\id JDG  
\h Judges 
\toc1 Judges 
\toc2 Judges 
\mt1 Judges  
\c 1  
\s1 Judah Takes the Lead  
\p
\v 1  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w died|strong="H4194"\w*, \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , “Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w should lead|strong="H5927"\w* \w the invasion against|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w and launch|strong="H8462"\w* \w the attack|strong="H3898"\w*?”  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “The men of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w should take the lead|strong="H5927"\w*. \w Be sure|strong="H2009"\w* \w of this! I am handing|strong="H5414"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*.”  
\v 3  \w The men of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to their relatives|strong="H0251"\w*, \w the men of Simeon|strong="H8095"\w*, “\w Invade|strong="H5927"\w* \w our|strong="H0854"\w* \w allotted|strong="H1486"\w* \w land with us|strong="H0854"\w* \w and help us|strong="H0854"\w* \w attack|strong="H3898"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1980"\w* \w we|strong="H0589"\w* \w will go with|strong="H0854"\w* \w you into your allotted|strong="H1486"\w* \w land.” So the men of Simeon|strong="H8095"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w them|strong="H5927"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w The men of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5927"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w handed|strong="H5414"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w and Perizzites|strong="H6522"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to them. They killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w at Bezek|strong="H0966"\w*.  
\v 5  \w They met|strong="H4672"\w* \w Adoni-Bezek|strong="H0137"\w* \w at Bezek|strong="H0966"\w* \w and fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w him. They defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w and Perizzites|strong="H6522"\w*.  
\v 6  \w When Adoni-Bezek|strong="H0137"\w* \w ran away|strong="H5127"\w*, \w they chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w him and captured|strong="H0270"\w* \w him. Then they cut off|strong="H7112"\w* \w his thumbs|strong="H0931"\w* \w and big toes|strong="H7272"\w*.  
\v 7  \w Adoni-Bezek|strong="H0137"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w*, \w with thumbs|strong="H3027"\w* \w and big toes|strong="H7272"\w* \w cut off|strong="H7112"\w*, \w used to|strong="H1961"\w* \w lick up|strong="H3950"\w* \w food scraps|strong="H8478"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w my table|strong="H7979"\w*. \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w has repaid|strong="H7999"\w* \w me for what|strong="H0834"\w* \w I did|strong="H6213"\w* \w to them.”|strong="H0935"\w* \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w him to Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w he died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 8  \w The men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w attacked|strong="H3898"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w and captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w it. They put|strong="H6310"\w* \w the sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w to it and set|strong="H7971"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w on fire|strong="H0784"\w*.   
\p
\v 9  \w Later|strong="H0310"\w* \w the men of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w went down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to attack|strong="H3898"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in the hill country|strong="H2022"\w*, \w the Negev|strong="H5045"\w*, \w and the lowlands|strong="H8219"\w*.  
\v 10  \w The men of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w attacked the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*. \w (Hebron|strong="H2275"\w* \w used to be called|strong="H8034"\w* \w Kiriath Arba|strong="H7153"\w*.\w ) They killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w Sheshai|strong="H8344"\w*, \w Ahiman|strong="H0289"\w*, \w and Talmai|strong="H8526"\w*.  
\v 11  \w From there|strong="H8033"\w* \w they attacked|strong="H1980"\w* \w the people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of Debir|strong="H1688"\w*. \w (Debir|strong="H1688"\w* \w used to be|strong="H6440"\w* \w called|strong="H8034"\w* \w Kiriath Sepher|strong="H7158"\w*.)  
\v 12  \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “To the man who attacks|strong="H5221"\w* \w and captures|strong="H3920"\w* \w Kiriath Sepher|strong="H7158"\w* \w I will give|strong="H5414"\w* \w my daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w Acsah|strong="H5915"\w* \w as a wife|strong="H0802"\w*.”  
\v 13  \w When Othniel|strong="H6274"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Kenaz|strong="H7073"\w*, \w Caleb’s|strong="H3612"\w* \w younger|strong="H6996"\w* \w brother|strong="H0251"\w*, \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w it, Caleb|strong="H5414"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w him his daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w Acsah|strong="H5915"\w* \w as a wife|strong="H0802"\w*.   
\p
\v 14  \w One time Acsah|strong="H0935"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w and charmed|strong="H6795"\w* \w her father|strong="H0001"\w* \w so she could ask him|strong="H7592"\w* \w for some land|strong="H7704"\w*. \w When she got down from her donkey|strong="H2543"\w*, \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to her, “What|strong="H4100"\w* \w would|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w*?”  
\v 15  \w She answered|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Please give|strong="H3051"\w* \w me a special present|strong="H1293"\w*. \w Since|strong="H3588"\w* \w you have given|strong="H5414"\w* \w me land|strong="H0776"\w* \w in the Negev|strong="H5045"\w*, \w now give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me springs|strong="H1543"\w* \w of water|strong="H4325"\w*.” \w So Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w her both the upper|strong="H5942"\w* \w and lower|strong="H8482"\w* \w springs|strong="H1543"\w*.   
\p
\v 16  \w Now the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of the Kenite|strong="H7017"\w*, \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w*’ \w father-in-law|strong="H2859"\w*, \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w the people of Judah from the City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of Date|strong="H8558"\w* \w Palm Trees to Arad|strong="H6166"\w* \w in the desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w located|strong="H0834"\w* \w in the Negev|strong="H5045"\w*. \w They went|strong="H1980"\w* \w and lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.   
\p
\v 17  \w The men of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w their brothers|strong="H0251"\w* \w the men of Simeon|strong="H8095"\w* \w and defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Zephath|strong="H6857"\w*. \w They wiped out|strong="H2763"\w* \w Zephath.|strong="H8034"\w* \w So|strong="H7121"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* now \w call|strong="H7121"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w Hormah|strong="H2767"\w*.  
\v 18  \w The men of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w Gaza|strong="H5804"\w*, \w Ashkelon|strong="H0831"\w*, \w Ekron|strong="H6138"\w*, \w and|strong="H0853"\w* \w the territory|strong="H1366"\w* surrounding each \w of|strong="H1366"\w* these cities.   
\p
\v 19  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was with|strong="H0854"\w* \w the men of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w They conquered|strong="H3423"\w* \w the hill country|strong="H2022"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they could not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in the coastal|strong="H6010"\w* \w plain, because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they had chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w with iron-rimmed|strong="H1270"\w* wheels.  
\v 20  \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* \w received|strong="H2275"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*, \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w as Moses|strong="H4872"\w* \w had promised|strong="H1696"\w*. \w He drove|strong="H3423"\w* \w out the three|strong="H7969"\w* \w Anakites|strong="H6061"\w*.  
\v 21  \w The men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w however|strong="H2983"\w*, \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the Jebusites|strong="H2983"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w The Jebusites|strong="H2983"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w the people of Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\s1 Partial Success  
\p
\v 22  \w When|strong="H5927"\w* \w the men|strong="H5927"\w* \w of Joseph|strong="H3130"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5927"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*.  
\v 23  \w When|strong="H8446"\w* \w the men|strong="H8446"\w* \w of Joseph|strong="H3130"\w* \w spied|strong="H1004"\w* \w out Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w (it used to be called|strong="H8034"\w* \w Luz|strong="H3870"\w*),  
\v 24  \w the spies|strong="H8104"\w* \w spotted|strong="H7200"\w* \w a man|strong="H0376"\w* \w leaving|strong="H3318"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w They said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “If you show|strong="H7200"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w a secret|strong="H4994"\w* \w entrance|strong="H3996"\w* \w into the city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w we will reward you|strong="H2617"\w*.”  
