So the Philistines were subdued
Not that their country was conquered, or they made subject and
become tributaries to Israel; but they were so humbled, as not to
attempt to give the people of Israel any further trouble and
distress, who were now delivered from their oppression and
tyranny:
and came no more into the coast of Israel;
at this time they did not gather together their forces dispersed,
nor raise and bring a new army into the land of Israel; they
contented themselves with placing garrisons on the coast, but did
not attempt to enter and invade them any more; that is, for a
long time, even until Samuel was grown old, and the people would
have a king, and had one, which offended the Lord, and then he
suffered them to be distressed by them again; but while Samuel
was alone governor they came no more, though they did quickly
after Saul was made king, as it follows:
the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the
days of
Samuel;
not all the days of his life, but all the days of his sole
government, which restrained them from making incursions into the
land of Israel; and indeed in later times, when they did come
forth to make war with them, the battle was against them during
the times of Samuel.
