Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines previously, who went up with them all around in the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.I wonder who these Hebrews were. It's interesting they're referred to as Hebrews, not Israelites. Is this just to signify that they were on opposite sides at the time, collaborating with the enemy? Or did this signify some greater division among the people, where those called Hebrews were longer-term allies, attendants, or slaves to the Philistines?
If this was a temporary alliance, why did they go to the Philistines? Was it simply to save their own necks, seeing the odds were hundreds to one and not wanting to die? Was it because they didn't believe that Saul could win? Was it they didn't believe in God or His ability to triumph? Or did they actually favor the Philistines and their point of view? Did they want the Philistines to win? If so, was it to some gain of their own besides survival, or because they had abandoned God and shared the Philistines belief system?
No comments:
Post a Comment