\v 25  \w He showed|strong="H7200"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w a secret entrance|strong="H3996"\w* \w into the city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w and they put|strong="H5221"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w to the sword|strong="H2719"\w*. \w But they let the|strong="H0853"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w and his extended|strong="H7971"\w* \w family|strong="H4940"\w* \w leave safely|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 26  \w He|strong="H1980"\w* moved \w to Hittite|strong="H2850"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* \w and built|strong="H1129"\w* \w a city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w He named|strong="H8034"\w* \w it Luz|strong="H3870"\w*, \w and it has kept that|strong="H1931"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\p
\v 27  \w The men of Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w Beth Shan|strong="H1052"\w*, \w Taanach|strong="H8590"\w*, \w or their surrounding towns|strong="H1323"\w*. \w Nor did they conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the people living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Dor|strong="H1756"\w*, \w Ibleam|strong="H2991"\w*, \w Megiddo|strong="H4023"\w* \w or their surrounding towns|strong="H1323"\w*. \w The Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w managed|strong="H2974"\w* \w to remain|strong="H3427"\w* \w in those|strong="H2063"\w* \w areas|strong="H0776"\w*.  
\v 28  \w Whenever|strong="H1961"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w was strong|strong="H2388"\w* \w militarily, they forced|strong="H7760"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w to do hard labor|strong="H4522"\w*, \w but they never|strong="H3808"\w* \w totally|strong="H3423"\w* \w conquered|strong="H3423"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*.   
\p
\v 29  \w The men of Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Gezer|strong="H1507"\w*. \w The Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w them in Gezer|strong="H1507"\w*.   
\p
\v 30  \w The men of Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the people living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Kitron|strong="H7003"\w* \w and Nahalol|strong="H5096"\w*. \w The Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w them and were|strong="H1961"\w* \w forced to do hard labor|strong="H4522"\w*.   
\p
\v 31  \w The men of Asher|strong="H0836"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the people living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Acco|strong="H5910"\w* \w or Sidon|strong="H6721"\w*, \w nor did they conquer Ahlab|strong="H0303"\w*, \w Aczib|strong="H0392"\w*, \w Helbah|strong="H2462"\w*, \w Aphek|strong="H0663"\w*, \w or Rehob|strong="H7340"\w*.  
\v 32  \w The people of Asher|strong="H0843"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w residing in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w*.   
\p
\v 33  \w The men of Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Beth Shemesh|strong="H1053"\w* \w or Beth Anath|strong="H1043"\w*. \w They live|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w residing|strong="H3427"\w* \w in the land|strong="H0776"\w*. \w The Canaanites|strong="H3427"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Beth Shemesh|strong="H1053"\w* \w and Beth Anath|strong="H1043"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w forced to do hard labor|strong="H4522"\w* \w for|strong="H0776"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*.   
\p
\v 34  \w The Amorites|strong="H0567"\w* \w forced|strong="H3905"\w* \w the people of Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w to live in the hill country|strong="H2022"\w*. \w They did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w them to live in|strong="H6010"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* coastal plain.  
\v 35  \w The Amorites|strong="H0567"\w* \w managed|strong="H2974"\w* \w to remain|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Har|strong="H2022"\w* \w Heres|strong="H2776"\w*, \w Aijalon|strong="H0357"\w*, \w and Shaalbim|strong="H8169"\w*. \w Whenever the tribe|strong="H1004"\w* \w of Joseph|strong="H3130"\w* \w was strong|strong="H3513"\w* \w militarily|strong="H3027"\w*, \w the Amorites were|strong="H1961"\w* \w forced to do hard labor|strong="H4522"\w*.  
\v 36  \w The border|strong="H1366"\w* \w of Amorite|strong="H0567"\w* \w territory ran from the Scorpion Ascent|strong="H4610"\w* \w to Sela|strong="H5553"\w* \w and on up|strong="H4605"\w*.   
\c 2  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w angelic messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Gilgal|strong="H1537"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Bokim|strong="H1066"\w*. \w He said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “I brought you up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* \w and led|strong="H0935"\w* \w you into|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w I had|strong="H0834"\w* \w solemnly|strong="H7650"\w* \w promised to give to your ancestors|strong="H0001"\w*. \w I said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w ‘I will never|strong="H3808"\w* \w break|strong="H6565"\w* \w my agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w with you|strong="H0854"\w*,  
\v 2  \w but you|strong="H0859"\w* \w must not|strong="H3808"\w* \w make an|strong="H3772"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w with the people who live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in this|strong="H2063"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*. \w You should|strong="H6213"\w* \w tear|strong="H5422"\w* \w down the altars|strong="H4196"\w* \w where they worship.’|strong="H3808"\w* \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w you have|strong="H8085"\w* \w disobeyed|strong="H6963"\w* \w me.|strong="H4100"\w* \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w would you do such a thing|strong="H2063"\w*?  
\v 3  \w At that time I also|strong="H1571"\w* \w warned you,|strong="H3808"\w* ‘\w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* disobey, \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w drive|strong="H1644"\w* \w out the Canaanites|strong="H6440"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w you. They will|strong="H1961"\w* \w ensnare you|strong="H0430"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w their|strong="H6440"\w* \w gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w lure|strong="H4170"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w away|strong="H1644"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 4  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w finished speaking|strong="H1696"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w*.  
\v 5  \w They named|strong="H8034"\w* \w that place|strong="H4725"\w* \w Bokim|strong="H1066"\w* \w and offered sacrifices|strong="H2076"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.   
\s1 \w The|strong="H3068"\w* End \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w an|strong="H8033"\w* Era  
\p
\v 6  \w When|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w dismissed|strong="H7971"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w to their allotted|strong="H5159"\w* \w portions of territory,|strong="H0376"\w* \w intending|strong="H0376"\w* \w to take possession|strong="H3423"\w* \w of the land|strong="H0776"\w*.  
\v 7  \w The people|strong="H5971"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w Joshua’s|strong="H3091"\w* \w lifetime|strong="H3117"\w* \w and as long as|strong="H3117"\w* \w the elderly men|strong="H2205"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w outlived|strong="H0310"\w* \w him|strong="H3091"\w* \w remained alive. These men had|strong="H0834"\w* \w witnessed|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the great|strong="H1419"\w* \w things|strong="H4639"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 8  \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Nun|strong="H5126"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*, \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w at the age|strong="H8141"\w* \w of one hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w*.  
\v 9  \w The people|strong="H6912"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w him in his allotted|strong="H5159"\w* \w land|strong="H8556"\w* \w in|strong="H6912"\w* Timnath \w Heres in the hill country|strong="H2022"\w* \w of Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, \w north|strong="H6828"\w* \w of Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Gaash|strong="H1608"\w*.  
\v 10  \w That entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w generation|strong="H1755"\w* \w passed away|strong="H0001"\w*; \w a new|strong="H0312"\w* \w generation|strong="H1755"\w* \w grew up|strong="H6965"\w* \w that had|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w personally experienced|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w presence or seen what|strong="H4639"\w* \w he had|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\s1 \w A|strong="H0834"\w* Monotonous Cycle  
\p
\v 11  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w before|strong="H5869"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w by worshiping|strong="H5647"\w* \w the Baals|strong="H1168"\w*.  
