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diff --git a/old/7999-h/book07.htm b/old/7999-h/book07.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..74edb88 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/7999-h/book07.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2568 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Book 07</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- +body {background:#faebd7; margin:10%; text-align:justify} +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {color:#A82C28} +blockquote {font-size:14pt} +P {font-size:16pt} +--> +</style> +</head> +<body> + +<center> +<table summary="book7"> +<tr><td> + +<a href="book06.htm">Previous</a> <a href="contents.htm">Home</a> <a href="book08.htm">Next</a> + +<h1>Book 07 Judges</h1> + +<p>07:001:001 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the<br> + children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for<br> + us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?</p> + +<p>07:001:002 And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered<br> + the land into his hand.</p> + +<p>07:001:003 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into<br> + my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I<br> + likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with<br> + him.</p> + +<p>07:001:004 And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and<br> + the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek<br> + ten thousand men.</p> + +<p>07:001:005 And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against<br> + him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.</p> + +<p>07:001:006 But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught<br> + him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.</p> + +<p>07:001:007 And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their<br> + thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under<br> + my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they<br> + brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.</p> + +<p>07:001:008 Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and<br> + had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and<br> + set the city on fire.</p> + +<p>07:001:009 And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against<br> + the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south,<br> + and in the valley.</p> + +<p>07:001:010 And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron:<br> + (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba:) and they slew<br> + Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.</p> + +<p>07:001:011 And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and<br> + the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher:</p> + +<p>07:001:012 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it,<br> + to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.</p> + +<p>07:001:013 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took<br> + it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.</p> + +<p>07:001:014 And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him<br> + to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her<br> + ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?</p> + +<p>07:001:015 And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given<br> + me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave<br> + her the upper springs and the nether springs.</p> + +<p>07:001:016 And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up<br> + out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into<br> + the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and<br> + they went and dwelt among the people.</p> + +<p>07:001:017 And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the<br> + Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it.<br> + And the name of the city was called Hormah.</p> + +<p>07:001:018 Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with<br> + the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.</p> + +<p>07:001:019 And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants<br> + of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of<br> + the valley, because they had chariots of iron.</p> + +<p>07:001:020 And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he<br> + expelled thence the three sons of Anak.</p> + +<p>07:001:021 And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites<br> + that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the<br> + children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.</p> + +<p>07:001:022 And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and<br> + the LORD was with them.</p> + +<p>07:001:023 And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name<br> + of the city before was Luz.)</p> + +<p>07:001:024 And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they<br> + said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the<br> + city, and we will shew thee mercy.</p> + +<p>07:001:025 And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote<br> + the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man<br> + and all his family.</p> + +<p>07:001:026 And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a<br> + city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name<br> + thereof unto this day.</p> + +<p>07:001:027 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean<br> + and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants<br> + of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her<br> + towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the<br> + Canaanites would dwell in that land.</p> + +<p>07:001:028 And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the<br> + Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.</p> + +<p>07:001:029 Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in<br> + Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.</p> + +<p>07:001:030 Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor<br> + the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among<br> + them, and became tributaries.</p> + +<p>07:001:031 Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the<br> + inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of<br> + Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:</p> + +<p>07:001:032 But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants<br> + of the land: for they did not drive them out.</p> + +<p>07:001:033 Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh,<br> + nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the<br> + Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the<br> + inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries<br> + unto them.</p> + +<p>07:001:034 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain:<br> + for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:</p> + +<p>07:001:035 But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in<br> + Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so<br> + that they became tributaries.</p> + +<p>07:001:036 And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to<br> + Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.</p> + +<p>07:002:001 And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and<br> + said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you<br> + unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I<br> + will never break my covenant with you.</p> + +<p>07:002:002 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land;<br> + ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my<br> + voice: why have ye done this?</p> + +<p>07:002:003 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before<br> + you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods<br> + shall be a snare unto you.</p> + +<p>07:002:004 And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these<br> + words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted<br> + up their voice, and wept.</p> + +<p>07:002:005 And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they<br> + sacrificed there unto the LORD.</p> + +<p>07:002:006 And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel<br> + went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.</p> + +<p>07:002:007 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all<br> + the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all<br> + the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.</p> + +<p>07:002:008 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died,<br> + being an hundred and ten years old.</p> + +<p>07:002:009 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in<br> + Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of<br> + the hill Gaash.</p> + +<p>07:002:010 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers:<br> + and there arose another generation after them, which knew not<br> + the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.</p> + +<p>07:002:011 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD,<br> + and served Baalim:</p> + +<p>07:002:012 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought<br> + them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the<br> + gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed<br> + themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.</p> + +<p>07:002:013 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.</p> + +<p>07:002:014 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he<br> + delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them,<br> + and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about,<br> + so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.</p> + +<p>07:002:015 Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against<br> + them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn<br> + unto them: and they were greatly distressed.</p> + +<p>07:002:016 Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them<br> + out of the hand of those that spoiled them.</p> + +<p>07:002:017 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they<br> + went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto<br> + them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers<br> + walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did<br> + not so.</p> + +<p>07:002:018 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was<br> + with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their<br> + enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD<br> + because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed<br> + them and vexed them.</p> + +<p>07:002:019 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they<br> + returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in<br> + following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them;<br> + they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn<br> + way.</p> + +<p>07:002:020 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said,<br> + Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I<br> + commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;</p> + +<p>07:002:021 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of<br> + the nations which Joshua left when he died:</p> + +<p>07:002:022 That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep<br> + the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep<br> + it, or not.</p> + +<p>07:002:023 Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them<br> + out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of<br> + Joshua.</p> + +<p>07:003:001 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel<br> + by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars<br> + of Canaan;</p> + +<p>07:003:002 Only that the generations of the children of Israel might<br> + know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew<br> + nothing thereof;</p> + +<p>07:003:003 Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites,<br> + and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount<br> + Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.</p> + +<p>07:003:004 And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they<br> + would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he<br> + commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.</p> + +<p>07:003:005 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites,<br> + Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and<br> + Jebusites:</p> + +<p>07:003:006 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave<br> + their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.</p> + +<p>07:003:007 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD,<br> + and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the<br> + groves.</p> + +<p>07:003:008 Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he<br> + sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of<br> + Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served<br> + Chushanrishathaim eight years.</p> + +<p>07:003:009 And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD<br> + raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered<br> + them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.</p> + +<p>07:003:010 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged<br> + Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered<br> + Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his<br> + hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.</p> + +<p>07:003:011 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of<br> + Kenaz died.</p> + +<p>07:003:012 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the<br> + LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against<br> + Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.</p> + +<p>07:003:013 And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and<br> + went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.</p> + +<p>07:003:014 So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab<br> + eighteen years.</p> + +<p>07:003:015 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD<br> + raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite,<br> + a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a<br> + present unto Eglon the king of Moab.</p> + +<p>07:003:016 But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit<br> + length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right<br> + thigh.</p> + +<p>07:003:017 And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon<br> + was a very fat man.</p> + +<p>07:003:018 And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away<br> + the people that bare the present.</p> + +<p>07:003:019 But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by<br> + Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king:<br> + who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out<br> + from him.