English - The Book of Judges

Judges

CHAPTER1

1NowafterthedeathofJoshuaitcametopass,thatthe childrenofIsraelaskedtheLORD,saying,Whoshallgo upforusagainsttheCanaanitesfirst,tofightagainstthem?

2AndtheLORDsaid,Judahshallgoup:behold,Ihave deliveredthelandintohishand

3AndJudahsaiduntoSimeonhisbrother,Comeupwith meintomylot,thatwemayfightagainsttheCanaanites; andIlikewisewillgowiththeeintothylotSoSimeon wentwithhim.

4AndJudahwentup;andtheLORDdeliveredthe CanaanitesandthePerizzitesintotheirhand:andtheyslew oftheminBezektenthousandmen.

5AndtheyfoundAdonibezekinBezek:andtheyfought againsthim,andtheyslewtheCanaanitesandthe Perizzites.

6ButAdonibezekfled;andtheypursuedafterhim,and caughthim,andcutoffhisthumbsandhisgreattoes

7AndAdonibezeksaid,Threescoreandtenkings,having theirthumbsandtheirgreattoescutoff,gatheredtheir meatundermytable:asIhavedone,soGodhathrequited me.AndtheybroughthimtoJerusalem,andtherehedied.

8NowthechildrenofJudahhadfoughtagainstJerusalem, andhadtakenit,andsmittenitwiththeedgeofthesword, andsetthecityonfire.

9AndafterwardthechildrenofJudahwentdowntofight againsttheCanaanites,thatdweltinthemountain,andin thesouth,andinthevalley.

10AndJudahwentagainsttheCanaanitesthatdweltin Hebron:(nowthenameofHebronbeforewasKirjatharba:) andtheyslewSheshai,andAhiman,andTalmai.

11Andfromthencehewentagainsttheinhabitantsof Debir:andthenameofDebirbeforewasKirjathsepher: 12AndCalebsaid,HethatsmitethKirjathsepher,and takethit,tohimwillIgiveAchsahmydaughtertowife

13AndOthnielthesonofKenaz,Caleb'syoungerbrother, tookit:andhegavehimAchsahhisdaughtertowife.

14Anditcametopass,whenshecametohim,thatshe movedhimtoaskofherfatherafield:andshelightedfrom offherass;andCalebsaiduntoher,Whatwiltthou?

15Andshesaiduntohim,Givemeablessing:forthou hastgivenmeasouthland;givemealsospringsofwater AndCalebgavehertheupperspringsandthenether springs

16AndthechildrenoftheKenite,Moses'fatherinlaw, wentupoutofthecityofpalmtreeswiththechildrenof JudahintothewildernessofJudah,whichliethinthesouth ofArad;andtheywentanddweltamongthepeople.

17AndJudahwentwithSimeonhisbrother,andtheyslew theCanaanitesthatinhabitedZephath,andutterly destroyedit.AndthenameofthecitywascalledHormah.

18AlsoJudahtookGazawiththecoastthereof,and Askelonwiththecoastthereof,andEkronwiththecoast thereof.

19AndtheLORDwaswithJudah;andhedraveoutthe inhabitantsofthemountain;butcouldnotdriveoutthe inhabitantsofthevalley,becausetheyhadchariotsofiron.

20AndtheygaveHebronuntoCaleb,asMosessaid:and heexpelledthencethethreesonsofAnak

21AndthechildrenofBenjamindidnotdriveoutthe JebusitesthatinhabitedJerusalem;buttheJebusitesdwell withthechildrenofBenjamininJerusalemuntothisday. 22AndthehouseofJoseph,theyalsowentupagainst Bethel:andtheLORDwaswiththem

23AndthehouseofJosephsenttodescryBethel.(Now thenameofthecitybeforewasLuz)

24Andthespiessawamancomeforthoutofthecity,and theysaiduntohim,Shewus,wepraythee,theentrance intothecity,andwewillshewtheemercy

25Andwhenheshewedthemtheentranceintothecity, theysmotethecitywiththeedgeofthesword;buttheylet gothemanandallhisfamily

26AndthemanwentintothelandoftheHittites,andbuilt acity,andcalledthenamethereofLuz:whichisthename thereofuntothisday

27NeitherdidManassehdriveouttheinhabitantsof Bethsheanandhertowns,norTaanachandhertowns,nor theinhabitantsofDorandhertowns,northeinhabitantsof Ibleamandhertowns,northeinhabitantsofMegiddoand hertowns:buttheCanaaniteswoulddwellinthatland.

28Anditcametopass,whenIsraelwasstrong,thatthey puttheCanaanitestotribute,anddidnotutterlydrivethem out.

29NeitherdidEphraimdriveouttheCanaanitesthatdwelt inGezer;buttheCanaanitesdweltinGezeramongthem 30NeitherdidZebulundriveouttheinhabitantsofKitron, northeinhabitantsofNahalol;buttheCanaanitesdwelt amongthem,andbecametributaries

31NeitherdidAsherdriveouttheinhabitantsofAccho, northeinhabitantsofZidon,norofAhlab,norofAchzib, norofHelbah,norofAphik,norofRehob:

32ButtheAsheritesdweltamongtheCanaanites,the inhabitantsoftheland:fortheydidnotdrivethemout

33NeitherdidNaphtalidriveouttheinhabitantsof Bethshemesh,northeinhabitantsofBethanath;buthe dweltamongtheCanaanites,theinhabitantsoftheland: neverthelesstheinhabitantsofBethshemeshandof Bethanathbecametributariesuntothem

34AndtheAmoritesforcedthechildrenofDanintothe mountain:fortheywouldnotsufferthemtocomedownto thevalley:

35ButtheAmoriteswoulddwellinmountHeresin Aijalon,andinShaalbim:yetthehandofthehouseof Josephprevailed,sothattheybecametributaries

36AndthecoastoftheAmoriteswasfromthegoingupto Akrabbim,fromtherock,andupward.

CHAPTER2

1AndanangeloftheLORDcameupfromGilgalto Bochim,andsaid,ImadeyoutogoupoutofEgypt,and havebroughtyouuntothelandwhichIswareuntoyour fathers;andIsaid,Iwillneverbreakmycovenantwithyou 2Andyeshallmakenoleaguewiththeinhabitantsofthis land;yeshallthrowdowntheiraltars:butyehavenot obeyedmyvoice:whyhaveyedonethis?

3WhereforeIalsosaid,Iwillnotdrivethemoutfrom beforeyou;buttheyshallbeasthornsinyoursides,and theirgodsshallbeasnareuntoyou

4Anditcametopass,whentheangeloftheLORDspake thesewordsuntoallthechildrenofIsrael,thatthepeople lifteduptheirvoice,andwept

5AndtheycalledthenameofthatplaceBochim:andthey sacrificedthereuntotheLORD

6AndwhenJoshuahadletthepeoplego,thechildrenof Israelwenteverymanuntohisinheritancetopossessthe land.

7AndthepeopleservedtheLORDallthedaysofJoshua, andallthedaysoftheeldersthatoutlivedJoshua,whohad seenallthegreatworksoftheLORD,thathedidforIsrael.

8AndJoshuathesonofNun,theservantoftheLORD, died,beinganhundredandtenyearsold

9Andtheyburiedhimintheborderofhisinheritancein Timnathheres,inthemountofEphraim,onthenorthside ofthehillGaash

10Andalsoallthatgenerationweregathereduntotheir fathers:andtherearoseanothergenerationafterthem, whichknewnottheLORD,noryettheworkswhichhehad doneforIsrael.

11AndthechildrenofIsraeldidevilinthesightofthe LORD,andservedBaalim:

12AndtheyforsooktheLORDGodoftheirfathers,which broughtthemoutofthelandofEgypt,andfollowedother gods,ofthegodsofthepeoplethatwereroundaboutthem, andbowedthemselvesuntothem,andprovokedtheLORD toanger

13AndtheyforsooktheLORD,andservedBaaland Ashtaroth.

14AndtheangeroftheLORDwashotagainstIsrael,and hedeliveredthemintothehandsofspoilersthatspoiled them,andhesoldthemintothehandsoftheirenemies roundabout,sothattheycouldnotanylongerstandbefore theirenemies

15Whithersoevertheywentout,thehandoftheLORD wasagainstthemforevil,astheLORDhadsaid,andasthe LORDhadswornuntothem:andtheyweregreatly distressed.

16NeverthelesstheLORDraisedupjudges,which deliveredthemoutofthehandofthosethatspoiledthem

17Andyettheywouldnothearkenuntotheirjudges,but theywentawhoringafterothergods,andbowed themselvesuntothem:theyturnedquicklyoutoftheway whichtheirfatherswalkedin,obeyingthecommandments oftheLORD;buttheydidnotso

18AndwhentheLORDraisedthemupjudges,thenthe LORDwaswiththejudge,anddeliveredthemoutofthe handoftheirenemiesallthedaysofthejudge:forit repentedtheLORDbecauseoftheirgroaningsbyreasonof themthatoppressedthemandvexedthem

19Anditcametopass,whenthejudgewasdead,thatthey returned,andcorruptedthemselvesmorethantheirfathers, infollowingothergodstoservethem,andtobowdown untothem;theyceasednotfromtheirowndoings,nor fromtheirstubbornway.

20AndtheangeroftheLORDwashotagainstIsrael;and hesaid,Becausethatthispeoplehathtransgressedmy covenantwhichIcommandedtheirfathers,andhavenot hearkeneduntomyvoice;

21Ialsowillnothenceforthdriveoutanyfrombefore themofthenationswhichJoshualeftwhenhedied:

22ThatthroughthemImayproveIsrael,whethertheywill keepthewayoftheLORDtowalktherein,astheirfathers didkeepit,ornot.

23ThereforetheLORDleftthosenations,withoutdriving themouthastily;neitherdeliveredhethemintothehandof Joshua

CHAPTER3

1NowthesearethenationswhichtheLORDleft,toprove Israelbythem,evenasmanyofIsraelashadnotknownall thewarsofCanaan;

2OnlythatthegenerationsofthechildrenofIsraelmight know,toteachthemwar,attheleastsuchasbeforeknew nothingthereof;

3Namely,fivelordsofthePhilistines,andallthe Canaanites,andtheSidonians,andtheHivitesthatdweltin mountLebanon,frommountBaalhermonuntotheentering inofHamath

4AndtheyweretoproveIsraelbythem,toknowwhether theywouldhearkenuntothecommandmentsoftheLORD, whichhecommandedtheirfathersbythehandofMoses

5AndthechildrenofIsraeldweltamongtheCanaanites, Hittites,andAmorites,andPerizzites,andHivites,and Jebusites:

6Andtheytooktheirdaughterstobetheirwives,andgave theirdaughterstotheirsons,andservedtheirgods

7AndthechildrenofIsraeldidevilinthesightofthe LORD,andforgattheLORDtheirGod,andservedBaalim andthegroves

8ThereforetheangeroftheLORDwashotagainstIsrael, andhesoldthemintothehandofChushanrishathaimking ofMesopotamia:andthechildrenofIsraelserved Chushanrishathaimeightyears

9AndwhenthechildrenofIsraelcrieduntotheLORD,the LORDraisedupadeliverertothechildrenofIsrael,who deliveredthem,evenOthnielthesonofKenaz,Caleb's youngerbrother.

10AndtheSpiritoftheLORDcameuponhim,andhe judgedIsrael,andwentouttowar:andtheLORD deliveredChushanrishathaimkingofMesopotamiaintohis hand;andhishandprevailedagainstChushanrishathaim 11Andthelandhadrestfortyyears.AndOthnieltheson ofKenazdied.

12AndthechildrenofIsraeldidevilagaininthesightof theLORD:andtheLORDstrengthenedEglonthekingof MoabagainstIsrael,becausetheyhaddoneevilinthesight oftheLORD

13AndhegathereduntohimthechildrenofAmmonand Amalek,andwentandsmoteIsrael,andpossessedthecity ofpalmtrees

14SothechildrenofIsraelservedEglonthekingofMoab eighteenyears

15ButwhenthechildrenofIsraelcrieduntotheLORD, theLORDraisedthemupadeliverer,EhudthesonofGera, aBenjamite,amanlefthanded:andbyhimthechildrenof IsraelsentapresentuntoEglonthekingofMoab

16ButEhudmadehimadaggerwhichhadtwoedges,ofa cubitlength;andhedidgirditunderhisraimentuponhis rightthigh

17AndhebroughtthepresentuntoEglonkingofMoab: andEglonwasaveryfatman

18Andwhenhehadmadeanendtoofferthepresent,he sentawaythepeoplethatbarethepresent.

19Buthehimselfturnedagainfromthequarriesthatwere byGilgal,andsaid,Ihaveasecreterranduntothee,Oking:

whosaid,KeepsilenceAndallthatstoodbyhimwentout fromhim

20AndEhudcameuntohim;andhewassittingina summerparlour,whichhehadforhimselfaloneAndEhud said,IhaveamessagefromGoduntothee.Andhearose outofhisseat

21AndEhudputforthhislefthand,andtookthedagger fromhisrightthigh,andthrustitintohisbelly: 22Andthehaftalsowentinaftertheblade;andthefat closedupontheblade,sothathecouldnotdrawthedagger outofhisbelly;andthedirtcameout.

