Forty years of Philistine rule
Israel again did evil and was ruled by the Philistines for forty years, the longest oppression in Judges.
This oppression overlaps the days of Eli the priest and the exploits of Samson, who began Israel's deliverance but didn't finish it.
Places
BethelGibeahGathShilohGilgalMizpahGazaAshdodEkronKiriath-jearimBeth-shemeshRamahAshkelonAphekEbenezerBeth-carEbenezerShen
Dating notes
40 years (Judges 13:1). Ussher starts it with Eli's judgeship (1157 BC) and ends it seven months after Eli's death, when the ark was returned. Ussher overlaps some oppressions and rest periods, counting each rest from the previous deliverance, so that the judges fit the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1.