</p> + +<p>07:003:020 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer<br> + parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have<br> + a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.</p> + +<p>07:003:021 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his<br> + right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:</p> + +<p>07:003:022 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed<br> + upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of<br> + his belly; and the dirt came out.</p> + +<p>07:003:023 Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of<br> + the parlour upon him, and locked them.</p> + +<p>07:003:024 When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw<br> + that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said,<br> + Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.</p> + +<p>07:003:025 And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he<br> + opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a<br> + key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down<br> + dead on the earth.</p> + +<p>07:003:026 And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the<br> + quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.</p> + +<p>07:003:027 And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet<br> + in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went<br> + down with him from the mount, and he before them.</p> + +<p>07:003:028 And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath<br> + delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they<br> + went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab,<br> + and suffered not a man to pass over.</p> + +<p>07:003:029 And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all<br> + lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man.</p> + +<p>07:003:030 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the<br> + land had rest fourscore years.</p> + +<p>07:003:031 And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the<br> + Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also<br> + delivered Israel.</p> + +<p>07:004:001 And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the<br> + LORD, when Ehud was dead.</p> + +<p>07:004:002 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan,<br> + that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera,<br> + which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.</p> + +<p>07:004:003 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had<br> + nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily<br> + oppressed the children of Israel.</p> + +<p>07:004:004 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged<br> + Israel at that time.</p> + +<p>07:004:005 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and<br> + Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to<br> + her for judgment.</p> + +<p>07:004:006 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of<br> + Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of<br> + Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and<br> + take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali<br> + and of the children of Zebulun?</p> + +<p>07:004:007 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the<br> + captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude;<br> + and I will deliver him into thine hand.</p> + +<p>07:004:008 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will<br> + go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.</p> + +<p>07:004:009 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the<br> + journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for<br> + the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And<br> + Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.</p> + +<p>07:004:010 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went<br> + up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with<br> + him.</p> + +<p>07:004:011 Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the<br> + father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites,<br> + and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by<br> + Kedesh.</p> + +<p>07:004:012 And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone<br> + up to mount Tabor.</p> + +<p>07:004:013 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine<br> + hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with<br> + him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.</p> + +<p>07:004:014 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which<br> + the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the<br> + LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount<br> + Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.</p> + +<p>07:004:015 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all<br> + his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that<br> + Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his<br> + feet.</p> + +<p>07:004:016 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto<br> + Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell<br> + upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.</p> + +<p>07:004:017 Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the<br> + wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin<br> + the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.</p> + +<p>07:004:018 And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in,<br> + my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in<br> + unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.</p> + +<p>07:004:019 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to<br> + drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and<br> + gave him drink, and covered him.</p> + +<p>07:004:020 Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it<br> + shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say,<br> + Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.</p> + +<p>07:004:021 Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an<br> + hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the<br> + nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he<br> + was fast asleep and weary. So he died.</p> + +<p>07:004:022 And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet<br> + him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man<br> + whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold,<br> + Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.</p> + +<p>07:004:023 So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the<br> + children of Israel.</p> + +<p>07:004:024 And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and<br> + prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had<br> + destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.</p> + +<p>07:005:001 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day,<br> + saying,</p> + +<p>07:005:002 Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people<br> + willingly offered themselves.</p> + +<p>07:005:003 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing<br> + unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.</p> + +<p>07:005:004 LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out<br> + of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens<br> + dropped, the clouds also dropped water.</p> + +<p>07:005:005 The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai<br> + from before the LORD God of Israel.</p> + +<p>07:005:006 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael,<br> + the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked<br> + through byways.</p> + +<p>07:005:007 The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel,<br> + until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.</p> + +<p>07:005:008 They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a<br> + shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?</p> + +<p>07:005:009 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered<br> + themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.</p> + +<p>07:005:010 Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment,<br> + and walk by the way.</p> + +<p>07:005:011 They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the<br> + places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the<br> + righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the<br> + inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people<br> + of the LORD go down to the gates.</p> + +<p>07:005:012 Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise,<br> + Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.</p> + +<p>07:005:013 Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles<br> + among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the<br> + mighty.</p> + +<p>07:005:014 Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after<br> + thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down<br> + governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the<br> + writer.</p> + +<p>07:005:015 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar,<br> + and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the<br> + divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.</p> + +<p>07:005:016 Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings<br> + of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great<br> + searchings of heart.</p> + +<p>07:005:017 Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships?<br> + Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.</p> + +<p>07:005:018 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives<br> + unto the death in the high places of the field.</p> + +<p>07:005:019 The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in<br> + Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.</p> + +<p>07:005:020 They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought<br> + against Sisera.</p> + +<p>07:005:021 The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the<br> + river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.</p> + +<p>07:005:022 Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings,<br> + the pransings of their mighty ones.</p> + +<p>07:005:023 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly<br> + the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of<br> + the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.</p> + +<p>07:005:024 Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite<br> + be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.</p> + +<p>07:005:025 He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth<br> + butter in a lordly dish.</p> + +<p>07:005:026 She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the<br> + workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she<br> + smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through<br> + his temples.</p> + +<p>07:005:027 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he<br> + bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.</p> + +<p>07:005:028 The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through<br> + the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry<br> + the wheels of his chariots?</p> + +<p>07:005:029 Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to<br> + herself,</p> + +<p>07:005:030 Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every<br> + man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a<br> + prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of<br> + needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take<br> + the spoil?</p> + +<p>07:005:031 So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that<br> + love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And<br> + the land had rest forty years.</p> + +<p>07:006:001 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD:<br> + and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven<br> + years.</p> + +<p>07:006:002 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because<br> + of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens<br> + which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.</p> + +<p>07:006:003 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came<br> + up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even<br> + they came up against them;</p> + +<p>07:006:004 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of<br> + the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance<br> + for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.</p> + +<p>07:006:005 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they<br> + came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their<br> + camels were without number: and they entered into the land to<br> + destroy it.</p> + +<p>07:006:006 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites;<br> + and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.</p> + +<p>07:006:007 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto<br> + the LORD because of the Midianites,</p> + +<p>07:006:008 That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel,<br> + which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I<br> + brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the<br> + house of bondage;</p> + +<p>07:006:009 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out<br> + of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from<br> + before you, and gave you their land;</p> + +<p>07:006:010 And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods<br> + of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not<br> + obeyed my voice.</p> + +<p>07:006:011 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak<br> + which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite:<br> + and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it<br> + from the Midianites.</p> + +<p>07:006:012 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto<br> + him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.</p> + +<p>07:006:013 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us,<br> + why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his<br> + miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the<br> + LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken<br> + us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.</p> + +<p>07:006:014 And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might,<br> + and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites:<br> + have not I sent thee?</p> + +<p>07:006:015 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save<br> + Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the<br> + least in my father's house.</p> + +<p>07:006:016 And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and<br> + thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.</p> + +<p>07:006:017 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight,<br> + then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.