23ThenEhudwentforththroughtheporch,andshutthe doorsoftheparlouruponhim,andlockedthem

24Whenhewasgoneout,hisservantscame;andwhen theysawthat,behold,thedoorsoftheparlourwerelocked, theysaid,Surelyhecoverethhisfeetinhissummer chamber.

25Andtheytarriedtilltheywereashamed:and,behold,he openednotthedoorsoftheparlour;thereforetheytooka key,andopenedthem:and,behold,theirlordwasfallen downdeadontheearth

26AndEhudescapedwhiletheytarried,andpassed beyondthequarries,andescapeduntoSeirath.

27Anditcametopass,whenhewascome,thatheblewa trumpetinthemountainofEphraim,andthechildrenof Israelwentdownwithhimfromthemount,andhebefore them

28Andhesaiduntothem,Followafterme:fortheLORD hathdeliveredyourenemiestheMoabitesintoyourhand. Andtheywentdownafterhim,andtookthefordsof JordantowardMoab,andsufferednotamantopassover

29AndtheyslewofMoabatthattimeabouttenthousand men,alllusty,andallmenofvalour;andthereescapednot aman

30SoMoabwassubduedthatdayunderthehandofIsrael. Andthelandhadrestfourscoreyears

31AndafterhimwasShamgarthesonofAnath,which slewofthePhilistinessixhundredmenwithanoxgoad: andhealsodeliveredIsrael

CHAPTER4

1AndthechildrenofIsraelagaindidevilinthesightof theLORD,whenEhudwasdead.

2AndtheLORDsoldthemintothehandofJabinkingof Canaan,thatreignedinHazor;thecaptainofwhosehost wasSisera,whichdweltinHaroshethoftheGentiles

3AndthechildrenofIsraelcrieduntotheLORD:forhe hadninehundredchariotsofiron;andtwentyyearshe mightilyoppressedthechildrenofIsrael

4AndDeborah,aprophetess,thewifeofLapidoth,she judgedIsraelatthattime.

5AndshedweltunderthepalmtreeofDeborahbetween RamahandBethelinmountEphraim:andthechildrenof Israelcameuptoherforjudgment.

6AndshesentandcalledBarakthesonofAbinoamoutof Kedeshnaphtali,andsaiduntohim,HathnottheLORD GodofIsraelcommanded,saying,Goanddrawtoward mountTabor,andtakewiththeetenthousandmenofthe childrenofNaphtaliandofthechildrenofZebulun?

7AndIwilldrawuntotheetotheriverKishonSisera,the captainofJabin'sarmy,withhischariotsandhismultitude; andIwilldeliverhimintothinehand

8AndBaraksaiduntoher,Ifthouwiltgowithme,thenI willgo:butifthouwiltnotgowithme,thenIwillnotgo 9Andshesaid,Iwillsurelygowiththee:notwithstanding thejourneythatthoutakestshallnotbeforthinehonour; fortheLORDshallsellSiseraintothehandofawoman. AndDeboraharose,andwentwithBaraktoKedesh

10AndBarakcalledZebulunandNaphtalitoKedesh;and hewentupwithtenthousandmenathisfeet:andDeborah wentupwithhim.

11NowHebertheKenite,whichwasofthechildrenof HobabthefatherinlawofMoses,hadseveredhimself fromtheKenites,andpitchedhistentuntotheplainof Zaanaim,whichisbyKedesh

12AndtheyshewedSiserathatBarakthesonofAbinoam wasgoneuptomountTabor

13AndSiseragatheredtogetherallhischariots,evennine hundredchariotsofiron,andallthepeoplethatwerewith him,fromHaroshethoftheGentilesuntotheriverof Kishon

14AndDeborahsaiduntoBarak,Up;forthisisthedayin whichtheLORDhathdeliveredSiseraintothinehand:is nottheLORDgoneoutbeforethee?SoBarakwentdown frommountTabor,andtenthousandmenafterhim.

15AndtheLORDdiscomfitedSisera,andallhischariots, andallhishost,withtheedgeoftheswordbeforeBarak; sothatSiseralighteddownoffhischariot,andfledaway onhisfeet

16ButBarakpursuedafterthechariots,andafterthehost, untoHaroshethoftheGentiles:andallthehostofSisera fellupontheedgeofthesword;andtherewasnotaman left

17HowbeitSiserafledawayonhisfeettothetentofJael thewifeofHebertheKenite:fortherewaspeacebetween JabinthekingofHazorandthehouseofHebertheKenite 18AndJaelwentouttomeetSisera,andsaiduntohim, Turnin,mylord,turnintome;fearnotAndwhenhehad turnedinuntoherintothetent,shecoveredhimwitha mantle.

19Andhesaiduntoher,Giveme,Ipraythee,alittlewater todrink;forIamthirsty.Andsheopenedabottleofmilk, andgavehimdrink,andcoveredhim.

20Againhesaiduntoher,Standinthedoorofthetent, anditshallbe,whenanymandothcomeandenquireof thee,andsay,Isthereanymanhere?thatthoushaltsay, No

21ThenJaelHeber'swifetookanailofthetent,andtook anhammerinherhand,andwentsoftlyuntohim,and smotethenailintohistemples,andfasteneditintothe ground:forhewasfastasleepandweary.Sohedied.

22And,behold,asBarakpursuedSisera,Jaelcameoutto meethim,andsaiduntohim,Come,andIwillshewthee themanwhomthouseekest.Andwhenhecameintoher tent,behold,Siseralaydead,andthenailwasinhis temples

23SoGodsubduedonthatdayJabinthekingofCanaan beforethechildrenofIsrael

24AndthehandofthechildrenofIsraelprospered,and prevailedagainstJabinthekingofCanaan,untiltheyhad destroyedJabinkingofCanaan

1ThensangDeborahandBarakthesonofAbinoamon thatday,saying,

2PraiseyetheLORDfortheavengingofIsrael,whenthe peoplewillinglyofferedthemselves

3Hear,Oyekings;giveear,Oyeprinces;I,evenI,will singuntotheLORD;IwillsingpraisetotheLORDGodof Israel.

4LORD,whenthouwentestoutofSeir,whenthou marchedstoutofthefieldofEdom,theearthtrembled,and theheavensdropped,thecloudsalsodroppedwater

5ThemountainsmeltedfrombeforetheLORD,eventhat SinaifrombeforetheLORDGodofIsrael.

6InthedaysofShamgarthesonofAnath,inthedaysof Jael,thehighwayswereunoccupied,andthetravellers walkedthroughbyways.

7Theinhabitantsofthevillagesceased,theyceasedin Israel,untilthatIDeboraharose,thatIaroseamotherin Israel.

8Theychosenewgods;thenwaswarinthegates:was thereashieldorspearseenamongfortythousandinIsrael?

9MyheartistowardthegovernorsofIsrael,thatoffered themselveswillinglyamongthepeopleBlessyethe LORD

10Speak,yethatrideonwhiteasses,yethatsitin judgment,andwalkbytheway

11Theythataredeliveredfromthenoiseofarchersinthe placesofdrawingwater,thereshalltheyrehearsethe righteousactsoftheLORD,eventherighteousactstoward theinhabitantsofhisvillagesinIsrael:thenshallthe peopleoftheLORDgodowntothegates.

12Awake,awake,Deborah:awake,awake,utterasong: arise,Barak,andleadthycaptivitycaptive,thousonof Abinoam.

13Thenhemadehimthatremainethhavedominionover thenoblesamongthepeople:theLORDmademehave dominionoverthemighty.

14OutofEphraimwastherearootofthemagainst Amalek;afterthee,Benjamin,amongthypeople;outof Machircamedowngovernors,andoutofZebuluntheythat handlethepenofthewriter

15AndtheprincesofIssacharwerewithDeborah;even Issachar,andalsoBarak:hewassentonfootintothe valleyForthedivisionsofReubenthereweregreat thoughtsofheart

16Whyabodestthouamongthesheepfolds,tohearthe bleatingsoftheflocks?ForthedivisionsofReubenthere weregreatsearchingsofheart.

17GileadabodebeyondJordan:andwhydidDanremain inships?Ashercontinuedontheseashore,andabodein hisbreaches.

18ZebulunandNaphtaliwereapeoplethatjeopardedtheir livesuntothedeathinthehighplacesofthefield

19Thekingscameandfought,thenfoughtthekingsof CanaaninTaanachbythewatersofMegiddo;theytookno gainofmoney

20Theyfoughtfromheaven;thestarsintheircourses foughtagainstSisera

21TheriverofKishonsweptthemaway,thatancientriver, theriverKishon.Omysoul,thouhasttroddendown strength

22Thenwerethehorsehoofsbrokenbythemeansofthe pransings,thepransingsoftheirmightyones

23CurseyeMeroz,saidtheangeloftheLORD,curseye bitterlytheinhabitantsthereof;becausetheycamenotto thehelpoftheLORD,tothehelpoftheLORDagainstthe mighty

24BlessedabovewomenshallJaelthewifeofHeberthe Kenitebe,blessedshallshebeabovewomeninthetent. 25Heaskedwater,andshegavehimmilk;shebrought forthbutterinalordlydish

26Sheputherhandtothenail,andherrighthandtothe workmen'shammer;andwiththehammershesmoteSisera, shesmoteoffhishead,whenshehadpiercedandstricken throughhistemples.

27Atherfeethebowed,hefell,helaydown:atherfeethe bowed,hefell:wherehebowed,therehefelldowndead 28ThemotherofSiseralookedoutatawindow,andcried throughthelattice,Whyishischariotsolongincoming? whytarrythewheelsofhischariots?

29Herwiseladiesansweredher,yea,shereturnedanswer toherself,

30Havetheynotsped?havetheynotdividedtheprey;to everymanadamselortwo;toSiseraapreyofdivers colours,apreyofdiverscoloursofneedlework,ofdivers coloursofneedleworkonbothsides,meetforthenecksof themthattakethespoil?

31Soletallthineenemiesperish,OLORD:butletthem thatlovehimbeasthesunwhenhegoethforthinhis might.Andthelandhadrestfortyyears.

CHAPTER6

1AndthechildrenofIsraeldidevilinthesightofthe LORD:andtheLORDdeliveredthemintothehandof Midiansevenyears.

2AndthehandofMidianprevailedagainstIsrael:and becauseoftheMidianitesthechildrenofIsraelmadethem thedenswhichareinthemountains,andcaves,andstrong holds

3Andsoitwas,whenIsraelhadsown,thattheMidianites cameup,andtheAmalekites,andthechildrenoftheeast, eventheycameupagainstthem;

4Andtheyencampedagainstthem,anddestroyedthe increaseoftheearth,tillthoucomeuntoGaza,andleftno sustenanceforIsrael,neithersheep,norox,norass

5Fortheycameupwiththeircattleandtheirtents,and theycameasgrasshoppersformultitude;forboththeyand theircamelswerewithoutnumber:andtheyenteredinto thelandtodestroyit.

6AndIsraelwasgreatlyimpoverishedbecauseofthe Midianites;andthechildrenofIsraelcrieduntotheLORD 7Anditcametopass,whenthechildrenofIsraelcried untotheLORDbecauseoftheMidianites,

8ThattheLORDsentaprophetuntothechildrenofIsrael, whichsaiduntothem,ThussaiththeLORDGodofIsrael, IbroughtyouupfromEgypt,andbroughtyouforthoutof thehouseofbondage;

9AndIdeliveredyououtofthehandoftheEgyptians,and outofthehandofallthatoppressedyou,anddravethem outfrombeforeyou,andgaveyoutheirland;

10AndIsaiduntoyou,IamtheLORDyourGod;fearnot thegodsoftheAmorites,inwhoselandyedwell:butye havenotobeyedmyvoice

11AndtherecameanangeloftheLORD,andsatunderan oakwhichwasinOphrah,thatpertaineduntoJoashthe Abiezrite:andhissonGideonthreshedwheatbythe winepress,tohideitfromtheMidianites

12AndtheangeloftheLORDappeareduntohim,andsaid untohim,TheLORDiswiththee,thoumightymanof valour

13AndGideonsaiduntohim,OhmyLord,iftheLORD bewithus,whythenisallthisbefallenus?andwherebe allhismiracleswhichourfatherstoldusof,saying,Did nottheLORDbringusupfromEgypt?butnowtheLORD hathforsakenus,anddeliveredusintothehandsofthe Midianites

14AndtheLORDlookeduponhim,andsaid,Gointhis thymight,andthoushaltsaveIsraelfromthehandofthe Midianites:havenotIsentthee?

15Andhesaiduntohim,OhmyLord,wherewithshallI saveIsrael?behold,myfamilyispoorinManasseh,andI amtheleastinmyfather'shouse

16AndtheLORDsaiduntohim,SurelyIwillbewiththee, andthoushaltsmitetheMidianitesasoneman

17Andhesaiduntohim,IfnowIhavefoundgraceinthy sight,thenshewmeasignthatthoutalkestwithme.

18Departnothence,Ipraythee,untilIcomeuntothee, andbringforthmypresent,andsetitbeforetheeAndhe said,Iwilltarryuntilthoucomeagain.

