Israel Again Falls under Philistine Power

The narrator gives a forty-year period of Philistine power over Israel without specifying its exact start or political geography in this verse.

Abdon's burial closes the short judgeship notices of chapter 12. The renewed evil and forty-year Philistine period open the Samson cycle. The angel's promise in 13:2-5 is still ahead, and its wording says the child will begin deliverance rather than instantly end every aspect of Philistine domination.

A new cycle of evil leaves Israel under Philistine control for forty years.

Understanding the Big Idea

Israel again does evil in the Lord's sight, and the Lord gives the people into Philistine hands for forty years. This one verse names both covenant failure and a long oppression before the narrator introduces the family to whom the coming birth promise is given.

To name the covenant failure and prolonged Philistine domination that frame the birth announcement to Manoah's wife.

The oppression exposes Israel's need for rescue but does not itself state the gospel. Christ's death for sins and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) are the good news beyond the cycle of temporary human deliverers.

1. How does the narrator assess Israel's conduct?
2. Who gives Israel into Philistine hands?
3. For how long?
4. What does the verse not say about specific sins or a cry for help?
5. How does verse 5 qualify the coming child's task?