</p> + +<p>07:006:018 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and<br> + bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I<br> + will tarry until thou come again.</p> + +<p>07:006:019 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes<br> + of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put<br> + the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak,<br> + and presented it.</p> + +<p>07:006:020 And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the<br> + unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out<br> + the broth. And he did so.</p> + +<p>07:006:021 Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that<br> + was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened<br> + cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed<br> + the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD<br> + departed out of his sight.</p> + +<p>07:006:022 And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD,<br> + Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for because I have seen an<br> + angel of the LORD face to face.</p> + +<p>07:006:023 And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou<br> + shalt not die.</p> + +<p>07:006:024 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it<br> + Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the<br> + Abiezrites.</p> + +<p>07:006:025 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto<br> + him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock<br> + of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy<br> + father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:</p> + +<p>07:006:026 And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this<br> + rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and<br> + offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou<br> + shalt cut down.</p> + +<p>07:006:027 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD<br> + had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his<br> + father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not<br> + do it by day, that he did it by night.</p> + +<p>07:006:028 And when the men of the city arose early in the morning,<br> + behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut<br> + down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon<br> + the altar that was built.</p> + +<p>07:006:029 And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And<br> + when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of<br> + Joash hath done this thing.</p> + +<p>07:006:030 Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son,<br> + that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal,<br> + and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.</p> + +<p>07:006:031 And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead<br> + for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let<br> + him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god,<br> + let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his<br> + altar.</p> + +<p>07:006:032 Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let<br> + Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.</p> + +<p>07:006:033 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of<br> + the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in<br> + the valley of Jezreel.</p> + +<p>07:006:034 But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a<br> + trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.</p> + +<p>07:006:035 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was<br> + gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and<br> + unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet<br> + them.</p> + +<p>07:006:036 And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine<br> + hand, as thou hast said,</p> + +<p>07:006:037 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the<br> + dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth<br> + beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine<br> + hand, as thou hast said.</p> + +<p>07:006:038 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust<br> + the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a<br> + bowl full of water.</p> + +<p>07:006:039 And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against<br> + me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee,<br> + but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the<br> + fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.</p> + +<p>07:006:040 And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece<br> + only, and there was dew on all the ground.</p> + +<p>07:007:001 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were<br> + with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod:<br> + so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of<br> + them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.</p> + +<p>07:007:002 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee<br> + are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands,<br> + lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand<br> + hath saved me.</p> + +<p>07:007:003 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people,<br> + saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and<br> + depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the<br> + people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten<br> + thousand.</p> + +<p>07:007:004 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many;<br> + bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee<br> + there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This<br> + shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of<br> + whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the<br> + same shall not go.</p> + +<p>07:007:005 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD<br> + said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his<br> + tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself;<br> + likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.</p> + +<p>07:007:006 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to<br> + their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the<br> + people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.</p> + +<p>07:007:007 And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that<br> + lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine<br> + hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his<br> + place.</p> + +<p>07:007:008 So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets:<br> + and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent,<br> + and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian<br> + was beneath him in the valley.</p> + +<p>07:007:009 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto<br> + him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered<br> + it into thine hand.</p> + +<p>07:007:010 But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant<br> + down to the host:</p> + +<p>07:007:011 And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine<br> + hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he<br> + down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men<br> + that were in the host.</p> + +<p>07:007:012 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of<br> + the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for<br> + multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand<br> + by the sea side for multitude.</p> + +<p>07:007:013 And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a<br> + dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream,<br> + and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of<br> + Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and<br> + overturned it, that the tent lay along.</p> + +<p>07:007:014 And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save<br> + the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for<br> + into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.</p> + +<p>07:007:015 And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and<br> + the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned<br> + into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath<br> + delivered into your hand the host of Midian.</p> + +<p>07:007:016 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and<br> + he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and<br> + lamps within the pitchers.</p> + +<p>07:007:017 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and,<br> + behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be<br> + that, as I do, so shall ye do.</p> + +<p>07:007:018 When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then<br> + blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and<br> + say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.</p> + +<p>07:007:019 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto<br> + the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch;<br> + and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the<br> + trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.</p> + +<p>07:007:020 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the<br> + pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the<br> + trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried,<br> + The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.</p> + +<p>07:007:021 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp;<br> + and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.</p> + +<p>07:007:022 And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set<br> + every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the<br> + host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the<br> + border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.</p> + +<p>07:007:023 And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of<br> + Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and<br> + pursued after the Midianites.</p> + +<p>07:007:024 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim,<br> + saying, come down against the Midianites, and take before them<br> + the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of<br> + Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto<br> + Bethbarah and Jordan.</p> + +<p>07:007:025 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb;<br> + and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at<br> + the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the<br> + heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.</p> + +<p>07:008:001 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us<br> + thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight<br> + with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.</p> + +<p>07:008:002 And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of<br> + you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than<br> + the vintage of Abiezer?</p> + +<p>07:008:003 God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb<br> + and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then<br> + their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.</p> + +<p>07:008:004 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three<br> + hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.</p> + +<p>07:008:005 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves<br> + of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint,<br> + and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.</p> + +<p>07:008:006 And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and<br> + Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto<br> + thine army?</p> + +<p>07:008:007 And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah<br> + and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with<br> + the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.</p> + +<p>07:008:008 And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise:<br> + and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had<br> + answered him.</p> + +<p>07:008:009 And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come<br> + again in peace, I will break down this tower.</p> + +<p>07:008:010 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with<br> + them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all<br> + the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an<br> + hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.</p> + +<p>07:008:011 And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on<br> + the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host; for the<br> + host was secure.</p> + +<p>07:008:012 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and<br> + took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and<br> + discomfited all the host.</p> + +<p>07:008:013 And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the<br> + sun was up,</p> + +<p>07:008:014 And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of<br> + him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the<br> + elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.</p> + +<p>07:008:015 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah<br> + and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the<br> + hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should<br> + give bread unto thy men that are weary?</p> + +<p>07:008:016 And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the<br> + wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of<br> + Succoth.</p> + +<p>07:008:017 And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the<br> + city.</p> + +<p>07:008:018 Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were<br> + they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so<br> + were they; each one resembled the children of a king.</p> + +<p>07:008:019 And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my<br> + mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I<br> + would not slay you.</p> + +<p>07:008:020 And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But<br> + the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was<br> + yet a youth.</p> + +<p>07:008:021 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for<br> + as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew<br> + Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on<br> + their camels' necks.</p> + +<p>07:008:022 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us,<br> + both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast<br> + delivered us from the hand of Midian.</p> + +<p>07:008:023 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither<br> + shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.</p> + +<p>07:008:024 And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you,<br> + that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For<br> + they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)</p> + +<p>07:008:025 And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they<br> + spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings<br> + of his prey.