19AndGideonwentin,andmadereadyakid,and unleavenedcakesofanephahofflour:thefleshheputina basket,andheputthebrothinapot,andbroughtitout untohimundertheoak,andpresentedit

20AndtheangelofGodsaiduntohim,Takethefleshand theunleavenedcakes,andlaythemuponthisrock,and pouroutthebrothAndhedidso

21ThentheangeloftheLORDputforththeendofthe staffthatwasinhishand,andtouchedthefleshandthe unleavenedcakes;andthereroseupfireoutoftherock, andconsumedthefleshandtheunleavenedcakesThenthe angeloftheLORDdepartedoutofhissight.

22AndwhenGideonperceivedthathewasanangelofthe LORD,Gideonsaid,Alas,OLordGOD!forbecauseI haveseenanangeloftheLORDfacetoface.

23AndtheLORDsaiduntohim,Peacebeuntothee;fear not:thoushaltnotdie.

24ThenGideonbuiltanaltarthereuntotheLORD,and calleditJehovahshalom:untothisdayitisyetinOphrahof theAbiezrites

25Anditcametopassthesamenight,thattheLORDsaid untohim,Takethyfather'syoungbullock,eventhesecond bullockofsevenyearsold,andthrowdownthealtarof Baalthatthyfatherhath,andcutdownthegrovethatisby it:

26AndbuildanaltaruntotheLORDthyGoduponthetop ofthisrock,intheorderedplace,andtakethesecond bullock,andofferaburntsacrificewiththewoodofthe grovewhichthoushaltcutdown.

27ThenGideontooktenmenofhisservants,anddidas theLORDhadsaiduntohim:andsoitwas,becausehe fearedhisfather'shousehold,andthemenofthecity,that hecouldnotdoitbyday,thathediditbynight

28Andwhenthemenofthecityaroseearlyinthemorning, behold,thealtarofBaalwascastdown,andthegrovewas cutdownthatwasbyit,andthesecondbullockwas offereduponthealtarthatwasbuilt

29Andtheysaidonetoanother,Whohathdonethisthing? Andwhentheyenquiredandasked,theysaid,Gideonthe sonofJoashhathdonethisthing

30ThenthemenofthecitysaiduntoJoash,Bringoutthy son,thathemaydie:becausehehathcastdownthealtarof Baal,andbecausehehathcutdownthegrovethatwasby it

31AndJoashsaiduntoallthatstoodagainsthim,Willye pleadforBaal?willyesavehim?hethatwillpleadforhim, lethimbeputtodeathwhilstitisyetmorning:ifhebea god,lethimpleadforhimself,becauseonehathcastdown hisaltar

32ThereforeonthatdayhecalledhimJerubbaal,saying, LetBaalpleadagainsthim,becausehehaththrowndown hisaltar

33ThenalltheMidianitesandtheAmalekitesandthe childrenoftheeastweregatheredtogether,andwentover, andpitchedinthevalleyofJezreel

34ButtheSpiritoftheLORDcameuponGideon,andhe blewatrumpet;andAbiezerwasgatheredafterhim.

35AndhesentmessengersthroughoutallManasseh;who alsowasgatheredafterhim:andhesentmessengersunto Asher,anduntoZebulun,anduntoNaphtali;andthey cameuptomeetthem

36AndGideonsaiduntoGod,IfthouwiltsaveIsraelby minehand,asthouhastsaid,

37Behold,Iwillputafleeceofwoolinthefloor;andif thedewbeonthefleeceonly,anditbedryuponallthe earthbeside,thenshallIknowthatthouwiltsaveIsraelby minehand,asthouhastsaid

38Anditwasso:forheroseupearlyonthemorrow,and thrustthefleecetogether,andwringedthedewoutofthe fleece,abowlfullofwater

39AndGideonsaiduntoGod,Letnotthineangerbehot againstme,andIwillspeakbutthisonce:letmeprove,I praythee,butthisoncewiththefleece;letitnowbedry onlyuponthefleece,anduponallthegroundlettherebe dew.

40AndGoddidsothatnight:foritwasdryuponthe fleeceonly,andtherewasdewonalltheground.

CHAPTER7

1ThenJerubbaal,whoisGideon,andallthepeoplethat werewithhim,roseupearly,andpitchedbesidethewell ofHarod:sothatthehostoftheMidianiteswereonthe northsideofthem,bythehillofMoreh,inthevalley

2AndtheLORDsaiduntoGideon,Thepeoplethatare withtheearetoomanyformetogivetheMidianitesinto theirhands,lestIsraelvauntthemselvesagainstme,saying, Mineownhandhathsavedme

3Nowthereforegoto,proclaimintheearsofthepeople, saying,Whosoeverisfearfulandafraid,lethimreturnand departearlyfrommountGileadAndtherereturnedofthe peopletwentyandtwothousand;andthereremainedten thousand

4AndtheLORDsaiduntoGideon,Thepeopleareyettoo many;bringthemdownuntothewater,andIwilltrythem fortheethere:anditshallbe,thatofwhomIsayuntothee, Thisshallgowiththee,thesameshallgowiththee;andof whomsoeverIsayuntothee,Thisshallnotgowiththee, thesameshallnotgo

5Sohebroughtdownthepeopleuntothewater:andthe LORDsaiduntoGideon,Everyonethatlappethofthe waterwithhistongue,asadoglappeth,himshaltthouset byhimself;likewiseeveryonethatbowethdownuponhis kneestodrink.

6Andthenumberofthemthatlapped,puttingtheirhandto theirmouth,werethreehundredmen:butalltherestofthe peopleboweddownupontheirkneestodrinkwater.

7AndtheLORDsaiduntoGideon,Bythethreehundred menthatlappedwillIsaveyou,anddelivertheMidianites intothinehand:andletalltheotherpeoplegoeveryman untohisplace

8Sothepeopletookvictualsintheirhand,andtheir trumpets:andhesentalltherestofIsraeleverymanunto histent,andretainedthosethreehundredmen:andthehost ofMidianwasbeneathhiminthevalley

9Anditcametopassthesamenight,thattheLORDsaid untohim,Arise,gettheedownuntothehost;forIhave delivereditintothinehand

10Butifthoufeartogodown,gothouwithPhurahthy servantdowntothehost:

11Andthoushalthearwhattheysay;andafterwardshall thinehandsbestrengthenedtogodownuntothehost.Then wenthedownwithPhurahhisservantuntotheoutsideof thearmedmenthatwereinthehost

12AndtheMidianitesandtheAmalekitesandallthe childrenoftheeastlayalonginthevalleylike grasshoppersformultitude;andtheircamelswerewithout number,asthesandbytheseasideformultitude.

13AndwhenGideonwascome,behold,therewasaman thattoldadreamuntohisfellow,andsaid,Behold,I dreamedadream,and,lo,acakeofbarleybreadtumbled intothehostofMidian,andcameuntoatent,andsmoteit thatitfell,andoverturnedit,thatthetentlayalong

14Andhisfellowansweredandsaid,Thisisnothingelse savetheswordofGideonthesonofJoash,amanofIsrael: forintohishandhathGoddeliveredMidian,andallthe host.

15Anditwasso,whenGideonheardthetellingofthe dream,andtheinterpretationthereof,thatheworshipped, andreturnedintothehostofIsrael,andsaid,Arise;forthe LORDhathdeliveredintoyourhandthehostofMidian

16Andhedividedthethreehundredmenintothree companies,andheputatrumpetineveryman'shand,with emptypitchers,andlampswithinthepitchers

17Andhesaiduntothem,Lookonme,anddolikewise: and,behold,whenIcometotheoutsideofthecamp,it shallbethat,asIdo,soshallyedo

18WhenIblowwithatrumpet,Iandallthatarewithme, thenblowyethetrumpetsalsooneverysideofallthe camp,andsay,TheswordoftheLORD,andofGideon 19SoGideon,andthehundredmenthatwerewithhim, cameuntotheoutsideofthecampinthebeginningofthe middlewatch;andtheyhadbutnewlysetthewatch:and theyblewthetrumpets,andbrakethepitchersthatwerein theirhands

20Andthethreecompaniesblewthetrumpets,andbrake thepitchers,andheldthelampsintheirlefthands,andthe trumpetsintheirrighthandstoblowwithal:andtheycried, TheswordoftheLORD,andofGideon 21Andtheystoodeverymaninhisplaceroundaboutthe camp:andallthehostran,andcried,andfled

22Andthethreehundredblewthetrumpets,andthe LORDseteveryman'sswordagainsthisfellow,even throughoutallthehost:andthehostfledtoBethshittahin Zererath,andtotheborderofAbelmeholah,untoTabbath 23AndthemenofIsraelgatheredthemselvestogetherout ofNaphtali,andoutofAsher,andoutofallManasseh,and pursuedaftertheMidianites

24AndGideonsentmessengersthroughoutallmount Ephraim,saying,ComedownagainsttheMidianites,and takebeforethemthewatersuntoBethbarahandJordan ThenallthemenofEphraimgatheredthemselvestogether, andtookthewatersuntoBethbarahandJordan

25AndtheytooktwoprincesoftheMidianites,Oreband Zeeb;andtheyslewOrebupontherockOreb,andZeeb theyslewatthewinepressofZeeb,andpursuedMidian, andbroughttheheadsofOrebandZeebtoGideononthe othersideJordan.

CHAPTER8

1AndthemenofEphraimsaiduntohim,Whyhastthou servedusthus,thatthoucalledstusnot,whenthouwentest tofightwiththeMidianites?Andtheydidchidewithhim sharply

2Andhesaiduntothem,WhathaveIdonenowin comparisonofyou?Isnotthegleaningofthegrapesof EphraimbetterthanthevintageofAbiezer?

3GodhathdeliveredintoyourhandstheprincesofMidian, OrebandZeeb:andwhatwasIabletodoincomparisonof you?Thentheirangerwasabatedtowardhim,whenhehad saidthat

4AndGideoncametoJordan,andpassedover,he,andthe threehundredmenthatwerewithhim,faint,yetpursuing them

5AndhesaiduntothemenofSuccoth,Give,Iprayyou, loavesofbreaduntothepeoplethatfollowme;fortheybe faint,andIampursuingafterZebahandZalmunna,kings ofMidian.

6AndtheprincesofSuccothsaid,ArethehandsofZebah andZalmunnanowinthinehand,thatweshouldgive breaduntothinearmy?

7AndGideonsaid,ThereforewhentheLORDhath deliveredZebahandZalmunnaintominehand,thenIwill tearyourfleshwiththethornsofthewildernessandwith briers

8AndhewentupthencetoPenuel,andspakeuntothem likewise:andthemenofPenuelansweredhimasthemen ofSuccothhadansweredhim

9AndhespakealsountothemenofPenuel,saying,When Icomeagaininpeace,Iwillbreakdownthistower 10NowZebahandZalmunnawereinKarkor,andtheir hostswiththem,aboutfifteenthousandmen,allthatwere leftofallthehostsofthechildrenoftheeast:fortherefell anhundredandtwentythousandmenthatdrewsword 11AndGideonwentupbythewayofthemthatdweltin tentsontheeastofNobahandJogbehah,andsmotethe host:forthehostwassecure

12AndwhenZebahandZalmunnafled,hepursuedafter them,andtookthetwokingsofMidian,Zebahand Zalmunna,anddiscomfitedallthehost 13AndGideonthesonofJoashreturnedfrombattlebefore thesunwasup,

14AndcaughtayoungmanofthemenofSuccoth,and enquiredofhim:andhedescribeduntohimtheprincesof Succoth,andtheeldersthereof,eventhreescoreand seventeenmen

15AndhecameuntothemenofSuccoth,andsaid,Behold ZebahandZalmunna,withwhomyedidupbraidme, saying,ArethehandsofZebahandZalmunnanowinthine hand,thatweshouldgivebreaduntothymenthatare weary?

16Andhetooktheeldersofthecity,andthornsofthe wildernessandbriers,andwiththemhetaughtthemenof Succoth

17AndhebeatdownthetowerofPenuel,andslewthe menofthecity.

18ThensaidheuntoZebahandZalmunna,Whatmanner ofmenweretheywhomyeslewatTabor?Andthey answered,Asthouart,sowerethey;eachoneresembled thechildrenofaking

19Andhesaid,Theyweremybrethren,eventhesonsof mymother:astheLORDliveth,ifyehadsavedthemalive, Iwouldnotslayyou

20AndhesaiduntoJetherhisfirstborn,Up,andslaythem Buttheyouthdrewnothissword:forhefeared,becausehe wasyetayouth

21ThenZebahandZalmunnasaid,Risethou,andfall uponus:forasthemanis,soishisstrength.AndGideon arose,andslewZebahandZalmunna,andtookawaythe ornamentsthatwereontheircamels'necks

22ThenthemenofIsraelsaiduntoGideon,Rulethouover us,boththou,andthyson,andthyson'ssonalso:forthou hastdeliveredusfromthehandofMidian

23AndGideonsaiduntothem,Iwillnotruleoveryou, neithershallmysonruleoveryou:theLORDshallrule overyou

24AndGideonsaiduntothem,Iwoulddesirearequestof you,thatyewouldgivemeeverymantheearringsofhis prey(Fortheyhadgoldenearrings,becausetheywere Ishmaelites.)

