Sermons on Philistines:

Philistines Punished (1 Samuel 5)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 31, 2025

Do people have an excuse for ignoring God? Let's look at 1 Samuel 5.

Does God provide evidence of His existence? Do idols actually do anything for people? Let’s look at 1 Samuel 5. Where was the stolen ark of the covenant placed by the Philistines? Dagon was a half man half fish idol. After the Philistines took God’s chest, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Samson: Trouble In Timnath Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 12, 2020

Samson may not have known it, but this first encounter, as recorded in Scripture, would lead to a lifetime of problems, heartache, and a lot more. He was about to enter trouble in Timnath.

Introduction: Samson was one of several “miracle” babies, born to women who could not conceive a child except by God’s power. Other women facing that situation included Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah, Rachel, Elisabeth, and the Shunammite woman mentioned in 2 Kings 4. The virgin Mary is of course a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Samson-His Wedding Day Blues Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 23, 2023

Samson saw a Philistine maiden and with his parents' help, arranged to marry this girl. When it was all said and done, Samson had a bad case of wedding bell blues!

(Based on a message preached 2-19-23 at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO; not an exact transcription. (Full disclosure: Sermon Central accepted and posted an earlier message of mine on this text called “Trouble in Timnath” but this message is not the same thing, nor a simple ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God Behind The Scenes Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Sep 4, 2023

What looks like a bad idea could be what God uses for His glory

When Samson was in Timnah, a Philistine woman caught his eye. When he returned home, he told his parents, "A Philistine woman in Timnah caught my eye. I want to marry her. Get her for me." His parents objected asking if there wasn't a woman from their tribe or all the Israelites that ...read more

Scripture: Judges 14:1-3

Samson Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Nov 2, 2023

A muscle man with a weakness for the ladies. Samson is Israel's final, most dramatic, and most violent judge. Samson broke vows, married outside of the people of Israel twice, and functioned as a fallen leader.

Text: Judges 13-16 Theme: Samson and Israel Part 1 Introduction: Now we will concentrate on the character of Samson. A muscle man with a weakness for the ladies. Samson is Israel's final, most dramatic, and most violent judge. Samson broke vows, married outside of the people of Israel ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The Life Of Abraham, Part 15: The Way Of The Philistines Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 18, 2014

How do we live our faith during the long periods of ordinary life between our mountaintop spiritual experiences?

The Life of Abraham, Part 15: The Way of the Philistines Genesis 21:22-34 Introduction In the last lesson we saw the expulsion of Ishmael and his mother from Abraham’s family and their harrowing exodus into the wilderness which nearly proved fatal. As the boy was dying, God heard the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:22-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Duck That Stone!

Contributed by Adlai Naidoo on Jan 23, 2002

Fighting the Philistines in our lives with victory!

Duck That Stone- Dr. Adlai Naidoo Text: 1 Sam 17:1-11 1 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A God That Will Afflict The Enemy

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on May 14, 2012

A message focusing in on the lost Ark in the temple of Dagon.

1 Samuel 5:1-5 KJV And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod. [2] When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. [3] And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 5:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Loosed By The Donkey Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Sep 17, 2023

A jawbone takes down Samson's enemies

The men told Samson that they had come down arrest him and deliver him to the Philistines. Samson made them swear that they wouldn't kill him themselves and they agreed. Instead, they bound him with new ropes and brought him up from the rock. Judges 15:12-13 When he came to Lehi, the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 15:14-17

David, The Soldier Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 11, 2020

Israel faced an enemy and thought they couldn't possibly defeat them. Goliath was a secret weapon, nearly ten feet tall and full of hatred for Israel. Then came a shepherd boy named David--and the rest is history.

Introduction: David had learned some of the arts of defense by tending his flock of sheep. Lions, bears, and perhaps other predators were always looking for sheep so it was up to the shepherd to protect them. After Samuel had anointed him (to be the future king), David had served Saul in a number ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Ebenezer: The Stone Of Help Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 24, 2025

Israel had just repented of idol-worship at Mizpeh. The Philistines, mortal enemies at the time, came close enough to cause Israel panic. Samuel prayed, the LORD delivered, and Samuel established the memorial stone of Ebenezer.

Ebenezer: The Stone of Help (Based on a sermon preached Sunday evening, May 18, 2025 at New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: Ebenezer. The name reminds us (me, anyway) of some characters I’d rather forget—as in, Scrooge. The word almost ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

When Faith Goes Quiet: David In Philistine Country Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Sep 23, 2025

There are moments in the Christian life when we stop listening to God and start listening to ourselves. Sometimes that inner voice is not a voice of faith but of fear. We call it “being realistic” or “practical,” but often it’s just fear baptizing itself as wisdom.

When Faith Goes Quiet: David in Philistine Country September 23, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 27:1-28:2 There are moments in the Christian life when we stop listening to God and start listening to ourselves. Sometimes that inner voice is not a voice of faith but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 27:1-12, 1 Samuel 28:1-2

Denomination: Brethren

When The Anointed Go Forth

Contributed by Ken Crow on Sep 3, 2010

When David became king the Philistines become concerned.

When The Anointed Go Forth Pastor Ken Crow 1 Chronicles 14:8-17 (King James Version) 8And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them. 9And the Philistines ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 14:8-17

Denomination: Church Of God

God;s Super Bowl Game

Contributed by Robert Glass on Feb 2, 2013

Philistines VS Israelites is a "fight to the death" super bowl!

God’s Super Bowl Game (1 Samuel 17:1-51) In, (1 Samuel 17:1-51) we find the story of two opponents. Opponents similar to a Super Bowl except the winning team LIVED and the LOSING TEAM was DESTROYED. They DIED. When we compare the two teams, we find the Philistines Vs the Israelites. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Prayer Of The Righteous!

Contributed by Tony Fox on Mar 31, 2016

This is the prayer of David after he was overwhelmed by the Philistines at Gath.

The Prayer of the Righteous! (Psalm 56) This psalm was written by David when the Philistines overwhelmed him in Gath. Verses 1-7 indicate that David was overwhelmed! His enemies were many. They oppressed him every day to the point that he felt like they would swallow him up! (Sound familiar?) He ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:1-13

Denomination: Baptist