</p> + +<p>07:008:026 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a<br> + thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments,<br> + and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of<br> + Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels'<br> + necks.</p> + +<p>07:008:027 And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even<br> + in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it:<br> + which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.</p> + +<p>07:008:028 Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that<br> + they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in<br> + quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.</p> + +<p>07:008:029 And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own<br> + house.</p> + +<p>07:008:030 And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten:<br> + for he had many wives.</p> + +<p>07:008:031 And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a<br> + son, whose name he called Abimelech.</p> + +<p>07:008:032 And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was<br> + buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the<br> + Abiezrites.</p> + +<p>07:008:033 And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the<br> + children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after<br> + Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.</p> + +<p>07:008:034 And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God,<br> + who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies<br> + on every side:</p> + +<p>07:008:035 Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal,<br> + namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had<br> + shewed unto Israel.</p> + +<p>07:009:001 And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his<br> + mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the<br> + family of the house of his mother's father, saying,</p> + +<p>07:009:002 Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem,<br> + Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of<br> + Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over<br> + you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your<br> + bone and your flesh.</p> + +<p>07:009:003 And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the<br> + men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to<br> + follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.</p> + +<p>07:009:004 And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of<br> + the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and<br> + light persons, which followed him.</p> + +<p>07:009:005 And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his<br> + brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten<br> + persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the<br> + youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.</p> + +<p>07:009:006 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the<br> + house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the<br> + plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.</p> + +<p>07:009:007 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top<br> + of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said<br> + unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may<br> + hearken unto you.</p> + +<p>07:009:008 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and<br> + they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.</p> + +<p>07:009:009 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness,<br> + wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted<br> + over the trees?</p> + +<p>07:009:010 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over<br> + us.</p> + +<p>07:009:011 But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my<br> + sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the<br> + trees?</p> + +<p>07:009:012 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over<br> + us.</p> + +<p>07:009:013 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which<br> + cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?</p> + +<p>07:009:014 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign<br> + over us.</p> + +<p>07:009:015 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me<br> + king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and<br> + if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the<br> + cedars of Lebanon.</p> + +<p>07:009:016 Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye<br> + have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with<br> + Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to<br> + the deserving of his hands;</p> + +<p>07:009:017 (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far,<br> + and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:</p> + +<p>07:009:018 And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and<br> + have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one<br> + stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant,<br> + king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)</p> + +<p>07:009:019 If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and<br> + with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let<br> + him also rejoice in you:</p> + +<p>07:009:020 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the<br> + men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out<br> + from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and<br> + devour Abimelech.</p> + +<p>07:009:021 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt<br> + there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.</p> + +<p>07:009:022 When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,</p> + +<p>07:009:023 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of<br> + Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with<br> + Abimelech:</p> + +<p>07:009:024 That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of<br> + Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech<br> + their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem,<br> + which aided him in the killing of his brethren.</p> + +<p>07:009:025 And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of<br> + the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by<br> + them: and it was told Abimelech.</p> + +<p>07:009:026 And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over<br> + to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in<br> + him.</p> + +<p>07:009:027 And they went out into the fields, and gathered their<br> + vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into<br> + the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed<br> + Abimelech.</p> + +<p>07:009:028 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is<br> + Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of<br> + Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the<br> + father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?</p> + +<p>07:009:029 And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I<br> + remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine<br> + army, and come out.</p> + +<p>07:009:030 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal<br> + the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.</p> + +<p>07:009:031 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold,<br> + Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and,<br> + behold, they fortify the city against thee.</p> + +<p>07:009:032 Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with<br> + thee, and lie in wait in the field:</p> + +<p>07:009:033 And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is<br> + up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold,<br> + when he and the people that is with him come out against thee,<br> + then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.</p> + +<p>07:009:034 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him,<br> + by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four<br> + companies.</p> + +<p>07:009:035 And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering<br> + of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people<br> + that were with him, from lying in wait.</p> + +<p>07:009:036 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there<br> + come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said<br> + unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they<br> + were men.</p> + +<p>07:009:037 And Gaal spake again, and said, See there come people down by<br> + the middle of the land, and another company come along by the<br> + plain of Meonenim.</p> + +<p>07:009:038 Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith<br> + thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is<br> + not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray<br> + now, and fight with them.</p> + +<p>07:009:039 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with<br> + Abimelech.</p> + +<p>07:009:040 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many<br> + were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the<br> + gate.</p> + +<p>07:009:041 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and<br> + his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.</p> + +<p>07:009:042 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out<br> + into the field; and they told Abimelech.</p> + +<p>07:009:043 And he took the people, and divided them into three companies,<br> + and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the<br> + people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against<br> + them, and smote them.</p> + +<p>07:009:044 And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed<br> + forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city:<br> + and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were<br> + in the fields, and slew them.</p> + +<p>07:009:045 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he<br> + took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat<br> + down the city, and sowed it with salt.</p> + +<p>07:009:046 And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they<br> + entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.</p> + +<p>07:009:047 And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of<br> + Shechem were gathered together.</p> + +<p>07:009:048 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the<br> + people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his<br> + hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and<br> + laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were<br> + with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I<br> + have done.</p> + +<p>07:009:049 And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and<br> + followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold<br> + on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem<br> + died also, about a thousand men and women.</p> + +<p>07:009:050 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez,<br> + and took it.</p> + +<p>07:009:051 But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled<br> + all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it<br> + to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.</p> + +<p>07:009:052 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and<br> + went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.</p> + +<p>07:009:053 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon<br> + Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.</p> + +<p>07:009:054 Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer,<br> + and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say<br> + not of me, A women slew him. And his young man thrust him<br> + through, and he died.</p> + +<p>07:009:055 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they<br> + departed every man unto his place.</p> + +<p>07:009:056 Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did<br> + unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:</p> + +<p>07:009:057 And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon<br> + their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of<br> + Jerubbaal.</p> + +<p>07:010:001 And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son<br> + of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in<br> + Shamir in mount Ephraim.</p> + +<p>07:010:002 And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was<br> + buried in Shamir.</p> + +<p>07:010:003 And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel<br> + twenty and two years.</p> + +<p>07:010:004 And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they<br> + had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day,<br> + which are in the land of Gilead.</p> + +<p>07:010:005 And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.</p> + +<p>07:010:006 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the<br> + LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria,<br> + and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of<br> + the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and<br> + forsook the LORD, and served not him.</p> + +<p>07:010:007 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold<br> + them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of<br> + the children of Ammon.</p> + +<p>07:010:008 And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel:<br> + eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the<br> + other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in<br> + Gilead.</p> + +<p>07:010:009 Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight<br> + also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the<br> + house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.</p> + +<p>07:010:010 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We<br> + have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our<br> + God, and also served Baalim.</p> + +<p>07:010:011 And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I<br> + deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from<br> + the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?</p> + +<p>07:010:012 The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did<br> + oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of<br> + their hand.</p> + +<p>07:010:013 Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I<br> + will deliver you no more.</p> + +<p>07:010:014 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them<br> + deliver you in the time of your tribulation.</p> + +<p>07:010:015 And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned:<br> + do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us<br> + only, we pray thee, this day.</p> + +<p>07:010:016 And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served<br> + the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.