25Andtheyanswered,WewillwillinglygivethemAnd theyspreadagarment,anddidcastthereineverymanthe earringsofhisprey.

26Andtheweightofthegoldenearringsthatherequested wasathousandandsevenhundredshekelsofgold;beside ornaments,andcollars,andpurpleraimentthatwasonthe kingsofMidian,andbesidethechainsthatwereabout theircamels'necks

27AndGideonmadeanephodthereof,andputitinhis city,eveninOphrah:andallIsraelwentthitherawhoring afterit:whichthingbecameasnareuntoGideon,andtohis house

28ThuswasMidiansubduedbeforethechildrenofIsrael, sothattheylifteduptheirheadsnomore.Andthecountry wasinquietnessfortyyearsinthedaysofGideon 29AndJerubbaalthesonofJoashwentanddweltinhis ownhouse.

30AndGideonhadthreescoreandtensonsofhisbody begotten:forhehadmanywives

31AndhisconcubinethatwasinShechem,shealsobare himason,whosenamehecalledAbimelech

32AndGideonthesonofJoashdiedinagoodoldage,and wasburiedinthesepulchreofJoashhisfather,inOphrah oftheAbiezrites

33Anditcametopass,assoonasGideonwasdead,that thechildrenofIsraelturnedagain,andwentawhoring afterBaalim,andmadeBaalberiththeirgod

34AndthechildrenofIsraelrememberednottheLORD theirGod,whohaddeliveredthemoutofthehandsofall theirenemiesoneveryside:

35NeithershewedtheykindnesstothehouseofJerubbaal, namely,Gideon,accordingtoallthegoodnesswhichhe hadsheweduntoIsrael.

CHAPTER9

1AndAbimelechthesonofJerubbaalwenttoShechem untohismother'sbrethren,andcommunedwiththem,and withallthefamilyofthehouseofhismother'sfather, saying,

2Speak,Iprayyou,intheearsofallthemenofShechem, Whetherisbetterforyou,eitherthatallthesonsof Jerubbaal,whicharethreescoreandtenpersons,reignover you,orthatonereignoveryou?rememberalsothatIam yourboneandyourflesh

3Andhismother'sbrethrenspakeofhimintheearsofall themenofShechemallthesewords:andtheirhearts inclinedtofollowAbimelech;fortheysaid,Heisour brother

4Andtheygavehimthreescoreandtenpiecesofsilverout ofthehouseofBaalberith,wherewithAbimelechhired vainandlightpersons,whichfollowedhim

5Andhewentuntohisfather'shouseatOphrah,andslew hisbrethrenthesonsofJerubbaal,beingthreescoreandten persons,upononestone:notwithstandingyetJothamthe youngestsonofJerubbaalwasleft;forhehidhimself.

6AndallthemenofShechemgatheredtogether,andall thehouseofMillo,andwent,andmadeAbimelechking, bytheplainofthepillarthatwasinShechem.

7AndwhentheytoldittoJotham,hewentandstoodinthe topofmountGerizim,andlifteduphisvoice,andcried, andsaiduntothem,Hearkenuntome,yemenofShechem, thatGodmayhearkenuntoyou

8Thetreeswentforthonatimetoanointakingoverthem; andtheysaiduntotheolivetree,Reignthouoverus.

9Buttheolivetreesaiduntothem,ShouldIleavemy fatness,wherewithbymetheyhonourGodandman,and gotobepromotedoverthetrees?

10Andthetreessaidtothefigtree,Comethou,andreign overus

11Butthefigtreesaiduntothem,ShouldIforsakemy sweetness,andmygoodfruit,andgotobepromotedover thetrees?

12Thensaidthetreesuntothevine,Comethou,andreign overus

13Andthevinesaiduntothem,ShouldIleavemywine, whichcheerethGodandman,andgotobepromotedover thetrees?

14Thensaidallthetreesuntothebramble,Comethou, andreignoverus

15Andthebramblesaiduntothetrees,Ifintruthyeanoint mekingoveryou,thencomeandputyourtrustinmy shadow:andifnot,letfirecomeoutofthebramble,and devourthecedarsofLebanon

16Nowtherefore,ifyehavedonetrulyandsincerely,in thatyehavemadeAbimelechking,andifyehavedealt

JUDGES wellwithJerubbaalandhishouse,andhavedoneuntohim accordingtothedeservingofhishands;

17(Formyfatherfoughtforyou,andadventuredhislife far,anddeliveredyououtofthehandofMidian:

18Andyearerisenupagainstmyfather'shousethisday, andhaveslainhissons,threescoreandtenpersons,upon onestone,andhavemadeAbimelech,thesonofhis maidservant,kingoverthemenofShechem,becauseheis yourbrother;)

19IfyethenhavedealttrulyandsincerelywithJerubbaal andwithhishousethisday,thenrejoiceyeinAbimelech, andlethimalsorejoiceinyou:

20Butifnot,letfirecomeoutfromAbimelech,and devourthemenofShechem,andthehouseofMillo;and letfirecomeoutfromthemenofShechem,andfromthe houseofMillo,anddevourAbimelech

21AndJothamranaway,andfled,andwenttoBeer,and dweltthere,forfearofAbimelechhisbrother

22WhenAbimelechhadreignedthreeyearsoverIsrael,

23ThenGodsentanevilspiritbetweenAbimelechandthe menofShechem;andthemenofShechemdealt treacherouslywithAbimelech:

24Thatthecrueltydonetothethreescoreandtensonsof Jerubbaalmightcome,andtheirbloodbelaidupon Abimelechtheirbrother,whichslewthem;anduponthe menofShechem,whichaidedhiminthekillingofhis brethren

25AndthemenofShechemsetliersinwaitforhiminthe topofthemountains,andtheyrobbedallthatcamealong thatwaybythem:anditwastoldAbimelech

26AndGaalthesonofEbedcamewithhisbrethren,and wentovertoShechem:andthemenofShechemputtheir confidenceinhim

27Andtheywentoutintothefields,andgatheredtheir vineyards,andtrodethegrapes,andmademerry,andwent intothehouseoftheirgod,anddideatanddrink,and cursedAbimelech

28AndGaalthesonofEbedsaid,WhoisAbimelech,and whoisShechem,thatweshouldservehim?isnothethe sonofJerubbaal?andZebulhisofficer?servethemenof HamorthefatherofShechem:forwhyshouldweserve him?

29AndwouldtoGodthispeoplewereundermyhand! thenwouldIremoveAbimelech.AndhesaidtoAbimelech, Increasethinearmy,andcomeout

30AndwhenZebultherulerofthecityheardthewordsof GaalthesonofEbed,hisangerwaskindled

31AndhesentmessengersuntoAbimelechprivily,saying, Behold,GaalthesonofEbedandhisbrethrenbecometo Shechem;and,behold,theyfortifythecityagainstthee

32Nowthereforeupbynight,thouandthepeoplethatis withthee,andlieinwaitinthefield:

33Anditshallbe,thatinthemorning,assoonasthesunis up,thoushaltriseearly,andsetuponthecity:and,behold, whenheandthepeoplethatiswithhimcomeoutagainst thee,thenmayestthoudotothemasthoushaltfind occasion

34AndAbimelechroseup,andallthepeoplethatwere withhim,bynight,andtheylaidwaitagainstShechemin fourcompanies

35AndGaalthesonofEbedwentout,andstoodinthe enteringofthegateofthecity:andAbimelechroseup,and thepeoplethatwerewithhim,fromlyinginwait

36AndwhenGaalsawthepeople,hesaidtoZebul, Behold,therecomepeopledownfromthetopofthe mountainsAndZebulsaiduntohim,Thouseestthe shadowofthemountainsasiftheyweremen

37AndGaalspakeagainandsaid,Seetherecomepeople downbythemiddleoftheland,andanothercompany comealongbytheplainofMeonenim

38ThensaidZebuluntohim,Whereisnowthymouth, wherewiththousaidst,WhoisAbimelech,thatweshould servehim?isnotthisthepeoplethatthouhastdespised? goout,Ipraynow,andfightwiththem.

39AndGaalwentoutbeforethemenofShechem,and foughtwithAbimelech

40AndAbimelechchasedhim,andhefledbeforehim,and manywereoverthrownandwounded,evenuntothe enteringofthegate

41AndAbimelechdweltatArumah:andZebulthrustout Gaalandhisbrethren,thattheyshouldnotdwellin Shechem

42Anditcametopassonthemorrow,thatthepeoplewent outintothefield;andtheytoldAbimelech

43Andhetookthepeople,anddividedthemintothree companies,andlaidwaitinthefield,andlooked,and, behold,thepeoplewerecomeforthoutofthecity;andhe roseupagainstthem,andsmotethem

44AndAbimelech,andthecompanythatwaswithhim, rushedforward,andstoodintheenteringofthegateofthe city:andthetwoothercompaniesranuponallthepeople thatwereinthefields,andslewthem.

45AndAbimelechfoughtagainstthecityallthatday;and hetookthecity,andslewthepeoplethatwastherein,and beatdownthecity,andsoweditwithsalt.

46AndwhenallthemenofthetowerofShechemheard that,theyenteredintoanholdofthehouseofthegod Berith.

47AnditwastoldAbimelech,thatallthemenofthetower ofShechemweregatheredtogether

48AndAbimelechgathimuptomountZalmon,heandall thepeoplethatwerewithhim;andAbimelechtookanaxe inhishand,andcutdownaboughfromthetrees,andtook it,andlaiditonhisshoulder,andsaiduntothepeoplethat werewithhim,Whatyehaveseenmedo,makehaste,and doasIhavedone.

49Andallthepeoplelikewisecutdowneverymanhis bough,andfollowedAbimelech,andputthemtothehold, andsettheholdonfireuponthem;sothatallthemenof thetowerofShechemdiedalso,aboutathousandmenand women

50ThenwentAbimelechtoThebez,andencampedagainst Thebez,andtookit

51Buttherewasastrongtowerwithinthecity,andthither fledallthemenandwomen,andalltheyofthecity,and shutittothem,andgatthemuptothetopofthetower

52AndAbimelechcameuntothetower,andfoughtagainst it,andwentharduntothedoorofthetowertoburnitwith fire

53Andacertainwomancastapieceofamillstoneupon Abimelech'shead,andalltobrakehisskull.

54Thenhecalledhastilyuntotheyoungmanhis armourbearer,andsaiduntohim,Drawthysword,andslay me,thatmensaynotofme,Awomanslewhim.Andhis youngmanthrusthimthrough,andhedied

55AndwhenthemenofIsraelsawthatAbimelechwas dead,theydepartedeverymanuntohisplace

56ThusGodrenderedthewickednessofAbimelech, whichhediduntohisfather,inslayinghisseventy brethren:

57AndalltheevilofthemenofShechemdidGodrender upontheirheads:anduponthemcamethecurseofJotham thesonofJerubbaal.

CHAPTER10

1AndafterAbimelechtherearosetodefendIsraelTolathe sonofPuah,thesonofDodo,amanofIssachar;andhe dweltinShamirinmountEphraim.

2AndhejudgedIsraeltwentyandthreeyears,anddied, andwasburiedinShamir

3AndafterhimaroseJair,aGileadite,andjudgedIsrael twentyandtwoyears

4Andhehadthirtysonsthatrodeonthirtyasscolts,and theyhadthirtycities,whicharecalledHavothjairuntothis day,whichareinthelandofGilead

5AndJairdied,andwasburiedinCamon

6AndthechildrenofIsraeldidevilagaininthesightof theLORD,andservedBaalim,andAshtaroth,andthegods ofSyria,andthegodsofZidon,andthegodsofMoab,and thegodsofthechildrenofAmmon,andthegodsofthe Philistines,andforsooktheLORD,andservednothim

7AndtheangeroftheLORDwashotagainstIsrael,and hesoldthemintothehandsofthePhilistines,andintothe handsofthechildrenofAmmon

8Andthatyeartheyvexedandoppressedthechildrenof Israel:eighteenyears,allthechildrenofIsraelthatwereon theothersideJordaninthelandoftheAmorites,whichis inGilead

9MoreoverthechildrenofAmmonpassedoverJordanto fightalsoagainstJudah,andagainstBenjamin,andagainst thehouseofEphraim;sothatIsraelwassoredistressed 10AndthechildrenofIsraelcrieduntotheLORD,saying, Wehavesinnedagainstthee,bothbecausewehave forsakenourGod,andalsoservedBaalim.

11AndtheLORDsaiduntothechildrenofIsrael,Didnot IdeliveryoufromtheEgyptians,andfromtheAmorites, fromthechildrenofAmmon,andfromthePhilistines?

