4. Joshua xv. 20 and 47.—This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah ... Gaza with her towns and her villages.
Although the tribe of Judah, to whom the city fell, subdued it, yet they appear to have held it but a short time.[6]
5. Judges i. 18.—Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof.
This victory of Judah alone over the chief cities of Palestine is a proof that the subsequent oppression of Israel by the Philistines was due to the sins of Israel. The five lords of the Philistines not only regained possession of their own territory, but also increased in strength, and, at length, extended their jurisdiction in turn over the Israelites (Judges iii. 1-5).
"The Philistines appear to have come into the maritime plain of Syria either shortly before or shortly after Israel left Egypt."—G. A. Smith.
6. Judges vi. 3-5.—When Israel had sown, the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, ... and they encamped against them ... till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel.
A new apostasy, punished by the oppression of Midian, is here introduced. This invasion came from the south-east and extended over the whole land "unto Gaza" in the south-west.
7. Judges xvi. 1-4.—Then went Samson to Gaza.
8. Judges xvi. 21-31.—The Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza.