson, in anger against his father-in-law, destroyed the crops of the Philistine.

He did this by capturing three hundred foxes, tied their tails together then set them afire and turned them loose in the fields. Samson’s strength was again proven when he slew 3,000 Philistines with a donkey’s jawbone. When the Philistines locked their gates in an attempt to lock him inside their walls, the man of God responded by pulling the gates off their hinges and carrying them up the top of a hill. Samson’s final display of strength was to result in three major occurrences, the deliverance of the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines, the destruction of the Philistines and his death. Samson fell in love with another Philistine woman Delilah. She coaxed him endlessly to tell him the secret of his strength.

After tricking her by telling her lies, Samson finally gave up his secret that resulted in him losing the symbol of strength between him and God, his hair. The Philistines took advantage of the weakened judge of Israel, and they mocked him and put out his eyes. Unknown to them, as his hair grew back Samson’s strength returned.

He used this strength at the appropriate time while thousands of Philistines had gathered in the temple of Dagon to jeer him. He had his guide lead him to the main support pillars of the temple where through a fervent prayer to God for one last blessing of strength. He braced the pillars apart and brought the temple down upon the Philistines slaying them, and he died with them in the process.

Bible References to Samson

Judges 13:1 to chapter 16:31. The birth and life of Samson.
Judges 13:24. The Spirit of the Lord started to work through Samson while he was in Mahaneh Dan.
Numbers 6:1-21. The vow of a Nazarene

References:
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/464035/jewish/Samson.htm http://www.bibleview.org/en/Bible/Judges/Samson/ http://www.sundayschoolsources.com/lessons/OT/Judges/Samson_text.htm

Posted on April 30, 2012February 26, 2023 by Margaret Hunter — 7 Comments

Samuel The Old Testament Prophet

Samuel was the son of Elkanah and Hannah, and he is considered one of the first major prophets of the Bible and the Jewish scriptures. He appears on the Biblical timeline after the death of Eli in 1154 BC. Samuel’s legacy as a prophet began when he was 13 years old, and God had anointed him for this position. By the time Samuel had become a grown man he had become an important public figure and people had known him for being a prophet of God.

Samuel_Prophet_and_Judge — Anna presenting her son Samuel to the priest Eli

Anna presenting her son Samuel to the priest Eli

Samuel’s story began with his mother Hannah who was a barren and childless woman. Hannah could not have a child and became very distraught over the fact that she could not conceive children. She begged God to give her a child and in return she would place the child in his service. God honored her request and allowed her to become pregnant. After she had given birth to Samuel, she took care of him for the early years of his life. By the time Samuel was a teenager, he was given to the care of a priest named Eli. Once he was placed in Eli’s care, he learned about God’s ways and by the time he was a teenager God had appointed him to his future position as a prophet and leader in Israel.

From the time, Samuel was born the Philistines had been dominating and harassing the Israelites. God had given Samuel the task of gathering an army to rout the Philistines in a major battle. The people had to return their loyalty and allegiance back to God to be successful in battle. God was with the Israelites, and they defeated the Philistines at the Battle of Mizpah. Samuel was also a judge of the people of Israel and after his victory at Mizpah he led the people of Israel for many years. As a prophet, Samuel was the first person in Israel since Moses to publically declare repentance. Because he demanded that the people return to God, many considered him to be the first in a long line of prophets.
When Samuel’s leadership came to an end, he was going to place his sons in charge of the Israeli people. The Israeli people no longer wanted judges, and they wanted kings like the other nations. God granted them their request and Samuel anoints Saul as the first king. He then is used by God to declare Saul’s demise and to anoint David the son of Jesse as king. After this happens, Saul eventually dies in Ramah.

Samuel in the Bible

1 Samuel 1 The story of Hannah and how she conceives Samuel.
1 Samuel 2:26 Samuel receives favor from God and man.
1 Samuel 3:4-11 God anoints Samuel to the position of a prophet and judge.
1 Samuel 3:20 Samuel becomes a famous prophet all throughout Israel.
1 Samuel 7 Samuel leads the forces of Israel against the Philistines at Mizpah.
1 Samuel 7:15 Samuel is now a judge of all of Israel.
1 Samuel 8:7 the people reject Samuel’s sons as the next judges and demand a king.
1 Samuel 9:17 God anoints Saul as king and tells Samuel about his decision.
1 Samuel 15:26 God tells Samuel to reject Saul as king.
1 Samuel 16:13 Samuel anoints David as king.
1 Samuel 28:3 Samuel dies at Ramah and all of the people of Israel mourn his death.

Posted on April 27, 2012March 3, 2022 by Margaret Hunter — 19 Comments

Philistines

The Philistines were an ancient people that lived in the Middle Eastern region. They are found on the Bible Timeline around 1200 B.C. Biblical and historical sources claim that the Philistines were a part of the Canaanite culture. These people have existed in Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites. The Philistines were also known as seamen and people who established cities close to the Mediterranean Sea.

Even though the Philistines are not portrayed in the Bible as traders and seafarers, they were closely identified with the Phoenicians who were known for these characteristics. They were at times referred to as the people of the sea. The Philistines were mentioned in the Bible as far back as the time when God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. The Philistines were the mortal enemies of the nation of Israel for hundreds of years. When the Israelites had finally settled into Canaan, they had to contend with the Philistines.