12TheZidoniansalso,andtheAmalekites,andthe Maonites,didoppressyou;andyecriedtome,andI deliveredyououtoftheirhand 13Yetyehaveforsakenme,andservedothergods: whereforeIwilldeliveryounomore 14Goandcryuntothegodswhichyehavechosen;let themdeliveryouinthetimeofyourtribulation

15AndthechildrenofIsraelsaiduntotheLORD,Wehave sinned:dothouuntouswhatsoeverseemethgooduntothee; deliverusonly,wepraythee,thisday 16Andtheyputawaythestrangegodsfromamongthem, andservedtheLORD:andhissoulwasgrievedforthe miseryofIsrael

17ThenthechildrenofAmmonweregatheredtogether, andencampedinGilead.AndthechildrenofIsrael assembledthemselvestogether,andencampedinMizpeh

18AndthepeopleandprincesofGileadsaidoneto another,Whatmanishethatwillbegintofightagainstthe childrenofAmmon?heshallbeheadoverallthe inhabitantsofGilead

CHAPTER11

1NowJephthahtheGileaditewasamightymanofvalour, andhewasthesonofanharlot:andGileadbegatJephthah

2AndGilead'swifebarehimsons;andhiswife'ssons grewup,andtheythrustoutJephthah,andsaiduntohim, Thoushaltnotinheritinourfather'shouse;forthouartthe sonofastrangewoman.

3ThenJephthahfledfromhisbrethren,anddweltinthe landofTob:andthereweregatheredvainmentoJephthah, andwentoutwithhim.

4Anditcametopassinprocessoftime,thatthechildren ofAmmonmadewaragainstIsrael

5Anditwasso,thatwhenthechildrenofAmmonmade waragainstIsrael,theeldersofGileadwenttofetch JephthahoutofthelandofTob:

6AndtheysaiduntoJephthah,Come,andbeourcaptain, thatwemayfightwiththechildrenofAmmon

7AndJephthahsaiduntotheeldersofGilead,Didnotye hateme,andexpelmeoutofmyfather'shouse?andwhy areyecomeuntomenowwhenyeareindistress?

8AndtheeldersofGileadsaiduntoJephthah,Therefore weturnagaintotheenow,thatthoumayestgowithus,and fightagainstthechildrenofAmmon,andbeourheadover alltheinhabitantsofGilead

9AndJephthahsaiduntotheeldersofGilead,Ifyebring mehomeagaintofightagainstthechildrenofAmmon, andtheLORDdeliverthembeforeme,shallIbeyourhead?

10AndtheeldersofGileadsaiduntoJephthah,TheLORD bewitnessbetweenus,ifwedonotsoaccordingtothy words

11ThenJephthahwentwiththeeldersofGilead,andthe peoplemadehimheadandcaptainoverthem:and JephthahutteredallhiswordsbeforetheLORDinMizpeh

12AndJephthahsentmessengersuntothekingofthe childrenofAmmon,saying,Whathastthoutodowithme, thatthouartcomeagainstmetofightinmyland?

13AndthekingofthechildrenofAmmonansweredunto themessengersofJephthah,BecauseIsraeltookawaymy land,whentheycameupoutofEgypt,fromArnoneven untoJabbok,anduntoJordan:nowthereforerestorethose landsagainpeaceably

14AndJephthahsentmessengersagainuntothekingof thechildrenofAmmon:

15Andsaiduntohim,ThussaithJephthah,Israeltooknot awaythelandofMoab,northelandofthechildrenof Ammon:

16ButwhenIsraelcameupfromEgypt,andwalked throughthewildernessuntotheRedsea,andcameto Kadesh;

17ThenIsraelsentmessengersuntothekingofEdom, saying,Letme,Ipraythee,passthroughthyland:butthe kingofEdomwouldnothearkentheretoAndinlike mannertheysentuntothekingofMoab:buthewouldnot consent:andIsraelabodeinKadesh.

18Thentheywentalongthroughthewilderness,and compassedthelandofEdom,andthelandofMoab,and camebytheeastsideofthelandofMoab,andpitchedon theothersideofArnon,butcamenotwithintheborderof Moab:forArnonwastheborderofMoab

19AndIsraelsentmessengersuntoSihonkingofthe Amorites,thekingofHeshbon;andIsraelsaiduntohim, Letuspass,wepraythee,throughthylandintomyplace

20ButSihontrustednotIsraeltopassthroughhiscoast: butSihongatheredallhispeopletogether,andpitchedin Jahaz,andfoughtagainstIsrael

21AndtheLORDGodofIsraeldeliveredSihonandallhis peopleintothehandofIsrael,andtheysmotethem:so IsraelpossessedallthelandoftheAmorites,the inhabitantsofthatcountry

22AndtheypossessedallthecoastsoftheAmorites,from ArnonevenuntoJabbok,andfromthewildernesseven untoJordan

23SonowtheLORDGodofIsraelhathdispossessedthe AmoritesfrombeforehispeopleIsrael,andshouldestthou possessit?

24WiltnotthoupossessthatwhichChemoshthygod giveththeetopossess?SowhomsoevertheLORDourGod shalldriveoutfrombeforeus,themwillwepossess

25AndnowartthouanythingbetterthanBalakthesonof Zippor,kingofMoab?didheeverstriveagainstIsrael,or didheeverfightagainstthem,

26WhileIsraeldweltinHeshbonandhertowns,andin Aroerandhertowns,andinallthecitiesthatbealongby thecoastsofArnon,threehundredyears?whytherefore didyenotrecoverthemwithinthattime?

27WhereforeIhavenotsinnedagainstthee,butthoudoest mewrongtowaragainstme:theLORDtheJudgebejudge thisdaybetweenthechildrenofIsraelandthechildrenof Ammon

28HowbeitthekingofthechildrenofAmmonhearkened notuntothewordsofJephthahwhichhesenthim.

29ThentheSpiritoftheLORDcameuponJephthah,and hepassedoverGilead,andManasseh,andpassedover MizpehofGilead,andfromMizpehofGileadhepassed overuntothechildrenofAmmon

30AndJephthahvowedavowuntotheLORD,andsaid,If thoushaltwithoutfaildeliverthechildrenofAmmoninto minehands,

31Thenitshallbe,thatwhatsoevercomethforthofthe doorsofmyhousetomeetme,whenIreturninpeacefrom thechildrenofAmmon,shallsurelybetheLORD'S,andI willofferitupforaburntoffering.

32SoJephthahpassedoveruntothechildrenofAmmonto fightagainstthem;andtheLORDdeliveredthemintohis hands.

33AndhesmotethemfromAroer,eventillthoucometo Minnith,eventwentycities,anduntotheplainofthe vineyards,withaverygreatslaughterThusthechildrenof AmmonweresubduedbeforethechildrenofIsrael

34AndJephthahcametoMizpehuntohishouse,and, behold,hisdaughtercameouttomeethimwithtimbrels andwithdances:andshewashisonlychild;besideherhe hadneithersonnordaughter

35Anditcametopass,whenhesawher,thatherenthis clothes,andsaid,Alas,mydaughter!thouhastbroughtme verylow,andthouartoneofthemthattroubleme:forI haveopenedmymouthuntotheLORD,andIcannotgo back

36Andshesaiduntohim,Myfather,ifthouhastopened thymouthuntotheLORD,dotomeaccordingtothat whichhathproceededoutofthymouth;forasmuchasthe LORDhathtakenvengeancefortheeofthineenemies, evenofthechildrenofAmmon.

37Andshesaiduntoherfather,Letthisthingbedonefor me:letmealonetwomonths,thatImaygoupanddown

uponthemountains,andbewailmyvirginity,Iandmy fellows

38Andhesaid,GoAndhesentherawayfortwomonths: andshewentwithhercompanions,andbewailedher virginityuponthemountains.

39Anditcametopassattheendoftwomonths,thatshe returneduntoherfather,whodidwithheraccordingtohis vowwhichhehadvowed:andsheknewnoman.Andit wasacustominIsrael,

40ThatthedaughtersofIsraelwentyearlytolamentthe daughterofJephthahtheGileaditefourdaysinayear.

CHAPTER12

1AndthemenofEphraimgatheredthemselvestogether, andwentnorthward,andsaiduntoJephthah,Wherefore passedstthouovertofightagainstthechildrenofAmmon, anddidstnotcallustogowiththee?wewillburnthine houseupontheewithfire

2AndJephthahsaiduntothem,Iandmypeoplewereat greatstrifewiththechildrenofAmmon;andwhenIcalled you,yedeliveredmenotoutoftheirhands

3AndwhenIsawthatyedeliveredmenot,Iputmylifein myhands,andpassedoveragainstthechildrenofAmmon, andtheLORDdeliveredthemintomyhand:wherefore thenareyecomeupuntomethisday,tofightagainstme?

4ThenJephthahgatheredtogetherallthemenofGilead, andfoughtwithEphraim:andthemenofGileadsmote Ephraim,becausetheysaid,YeGileaditesarefugitivesof EphraimamongtheEphraimites,andamongthe Manassites

5AndtheGileaditestookthepassagesofJordanbeforethe Ephraimites:anditwasso,thatwhenthoseEphraimites whichwereescapedsaid,Letmegoover;thatthemenof Gileadsaiduntohim,ArtthouanEphraimite?Ifhesaid, Nay;

6Thensaidtheyuntohim,SaynowShibboleth:andhe saidSibboleth:forhecouldnotframetopronounceitright. Thentheytookhim,andslewhimatthepassagesofJordan: andtherefellatthattimeoftheEphraimitesfortyandtwo thousand.

7AndJephthahjudgedIsraelsixyearsThendiedJephthah theGileadite,andwasburiedinoneofthecitiesofGilead.

8AndafterhimIbzanofBethlehemjudgedIsrael.

9Andhehadthirtysons,andthirtydaughters,whomhe sentabroad,andtookinthirtydaughtersfromabroadfor hissonsAndhejudgedIsraelsevenyears

10ThendiedIbzan,andwasburiedatBethlehem 11AndafterhimElon,aZebulonite,judgedIsrael;andhe judgedIsraeltenyears

12AndElontheZebulonitedied,andwasburiedin AijaloninthecountryofZebulun.

13AndafterhimAbdonthesonofHillel,aPirathonite, judgedIsrael

14Andhehadfortysonsandthirtynephews,thatrodeon threescoreandtenasscolts:andhejudgedIsraeleight years

15AndAbdonthesonofHillelthePirathonitedied,and wasburiedinPirathoninthelandofEphraim,inthemount oftheAmalekites

1AndthechildrenofIsraeldidevilagaininthesightof theLORD;andtheLORDdeliveredthemintothehandof thePhilistinesfortyyears.

2AndtherewasacertainmanofZorah,ofthefamilyof theDanites,whosenamewasManoah;andhiswifewas barren,andbarenot.

3AndtheangeloftheLORDappeareduntothewoman, andsaiduntoher,Beholdnow,thouartbarren,andbearest not:butthoushaltconceive,andbearason.

4Nowthereforebeware,Ipraythee,anddrinknotwine norstrongdrink,andeatnotanyuncleanthing:

5For,lo,thoushaltconceive,andbearason;andnorazor shallcomeonhishead:forthechildshallbeaNazarite untoGodfromthewomb:andheshallbegintodeliver IsraeloutofthehandofthePhilistines.

6Thenthewomancameandtoldherhusband,saying,A manofGodcameuntome,andhiscountenancewaslike thecountenanceofanangelofGod,veryterrible:butI askedhimnotwhencehewas,neithertoldhemehisname:

7Buthesaiduntome,Behold,thoushaltconceive,and bearason;andnowdrinknowinenorstrongdrink,neither eatanyuncleanthing:forthechildshallbeaNazariteto Godfromthewombtothedayofhisdeath

8ThenManoahintreatedtheLORD,andsaid,OmyLord, letthemanofGodwhichthoudidstsendcomeagainunto us,andteachuswhatweshalldountothechildthatshall beborn.

9AndGodhearkenedtothevoiceofManoah;andthe angelofGodcameagainuntothewomanasshesatinthe field:butManoahherhusbandwasnotwithher.

10Andthewomanmadehaste,andran,andshewedher husband,andsaiduntohim,Behold,themanhathappeared untome,thatcameuntometheotherday.

11AndManoaharose,andwentafterhiswife,andcameto theman,andsaiduntohim,Artthouthemanthatspakest untothewoman?Andhesaid,Iam.

12AndManoahsaid,Nowletthywordscometopass Howshallweorderthechild,andhowshallwedounto him?

13AndtheangeloftheLORDsaiduntoManoah,Ofall thatIsaiduntothewomanletherbeware.

14Shemaynoteatofanythingthatcomethofthevine, neitherletherdrinkwineorstrongdrink,noreatany uncleanthing:allthatIcommandedherletherobserve

15AndManoahsaiduntotheangeloftheLORD,Ipray thee,letusdetainthee,untilweshallhavemadereadya kidforthee.

16AndtheangeloftheLORDsaiduntoManoah,Though thoudetainme,Iwillnoteatofthybread:andifthouwilt offeraburntoffering,thoumustofferituntotheLORD. ForManoahknewnotthathewasanangeloftheLORD

17AndManoahsaiduntotheangeloftheLORD,Whatis thyname,thatwhenthysayingscometopasswemaydo theehonour?

18AndtheangeloftheLORDsaiduntohim,Whyaskest thouthusaftermyname,seeingitissecret?

19SoManoahtookakidwithameatoffering,andoffered ituponarockuntotheLORD:andtheangeldid wondrously;andManoahandhiswifelookedon.

20Foritcametopass,whentheflamewentuptoward heavenfromoffthealtar,thattheangeloftheLORD

ascendedintheflameofthealtarAndManoahandhis wifelookedonit,andfellontheirfacestotheground

21ButtheangeloftheLORDdidnomoreappearto ManoahandtohiswifeThenManoahknewthathewasan angeloftheLORD.

