The Philistines were among the most powerful opponents of Israel, and
the story of Samson relates particularly to them. It was while suffering
under defeat from this race that the Israelites cried for a king, not
only that by this centralization of authority more head might be made
against the invaders, but also that they might be like “all the other
nations.” Samuel the prophet, who was at that time their leader,
reluctantly consented to accede to their desires and chose as their king
Saul, the son of Kish.