By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President

God, through the prophet Isaiah, stated, “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation…” (Isaiah 28:16 NIV). The apostle Peter identified that particular prophecy with Jesus Christ, “And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God” (1 Peter 2:4-7). 

The life and ministry of Jesus in the first century literally changed the world. He also changed individual human lives. The Roman Emperor Constantine (A.D. 306-337) allegedly embraced faith in Jesus, and together with the Edict of Milan in 313 (which granted legal recognition and freedom to Christians), he reversed years of Christian persecution. He even gave preferential treatment to Christianity. 

By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President

Does this sound like the setup to an old joke? (“Who is buried in Grant’s tomb?”) Well, Salome is, I suppose! The question arises, who was she? 

On a hilltop in the foothills of southern Judea, near the ancient road connecting the plains and foothills with Hebron, is Horvat Qasra with a cave chapel dedicated to Saint Salome. Horvat Qasra was a first century hilltop agricultural estate consisting of seven-and-a-half acres with a wealthy fortified residence and a separate tomb complex. It is about thirty-five miles south of Jerusalem. 

By the middle of the second century AD the site was mostly forgotten until the Byzantine Christians in the fifth century converted the tomb complex into a cave chapel dedicated to a woman by the name of Salome. Inscriptions throughout the site appealing to her as “Holy Salome” and “Lady” clearly indicate she was revered as a saint. 

By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President

Goliath was identified with the Philistines – all nine-and-one-half feet of him! His equally giant brother, Lahmi, and other family giants Eshbi-Benob, Sippai, Saph, and an un-named giant with polydactylism (twelve fingers and twelve toes) from the city of Gath, are all identified in 2 Samuel 21:16-22. They were feared Philistine warriors from whom the Israel army fled and “were greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:24). [For the question of the reality of biblical giants, see my article on “Giants” in Happ-O-getics 1:6.]

When you think of the formidable Philistines, you must also associate them with the Israeli names of Samson and David. They were also quite “formidable.” In this article, I will review the history of the Philistines and their encounters with Israel. It is interesting that the enemies of Israel seem to gather along the eastern coastline of the Mediterranean (see the map). That is where the Philistine empire was located, including present day Gaza. They were a people of war.

Which Philistines?

There are no living people who are ethnically Philistine: the Philistines became an extinct ancient people already in the fifth century BC. Their history, while complicated, has recently gained new clarity. The following will provide an insightful summary.