Matthew Poole and continuators on Judges 1:18

18 Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof .

The principal Cities of the Philistines. Qu. How could this be, when among the people le[illegible: 1+ letters]t to try Israel, are the five Lords of the Philistines, Judg. 3. 3? Ans. It is onely said that they took the Cities, and probably contented themselves with making them Tributary; but it is not said that they slew the people, as they ought to have done; and as it is said of the other Cities here, v. 5, 8, 17, 25. And the people being thus spared, did by Gods Just Judgment, recover their strength, and expel the Iews out of their Cities, as we find afterwards: It is further observable, that Ekron here taken, was one of Dan's Cities, Ios. 19. 43. and it was attempted and taken here by Iudah and Simeon, partly out of love to their Brother Dan, and partly to secure their new Conquests, and other adjoining Territories, from such potent Neighbours.