</p> + +<p>07:010:017 Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and<br> + encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled<br> + themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.</p> + +<p>07:010:018 And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What<br> + man is he that will begin to fight against the children of<br> + Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.</p> + +<p>07:011:001 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he<br> + was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.</p> + +<p>07:011:002 And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up,<br> + and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt<br> + not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a<br> + strange woman.</p> + +<p>07:011:003 Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of<br> + Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went<br> + out with him.</p> + +<p>07:011:004 And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of<br> + Ammon made war against Israel.</p> + +<p>07:011:005 And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war<br> + against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah<br> + out of the land of Tob:</p> + +<p>07:011:006 And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we<br> + may fight with the children of Ammon.</p> + +<p>07:011:007 And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate<br> + me, and expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come<br> + unto me now when ye are in distress?</p> + +<p>07:011:008 And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn<br> + again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight<br> + against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the<br> + inhabitants of Gilead.</p> + +<p>07:011:009 And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me<br> + home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the<br> + LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?</p> + +<p>07:011:010 And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be<br> + witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words.</p> + +<p>07:011:011 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people<br> + made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all<br> + his words before the LORD in Mizpeh.</p> + +<p>07:011:012 And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of<br> + Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art<br> + come against me to fight in my land?</p> + +<p>07:011:013 And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the<br> + messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when<br> + they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and<br> + unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again<br> + peaceably.</p> + +<p>07:011:014 And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the<br> + children of Ammon:</p> + +<p>07:011:015 And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away<br> + the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:</p> + +<p>07:011:016 But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the<br> + wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;</p> + +<p>07:011:017 Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let<br> + me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom<br> + would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto<br> + the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode<br> + in Kadesh.</p> + +<p>07:011:018 Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the<br> + land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side<br> + of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon,<br> + but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the<br> + border of Moab.</p> + +<p>07:011:019 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites,<br> + the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we<br> + pray thee, through thy land into my place.</p> + +<p>07:011:020 But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but<br> + Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz,<br> + and fought against Israel.</p> + +<p>07:011:021 And the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people<br> + into the hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel<br> + possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of<br> + that country.</p> + +<p>07:011:022 And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon<br> + even unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan.</p> + +<p>07:011:023 So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites<br> + from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it?</p> + +<p>07:011:024 Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee<br> + to possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out<br> + from before us, them will we possess.</p> + +<p>07:011:025 And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of<br> + Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or<br> + did he ever fight against them,</p> + +<p>07:011:026 While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and<br> + her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts<br> + of Arnon, three hundred years? why therefore did ye not<br> + recover them within that time?</p> + +<p>07:011:027 Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me<br> + wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day<br> + between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.</p> + +<p>07:011:028 Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto<br> + the words of Jephthah which he sent him.</p> + +<p>07:011:029 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed<br> + over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead,<br> + and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of<br> + Ammon.</p> + +<p>07:011:030 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou<br> + shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine<br> + hands,</p> + +<p>07:011:031 Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of<br> + my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children<br> + of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD's, and I will offer it up<br> + for a burnt offering.</p> + +<p>07:011:032 So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight<br> + against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands.</p> + +<p>07:011:033 And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith,<br> + even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with<br> + a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were<br> + subdued before the children of Israel.</p> + +<p>07:011:034 And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his<br> + daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances:<br> + and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor<br> + daughter.</p> + +<p>07:011:035 And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his<br> + clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me<br> + very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have<br> + opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.</p> + +<p>07:011:036 And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy<br> + mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath<br> + proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken<br> + vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of<br> + Ammon.</p> + +<p>07:011:037 And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me:<br> + let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the<br> + mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows.</p> + +<p>07:011:038 And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she<br> + went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the<br> + mountains.</p> + +<p>07:011:039 And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she<br> + returned unto her father, who did with her according to his<br> + vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a<br> + custom in Israel,</p> + +<p>07:011:040 That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the<br> + daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.</p> + +<p>07:012:001 And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went<br> + northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou<br> + over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not<br> + call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee<br> + with fire.</p> + +<p>07:012:002 And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great<br> + strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye<br> + delivered me not out of their hands.</p> + +<p>07:012:003 And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my<br> + hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the<br> + LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come<br> + up unto me this day, to fight against me?</p> + +<p>07:012:004 Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and<br> + fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim,<br> + because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim<br> + among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites.</p> + +<p>07:012:005 And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the<br> + Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which<br> + were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said<br> + unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;</p> + +<p>07:012:006 Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said<br> + Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then<br> + they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and<br> + there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two<br> + thousand.</p> + +<p>07:012:007 And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the<br> + Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.</p> + +<p>07:012:008 And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.</p> + +<p>07:012:009 And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent<br> + abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons.<br> + And he judged Israel seven years.</p> + +<p>07:012:010 Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem.</p> + +<p>07:012:011 And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged<br> + Israel ten years.</p> + +<p>07:012:012 And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the<br> + country of Zebulun.</p> + +<p>07:012:013 And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged<br> + Israel.</p> + +<p>07:012:014 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on<br> + threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight<br> + years.</p> + +<p>07:012:015 And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was<br> + buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the<br> + Amalekites.</p> + +<p>07:013:001 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the<br> + LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the<br> + Philistines forty years.</p> + +<p>07:013:002 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the<br> + Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and<br> + bare not.</p> + +<p>07:013:003 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said<br> + unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but<br> + thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.</p> + +<p>07:013:004 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor<br> + strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:</p> + +<p>07:013:005 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor<br> + shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto<br> + God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of<br> + the hand of the Philistines.</p> + +<p>07:013:006 Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God<br> + came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of<br> + an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he<br> + was, neither told he me his name:</p> + +<p>07:013:007 But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a<br> + son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any<br> + unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from<br> + the womb to the day of his death.</p> + +<p>07:013:008 Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the<br> + man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach<br> + us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.</p> + +<p>07:013:009 And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God<br> + came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah<br> + her husband was not with her.</p> + +<p>07:013:010 And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and<br> + said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that<br> + came unto me the other day.</p> + +<p>07:013:011 And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the<br> + man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the<br> + woman? And he said, I am.</p> + +<p>07:013:012 And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we<br> + order the child, and how shall we do unto him?</p> + +<p>07:013:013 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said<br> + unto the woman let her beware.</p> + +<p>07:013:014 She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither<br> + let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing:<br> + all that I commanded her let her observe.</p> + +<p>07:013:015 And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let<br> + us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.</p> + +<p>07:013:016 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain<br> + me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a<br> + burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah<br> + knew not that he was an angel of the LORD.</p> + +<p>07:013:017 And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name,<br> + that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?</p> + +<p>07:013:018 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus<br> + after my name, seeing it is secret?</p> + +<p>07:013:019 So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon<br> + a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wonderously; and<br> + Manoah and his wife looked on.</p> + +<p>07:013:020 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from<br> + off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the<br> + flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and<br> + fell on their faces to the ground.</p> + +<p>07:013:021 But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to<br> + his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.</p> + +<p>07:013:022 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we<br> + have seen God.