\v 12  \w They abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of their ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w who brought them out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*. \w They followed|strong="H0310"\w* \w other|strong="H0312"\w* \w gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w – the gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w of the nations|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w lived around|strong="H5439"\w* \w them. They worshiped|strong="H7812"\w* \w them and made the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w angry|strong="H3707"\w*.  
\v 13  \w They abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w and the Ashtars|strong="H6252"\w*.   
\p
\v 14  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was furious|strong="H0639"\w* \w with Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and handed|strong="H5414"\w* \w them over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to robbers|strong="H8154"\w* \w who plundered|strong="H8155"\w* \w them.|strong="H4376"\w* \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w turned|strong="H5414"\w* \w them over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H0341"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w* \w who lived around|strong="H5439"\w* \w them. They could|strong="H3201"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w withstand|strong="H5975"\w* \w their enemies|strong="H0341"\w*’ attacks.  
\v 15  \w Whenever|strong="H3605"\w* \w they went out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to fight|strong="H3027"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w did|strong="H0834"\w* \w them harm|strong="H7451"\w*, \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w as he had warned|strong="H1696"\w* \w and solemnly|strong="H7650"\w* \w vowed he would do.|strong="H3334"\w* \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w suffered|strong="H3334"\w* \w greatly|strong="H3966"\w*.   
\p
\v 16  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w raised|strong="H6965"\w* \w up leaders|strong="H8199"\w* \w who delivered|strong="H3467"\w* \w them from these robbers|strong="H8154"\w*.  
\v 17  \w But|strong="H1571"\w* \w they did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w obey|strong="H8085"\w* \w their leaders|strong="H8199"\w*. \w Instead|strong="H3588"\w* \w they prostituted|strong="H2181"\w* \w themselves|strong="H0310"\w* \w to other|strong="H0312"\w* \w gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w and worshiped|strong="H7812"\w* \w them. They quickly|strong="H4118"\w* \w turned aside|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the path|strong="H1870"\w* \w their ancestors|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w walked|strong="H1980"\w*. \w Their ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w had obeyed|strong="H4687"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w commands, but they did not|strong="H3808"\w*.  
\v 18  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w raised up|strong="H6965"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8199"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w each leader|strong="H8199"\w* \w and delivered|strong="H3467"\w* \w the people|strong="H3027"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w their enemies|strong="H0341"\w* \w while the leader|strong="H8199"\w* \w remained alive|strong="H5162"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w felt sorry for them|strong="H5009"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* cried \w out|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* agony \w because of|strong="H6440"\w* \w what their harsh|strong="H1766"\w* \w oppressors|strong="H3905"\w* \w did|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 19  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w a leader|strong="H8199"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w the next generation|strong="H7725"\w* would \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w act more wickedly|strong="H7843"\w* \w than the previous one|strong="H0001"\w*. \w They would follow|strong="H1980"\w* \w after|strong="H0310"\w* \w other|strong="H0312"\w* \w gods|strong="H0430"\w*, \w worshiping|strong="H5647"\w* \w them|strong="H7812"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w bowing|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w to them. They did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w give up|strong="H4611"\w* \w their|strong="H7725"\w* \w practices|strong="H4611"\w* \w or their stubborn|strong="H7186"\w* \w ways|strong="H1870"\w*.   
\s1 \w A|strong="H1961"\w* \w Divine|strong="H0430"\w* Decision  
\p
\v 20  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was furious|strong="H0639"\w* \w with Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w He said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “This|strong="H2088"\w* \w nation|strong="H1471"\w* \w has violated|strong="H5674"\w* \w the terms|strong="H3282"\w* \w of the agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w I|strong="H6680"\w* \w made with their ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w by disobeying|strong="H6963"\w* \w me|strong="H6963"\w*.  
\v 21  \w So I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will no|strong="H3808"\w* \w longer|strong="H3254"\w* \w remove before|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w* \w any|strong="H4480"\w* \w of the nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w left|strong="H5800"\w* \w unconquered|strong="H3423"\w* \w when he died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 22  \w Joshua left those nations|strong="H5254"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w test|strong="H5254"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w I wanted|strong="H4616"\w* \w to see|strong="H0518"\w* \w whether|strong="H0518"\w* \w or not|strong="H3808"\w* \w the people|strong="H1992"\w* \w would carefully|strong="H8104"\w* \w walk|strong="H1980"\w* \w in the path|strong="H1870"\w* \w marked|strong="H1992"\w* \w out by|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , as|strong="H0834"\w* \w their ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w were careful|strong="H8104"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H0518"\w*.”  
\v 23  \w This is why|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w permitted|strong="H3240"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w to remain and did not|strong="H1115"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w them immediately|strong="H4118"\w*; \w he did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w them over to Joshua|strong="H3091"\w*.   
\c 3  
\p
\v 1  \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w were the nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w permitted|strong="H3240"\w* \w to remain so he could use them to test|strong="H5254"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w – he wanted to test all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those who had|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w experienced|strong="H3045"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w against the Canaanites|strong="H3667"\w*.  
\v 2  \w He left|strong="H7535"\w* \w those nations|strong="H1847"\w* \w simply|strong="H1847"\w* \w because he wanted|strong="H4616"\w* \w to teach|strong="H3925"\w* \w the subsequent|strong="H1847"\w* \w generations|strong="H1755"\w* \w of Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w who had|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w experienced|strong="H3045"\w* \w the earlier|strong="H6440"\w* \w battles|strong="H4421"\w*, \w how|strong="H3045"\w* \w to conduct|strong="H7535"\w* \w holy war|strong="H4421"\w*.  
\v 3  \w These were the nations:|strong="H2568"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w lords|strong="H5633"\w* \w of the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w*, \w the Sidonians|strong="H6722"\w*, \w and the Hivites|strong="H2340"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Lebanon|strong="H3844"\w*, \w from Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Baal Hermon|strong="H1179"\w* \w to Lebo-Hamath|strong="H2574"\w*.  
\v 4  \w They were|strong="H1961"\w* \w left to test|strong="H5254"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w would know|strong="H3045"\w* \w if his people would obey|strong="H8085"\w* \w the commands|strong="H4687"\w* \w he gave|strong="H6680"\w* \w their ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w*.   
\p
\v 5  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w*, \w Hittites|strong="H2850"\w*, \w Amorites|strong="H0567"\w*, \w Perizzites|strong="H6522"\w*, \w Hivites|strong="H2340"\w*, \w and Jebusites|strong="H2983"\w*.  
\v 6  \w They took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the Canaanites’ daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w as wives|strong="H0802"\w* \w and gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w their daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to the Canaanites;|strong="H5647"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w their gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w as|strong="H1121"\w* well.   
\s1 Othniel: \w A|strong="H3947"\w* Model Leader  
\p
\v 7  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*. \w They forgot|strong="H7911"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w their God|strong="H0430"\w* \w and worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w the Baals|strong="H1168"\w* \w and the Asherahs|strong="H0842"\w*.  
\v 8  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was furious|strong="H0639"\w* \w with Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and turned|strong="H4376"\w* \w them over|strong="H4376"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Cushan-Rishathaim|strong="H3573"\w* \w of Aram-Naharaim|strong="H0763"\w*. \w They|strong="H3478"\w* \w were Cushan-Rishathaim’s|strong="H3573"\w* \w subjects|strong="H8083"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w eight|strong="H8083"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 9  \w When the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried|strong="H2199"\w* \w out for help to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , he|strong="H6965"\w* \w raised|strong="H6965"\w* \w up a deliverer|strong="H3467"\w* \w for the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w who rescued|strong="H3467"\w* \w them. His name was Othniel|strong="H6274"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Kenaz|strong="H7073"\w*, \w Caleb’s|strong="H3612"\w* \w younger|strong="H6996"\w* \w brother|strong="H0251"\w*.  
