Philistines

"A mixed race shall settle in Ashdod, / And I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. / I will take away the blood from his mouth,"

"Do not rejoice, all you of Philistia, / Because the rod that struck you is broken; / For out of the serpent’s roots will come forth a viper, / And its offspring will be a fiery flying serpent. / The firstborn of the poor will feed, / And the needy will lie down in safety; / I will kill your roots with famine, / And it will slay your remnant."

"The Lord had punished the children of Israel for their sins against him. He had delivered them into the hands of the Philistines. They had subjugated the people of Israel and exploited them with cruel efficiency. But the Philistines were also an advanced people. In a world of bronze, they had already discovered the secret of iron. And with iron, they crushed all disobedience quickly and mercilessly. God's punishment of the people of Israel was harsh, but he had not abandoned them, and their faith was strengthened in the struggle against their Philistine oppressors."