</p> + +<p>07:013:023 But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill<br> + us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat<br> + offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all<br> + these things, nor would as at this time have told us such<br> + things as these.</p> + +<p>07:013:024 And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the<br> + child grew, and the LORD blessed him.</p> + +<p>07:013:025 And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the<br> + camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.</p> + +<p>07:014:001 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of<br> + the daughters of the Philistines.</p> + +<p>07:014:002 And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said,<br> + I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the<br> + Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.</p> + +<p>07:014:003 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a<br> + woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my<br> + people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised<br> + Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me;<br> + for she pleaseth me well.</p> + +<p>07:014:004 But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the<br> + LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for<br> + at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.</p> + +<p>07:014:005 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to<br> + Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a<br> + young lion roared against him.</p> + +<p>07:014:006 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent<br> + him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his<br> + hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had<br> + done.</p> + +<p>07:014:007 And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased<br> + Samson well.</p> + +<p>07:014:008 And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside<br> + to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm<br> + of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.</p> + +<p>07:014:009 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came<br> + to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat:<br> + but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the<br> + carcase of the lion.</p> + +<p>07:014:010 So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there<br> + a feast; for so used the young men to do.</p> + +<p>07:014:011 And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought<br> + thirty companions to be with him.</p> + +<p>07:014:012 And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto<br> + you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days<br> + of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty<br> + sheets and thirty change of garments:</p> + +<p>07:014:013 But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty<br> + sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him,<br> + Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.</p> + +<p>07:014:014 And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and<br> + out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in<br> + three days expound the riddle.</p> + +<p>07:014:015 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto<br> + Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us<br> + the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with<br> + fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?</p> + +<p>07:014:016 And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but<br> + hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto<br> + the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he<br> + said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my<br> + mother, and shall I tell it thee?</p> + +<p>07:014:017 And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast<br> + lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told<br> + her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to<br> + the children of her people.</p> + +<p>07:014:018 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day<br> + before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? And what<br> + is stronger than a lion? and he said unto them, If ye had not<br> + plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.</p> + +<p>07:014:019 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to<br> + Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil,<br> + and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the<br> + riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his<br> + father's house.</p> + +<p>07:014:020 But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used<br> + as his friend.</p> + +<p>07:015:001 But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat<br> + harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said,<br> + I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would<br> + not suffer him to go in.</p> + +<p>07:015:002 And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly<br> + hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her<br> + younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead<br> + of her.</p> + +<p>07:015:003 And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless<br> + than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.</p> + +<p>07:015:004 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took<br> + firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in<br> + the midst between two tails.</p> + +<p>07:015:005 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into<br> + the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the<br> + shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and<br> + olives.</p> + +<p>07:015:006 Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they<br> + answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he<br> + had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the<br> + Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.</p> + +<p>07:015:007 And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will<br> + I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.</p> + +<p>07:015:008 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he<br> + went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.</p> + +<p>07:015:009 Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread<br> + themselves in Lehi.</p> + +<p>07:015:010 And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And<br> + they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as<br> + he hath done to us.</p> + +<p>07:015:011 Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock<br> + Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the<br> + Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast<br> + done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so<br> + have I done unto them.</p> + +<p>07:015:012 And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we<br> + may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson<br> + said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me<br> + yourselves.</p> + +<p>07:015:013 And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee<br> + fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not<br> + kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought<br> + him up from the rock.</p> + +<p>07:015:014 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against<br> + him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and<br> + the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was<br> + burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.</p> + +<p>07:015:015 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand,<br> + and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.</p> + +<p>07:015:016 And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps,<br> + with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.</p> + +<p>07:015:017 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that<br> + he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that<br> + place Ramathlehi.</p> + +<p>07:015:018 And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said,<br> + Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy<br> + servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the<br> + hand of the uncircumcised?</p> + +<p>07:015:019 But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there<br> + came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came<br> + again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof<br> + Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.</p> + +<p>07:015:020 And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty<br> + years.</p> + +<p>07:016:001 Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in<br> + unto her.</p> + +<p>07:016:002 And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither.<br> + And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in<br> + the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In<br> + the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.</p> + +<p>07:016:003 And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took<br> + the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went<br> + away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders,<br> + and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before<br> + Hebron.</p> + +<p>07:016:004 And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the<br> + valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.</p> + +<p>07:016:005 And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said<br> + unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength<br> + lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we<br> + may bind him to afflict him; and we will give thee every one<br> + of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.</p> + +<p>07:016:006 And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy<br> + great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to<br> + afflict thee.</p> + +<p>07:016:007 And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green<br> + withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as<br> + another man.</p> + +<p>07:016:008 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven<br> + green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with<br> + them.</p> + +<p>07:016:009 Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the<br> + chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee,<br> + Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken<br> + when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.</p> + +<p>07:016:010 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and<br> + told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou<br> + mightest be bound.</p> + +<p>07:016:011 And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that<br> + never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another<br> + man.</p> + +<p>07:016:012 Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and<br> + said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there<br> + were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them<br> + from off his arms like a thread.</p> + +<p>07:016:013 And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me,<br> + and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound.<br> + And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my<br> + head with the web.</p> + +<p>07:016:014 And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The<br> + Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his<br> + sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the<br> + web.</p> + +<p>07:016:015 And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when<br> + thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three<br> + times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.</p> + +<p>07:016:016 And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her<br> + words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;</p> + +<p>07:016:017 That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath<br> + not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite<br> + unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my<br> + strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like<br> + any other man.</p> + +<p>07:016:018 And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she<br> + sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come<br> + up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the<br> + lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money<br> + in their hand.</p> + +<p>07:016:019 And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a<br> + man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his<br> + head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from<br> + him.</p> + +<p>07:016:020 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he<br> + awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other<br> + times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD<br> + was departed from him.</p> + +<p>07:016:021 But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and<br> + brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass;<br> + and he did grind in the prison house.</p> + +<p>07:016:022 Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was<br> + shaven.</p> + +<p>07:016:023 Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for<br> + to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to<br> + rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our<br> + enemy into our hand.</p> + +<p>07:016:024 And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they<br> + said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the<br> + destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.</p> + +<p>07:016:025 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they<br> + said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they<br> + called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them<br> + sport: and they set him between the pillars.</p> + +<p>07:016:026 And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer<br> + me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth,<br> + that I may lean upon them.</p> + +<p>07:016:027 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of<br> + the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about<br> + three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made<br> + sport.</p> + +<p>07:016:028 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord God,<br> + remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only<br> + this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the<br> + Philistines for my two eyes.</p> + +<p>07:016:029 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the<br> + house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his<br> + right hand, and of the other with his left.