\v 10  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w empowered him|strong="H8199"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w When he went|strong="H3318"\w* \w to do battle|strong="H4421"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w over to him King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Cushan-Rishathaim|strong="H3573"\w* \w of Aram|strong="H0758"\w* \w and he|strong="H5810"\w* \w overpowered|strong="H3027"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 11  \w The land|strong="H0776"\w* \w had rest|strong="H8252"\w* \w for forty|strong="H0705"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*; \w then Othniel|strong="H6274"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Kenaz|strong="H7073"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.   
\s1 Deceit, Assassination, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Deliverance  
\p
\v 12  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*. \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w gave King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w* \w of Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w control|strong="H2388"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they had done|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*.  
\v 13  \w Eglon formed alliances|strong="H0622"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w* \w and Amalekites|strong="H6002"\w*. \w He came|strong="H1980"\w* \w and defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w and they seized|strong="H3423"\w* \w the City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of Date Palm Trees|strong="H8558"\w*.  
\v 14  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w were subject|strong="H5647"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w* \w of Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w for eighteen|strong="H6240"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\p
\v 15  \w When the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried out|strong="H2199"\w* \w for help to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , he|strong="H3068"\w* \w raised up|strong="H6965"\w* \w a deliverer|strong="H3467"\w* \w for them. His name was Ehud|strong="H0164"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Gera|strong="H1617"\w* \w the Benjaminite|strong="H1145"\w*, \w a left-handed|strong="H3225"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w*. \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w him to King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w* \w of Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w with their tribute payment|strong="H4503"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Ehud|strong="H0164"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w himself a sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w – it had two|strong="H8147"\w* \w edges|strong="H6366"\w* \w and was eighteen inches|strong="H1574"\w* \w long|strong="H0753"\w*. \w He strapped|strong="H2296"\w* \w it under|strong="H8478"\w* \w his coat|strong="H4055"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his right|strong="H3225"\w* \w thigh|strong="H3409"\w*.  
\v 17  \w He brought|strong="H7126"\w* \w the tribute|strong="H4503"\w* \w payment to King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w* \w of Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. \w (Now Eglon|strong="H5700"\w* \w was a very|strong="H3966"\w* \w fat|strong="H1277"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w*.)   
\p
\v 18  \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ehud|strong="H3615"\w* \w brought|strong="H7126"\w* \w the tribute|strong="H4503"\w* \w payment, he dismissed|strong="H7971"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who had|strong="H0834"\w* \w carried|strong="H5375"\w* \w it|strong="H7126"\w*.  
\v 19  \w But he|strong="H1931"\w* \w went back|strong="H7725"\w* \w once he reached|strong="H6456"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w carved|strong="H6456"\w* \w images|strong="H6456"\w* \w at|strong="H0854"\w* \w Gilgal|strong="H1537"\w*. \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to Eglon,|strong="H5643"\w* “\w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H4480"\w* secret \w message|strong="H1697"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w you, O king|strong="H4428"\w*.” \w Eglon|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Be quiet|strong="H2013"\w*\w !”|strong="H3605"\w* \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w his attendants|strong="H5975"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w*.  
\v 20  \w When Ehud|strong="H0164"\w* \w approached|strong="H0935"\w* \w him, he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w in his well-ventilated|strong="H4747"\w* \w upper room|strong="H5944"\w* \w all by himself|strong="H0905"\w*. \w Ehud|strong="H0164"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “I have a message|strong="H1697"\w* \w from God|strong="H0430"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w you.” When Eglon rose up|strong="H6965"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w his seat|strong="H3678"\w*,  
\v 21  \w Ehud|strong="H0164"\w* \w reached|strong="H7971"\w* \w with his left hand|strong="H8040"\w*, \w pulled|strong="H3947"\w* \w the sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w his right|strong="H3225"\w* \w thigh|strong="H3409"\w*, \w and drove|strong="H8628"\w* \w it into Eglon’s|strong="H0990"\w* \w belly|strong="H0990"\w*.  
\v 22  \w The handle|strong="H5325"\w* \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w in after|strong="H0310"\w* \w the blade|strong="H3851"\w*, \w and the fat|strong="H2459"\w* \w closed|strong="H5462"\w* \w around|strong="H1157"\w* \w the blade|strong="H3851"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ehud|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pull|strong="H8025"\w* \w the sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w out|strong="H8025"\w* \w of his belly|strong="H0990"\w*.  
\v 23  \w As Ehud|strong="H0164"\w* \w went out|strong="H3318"\w* \w into the vestibule|strong="H4528"\w*, \w he closed|strong="H5462"\w* \w the doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of the upper|strong="H5944"\w* \w room behind him and locked|strong="H5274"\w* \w them|strong="H3318"\w*.   
\p
\v 24  \w When Ehud had left, Eglon’s|strong="H5650"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w and saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the locked|strong="H5274"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of the upper|strong="H5944"\w* \w room. They said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “He must be relieving|strong="H5526"\w* \w himself|strong="H4747"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* well-ventilated \w inner room|strong="H2315"\w*.”  
\v 25  \w They waited|strong="H2342"\w* \w so long|strong="H5704"\w* \w they were embarrassed|strong="H0954"\w*, \w but he still|strong="H2009"\w* \w did not|strong="H0369"\w* \w open|strong="H6605"\w* \w the doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of the upper|strong="H5944"\w* \w room. Finally they took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w key|strong="H4668"\w* \w and opened|strong="H6605"\w* \w the doors.|strong="H2009"\w* \w Right|strong="H2009"\w* \w before their eyes was their master|strong="H0113"\w*, \w sprawled|strong="H5307"\w* \w out dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w on|strong="H5307"\w* \w the floor|strong="H0776"\w*!  
\v 26  \w Now Ehud|strong="H0164"\w* \w had escaped|strong="H4422"\w* \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w they were delaying|strong="H4102"\w*. \w When he passed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the carved images|strong="H6456"\w*, \w he escaped|strong="H4422"\w* \w to Seirah|strong="H8167"\w*.   
\p
\v 27  \w When|strong="H0935"\w* \w he reached|strong="H0935"\w* \w Seirah,|strong="H8628"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w a trumpet|strong="H7782"\w* \w in the Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w hill country|strong="H2022"\w*. \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w went down|strong="H3381"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the hill country|strong="H2022"\w*, \w with Ehud in the lead|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 28  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them|strong="H7291"\w*, \w “Follow|strong="H0310"\w* \w me, for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is about to defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w your enemies|strong="H0341"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Moabites|strong="H4124"\w*\w !”|strong="H0310"\w* \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w followed|strong="H0310"\w* \w him, captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the fords|strong="H4569"\w* \w of the Jordan River|strong="H3383"\w* \w opposite Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, \w and did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w anyone|strong="H0376"\w* \w cross|strong="H5674"\w*.  
\v 29  \w That day they killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w about ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w Moabites|strong="H4124"\w* – \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w strong, capable|strong="H0376"\w* \w warriors|strong="H2428"\w*; \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one escaped|strong="H4422"\w*.  
