Page 168 - Bible History

JOSUE, THE M DER OF THE ISRAELITES 141
The rainfall is the greatest during January and Febru-­ ary. August is the hottest month of the year, February the coldest. The highest temperature in the dry season is one hundred and ten degrees. Freezing weather is rare, though there is an occasional fa of snow. The owers begin to bloom and the trees to bud in the middle of April, about six weeks before the end of the rainy season.
Of all the di erent tribes of people who lived in the Thein­ habitants
Land of Chanaan when Josue led the Jews across the of Jordan, none was more powerful than the Philistines. Cl naan Centuries before, they had lived on the Island of Crete
in the Mediterranean Sea. There they had been a
great sea power, with large eets of vessels, by means e Ph is­
of which they held sway over the entire Mediterranean ti and Aegean Seas. Under the mighty King Minos they reached the height of their power.
But the time arrived when their enemies became strong enough to defeat them and to destroy their em­ pire. It was then that they set out to nd new homes for themselves. They joined ,vith other conquered nations and, landing in Chanaan, they advanced on Egypt with the purpose of conquering that great nation.
The Egyptians defeated them and scattered their forces. Deserted by their allies, the Cretans decided to remain in Chanaan. They settled on the coast in the southern part of the country.
Soon they began to wage war on the tribes to the north and to the east. T elr soldiers were we