22AndManoahsaiduntohiswife,Weshallsurelydie, becausewehaveseenGod

23Buthiswifesaiduntohim,IftheLORDwerepleased tokillus,hewouldnothavereceivedaburntofferingand ameatofferingatourhands,neitherwouldhehaveshewed usallthesethings,norwouldasatthistimehavetoldus suchthingsasthese

24Andthewomanbareason,andcalledhisnameSamson: andthechildgrew,andtheLORDblessedhim.

25AndtheSpiritoftheLORDbegantomovehimattimes inthecampofDanbetweenZorahandEshtaol

CHAPTER14

1AndSamsonwentdowntoTimnath,andsawawomanin TimnathofthedaughtersofthePhilistines

2Andhecameup,andtoldhisfatherandhismother,and said,IhaveseenawomaninTimnathofthedaughtersof thePhilistines:nowthereforegetherformetowife

3Thenhisfatherandhismothersaiduntohim,Isthere neverawomanamongthedaughtersofthybrethren,or amongallmypeople,thatthougoesttotakeawifeofthe uncircumcisedPhilistines?AndSamsonsaiduntohis father,Getherforme;forshepleasethmewell.

4Buthisfatherandhismotherknewnotthatitwasofthe LORD,thathesoughtanoccasionagainstthePhilistines: foratthattimethePhilistineshaddominionoverIsrael.

5ThenwentSamsondown,andhisfatherandhismother, toTimnath,andcametothevineyardsofTimnath:and, behold,ayounglionroaredagainsthim.

6AndtheSpiritoftheLORDcamemightilyuponhim, andherenthimashewouldhaverentakid,andhehad nothinginhishand:buthetoldnothisfatherorhismother whathehaddone

7Andhewentdown,andtalkedwiththewoman;andshe pleasedSamsonwell.

8Andafteratimehereturnedtotakeher,andheturned asidetoseethecarcaseofthelion:and,behold,therewasa swarmofbeesandhoneyinthecarcaseofthelion.

9Andhetookthereofinhishands,andwentoneating,and cametohisfatherandmother,andhegavethem,andthey dideat:buthetoldnotthemthathehadtakenthehoney outofthecarcaseofthelion

10Sohisfatherwentdownuntothewoman:andSamson madethereafeast;forsousedtheyoungmentodo

11Anditcametopass,whentheysawhim,thatthey broughtthirtycompanionstobewithhim.

12AndSamsonsaiduntothem,Iwillnowputfortha riddleuntoyou:ifyecancertainlydeclareitmewithinthe sevendaysofthefeast,andfinditout,thenIwillgiveyou thirtysheetsandthirtychangeofgarments:

13Butifyecannotdeclareitme,thenshallyegiveme thirtysheetsandthirtychangeofgarments.Andtheysaid untohim,Putforththyriddle,thatwemayhearit

14Andhesaiduntothem,Outoftheeatercameforthmeat, andoutofthestrongcameforthsweetness.Andtheycould notinthreedaysexpoundtheriddle

15Anditcametopassontheseventhday,thattheysaid untoSamson'swife,Enticethyhusband,thathemay declareuntoustheriddle,lestweburntheeandthyfather's housewithfire:haveyecalledustotakethatwehave?isit notso?

16AndSamson'swifeweptbeforehim,andsaid,Thou dostbuthateme,andlovestmenot:thouhastputfortha riddleuntothechildrenofmypeople,andhastnottoldit me.Andhesaiduntoher,Behold,Ihavenottolditmy fathernormymother,andshallItellitthee?

17Andsheweptbeforehimthesevendays,whiletheir feastlasted:anditcametopassontheseventhday,thathe toldher,becauseshelaysoreuponhim:andshetoldthe riddletothechildrenofherpeople.

18Andthemenofthecitysaiduntohimontheseventh daybeforethesunwentdown,Whatissweeterthanhoney? andwhatisstrongerthanalion?Andhesaiduntothem,If yehadnotplowedwithmyheifer,yehadnotfoundoutmy riddle

19AndtheSpiritoftheLORDcameuponhim,andhe wentdowntoAshkelon,andslewthirtymenofthem,and tooktheirspoil,andgavechangeofgarmentsuntothem whichexpoundedtheriddle.Andhisangerwaskindled, andhewentuptohisfather'shouse

20ButSamson'swifewasgiventohiscompanion,whom hehadusedashisfriend.

CHAPTER15

1Butitcametopasswithinawhileafter,inthetimeof wheatharvest,thatSamsonvisitedhiswifewithakid;and hesaid,Iwillgointomywifeintothechamber.Buther fatherwouldnotsufferhimtogoin

2Andherfathersaid,Iverilythoughtthatthouhadst utterlyhatedher;thereforeIgavehertothycompanion:is notheryoungersisterfairerthanshe?takeher,Ipraythee, insteadofher

3AndSamsonsaidconcerningthem,NowshallIbemore blamelessthanthePhilistines,thoughIdothema displeasure.

4AndSamsonwentandcaughtthreehundredfoxes,and tookfirebrands,andturnedtailtotail,andputafirebrand inthemidstbetweentwotails.

5Andwhenhehadsetthebrandsonfire,heletthemgo intothestandingcornofthePhilistines,andburntupboth theshocks,andalsothestandingcorn,withthevineyards andolives

6ThenthePhilistinessaid,Whohathdonethis?Andthey answered,Samson,thesoninlawoftheTimnite,because hehadtakenhiswife,andgivenhertohiscompanionAnd thePhilistinescameup,andburntherandherfatherwith fire.

7AndSamsonsaiduntothem,Thoughyehavedonethis, yetwillIbeavengedofyou,andafterthatIwillcease

8Andhesmotethemhipandthighwithagreatslaughter: andhewentdownanddweltinthetopoftherockEtam

9ThenthePhilistineswentup,andpitchedinJudah,and spreadthemselvesinLehi.

10AndthemenofJudahsaid,Whyareyecomeupagainst us?Andtheyanswered,TobindSamsonarewecomeup, todotohimashehathdonetous.

11ThenthreethousandmenofJudahwenttothetopofthe rockEtam,andsaidtoSamson,Knowestthounotthatthe

Philistinesarerulersoverus?whatisthisthatthouhast doneuntous?Andhesaiduntothem,Astheydiduntome, sohaveIdoneuntothem

12Andtheysaiduntohim,Wearecomedowntobindthee, thatwemaydelivertheeintothehandofthePhilistines. AndSamsonsaiduntothem,Swearuntome,thatyewill notfalluponmeyourselves

13Andtheyspakeuntohim,saying,No;butwewillbind theefast,anddelivertheeintotheirhand:butsurelywe willnotkilltheeAndtheyboundhimwithtwonewcords, andbroughthimupfromtherock.

14AndwhenhecameuntoLehi,thePhilistinesshouted againsthim:andtheSpiritoftheLORDcamemightily uponhim,andthecordsthatwereuponhisarmsbecameas flaxthatwasburntwithfire,andhisbandsloosedfromoff hishands

15Andhefoundanewjawboneofanass,andputforthhis hand,andtookit,andslewathousandmentherewith

16AndSamsonsaid,Withthejawboneofanass,heaps uponheaps,withthejawofanasshaveIslainathousand men

17Anditcametopass,whenhehadmadeanendof speaking,thathecastawaythejawboneoutofhishand, andcalledthatplaceRamathlehi

18Andhewassoreathirst,andcalledontheLORD,and said,Thouhastgiventhisgreatdeliveranceintothehand ofthyservant:andnowshallIdieforthirst,andfallinto thehandoftheuncircumcised?

19ButGodclaveanhollowplacethatwasinthejaw,and therecamewaterthereout;andwhenhehaddrunk,his spiritcameagain,andherevived:whereforehecalledthe namethereofEnhakkore,whichisinLehiuntothisday. 20AndhejudgedIsraelinthedaysofthePhilistines twentyyears

CHAPTER16

1ThenwentSamsontoGaza,andsawthereanharlot,and wentinuntoher

2AnditwastoldtheGazites,saying,Samsoniscome hither.Andtheycompassedhimin,andlaidwaitforhim allnightinthegateofthecity,andwerequietallthenight, saying,Inthemorning,whenitisday,weshallkillhim.

3AndSamsonlaytillmidnight,andaroseatmidnight,and tookthedoorsofthegateofthecity,andthetwoposts, andwentawaywiththem,barandall,andputthemupon hisshoulders,andcarriedthemuptothetopofanhillthat isbeforeHebron

4Anditcametopassafterward,thathelovedawomanin thevalleyofSorek,whosenamewasDelilah

5AndthelordsofthePhilistinescameupuntoher,and saiduntoher,Enticehim,andseewhereinhisgreat strengthlieth,andbywhatmeanswemayprevailagainst him,thatwemaybindhimtoafflicthim:andwewillgive theeeveryoneofuselevenhundredpiecesofsilver.

6AndDelilahsaidtoSamson,Tellme,Ipraythee, whereinthygreatstrengthlieth,andwherewiththou mightestbeboundtoafflictthee.

7AndSamsonsaiduntoher,Iftheybindmewithseven greenwithsthatwereneverdried,thenshallIbeweak,and beasanotherman.

8ThenthelordsofthePhilistinesbroughtuptoherseven greenwithswhichhadnotbeendried,andsheboundhim withthem

9Nowthereweremenlyinginwait,abidingwithherin thechamber.Andshesaiduntohim,ThePhilistinesbe uponthee,SamsonAndhebrakethewiths,asathreadof towisbrokenwhenittoucheththefireSohisstrengthwas notknown.

10AndDelilahsaiduntoSamson,Behold,thouhast mockedme,andtoldmelies:nowtellme,Ipraythee, wherewiththoumightestbebound.

11Andhesaiduntoher,Iftheybindmefastwithnew ropesthatneverwereoccupied,thenshallIbeweak,and beasanotherman.

12Delilahthereforetooknewropes,andboundhim therewith,andsaiduntohim,ThePhilistinesbeuponthee, Samson.Andtherewereliersinwaitabidinginthe chamberAndhebrakethemfromoffhisarmslikea thread

13AndDelilahsaiduntoSamson,Hithertothouhast mockedme,andtoldmelies:tellmewherewiththou mightestbeboundAndhesaiduntoher,Ifthouweavest thesevenlocksofmyheadwiththeweb.

14Andshefasteneditwiththepin,andsaiduntohim,The Philistinesbeuponthee,SamsonAndheawakedoutof hissleep,andwentawaywiththepinofthebeam,and withtheweb

15Andshesaiduntohim,Howcanstthousay,Ilovethee, whenthineheartisnotwithme?thouhastmockedme thesethreetimes,andhastnottoldmewhereinthygreat strengthlieth

16Anditcametopass,whenshepressedhimdailywith herwords,andurgedhim,sothathissoulwasvexedunto death;

17Thathetoldherallhisheart,andsaiduntoher,There hathnotcomearazoruponminehead;forIhavebeena NazariteuntoGodfrommymother'swomb:ifIbeshaven, thenmystrengthwillgofromme,andIshallbecomeweak, andbelikeanyotherman

18AndwhenDelilahsawthathehadtoldherallhisheart, shesentandcalledforthelordsofthePhilistines,saying, Comeupthisonce,forhehathshewedmeallhisheart ThenthelordsofthePhilistinescameupuntoher,and broughtmoneyintheirhand.

19Andshemadehimsleepuponherknees;andshecalled foraman,andshecausedhimtoshaveoffthesevenlocks ofhishead;andshebegantoafflicthim,andhisstrength wentfromhim

20Andshesaid,ThePhilistinesbeuponthee,Samson. Andheawokeoutofhissleep,andsaid,Iwillgooutasat othertimesbefore,andshakemyselfAndhewistnotthat theLORDwasdepartedfromhim.

21ButthePhilistinestookhim,andputouthiseyes,and broughthimdowntoGaza,andboundhimwithfettersof brass;andhedidgrindintheprisonhouse.

22Howbeitthehairofhisheadbegantogrowagainafter hewasshaven

23ThenthelordsofthePhilistinesgatheredthemtogether fortoofferagreatsacrificeuntoDagontheirgod,andto rejoice:fortheysaid,OurgodhathdeliveredSamsonour enemyintoourhand.

24Andwhenthepeoplesawhim,theypraisedtheirgod: fortheysaid,Ourgodhathdeliveredintoourhandsour

enemy,andthedestroyerofourcountry,whichslewmany ofus

25Anditcametopass,whentheirheartsweremerry,that theysaid,CallforSamson,thathemaymakeussportAnd theycalledforSamsonoutoftheprisonhouse;andhe madethemsport:andtheysethimbetweenthepillars

26AndSamsonsaiduntotheladthatheldhimbythehand, SuffermethatImayfeelthepillarswhereuponthehouse standeth,thatImayleanuponthem.

27Nowthehousewasfullofmenandwomen;andallthe lordsofthePhilistineswerethere;andtherewereuponthe roofaboutthreethousandmenandwomen,thatbeheld whileSamsonmadesport

28AndSamsoncalleduntotheLORD,andsaid,OLord GOD,rememberme,Ipraythee,andstrengthenme,Ipray thee,onlythisonce,OGod,thatImaybeatonceavenged ofthePhilistinesformytwoeyes.