\v 30  \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w humiliated|strong="H3665"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w that day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w had rest|strong="H8252"\w* \w for eighty|strong="H8084"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\p
\v 31  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w Ehud|strong="H8044"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w Shamgar|strong="H8044"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Anath|strong="H6067"\w*; \w he killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w with an oxgoad|strong="H4451"\w* \w and, like Ehud,|strong="H3467"\w* \w delivered|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\c 4  
\p
\v 1  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w* \w after Ehud’s|strong="H0164"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H0834"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w turned|strong="H4376"\w* \w them over|strong="H4376"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w* \w of Canaan|strong="H3667"\w*, \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w ruled|strong="H4427"\w* \w in Hazor|strong="H2674"\w*. \w The general|strong="H8269"\w* \w of his army|strong="H6635"\w* \w was Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*, \w who lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Harosheth Haggoyim|strong="H1471"\w*.  
\v 3  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried out|strong="H6817"\w* \w for help to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , because|strong="H3588"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H8672"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w nine|strong="H8672"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w with iron-rimmed|strong="H1270"\w* \w wheels,|strong="H2394"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* cruelly \w oppressed|strong="H3905"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w for twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w Now Deborah|strong="H1683"\w*, \w a prophetess|strong="H5031"\w*, \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w of Lappidoth|strong="H3941"\w*, \w was|strong="H3478"\w* leading \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w at that time|strong="H6256"\w*.  
\v 5  \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w would sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w the Date Palm Tree|strong="H8560"\w* \w of Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w between|strong="H0996"\w* \w Ramah|strong="H7414"\w* \w and Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w in the Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w hill country|strong="H2022"\w*. \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w would come up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to her|strong="H0413"\w* \w to have their disputes|strong="H4941"\w* \w settled|strong="H3427"\w*.   
\p
\v 6  \w She summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Abinoam|strong="H0042"\w* \w from Kedesh|strong="H6943"\w* \w in Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w*. \w She said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him, “Is it not|strong="H3808"\w* \w true|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w is commanding|strong="H6680"\w* \w you? Go|strong="H1980"\w*, \w march|strong="H4900"\w* \w to Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w*\w ! Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w from Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* \w and Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w*!  
\v 7  \w I|strong="H4900"\w* \w will bring|strong="H4900"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*, \w the general|strong="H8269"\w* \w of Jabin’s|strong="H2985"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w*, \w to you at the Kishon|strong="H7028"\w* \w River|strong="H5158"\w*, \w along with his chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w and huge|strong="H1995"\w* \w army.|strong="H3027"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w over|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*.”  
\v 8  \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w her, “If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me, I will go|strong="H1980"\w*. \w But if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you do not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me, I will not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w*.”  
\v 9  \w She said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “I will indeed go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you. But you will not|strong="H3808"\w* \w gain fame|strong="H8597"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the expedition|strong="H1870"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are undertaking|strong="H1980"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w will turn|strong="H4376"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w over|strong="H4376"\w* \w to a woman|strong="H0802"\w*.” \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w got up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and went|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w to Kedesh|strong="H6943"\w*.  
\v 10  \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w summoned|strong="H2199"\w* \w men from Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* \w and Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* \w to Kedesh|strong="H6943"\w*. \w Ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w followed|strong="H5927"\w* \w him;|strong="H1683"\w* \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w* \w as|strong="H0376"\w* \w well|strong="H5973"\w*.  
\v 11  \w Now Heber|strong="H2268"\w* \w the Kenite|strong="H7017"\w* \w had moved away|strong="H6504"\w* \w from the Kenites|strong="H7017"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hobab|strong="H2246"\w*, \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w*’ \w father-in-law|strong="H2859"\w*. \w He lived|strong="H0168"\w* \w near|strong="H5704"\w* \w the great tree|strong="H0436"\w* \w in Zaanannim|strong="H6815"\w* \w near|strong="H0854"\w* \w Kedesh|strong="H6943"\w*.   
\p
\v 12  \w When Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w heard|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Abinoam|strong="H0042"\w* \w had gone up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w*,  
\v 13  \w he|strong="H5516"\w* \w ordered|strong="H2199"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his chariotry|strong="H7393"\w* \w – nine|strong="H8672"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w with iron-rimmed|strong="H1270"\w* wheels – \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* troops \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* go \w from|strong="H0413"\w* Harosheth-Haggoyim \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w River|strong="H5158"\w* \w Kishon|strong="H7028"\w*.  
\v 14  \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*, \w “Spring into action|strong="H6965"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w is the day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is handing|strong="H5414"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to you!|strong="H3068"\w* \w Has|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w taken the lead|strong="H6440"\w*\w ?”|strong="H1301"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w quickly went down|strong="H3381"\w* \w from Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w* \w with ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w following|strong="H0310"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 15  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w routed|strong="H2000"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his chariotry|strong="H7393"\w*, \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his army|strong="H4264"\w* \w with the edge|strong="H6310"\w* \w of the sword|strong="H2719"\w*. \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w jumped out|strong="H3381"\w* \w of|strong="H4818"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w chariot|strong="H4818"\w* \w and ran away|strong="H5127"\w* \w on foot|strong="H7272"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Now Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w the chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w and the army|strong="H4264"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the way to Harosheth Haggoyim|strong="H1471"\w*. \w Sisera’s|strong="H5516"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w died|strong="H6310"\w* \w by|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w edge|strong="H6310"\w* \w of the sword|strong="H2719"\w*; \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w survived|strong="H7604"\w*!   
\p
\v 17  \w Now Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w away on foot|strong="H7272"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the tent|strong="H0168"\w* \w of Jael|strong="H3278"\w*, \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w of Heber|strong="H2268"\w* \w the Kenite|strong="H7017"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w* \w of Hazor|strong="H2674"\w* \w and the family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of Heber|strong="H2268"\w* \w the Kenite|strong="H7017"\w* \w had made a peace|strong="H7965"\w* \w treaty|strong="H0996"\w*.  
\v 18  \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w* \w came out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to welcome|strong="H7125"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*. \w She said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “Stop|strong="H5493"\w* \w and rest,|strong="H0113"\w* \w my|strong="H3318"\w* \w lord|strong="H0113"\w*. \w Stop|strong="H5493"\w* \w and rest with me|strong="H0413"\w*. \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w be afraid|strong="H3372"\w*.” \w So Sisera|strong="H5493"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5493"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w rest in her tent|strong="H0168"\w*, \w and she put a blanket|strong="H8063"\w* \w over|strong="H3680"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 19  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to her, “Give me|strong="H4994"\w* \w a little|strong="H4592"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w to drink|strong="H8248"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I’m thirsty|strong="H6770"\w*.” \w She opened|strong="H6605"\w* \w a goatskin|strong="H4997"\w* \w container of milk and gave him some milk|strong="H2461"\w* \w to drink|strong="H8248"\w*. \w Then she covered|strong="H3680"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w up|strong="H0853"\w* again.  
\v 20  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to her|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “Stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w watch at the entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w to the tent|strong="H0168"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w anyone|strong="H0376"\w* \w comes|strong="H0935"\w* \w along and asks|strong="H7592"\w* \w you, ‘Is there|strong="H3426"\w* \w a man|strong="H0376"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w*\w ?’ say|strong="H0559"\w* \w ‘No|strong="H0369"\w*.’”  
