Statement

As the Bible depicts it, before the Philistines the Israelites were a loose confederation of tribes, united in theory by common ancestry. The book of Judges, named for the temporary leaders who led them into battle, records attempts at hereditary leadership that fail; only in the conflict with the Philistines is permanent, centralized rule established. Saul dies in battle against them, together with his son Jonathan, and David replaces them and secures the kingdom from the Philistine threat.

References

1. p. 16

   supports · main text · ch. 1

   Efron, Lehmann and Weitzman. The Jews: A History. 3rd edition. New York and Abingdon: Routledge, 2019.

   Verification anchor recorded · checked against the page text

2. p. 16

   supports · main text · ch. 1

   Efron, Lehmann and Weitzman. The Jews: A History. 3rd edition. New York and Abingdon: Routledge, 2019.

   Verification anchor recorded · checked against the page text