Philistia was the name of a coastal nation between Egypt and Canaan. Though not a part of Canaan, and never conquered by the Israelites, it seems to have been in the lands promised to Abraham. The Philistines were on peaceful terms with both Abraham and Isaac, even after Yahweh punished their leadership for sinful behavior. After Joshua's success, the leadership of the Israelites failed to keep the people close to God. Because of this, God would use the Philistines to oppress the Israelites off and on for over four hundred years.