\v 21  \w Then Jael|strong="H3278"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w of Heber|strong="H2268"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w a tent peg|strong="H3489"\w* \w in one hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w and a hammer|strong="H4718"\w* \w in the other.|strong="H0935"\w* \w She|strong="H1931"\w* crept \w up|strong="H7760"\w* \w on him, drove|strong="H8628"\w* \w the tent peg|strong="H3489"\w* \w through his temple|strong="H7541"\w* \w into the ground|strong="H0776"\w* \w while|strong="H1931"\w* \w he was asleep|strong="H7290"\w* \w from exhaustion|strong="H5774"\w*, \w and he died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 22  \w Now|strong="H2009"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w was chasing|strong="H7291"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*. \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w* \w went out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to welcome him|strong="H7125"\w*. \w She said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Come|strong="H1980"\w* \w here and I will show|strong="H7200"\w* \w you the|strong="H0853"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are searching|strong="H1245"\w* \w for.” He went|strong="H0935"\w* \w with her into|strong="H0413"\w* \w the tent,|strong="H2009"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w there|strong="H2009"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w sprawled|strong="H5307"\w* \w out dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w with the tent peg|strong="H3489"\w* \w in his temple|strong="H7541"\w*.   
\p
\v 23  \w That day|strong="H3117"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w humiliated|strong="H3665"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w* \w of Canaan|strong="H3667"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 24  \w Israel’s|strong="H3478"\w* \w power|strong="H3027"\w* \w continued|strong="H1980"\w* \w to overwhelm|strong="H7186"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w* \w of Canaan|strong="H3667"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w they did away|strong="H3772"\w* \w with|strong="H2985"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\c 5  
\p
\v 1  \w On that day|strong="H3117"\w* \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w and Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Abinoam|strong="H0042"\w* \w sang|strong="H7891"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* victory \w song|strong="H7891"\w*:   
\q1
\v 2 “\w When the leaders|strong="H6546"\w* \w took the lead|strong="H3478"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*,  
\q1 \w When the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w answered|strong="H5068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* call \w to|strong="H3068"\w* war –  
\q1 \w Praise|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*!   
\q1
\v 3  \w Hear|strong="H8085"\w*, \w O kings|strong="H4428"\w*\w !|strong="H0238"\w*  
\q1 \w Pay attention|strong="H0238"\w*, \w O rulers|strong="H7336"\w*\w !|strong="H0595"\w*  
\q1 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w sing|strong="H2167"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w !|strong="H0595"\w*  
\q1 \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will sing|strong="H2167"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w*!   
\q1
\v 4  \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , when|strong="H3318"\w* \w you departed|strong="H3318"\w* \w from Seir|strong="H8165"\w*,  
\q1 \w when you marched|strong="H6805"\w* \w from Edom’s|strong="H0123"\w* \w plains|strong="H7704"\w*,  
\q1 \w the earth|strong="H0776"\w* \w shook|strong="H7493"\w*, \w the heavens|strong="H8064"\w* \w poured|strong="H5197"\w* \w down,|strong="H5645"\w*  
\q1 \w the clouds|strong="H5645"\w* \w poured|strong="H5197"\w* \w down rain|strong="H4325"\w*.   
\q1
\v 5  \w The mountains|strong="H2022"\w* \w trembled|strong="H5140"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , the God of Sinai|strong="H5514"\w*;  
\q1 \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\q1
\v 6  \w In the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Shamgar|strong="H8044"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Anath|strong="H6067"\w*,  
\q1 \w in the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Jael|strong="H3278"\w* \w caravans|strong="H0734"\w* \w disappeared;|strong="H1980"\w*  
\q1 \w travelers|strong="H1980"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w on winding|strong="H6128"\w* \w side roads|strong="H0734"\w*.   
\q1
\v 7  \w Warriors|strong="H6520"\w* \w were scarce|strong="H2308"\w*,  
\q1 \w they were scarce|strong="H2308"\w* \w in Israel|strong="H3478"\w*,  
\q1 \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H6965"\w* \w arose|strong="H6965"\w*, \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w*,  
\q1 \w until you arose|strong="H6965"\w* \w as a motherly|strong="H0517"\w* \w protector|strong="H3478"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\q1
\v 8  \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w chose|strong="H0977"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w leaders,|strong="H0227"\w*  
\q1 \w then|strong="H0227"\w* \w fighters|strong="H3901"\w* \w appeared|strong="H7200"\w* \w in the city gates|strong="H8179"\w*;  
\q1 \w but, I swear, not a shield|strong="H4043"\w* \w or|strong="H0518"\w* \w spear|strong="H7420"\w* \w could be found,|strong="H0705"\w*  
\q1 \w among forty|strong="H0705"\w* \w military units|strong="H3478"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\q1
\v 9  \w My heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w went out|strong="H2710"\w* \w to Israel’s|strong="H3478"\w* \w leaders|strong="H5068"\w*,  
\q1 \w to the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who answered the call to war.|strong="H1288"\w*  
\q1 \w Praise|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*!   
\q1
\v 10  \w You who ride|strong="H7392"\w* \w on light-colored|strong="H6715"\w* \w female donkeys|strong="H0860"\w*,  
\q1 \w who sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w saddle blankets|strong="H4055"\w*,  
\q1 \w you who walk|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the road|strong="H1870"\w*, \w pay attention|strong="H7878"\w*!   
\q1
\v 11  \w Hear|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w sound|strong="H6963"\w* \w of those who divide the sheep|strong="H2686"\w* \w among|strong="H0996"\w* \w the watering places|strong="H4857"\w*;  
\q1 \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w they tell|strong="H8567"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Lord’s|strong="H3068"\w* \w victorious deeds|strong="H6666"\w*,  
\q1 \w the victorious deeds|strong="H6666"\w* \w of his warriors|strong="H6520"\w* \w in Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\q1 \w Then|strong="H0227"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w went down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to the city gates|strong="H8179"\w* –   
\q1
\v 12  \w Wake up|strong="H5782"\w*, \w wake up|strong="H5782"\w*, \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w*\w !|strong="H5782"\w*  
\q1 \w Wake up|strong="H5782"\w*, \w wake up|strong="H5782"\w*, \w sing|strong="H1696"\w* \w a song|strong="H7892"\w*\w !|strong="H6965"\w*  
\q1 \w Get up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*\w !|strong="H7617"\w*  
\q1 \w Capture|strong="H7617"\w* \w your prisoners|strong="H7628"\w* \w of war,|strong="H1121"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Abinoam|strong="H0042"\w*!   
\q1
\v 13  \w Then|strong="H0227"\w* \w the survivors|strong="H8300"\w* \w came down|strong="H7287"\w* \w to the mighty ones|strong="H0117"\w*;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w came down|strong="H7287"\w* \w to me|strong="H1368"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w*.   
\q1
\v 14  \w They came from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, \w who uprooted|strong="H8328"\w* \w Amalek|strong="H6002"\w*,  
\q1 \w they follow|strong="H0310"\w* \w after you, Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w with your soldiers|strong="H5971"\w*.  
\q1 \w From|strong="H4480"\w* \w Makir|strong="H4353"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2710"\w* \w came down|strong="H3381"\w*,  
\q1 \w from Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* \w came|strong="H4900"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* ones \w who|strong="H1144"\w* \w march|strong="H4900"\w* carrying \w an officer’s|strong="H5608"\w* \w staff|strong="H7626"\w*.   