29AndSamsontookholdofthetwomiddlepillarsupon whichthehousestood,andonwhichitwasborneup,of theonewithhisrighthand,andoftheotherwithhisleft.

30AndSamsonsaid,LetmediewiththePhilistinesAnd hebowedhimselfwithallhismight;andthehousefell uponthelords,anduponallthepeoplethatweretherein. Sothedeadwhichheslewathisdeathweremorethanthey whichheslewinhislife

31Thenhisbrethrenandallthehouseofhisfathercame down,andtookhim,andbroughthimup,andburiedhim betweenZorahandEshtaolintheburyingplaceofManoah hisfather.AndhejudgedIsraeltwentyyears.

CHAPTER17

1AndtherewasamanofmountEphraim,whosename wasMicah

2Andhesaiduntohismother,Theelevenhundredshekels ofsilverthatweretakenfromthee,aboutwhichthou cursedst,andspakestofalsoinmineears,behold,the silveriswithme;Itookit.Andhismothersaid,Blessedbe thouoftheLORD,myson

3Andwhenhehadrestoredtheelevenhundredshekelsof silvertohismother,hismothersaid,Ihadwholly dedicatedthesilveruntotheLORDfrommyhandformy son,tomakeagravenimageandamoltenimage:now thereforeIwillrestoreituntothee.

4Yetherestoredthemoneyuntohismother;andhis mothertooktwohundredshekelsofsilver,andgavethem tothefounder,whomadethereofagravenimageanda moltenimage:andtheywereinthehouseofMicah

5AndthemanMicahhadanhouseofgods,andmadean ephod,andteraphim,andconsecratedoneofhissons,who becamehispriest

6InthosedaystherewasnokinginIsrael,buteveryman didthatwhichwasrightinhisowneyes

7AndtherewasayoungmanoutofBethlehemjudahof thefamilyofJudah,whowasaLevite,andhesojourned there

8Andthemandepartedoutofthecityfrom Bethlehemjudahtosojournwherehecouldfindaplace: andhecametomountEphraimtothehouseofMicah,as hejourneyed

9AndMicahsaiduntohim,Whencecomestthou?Andhe saiduntohim,IamaLeviteofBethlehemjudah,andIgo tosojournwhereImayfindaplace

10AndMicahsaiduntohim,Dwellwithme,andbeunto meafatherandapriest,andIwillgivetheetenshekelsof silverbytheyear,andasuitofapparel,andthyvictuals SotheLevitewentin

11AndtheLevitewascontenttodwellwiththeman;and theyoungmanwasuntohimasoneofhissons

12AndMicahconsecratedtheLevite;andtheyoungman becamehispriest,andwasinthehouseofMicah.

13ThensaidMicah,NowknowIthattheLORDwilldo megood,seeingIhaveaLevitetomypriest

CHAPTER18

1InthosedaystherewasnokinginIsrael:andinthose daysthetribeoftheDanitessoughtthemaninheritanceto dwellin;foruntothatdayalltheirinheritancehadnot fallenuntothemamongthetribesofIsrael.

2AndthechildrenofDansentoftheirfamilyfivemen fromtheircoasts,menofvalour,fromZorah,andfrom Eshtaol,tospyouttheland,andtosearchit;andtheysaid untothem,Go,searchtheland:whowhentheycameto mountEphraim,tothehouseofMicah,theylodgedthere

3WhentheywerebythehouseofMicah,theyknewthe voiceoftheyoungmantheLevite:andtheyturnedin thither,andsaiduntohim,Whobroughttheehither?and whatmakestthouinthisplace?andwhathastthouhere?

4Andhesaiduntothem,ThusandthusdealethMicahwith me,andhathhiredme,andIamhispriest

5Andtheysaiduntohim,Askcounsel,wepraythee,of God,thatwemayknowwhetherourwaywhichwego shallbeprosperous

6Andthepriestsaiduntothem,Goinpeace:beforethe LORDisyourwaywhereinyego

7Thenthefivemendeparted,andcametoLaish,andsaw thepeoplethatweretherein,howtheydweltcareless,after themanneroftheZidonians,quietandsecure;andthere wasnomagistrateintheland,thatmightputthemtoshame inanything;andtheywerefarfromtheZidonians,andhad nobusinesswithanyman

8AndtheycameuntotheirbrethrentoZorahandEshtaol: andtheirbrethrensaiduntothem,Whatsayye?

9Andtheysaid,Arise,thatwemaygoupagainstthem:for wehaveseentheland,and,behold,itisverygood:andare yestill?benotslothfultogo,andtoentertopossessthe land

10Whenyego,yeshallcomeuntoapeoplesecure,andto alargeland:forGodhathgivenitintoyourhands;aplace wherethereisnowantofanythingthatisintheearth

11AndtherewentfromthenceofthefamilyoftheDanites, outofZorahandoutofEshtaol,sixhundredmen appointedwithweaponsofwar

12Andtheywentup,andpitchedinKirjathjearim,in Judah:whereforetheycalledthatplaceMahanehdanunto thisday:behold,itisbehindKirjathjearim

13AndtheypassedthenceuntomountEphraim,andcame untothehouseofMicah

14Thenansweredthefivementhatwenttospyoutthe countryofLaish,andsaiduntotheirbrethren,Doyeknow thatthereisinthesehousesanephod,andteraphim,anda gravenimage,andamoltenimage?nowthereforeconsider whatyehavetodo.

15Andtheyturnedthitherward,andcametothehouseof theyoungmantheLevite,evenuntothehouseofMicah, andsalutedhim

16Andthesixhundredmenappointedwiththeirweapons ofwar,whichwereofthechildrenofDan,stoodbythe enteringofthegate

17Andthefivementhatwenttospyoutthelandwentup, andcameinthither,andtookthegravenimage,andthe ephod,andtheteraphim,andthemoltenimage:andthe prieststoodintheenteringofthegatewiththesixhundred menthatwereappointedwithweaponsofwar.

18AndthesewentintoMicah'shouse,andfetchedthe carvedimage,theephod,andtheteraphim,andthemolten image.Thensaidthepriestuntothem,Whatdoye?

19Andtheysaiduntohim,Holdthypeace,laythinehand uponthymouth,andgowithus,andbetousafatheranda priest:isitbetterfortheetobeapriestuntothehouseof oneman,orthatthoubeapriestuntoatribeandafamily inIsrael?

20Andthepriest'sheartwasglad,andhetooktheephod, andtheteraphim,andthegravenimage,andwentinthe midstofthepeople

21Sotheyturnedanddeparted,andputthelittleonesand thecattleandthecarriagebeforethem

22Andwhentheywereagoodwayfromthehouseof Micah,thementhatwereinthehousesneartoMicah's houseweregatheredtogether,andovertookthechildrenof Dan

23AndtheycrieduntothechildrenofDan.Andthey turnedtheirfaces,andsaiduntoMicah,Whataileththee, thatthoucomestwithsuchacompany?

24Andhesaid,YehavetakenawaymygodswhichI made,andthepriest,andyearegoneaway:andwhathave Imore?andwhatisthisthatyesayuntome,Whataileth thee?

25AndthechildrenofDansaiduntohim,Letnotthy voicebeheardamongus,lestangryfellowsrunuponthee, andthoulosethylife,withthelivesofthyhousehold.

26AndthechildrenofDanwenttheirway:andwhen Micahsawthattheyweretoostrongforhim,heturnedand wentbackuntohishouse.

27AndtheytookthethingswhichMicahhadmade,and thepriestwhichhehad,andcameuntoLaish,untoa peoplethatwereatquietandsecure:andtheysmotethem withtheedgeofthesword,andburntthecitywithfire

28Andtherewasnodeliverer,becauseitwasfarfrom Zidon,andtheyhadnobusinesswithanyman;anditwas inthevalleythatliethbyBethrehobAndtheybuiltacity, anddwelttherein.

29AndtheycalledthenameofthecityDan,afterthe nameofDantheirfather,whowasbornuntoIsrael: howbeitthenameofthecitywasLaishatthefirst.

30AndthechildrenofDansetupthegravenimage:and Jonathan,thesonofGershom,thesonofManasseh,heand hissonswereprieststothetribeofDanuntilthedayofthe captivityoftheland

31AndtheysetthemupMicah'sgravenimage,whichhe made,allthetimethatthehouseofGodwasinShiloh.

CHAPTER19

1Anditcametopassinthosedays,whentherewasno kinginIsrael,thattherewasacertainLevitesojourningon

thesideofmountEphraim,whotooktohimaconcubine outofBethlehemjudah

2Andhisconcubineplayedthewhoreagainsthim,and wentawayfromhimuntoherfather'shouseto Bethlehemjudah,andwastherefourwholemonths.

3Andherhusbandarose,andwentafterher,tospeak friendlyuntoher,andtobringheragain,havinghisservant withhim,andacoupleofasses:andshebroughthiminto herfather'shouse:andwhenthefatherofthedamselsaw him,herejoicedtomeethim

4Andhisfatherinlaw,thedamsel'sfather,retainedhim; andheabodewithhimthreedays:sotheydideatanddrink, andlodgedthere

5Anditcametopassonthefourthday,whentheyarose earlyinthemorning,thatheroseuptodepart:andthe damsel'sfathersaiduntohissoninlaw,Comfortthine heartwithamorselofbread,andafterwardgoyourway.

6Andtheysatdown,anddideatanddrinkbothofthem together:forthedamsel'sfatherhadsaiduntotheman,Be content,Ipraythee,andtarryallnight,andletthineheart bemerry

7Andwhenthemanroseuptodepart,hisfatherinlaw urgedhim:thereforehelodgedthereagain.

8Andhearoseearlyinthemorningonthefifthdayto depart:andthedamsel'sfathersaid,Comfortthineheart,I praythee.Andtheytarrieduntilafternoon,andtheydideat bothofthem

9Andwhenthemanroseuptodepart,he,andhis concubine,andhisservant,hisfatherinlaw,thedamsel's father,saiduntohim,Behold,nowthedaydrawethtoward evening,Iprayyoutarryallnight:behold,thedaygroweth toanend,lodgehere,thatthineheartmaybemerry;andto morrowgetyouearlyonyourway,thatthoumayestgo home

10Butthemanwouldnottarrythatnight,butheroseup anddeparted,andcameoveragainstJebus,whichis Jerusalem;andtherewerewithhimtwoassessaddled,his concubinealsowaswithhim.

11AndwhentheywerebyJebus,thedaywasfarspent; andtheservantsaiduntohismaster,Come,Ipraythee,and letusturninintothiscityoftheJebusites,andlodgeinit.

12Andhismastersaiduntohim,Wewillnotturnaside hitherintothecityofastranger,thatisnotofthechildren ofIsrael;wewillpassovertoGibeah.

13Andhesaiduntohisservant,Come,andletusdraw neartooneoftheseplacestolodgeallnight,inGibeah,or inRamah

14Andtheypassedonandwenttheirway;andthesun wentdownuponthemwhentheywerebyGibeah,which belongethtoBenjamin

15Andtheyturnedasidethither,togoinandtolodgein Gibeah:andwhenhewentin,hesathimdowninastreet ofthecity:fortherewasnomanthattookthemintohis housetolodging

16And,behold,therecameanoldmanfromhisworkout ofthefieldateven,whichwasalsoofmountEphraim;and hesojournedinGibeah:butthemenoftheplacewere Benjamites.

17Andwhenhehadlifteduphiseyes,hesawawayfaring maninthestreetofthecity:andtheoldmansaid,Whither goestthou?andwhencecomestthou?

18Andhesaiduntohim,Wearepassingfrom BethlehemjudahtowardthesideofmountEphraim;from

thenceamI:andIwenttoBethlehemjudah,butIamnow goingtothehouseoftheLORD;andthereisnomanthat receivethmetohouse

19Yetthereisbothstrawandprovenderforourasses;and thereisbreadandwinealsoforme,andforthyhandmaid, andfortheyoungmanwhichiswiththyservants:thereis nowantofanything

20Andtheoldmansaid,Peacebewiththee;howsoeverlet allthywantslieuponme;onlylodgenotinthestreet.

21Sohebroughthimintohishouse,andgaveprovender untotheasses:andtheywashedtheirfeet,anddideatand drink

22Nowastheyweremakingtheirheartsmerry,behold, themenofthecity,certainsonsofBelial,besetthehouse roundabout,andbeatatthedoor,andspaketothemaster ofthehouse,theoldman,saying,Bringforththemanthat cameintothinehouse,thatwemayknowhim.

23Andtheman,themasterofthehouse,wentoutunto them,andsaiduntothem,Nay,mybrethren,nay,Ipray you,donotsowickedly;seeingthatthismaniscomeinto minehouse,donotthisfolly

24Behold,hereismydaughteramaiden,andhis concubine;themIwillbringoutnow,andhumbleyethem, anddowiththemwhatseemethgooduntoyou:butunto thismandonotsovileathing

25Butthemenwouldnothearkentohim:sothemantook hisconcubine,andbroughtherforthuntothem;andthey knewher,andabusedherallthenightuntilthemorning: andwhenthedaybegantospring,theylethergo.

26Thencamethewomaninthedawningoftheday,and felldownatthedooroftheman'shousewhereherlordwas, tillitwaslight.