These two nations constantly fought against one another. The major reason that the Philistines and the Israelites constantly had strife was because of their differing religious beliefs. The Philistines primarily believed in Dagon and the Israelites believed in Yahweh or God. These two gods were nothing alike and this religious difference played out in the lives of the Philistines and the Israelites in forming their cultures and shaping their lives.

Another major reason as to why the Philistines resented the Israelites is because they had conquered so many people when they entered into Canaan under Joshua’s leadership. The Philistines were a powerful and warlike people, and they disliked the idea of the Israelites gaining more power. They constantly challenged the strength of Israel. God also let the Philistines remain in the land to test and punish the Israelites whenever they strayed away from worshiping him. The Philistines defeated the Israelite armies on many occasions and they even managed to get some of the people to turn away from worshiping Yahweh.

Procession of Philistine Captives At Medinet-Habu.

The Philistines most notable mention in the Bible was during the era of the Judges and the reign of Kings Saul and David. Samson, the famed strongman, fought against the Philistines and was even overcome by a Philistine woman named Delilah. King Saul had to battle against the tyranny of the Philistines when they used the giants from Gath as a part of their armies. One Philistine giant named Goliath helped to mark the beginning of King David’s reign. The Philistines contended with Israel up until the time the Assyrians conquered the whole region during the 8th century B.C. After the Assyrians had taken over the area, the Philistines were no longer relevant and were absorbed by other cultures.

Philistines In the Bible

Genesis 21:34 Abraham stays in the land of the Philistines for a long time.
Genesis 26:1 a famine occurs in the land and Isaac looks for refuge in the land of the Philistines
.Genesis 6:14 the Philistines envy Isaac because of his wife and many great possessions.
Exodus 13:17 God doesn’t allow the Israelites to travel through the lands of the Philistines because they might have turned back to Egypt when they saw how warlike they were.
Judges 3:31 a judge named Shamgar kills six hundred Philistines with an ox goad.
Judges 10:7 God is angry with Israel, and he forces them to serve the Philistines.
Judges 13:5 God brings Samson into existence to free the Israelites from the Philistines.
Judges 14:2-4 Samson lusts after a Philistine woman named Delilah.
Judges 15 and 16 Delilah deceives Samson and he captured by the Philistines. Samson loses his strength but manages to get it back to destroy the Philistine rulers before he dies.
1 Samuel 17 David slays Goliath
Zephaniah 2:5 God finally judges the Philistines, and they no longer are a relevant people in history.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Philistine_captives_at_Medinet_Habu.jpg

Posted on April 25, 2012August 20, 2015 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

China Buries Companions of the Dead 1200 BC

The Chinese people view the divine and the mortal world as two intertwined spheres. This belief has always been a strong part of the Chinese culture and it has played a role with shaping how this particular cultural group views life and death. The Chinese people also view life as a continuation of the present reality. They claim that their departed relatives are able to commune with gods and other spirits. So they pray to them and worship them for this purpose.

During ancient times, they had a practice of burying the companions of the dead. This is found on the Bible Timeline Chart around 1200 BC. In 1200 B.C. the Shang Dynasty ruled China and this time period is considered one of the best in the history of the Chinese people. The burial customs of the people had been altered during the rule of the Shang clan.

In the early part of the 20th-century archaeologists in China unearthed massive graves and the gravesites of ancient Chinese rulers. Starting with the gravesites of the ancient Shang rulers, historians were able to analyze how the emperors and people of high status were buried. Ancient Shang rulers were buried with various members of their families and some of their possessions. When they passed away they were buried with many of their servants who were put to death because they were considered a part of the dead ruler’s life.

Many of their servants, concubines, and attendants had to accept the fact that when their ruler died so would they. Thousands of slaves were also found in the huge grave sites and they too were buried as objects that belong to the emperor. Archaeologists found Bronze vessels in many graves of the Shang rulers and these pots held food such as meat, fish, scorched bread and vegetables. The pots were also placed in the grave so that they could be used by the emperors in the spiritual realm. Some Shang emperors buried their wives in their grave sites as well, but this practice began to fade with time. The spirits of the deceased were supposed to remain close to the gravesites where their bodies were placed. So the utensils were also available for the departed spirits to use when they were needed.

Most people who buried during the Shang period were placed in massive graves with their fellow countrymen. The Shang people might have believed that the emperors and those with money might have been gods, but the average person was barely recognized as worthwhile.

Chinese_Bury_Companion_of_the_Dead — Oracle bones pit at Yin

Oracle bones were detailed inscriptions of the past life of the Shang people. These bones also went into detail about how the dead were buried. Tens of thousands of these bones were discovered and archaeologists decipher them in order to find out information about the burial customs of the Shang people. Chinese people never buried their leaders with companions as if they were united with one type of person that would go on into the afterlife with them. The massive grave sites of the emperors always revealed that their burial grounds were used as a form of status and importance.

References:
http://www.oldandsold.com/articles03/china_ceramics3.shtml http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/article_index/b/burial_practices_in_china.aspx http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_Dynasty#Archeology_of_the_Early_Bronze_Age_in_the_Yellow_River_valley http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oracle_bones_pit.JPG