\q1
\v 15  \w Issachar’s|strong="H3485"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w were with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w*,  
\q1 \w the men of Issachar|strong="H3485"\w* \w supported|strong="H3651"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*;  
\q1 \w into the valley|strong="H6010"\w* \w they were sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w under Barak’s command|strong="H7272"\w*.  
\q1 \w Among the clans|strong="H6391"\w* \w of Reuben|strong="H7205"\w* \w there was intense|strong="H1419"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w searching|strong="H2711"\w*.   
\q1
\v 16  \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w do you remain|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H0996"\w* \w the sheepfolds|strong="H4942"\w*,  
\q1 \w listening|strong="H8085"\w* \w to the shepherds playing their pipes|strong="H8292"\w* \w for their flocks|strong="H5739"\w*\w ?|strong="H6391"\w*  
\q1 \w As for the clans|strong="H6391"\w* \w of Reuben|strong="H7205"\w* \w – there was intense|strong="H1419"\w* \w searching|strong="H2714"\w* \w of heart|strong="H3820"\w*.   
\q1
\v 17  \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w stayed put|strong="H7931"\w* \w beyond|strong="H5676"\w* \w the Jordan River|strong="H3383"\w*.  
\q1 \w As for Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w – why|strong="H4100"\w* \w did he seek temporary employment|strong="H1481"\w* \w in the shipyards|strong="H0591"\w*\w ?|strong="H0836"\w*  
\q1 \w Asher|strong="H0836"\w* \w remained|strong="H3427"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the seacoast|strong="H3220"\w*,  
\q1 \w he stayed|strong="H7931"\w* \w by his harbors|strong="H4664"\w*.   
\q1
\v 18  \w The men of Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* \w were not concerned|strong="H2778"\w* \w about their lives|strong="H5315"\w*;  
\q1 \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* \w charged on|strong="H5921"\w* \w to the battlefields|strong="H7704"\w*.   
\q1
\v 19  \w Kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w*, \w they fought|strong="H3898"\w*;  
\q1 \w the kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w of Canaan|strong="H3667"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w*,  
\q1 \w at|strong="H0227"\w* \w Taanach|strong="H8590"\w* \w by the waters|strong="H4325"\w* \w of Megiddo|strong="H4023"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3947"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w as|strong="H0935"\w* \w plunder|strong="H1215"\w*.   
\q1
\v 20  \w From|strong="H4480"\w* \w the sky|strong="H8064"\w* \w the stars|strong="H3556"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w*,  
\q1 \w from their paths|strong="H4546"\w* \w in the heavens|strong="H3898"\w* \w they|strong="H4546"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*.   
\q1
\v 21  \w The Kishon|strong="H7028"\w* \w River|strong="H5158"\w* \w carried|strong="H1640"\w* \w them off|strong="H1640"\w*;  
\q1 \w the river|strong="H5158"\w* \w confronted|strong="H6917"\w* \w them|strong="H1640"\w* – \w the|strong="H1869"\w* \w Kishon|strong="H7028"\w* \w River|strong="H5158"\w*.  
\q1 Step \w on|strong="H1869"\w* \w the|strong="H1869"\w* necks \w of|strong="H5315"\w* \w the|strong="H1869"\w* \w strong|strong="H5797"\w*!   
\q1
\v 22  \w The horses|strong="H5483"\w*’ \w hooves|strong="H6119"\w* \w pounded|strong="H1986"\w* \w the ground;|strong="H0047"\w*  
\q1 \w the stallions|strong="H0047"\w* \w galloped madly|strong="H1726"\w*.   
\q1
\v 23 ‘\w Call judgment down on|strong="H0779"\w* \w Meroz|strong="H4789"\w*,’ \w says|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w angelic|strong="H4397"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*;  
\q1 ‘\w Be sure|strong="H0779"\w* \w to call judgment down on|strong="H0779"\w* \w those who live|strong="H3427"\w* \w there,|strong="H3588"\w*  
\q1 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to help|strong="H5833"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w battle,|strong="H5833"\w*  
\q1 \w to help|strong="H5833"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w battle against the warriors|strong="H1368"\w*.’   
\q1
\v 24  \w The most rewarded|strong="H1288"\w* \w of women|strong="H0802"\w* \w should be Jael|strong="H3278"\w*,  
\q1 \w the wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w of Heber|strong="H2268"\w* \w the Kenite|strong="H7017"\w*\w !|strong="H1288"\w*  
\q1 \w She should be|strong="H1288"\w* \w the most rewarded|strong="H1288"\w* \w of women|strong="H0802"\w* \w who live in tents|strong="H0168"\w*.   
\q1
\v 25  \w He asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w for water|strong="H4325"\w*,  
\q1 \w and she gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w him milk|strong="H2461"\w*;  
\q1 \w in a bowl|strong="H5602"\w* \w fit for a king|strong="H0117"\w*,  
\q1 \w she served|strong="H7126"\w* \w him curds|strong="H2529"\w*.   
\q1
\v 26  \w Her left|strong="H3027"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w reached|strong="H7971"\w* \w for the tent peg|strong="H3489"\w*,  
\q1 \w her right hand|strong="H3225"\w* \w for the workmen’s hammer|strong="H1989"\w*.  
\q1 \w She “hammered”|strong="H5516"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*,  
\q1 \w she shattered his skull|strong="H4277"\w*,  
\q1 \w she smashed his head|strong="H7218"\w*,  
\q1 \w she drove the tent peg through his temple|strong="H7541"\w*.   
\q1
\v 27  \w Between|strong="H0996"\w* \w her feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w he collapsed|strong="H3766"\w*,  
\q1 \w he fell limp|strong="H5307"\w* \w and was lifeless|strong="H7901"\w*;  
\q1 \w between|strong="H0996"\w* \w her feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w he collapsed|strong="H3766"\w* \w and fell limp|strong="H5307"\w*,  
\q1 \w in the spot where|strong="H0834"\w* \w he collapsed|strong="H3766"\w*,  
\q1 \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w he fell limp|strong="H5307"\w* \w – violently murdered|strong="H7703"\w*!   
\q1
\v 28  \w Through|strong="H1157"\w* \w the window|strong="H2474"\w* \w she looked|strong="H8259"\w*;  
\q1 \w Sisera’s|strong="H5516"\w* \w mother|strong="H0517"\w* \w cried|strong="H2980"\w* \w out through|strong="H1157"\w* \w the lattice|strong="H0822"\w*\w :|strong="H4069"\w*  
\q1 \w ‘Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w is his chariot|strong="H7393"\w* \w so slow|strong="H0954"\w* \w to return|strong="H0935"\w*\w ?|strong="H4069"\w*  
\q1 \w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w are the hoofbeats|strong="H6471"\w* \w of his chariot-horses|strong="H4818"\w* \w delayed|strong="H0309"\w*?’   
\q1
\v 29  \w The wisest|strong="H2450"\w* \w of her ladies|strong="H8282"\w* \w answer|strong="H6030"\w*;  
\q1 \w indeed|strong="H0637"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w even thinks|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w herself|strong="H1931"\w*,   
\q1
\v 30 ‘\w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w doubt they are gathering|strong="H4672"\w* \w and dividing|strong="H2505"\w* \w the plunder|strong="H7998"\w* –  
\q1 \w a girl|strong="H7356"\w* \w or two|strong="H7361"\w* \w for each|strong="H7218"\w* \w man|strong="H1397"\w* \w to rape!|strong="H5516"\w*  
\q1 \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w is grabbing up|strong="H7998"\w* \w colorful cloth|strong="H6648"\w*,  
\q1 \w he is grabbing up|strong="H7998"\w* \w colorful|strong="H6648"\w* \w embroidered|strong="H7553"\w* \w cloth|strong="H6648"\w*,  
\q1 \w two pieces of colorful|strong="H6648"\w* \w embroidered|strong="H7553"\w* \w cloth|strong="H6648"\w*,  
\q1 \w for the neck|strong="H6677"\w* \w of the plunderer|strong="H7998"\w*!’   