27Andherlordroseupinthemorning,andopenedthe doorsofthehouse,andwentouttogohisway:and,behold, thewomanhisconcubinewasfallendownatthedoorof thehouse,andherhandswereuponthethreshold 28Andhesaiduntoher,Up,andletusbegoingButnone answered.Thenthemantookherupuponanass,andthe manroseup,andgathimuntohisplace

29Andwhenhewascomeintohishouse,hetookaknife, andlaidholdonhisconcubine,anddividedher,together withherbones,intotwelvepieces,andsentherintoallthe coastsofIsrael.

30Anditwasso,thatallthatsawitsaid,Therewasno suchdeeddonenorseenfromthedaythatthechildrenof IsraelcameupoutofthelandofEgyptuntothisday: considerofit,takeadvice,andspeakyourminds

CHAPTER20

1ThenallthechildrenofIsraelwentout,andthe congregationwasgatheredtogetherasoneman,fromDan eventoBeersheba,withthelandofGilead,untotheLORD inMizpeh

2Andthechiefofallthepeople,evenofallthetribesof Israel,presentedthemselvesintheassemblyofthepeople ofGod,fourhundredthousandfootmenthatdrewsword

3(NowthechildrenofBenjaminheardthatthechildrenof IsraelweregoneuptoMizpeh)Thensaidthechildrenof Israel,Tellus,howwasthiswickedness?

4AndtheLevite,thehusbandofthewomanthatwasslain, answeredandsaid,IcameintoGibeahthatbelongethto Benjamin,Iandmyconcubine,tolodge

5AndthemenofGibeahroseagainstme,andbesetthe houseroundaboutuponmebynight,andthoughttohave slainme:andmyconcubinehavetheyforced,thatsheis dead

6AndItookmyconcubine,andcutherinpieces,andsent herthroughoutallthecountryoftheinheritanceofIsrael: fortheyhavecommittedlewdnessandfollyinIsrael

7Behold,yeareallchildrenofIsrael;givehereyour adviceandcounsel.

8Andallthepeoplearoseasoneman,saying,Wewillnot anyofusgotohistent,neitherwillweanyofusturninto hishouse

9Butnowthisshallbethethingwhichwewilldoto Gibeah;wewillgoupbylotagainstit;

10Andwewilltaketenmenofanhundredthroughoutall thetribesofIsrael,andanhundredofathousand,anda thousandoutoftenthousand,tofetchvictualforthepeople, thattheymaydo,whentheycometoGibeahofBenjamin, accordingtoallthefollythattheyhavewroughtinIsrael

11SoallthemenofIsraelweregatheredagainstthecity, knittogetherasoneman

12AndthetribesofIsraelsentmenthroughallthetribeof Benjamin,saying,Whatwickednessisthisthatisdone amongyou?

13Nowthereforedeliverusthemen,thechildrenofBelial, whichareinGibeah,thatwemayputthemtodeath,and putawayevilfromIsraelButthechildrenofBenjamin wouldnothearkentothevoiceoftheirbrethrenthe childrenofIsrael:

14ButthechildrenofBenjamingatheredthemselves togetheroutofthecitiesuntoGibeah,togoouttobattle againstthechildrenofIsrael.

15AndthechildrenofBenjaminwerenumberedatthat timeoutofthecitiestwentyandsixthousandmenthat drewsword,besidetheinhabitantsofGibeah,whichwere numberedsevenhundredchosenmen

16Amongallthispeoplethereweresevenhundredchosen menlefthanded;everyonecouldslingstonesatanhair breadth,andnotmiss

17AndthemenofIsrael,besideBenjamin,werenumbered fourhundredthousandmenthatdrewsword:allthesewere menofwar

18AndthechildrenofIsraelarose,andwentuptothe houseofGod,andaskedcounselofGod,andsaid,Which ofusshallgoupfirsttothebattleagainstthechildrenof Benjamin?AndtheLORDsaid,Judahshallgoupfirst

19AndthechildrenofIsraelroseupinthemorning,and encampedagainstGibeah

20AndthemenofIsraelwentouttobattleagainst Benjamin;andthemenofIsraelputthemselvesinarrayto fightagainstthematGibeah

21AndthechildrenofBenjamincameforthoutofGibeah, anddestroyeddowntothegroundoftheIsraelitesthatday twentyandtwothousandmen

22AndthepeoplethemenofIsraelencouragedthemselves, andsettheirbattleagaininarrayintheplacewherethey putthemselvesinarraythefirstday

23(AndthechildrenofIsraelwentupandweptbeforethe LORDuntileven,andaskedcounseloftheLORD,saying, ShallIgoupagaintobattleagainstthechildrenof Benjaminmybrother?AndtheLORDsaid,Goupagainst him)

24AndthechildrenofIsraelcamenearagainstthe childrenofBenjaminthesecondday

25AndBenjaminwentforthagainstthemoutofGibeah thesecondday,anddestroyeddowntothegroundofthe childrenofIsraelagaineighteenthousandmen;allthese drewthesword

26ThenallthechildrenofIsrael,andallthepeople,went up,andcameuntothehouseofGod,andwept,andsat therebeforetheLORD,andfastedthatdayuntileven,and offeredburntofferingsandpeaceofferingsbeforethe LORD.

27AndthechildrenofIsraelenquiredoftheLORD,(for thearkofthecovenantofGodwasthereinthosedays, 28AndPhinehas,thesonofEleazar,thesonofAaron, stoodbeforeitinthosedays,)saying,ShallIyetagaingo outtobattleagainstthechildrenofBenjaminmybrother, orshallIcease?AndtheLORDsaid,Goup;fortomorrow Iwilldeliverthemintothinehand

29AndIsraelsetliersinwaitroundaboutGibeah

30AndthechildrenofIsraelwentupagainstthechildren ofBenjaminonthethirdday,andputthemselvesinarray againstGibeah,asatothertimes

31AndthechildrenofBenjaminwentoutagainstthe people,andweredrawnawayfromthecity;andthey begantosmiteofthepeople,andkill,asatothertimes,in thehighways,ofwhichonegoethuptothehouseofGod, andtheothertoGibeahinthefield,aboutthirtymenof Israel

32AndthechildrenofBenjaminsaid,Theyaresmitten downbeforeus,asatthefirstButthechildrenofIsrael said,Letusflee,anddrawthemfromthecityuntothe highways.

33AndallthemenofIsraelroseupoutoftheirplace,and putthemselvesinarrayatBaaltamar:andtheliersinwait ofIsraelcameforthoutoftheirplaces,evenoutofthe meadowsofGibeah

34AndtherecameagainstGibeahtenthousandchosen menoutofallIsrael,andthebattlewassore:buttheyknew notthatevilwasnearthem

35AndtheLORDsmoteBenjaminbeforeIsrael:andthe childrenofIsraeldestroyedoftheBenjamitesthatday twentyandfivethousandandanhundredmen:allthese drewthesword.

36SothechildrenofBenjaminsawthattheyweresmitten: forthemenofIsraelgaveplacetotheBenjamites,because theytrusteduntotheliersinwaitwhichtheyhadsetbeside Gibeah

37Andtheliersinwaithasted,andrusheduponGibeah; andtheliersinwaitdrewthemselvesalong,andsmoteall thecitywiththeedgeofthesword

38Nowtherewasanappointedsignbetweenthemenof Israelandtheliersinwait,thattheyshouldmakeagreat flamewithsmokeriseupoutofthecity

39AndwhenthemenofIsraelretiredinthebattle, BenjaminbegantosmiteandkillofthemenofIsraelabout thirtypersons:fortheysaid,Surelytheyaresmittendown beforeus,asinthefirstbattle

40Butwhentheflamebegantoariseupoutofthecity withapillarofsmoke,theBenjamiteslookedbehindthem, and,behold,theflameofthecityascendeduptoheaven

41AndwhenthemenofIsraelturnedagain,themenof Benjaminwereamazed:fortheysawthatevilwascome uponthem

JUDGES

42Thereforetheyturnedtheirbacksbeforethemenof Israeluntothewayofthewilderness;butthebattle overtookthem;andthemwhichcameoutofthecitiesthey destroyedinthemidstofthem

43ThustheyinclosedtheBenjamitesroundabout,and chasedthem,andtrodethemdownwitheaseoveragainst Gibeahtowardthesunrising

44AndtherefellofBenjamineighteenthousandmen;all theseweremenofvalour.

45Andtheyturnedandfledtowardthewildernessuntothe rockofRimmon:andtheygleanedoftheminthehighways fivethousandmen;andpursuedhardafterthemunto Gidom,andslewtwothousandmenofthem

46SothatallwhichfellthatdayofBenjaminweretwenty andfivethousandmenthatdrewthesword;allthesewere menofvalour

47Butsixhundredmenturnedandfledtothewilderness untotherockRimmon,andabodeintherockRimmonfour months

48AndthemenofIsraelturnedagainuponthechildrenof Benjamin,andsmotethemwiththeedgeofthesword,as wellthemenofeverycity,asthebeast,andallthatcameto hand:alsotheysetonfireallthecitiesthattheycameto.

CHAPTER21

1NowthemenofIsraelhadsworninMizpeh,saying, ThereshallnotanyofusgivehisdaughteruntoBenjamin towife.

2AndthepeoplecametothehouseofGod,andabode theretillevenbeforeGod,andlifteduptheirvoices,and weptsore;

3Andsaid,OLORDGodofIsrael,whyisthiscometo passinIsrael,thatthereshouldbetodayonetribelacking inIsrael?

4Anditcametopassonthemorrow,thatthepeoplerose early,andbuiltthereanaltar,andofferedburntofferings andpeaceofferings.

5AndthechildrenofIsraelsaid,Whoisthereamongall thetribesofIsraelthatcamenotupwiththecongregation untotheLORD?Fortheyhadmadeagreatoath concerninghimthatcamenotuptotheLORDtoMizpeh, saying,Heshallsurelybeputtodeath.

6AndthechildrenofIsraelrepentedthemforBenjamin theirbrother,andsaid,ThereisonetribecutofffromIsrael thisday

7Howshallwedoforwivesforthemthatremain,seeing wehaveswornbytheLORDthatwewillnotgivethemof ourdaughterstowives?

8Andtheysaid,WhatoneisthereofthetribesofIsrael thatcamenotuptoMizpehtotheLORD?And,behold, therecamenonetothecampfromJabeshgileadtothe assembly

9Forthepeoplewerenumbered,and,behold,therewere noneoftheinhabitantsofJabeshgileadthere.

10Andthecongregationsentthithertwelvethousandmen ofthevaliantest,andcommandedthem,saying,Goand smitetheinhabitantsofJabeshgileadwiththeedgeofthe sword,withthewomenandthechildren

11Andthisisthethingthatyeshalldo,Yeshallutterly destroyeverymale,andeverywomanthathathlainbyman.

12AndtheyfoundamongtheinhabitantsofJabeshgilead fourhundredyoungvirgins,thathadknownnomanby

lyingwithanymale:andtheybroughtthemuntothecamp toShiloh,whichisinthelandofCanaan

13Andthewholecongregationsentsometospeaktothe childrenofBenjaminthatwereintherockRimmon,andto callpeaceablyuntothem.

14AndBenjamincameagainatthattime;andtheygave themwiveswhichtheyhadsavedaliveofthewomenof Jabeshgilead:andyetsotheysufficedthemnot.

15AndthepeoplerepentedthemforBenjamin,because thattheLORDhadmadeabreachinthetribesofIsrael

16Thentheeldersofthecongregationsaid,Howshallwe doforwivesforthemthatremain,seeingthewomenare destroyedoutofBenjamin?

17Andtheysaid,Theremustbeaninheritanceforthem thatbeescapedofBenjamin,thatatribebenotdestroyed outofIsrael

18Howbeitwemaynotgivethemwivesofourdaughters: forthechildrenofIsraelhavesworn,saying,Cursedbehe thatgivethawifetoBenjamin

19Thentheysaid,Behold,thereisafeastoftheLORDin Shilohyearlyinaplacewhichisonthenorthsideof Bethel,ontheeastsideofthehighwaythatgoethupfrom BetheltoShechem,andonthesouthofLebonah.

20ThereforetheycommandedthechildrenofBenjamin, saying,Goandlieinwaitinthevineyards;

21Andsee,and,behold,ifthedaughtersofShilohcome outtodanceindances,thencomeyeoutofthevineyards, andcatchyoueverymanhiswifeofthedaughtersof Shiloh,andgotothelandofBenjamin.

22Anditshallbe,whentheirfathersortheirbrethren comeuntoustocomplain,thatwewillsayuntothem,Be favourableuntothemforoursakes:becausewereserved nottoeachmanhiswifeinthewar:foryedidnotgive untothematthistime,thatyeshouldbeguilty

23AndthechildrenofBenjamindidso,andtookthem wives,accordingtotheirnumber,ofthemthatdanced, whomtheycaught:andtheywentandreturneduntotheir inheritance,andrepairedthecities,anddweltinthem.

24AndthechildrenofIsraeldepartedthenceatthattime, everymantohistribeandtohisfamily,andtheywentout fromthenceeverymantohisinheritance.

25InthosedaystherewasnokinginIsrael:everymandid thatwhichwasrightinhisowneyes.