Inquiry:
Were the Philistines subdued all the days of Samuel? 1 Samuel 7:13 says yes, but 1 Samuel 13:5-10 reveals no. Is there a contradiction?
Response:
If the word “subdued” is the questioner’s contention, then let us see what the word means. וַיִּכָּֽנְעוּ֙ in Strong’s concordance is defined as:
to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish : – bring down (low), into subjection, under, humble, subdue.
Before the event found in 1 Samuel 7, the Philistines somewhat had their way with the Israelites. In Judges 13:1 we see that God had delivered them into the hand of the Philistines because of the evil that was among them. This was the case even in the time of Samuel (1 Samuel 7:3-6). Entire cities had fallen into the hand of the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:14). When they would mend their ways and do the will of God, He would give them victory over the Philistines and restore their land (1 Samuel 7:7-14).
Being subdued does not negate the possibility of an uprising. The Philistines did battle and attempt to overcome the people of Israel later. 1 Samuel 13 would be one of those occasions. But, as we continue to read through the account (1 Samuel 14:5-15), we see that God gave the victory to His people. They did exercise control in Israel as they had before, but the LORD’s hand was against them and for His own people.
There is no contradiction.
Links: YouVersion | GROW magazine
Return to the article archive
