over some of the tribes and clans of central Canaan. One of his sons,
a certain Abimelech, seized the kingdom after Gideon's death and
proved to be a selfish tyrant. He was killed by his enemies, and that
was the end of the dynasty of Gideon. "How can we have unity and
cooperation under a strong leader," the Hebrews asked themselves, "and
not at the same time be in danger of slavery under a ruthless tyrant?"
That was a difficult question.


THE PHILISTINES

Meanwhile a national enemy far more dangerous than any previously
mentioned had begun to threaten their existence as a people. About the
same time that the Hebrews settled in Canaan there had landed from
ships on the southwestern coast some newcomers of another race,
perhaps akin to the Greeks; they were called Philistines. They quickly
became a rich and powerful nation, holding the coast towns of Gath,
Askelon, Gaza, Ashdod, and Ekron. They were ambitious to become
masters of the whole land of Canaan. Their soldiers, in well-trained
bands, built forts and established garrisons here and there, in the
leading towns, and compelled the Hebrews to pay tribute.

At the same time they did not protect the country from other enemies.
For example, there were the Amalekites on the southern border, who
were robber-nomads, just like the Midianites on the east. There were
the people of Ammon, a town east of the Jordan. From these and other
petty enemies the Hebrews suffered much, and the Philistines did
nothing to help them. All they cared about was the tribute. "O for a
leader like Deborah and Gideon!" the Hebrews once again began to cry.