</p> + +<p>07:016:030 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed<br> + himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords,<br> + and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which<br> + he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his<br> + life.</p> + +<p>07:016:031 Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down,<br> + and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah<br> + and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he<br> + judged Israel twenty years.</p> + +<p>07:017:001 And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah.</p> + +<p>07:017:002 And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of<br> + silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst,<br> + and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver is with<br> + me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be thou of the<br> + LORD, my son.</p> + +<p>07:017:003 And when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver<br> + to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the<br> + silver unto the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a graven<br> + image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto<br> + thee.</p> + +<p>07:017:004 Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took<br> + two hundred shekels of silver, and gave them to the founder,<br> + who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they<br> + were in the house of Micah.</p> + +<p>07:017:005 And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and<br> + teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his<br> + priest.</p> + +<p>07:017:006 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did<br> + that which was right in his own eyes.</p> + +<p>07:017:007 And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family<br> + of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.</p> + +<p>07:017:008 And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to<br> + sojourn where he could find a place: and he came to mount<br> + Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.</p> + +<p>07:017:009 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto<br> + him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn<br> + where I may find a place.</p> + +<p>07:017:010 And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a<br> + father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of<br> + silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals.<br> + So the Levite went in.</p> + +<p>07:017:011 And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the<br> + young man was unto him as one of his sons.</p> + +<p>07:017:012 And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his<br> + priest, and was in the house of Micah.</p> + +<p>07:017:013 Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good,<br> + seeing I have a Levite to my priest.</p> + +<p>07:018:001 In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days<br> + the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell<br> + in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen<br> + unto them among the tribes of Israel.</p> + +<p>07:018:002 And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from<br> + their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to<br> + spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them,<br> + Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to<br> + the house of Micah, they lodged there.</p> + +<p>07:018:003 When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of<br> + the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said<br> + unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in<br> + this place? and what hast thou here?</p> + +<p>07:018:004 And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me,<br> + and hath hired me, and I am his priest.</p> + +<p>07:018:005 And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God,<br> + that we may know whether our way which we go shall be<br> + prosperous.</p> + +<p>07:018:006 And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is<br> + your way wherein ye go.</p> + +<p>07:018:007 Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the<br> + people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the<br> + manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no<br> + magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any<br> + thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no<br> + business with any man.</p> + +<p>07:018:008 And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and<br> + their brethren said unto them, What say ye?</p> + +<p>07:018:009 And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we<br> + have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye<br> + still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the<br> + land.</p> + +<p>07:018:010 When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large<br> + land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where<br> + there is no want of any thing that is in the earth.</p> + +<p>07:018:011 And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out<br> + of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with<br> + weapons of war.</p> + +<p>07:018:012 And they went up, and pitched in Kirjathjearim, in Judah:<br> + wherefore they called that place Mahanehdan unto this day:<br> + behold, it is behind Kirjathjearim.</p> + +<p>07:018:013 And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the<br> + house of Micah.</p> + +<p>07:018:014 Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of<br> + Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is<br> + in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image,<br> + and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.</p> + +<p>07:018:015 And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the<br> + young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and<br> + saluted him.</p> + +<p>07:018:016 And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war,<br> + which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of<br> + the gate.</p> + +<p>07:018:017 And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and<br> + came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and<br> + the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in<br> + the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were<br> + appointed with weapons of war.</p> + +<p>07:018:018 And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved<br> + image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then<br> + said the priest unto them, What do ye?</p> + +<p>07:018:019 And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon<br> + thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest:<br> + is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one<br> + man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in<br> + Israel?</p> + +<p>07:018:020 And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and<br> + the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of<br> + the people.</p> + +<p>07:018:021 So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the<br> + cattle and the carriage before them.</p> + +<p>07:018:022 And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men<br> + that were in the houses near to Micah's house were gathered<br> + together, and overtook the children of Dan.</p> + +<p>07:018:023 And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their<br> + faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest<br> + with such a company?</p> + +<p>07:018:024 And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the<br> + priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what<br> + is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee?</p> + +<p>07:018:025 And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be<br> + heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou<br> + lose thy life, with the lives of thy household.</p> + +<p>07:018:026 And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw<br> + that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back<br> + unto his house.</p> + +<p>07:018:027 And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest<br> + which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at<br> + quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the<br> + sword, and burnt the city with fire.</p> + +<p>07:018:028 And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and<br> + they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley<br> + that lieth by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt<br> + therein.</p> + +<p>07:018:029 And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of<br> + Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name<br> + of the city was Laish at the first.</p> + +<p>07:018:030 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan,<br> + the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were<br> + priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of<br> + the land.</p> + +<p>07:018:031 And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all<br> + the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.</p> + +<p>07:019:001 And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in<br> + Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side<br> + of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of<br> + Bethlehemjudah.</p> + +<p>07:019:002 And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away<br> + from him unto her father's house to Bethlehemjudah, and was<br> + there four whole months.</p> + +<p>07:019:003 And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly<br> + unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him,<br> + and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father's<br> + house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced<br> + to meet him.</p> + +<p>07:019:004 And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and<br> + he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and<br> + lodged there.</p> + +<p>07:019:005 And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early<br> + in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel's<br> + father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a<br> + morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.</p> + +<p>07:019:006 And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them<br> + together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be<br> + content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart<br> + be merry.</p> + +<p>07:019:007 And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged<br> + him: therefore he lodged there again.</p> + +<p>07:019:008 And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart;<br> + and the damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray<br> + thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both<br> + of them.</p> + +<p>07:019:009 And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and<br> + his servant, his father in law, the damsel's father, said unto<br> + him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you<br> + tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge<br> + here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you<br> + early on your way, that thou mayest go home.</p> + +<p>07:019:010 But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and<br> + departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and<br> + there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was<br> + with him.</p> + +<p>07:019:011 And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the<br> + servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us<br> + turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.</p> + +<p>07:019:012 And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither<br> + into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of<br> + Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah.</p> + +<p>07:019:013 And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to<br> + one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in<br> + Ramah.</p> + +<p>07:019:014 And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down<br> + upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to<br> + Benjamin.</p> + +<p>07:019:015 And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in<br> + Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of<br> + the city: for there was no man that took them into his house<br> + to lodging.</p> + +<p>07:019:016 And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the<br> + field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he<br> + sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites.</p> + +<p>07:019:017 And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in<br> + the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest<br> + thou? and whence comest thou?</p> + +<p>07:019:018 And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah<br> + toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went<br> + to Bethlehemjudah, but I am now going to the house of the<br> + LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house.</p> + +<p>07:019:019 Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there<br> + is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for<br> + the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of<br> + any thing.</p> + +<p>07:019:020 And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all<br> + thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.</p> + +<p>07:019:021 So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the<br> + asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.</p> + +<p>07:019:022 Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of<br> + the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about,<br> + and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house,<br> + the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine<br> + house, that we may know him.</p> + +<p>07:019:023 And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and<br> + said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so<br> + wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not<br> + this folly.</p> + +<p>07:019:024 Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them<br> + I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them<br> + what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a<br> + thing.</p> + +<p>07:019:025 But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his<br> + concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her,<br> + and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the<br> + day began to spring, they let her go.</p> + +<p>07:019:026 Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down<br> + at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was<br> + light.</p> + +<p>07:019:027 And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of<br> + the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman<br> + his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and<br> + her hands were upon the threshold.