Lords of the Philistines (ceren, same as Hebrew word for "axle," probably a native designation): These "lords" (Joshua 13:3, Judges 3:3, Judges 16:5, etc.; 1 Samuel 5:8, 1 Samuel 5:11, etc.), elsewhere called "princes" (sar, 1 Samuel 18:30, 1 Samuel 29:3, 1 Samuel 29:4, 1 Samuel 29:9), were the petty rulers or kings of the 5 Philistine cities, Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath.
See PHILISTINES.