</p> + +<p>07:019:028 And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none<br> + answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man<br> + rose up, and gat him unto his place.</p> + +<p>07:019:029 And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid<br> + hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her<br> + bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of<br> + Israel.</p> + +<p>07:019:030 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such<br> + deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel<br> + came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of<br> + it, take advice, and speak your minds.</p> + +<p>07:020:001 Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation<br> + was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba,<br> + with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.</p> + +<p>07:020:002 And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of<br> + Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of<br> + God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.</p> + +<p>07:020:003 (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of<br> + Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of<br> + Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?</p> + +<p>07:020:004 And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain,<br> + answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to<br> + Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.</p> + +<p>07:020:005 And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house<br> + round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me:<br> + and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead.</p> + +<p>07:020:006 And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her<br> + throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for<br> + they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.</p> + +<p>07:020:007 Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice<br> + and counsel.</p> + +<p>07:020:008 And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any<br> + of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his<br> + house.</p> + +<p>07:020:009 But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we<br> + will go up by lot against it;</p> + +<p>07:020:010 And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the<br> + tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand<br> + out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that<br> + they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according<br> + to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.</p> + +<p>07:020:011 So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit<br> + together as one man.</p> + +<p>07:020:012 And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of<br> + Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among<br> + you?</p> + +<p>07:020:013 Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial,<br> + which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put<br> + away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not<br> + hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel.</p> + +<p>07:020:014 But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out<br> + of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the<br> + children of Israel.</p> + +<p>07:020:015 And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of<br> + the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside<br> + the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred<br> + chosen men.</p> + +<p>07:020:016 Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men<br> + lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth,<br> + and not miss.</p> + +<p>07:020:017 And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four<br> + hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of<br> + war.</p> + +<p>07:020:018 And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of<br> + God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go<br> + up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And<br> + the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.</p> + +<p>07:020:019 And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and<br> + encamped against Gibeah.</p> + +<p>07:020:020 And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and<br> + the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against<br> + them at Gibeah.</p> + +<p>07:020:021 And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and<br> + destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty<br> + and two thousand men.</p> + +<p>07:020:022 And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and<br> + set their battle again in array in the place where they put<br> + themselves in array the first day.</p> + +<p>07:020:023 (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD<br> + until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go<br> + up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my<br> + brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)</p> + +<p>07:020:024 And the children of Israel came near against the children of<br> + Benjamin the second day.</p> + +<p>07:020:025 And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second<br> + day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of<br> + Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.</p> + +<p>07:020:026 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up,<br> + and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before<br> + the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt<br> + offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.</p> + +<p>07:020:027 And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark<br> + of the covenant of God was there in those days,</p> + +<p>07:020:028 And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood<br> + before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to<br> + battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I<br> + cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver<br> + them into thine hand.</p> + +<p>07:020:029 And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.</p> + +<p>07:020:030 And the children of Israel went up against the children of<br> + Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against<br> + Gibeah, as at other times.</p> + +<p>07:020:031 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and<br> + were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the<br> + people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which<br> + one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in<br> + the field, about thirty men of Israel.</p> + +<p>07:020:032 And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down<br> + before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said,<br> + Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways.</p> + +<p>07:020:033 And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put<br> + themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of<br> + Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows<br> + of Gibeah.</p> + +<p>07:020:034 And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of<br> + all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that<br> + evil was near them.</p> + +<p>07:020:035 And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of<br> + Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five<br> + thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword.</p> + +<p>07:020:036 So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for<br> + the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they<br> + trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside<br> + Gibeah.</p> + +<p>07:020:037 And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the<br> + liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city<br> + with the edge of the sword.</p> + +<p>07:020:038 Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and<br> + the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with<br> + smoke rise up out of the city.</p> + +<p>07:020:039 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin<br> + began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty<br> + persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before<br> + us, as in the first battle.</p> + +<p>07:020:040 But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a<br> + pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and,<br> + behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven.</p> + +<p>07:020:041 And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin<br> + were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.</p> + +<p>07:020:042 Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel<br> + unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them;<br> + and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the<br> + midst of them.</p> + +<p>07:020:043 Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased<br> + them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward<br> + the sunrising.</p> + +<p>07:020:044 And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these<br> + were men of valour.</p> + +<p>07:020:045 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock<br> + of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five<br> + thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew<br> + two thousand men of them.</p> + +<p>07:020:046 So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and<br> + five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of<br> + valour.</p> + +<p>07:020:047 But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the<br> + rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.</p> + +<p>07:020:048 And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of<br> + Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well<br> + the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to<br> + hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.</p> + +<p>07:021:001 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall<br> + not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.</p> + +<p>07:021:002 And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till<br> + even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;</p> + +<p>07:021:003 And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in<br> + Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in<br> + Israel?</p> + +<p>07:021:004 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early,<br> + and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and<br> + peace offerings.</p> + +<p>07:021:005 And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the<br> + tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto<br> + the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that<br> + came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be<br> + put to death.</p> + +<p>07:021:006 And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their<br> + brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this<br> + day.</p> + +<p>07:021:007 How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have<br> + sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters<br> + to wives?</p> + +<p>07:021:008 And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that<br> + came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD? And, behold, there came<br> + none to the camp from Jabeshgilead to the assembly.</p> + +<p>07:021:009 For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of<br> + the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead there.</p> + +<p>07:021:010 And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the<br> + valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the<br> + inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with<br> + the women and the children.</p> + +<p>07:021:011 And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly<br> + destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.</p> + +<p>07:021:012 And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four<br> + hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any<br> + male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is<br> + in the land of Canaan.</p> + +<p>07:021:013 And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children<br> + of Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call<br> + peaceably unto them.</p> + +<p>07:021:014 And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives<br> + which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and<br> + yet so they sufficed them not.</p> + +<p>07:021:015 And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the<br> + LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.</p> + +<p>07:021:016 Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for<br> + wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out<br> + of Benjamin?</p> + +<p>07:021:017 And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be<br> + escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of<br> + Israel.</p> + +<p>07:021:018 Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the<br> + children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that<br> + giveth a wife to Benjamin.</p> + +<p>07:021:019 Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh<br> + yearly in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the<br> + east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem,<br> + and on the south of Lebonah.</p> + +<p>07:021:020 Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go<br> + and lie in wait in the vineyards;</p> + +<p>07:021:021 And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to<br> + dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch<br> + you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to<br> + the land of Benjamin.</p> + +<p>07:021:022 And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come<br> + unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable<br> + unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man<br> + his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this<br> + time, that ye should be guilty.</p> + +<p>07:021:023 And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives,<br> + according to their number, of them that danced, whom they<br> + caught: and they went and returned unto their inheritance, and<br> + repaired the cities, and dwelt in them.</p> + +<p>07:021:024 And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every<br> + man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from<br> + thence every man to his inheritance.</p> + +<p>07:021:025 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that<br> + which was right in his own eyes.</p> + + +<a href="book06.htm">Previous</a> <a href="contents.htm">Home</a> <a href="book08.htm">Next</a> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +</body> +</html> |