\q1
\v 31  \w May all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your enemies|strong="H0341"\w* \w perish|strong="H0006"\w* \w like this|strong="H3651"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w !|strong="H0157"\w*  
\q1 \w But may those who love|strong="H0157"\w* \w you shine|strong="H3318"\w*  
\q1 \w like the rising sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w at its brightest|strong="H1369"\w*\w !”|strong="H0776"\w*  
\p \w And the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w had rest|strong="H8252"\w* \w for forty|strong="H0705"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\c 6  
\p
\v 1  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*, \w so|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w turned them over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H4080"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w for seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The Midianites|strong="H4080"\w* \w overwhelmed|strong="H5810"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w Because|strong="H6440"\w* \w of Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w shelters|strong="H4492"\w* \w for themselves in the hills|strong="H2022"\w*, \w as well as caves|strong="H4631"\w* \w and strongholds|strong="H4679"\w*.  
\v 3  \w Whenever|strong="H1961"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w planted|strong="H2232"\w* \w their crops|strong="H5927"\w*, \w the Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*, \w Amalekites|strong="H6002"\w*, \w and the people from the east|strong="H6924"\w* \w would attack|strong="H5927"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 4  \w They invaded|strong="H2583"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w and devoured|strong="H7843"\w* \w its crops|strong="H2981"\w* \w all the way|strong="H5704"\w* \w to Gaza|strong="H5804"\w*. \w They left|strong="H7604"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w for the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w to eat|strong="H4241"\w*, \w and they took away|strong="H7716"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w sheep|strong="H7716"\w*, \w oxen|strong="H7794"\w*, \w and donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*.  
\v 5  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w invaded|strong="H5927"\w* \w with their cattle|strong="H4735"\w* \w and tents|strong="H0168"\w*, \w they were as thick|strong="H7230"\w* \w as locusts|strong="H0697"\w*. \w Neither they nor their camels|strong="H1581"\w* \w could be counted|strong="H4557"\w*. \w They came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to devour|strong="H7843"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w*.  
\v 6  \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H3966"\w* \w so severely weakened|strong="H1809"\w* \w by Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w that the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried|strong="H2199"\w* \w out to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* help.   
\p
\v 7  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried|strong="H2199"\w* \w out to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w for help because|strong="H0182"\w* \w of Midian|strong="H4080"\w*,  
\v 8  \w he|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w a prophet|strong="H5030"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*. \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, “This is what|strong="H3541"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w says: ‘I|strong="H0595"\w* \w brought you up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* \w and took you out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of that place|strong="H1004"\w* \w of slavery|strong="H5650"\w*.  
\v 9  \w I rescued|strong="H5337"\w* \w you from Egypt’s|strong="H4713"\w* \w power|strong="H3027"\w* \w and from the power|strong="H3027"\w* \w of all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who oppressed|strong="H3905"\w* \w you. I drove|strong="H1644"\w* \w them out before|strong="H6440"\w* \w you and gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w their land|strong="H0776"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 10  \w I said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to you, “I am|strong="H0589"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w your God|strong="H0430"\w*\w ! Do not|strong="H3808"\w* \w worship|strong="H3372"\w* \w the gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w of the Amorites|strong="H0567"\w*, \w in whose|strong="H0834"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are now living|strong="H3427"\w*\w !” But|strong="H3808"\w* \w you have|strong="H8085"\w* \w disobeyed|strong="H6963"\w* \w me|strong="H6963"\w*.’”   
\s1 \w Gideon|strong="H0559"\w* Meets Some Visitors  
\p
\v 11  \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w angelic messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w and sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down under|strong="H8478"\w* \w the oak tree|strong="H0424"\w* \w in Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w* \w owned by Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w the Abiezrite|strong="H0033"\w*. \w He arrived while|strong="H0834"\w* \w Joash’s son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w was threshing|strong="H2251"\w* \w wheat|strong="H2406"\w* \w in a winepress|strong="H1660"\w* \w so he could hide|strong="H6440"\w* \w it from|strong="H5127"\w* \w the Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*.  
\v 12  \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w appeared|strong="H7200"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him|strong="H0413"\w*, “\w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you, courageous|strong="H2428"\w* \w warrior|strong="H1368"\w*!”  
\v 13  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him, “Pardon|strong="H0994"\w* \w me|strong="H0113"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w if|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us, why|strong="H4100"\w* \w has such disaster|strong="H2063"\w* \w overtaken|strong="H4672"\w* \w us? Where|strong="H0346"\w* \w are all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his miraculous deeds|strong="H6381"\w* \w our ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w told|strong="H5608"\w* \w us about? They said|strong="H0559"\w*, ‘\w Did|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w bring|strong="H5927"\w* \w us up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*\w ?’ But now|strong="H6258"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has abandoned|strong="H5203"\w* \w us and handed|strong="H3709"\w* \w us over|strong="H3709"\w* \w to Midian|strong="H4080"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w himself|strong="H6437"\w* \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him and said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “You have the strength|strong="H3581"\w*. \w Deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w from the power|strong="H3709"\w* \w of the Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*\w !|strong="H3808"\w* \w Have|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w*?”  
\v 15  \w Gideon|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him, “But Lord|strong="H0136"\w*, \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w can I deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*\w ? Just look|strong="H2009"\w*\w ! My clan|strong="H0504"\w* \w is the weakest|strong="H1800"\w* \w in Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w*, \w and I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am the youngest|strong="H6810"\w* \w in my family|strong="H0001"\w*.”  
\v 16  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “Ah, but|strong="H3588"\w* \w I will be|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you! You will strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w down the whole Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* army.”  
\v 17  \w Gideon|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you really|strong="H2580"\w* \w are pleased|strong="H5869"\w* \w with me,|strong="H6213"\w* \w then|strong="H1696"\w* \w give|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H0226"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w sign|strong="H0226"\w* \w as proof that it is really you speaking|strong="H1696"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 18  \w Do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w leave|strong="H4185"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w place until|strong="H5704"\w* \w I come|strong="H0935"\w* \w back|strong="H4503"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* \w gift|strong="H4503"\w* \w and present it|strong="H3240"\w* \w to you.” The \+nd Lord\+nd* said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w here until|strong="H5704"\w* \w you come back|strong="H7725"\w*.”   
\p
\v 19  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w and prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w a young|strong="H1423"\w* \w goat|strong="H5795"\w*, \w along with unleavened|strong="H4682"\w* \w bread made from an ephah|strong="H0374"\w* \w of flour|strong="H7058"\w*. \w He put|strong="H7760"\w* \w the meat|strong="H1320"\w* \w in a basket|strong="H5536"\w* \w and the broth|strong="H4839"\w* \w in a pot|strong="H6517"\w*. \w He brought|strong="H3318"\w* \w the food|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w the oak tree|strong="H0424"\w* \w and presented|strong="H5066"\w* \w it to him|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 20  \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “Put|strong="H3947"\w* \w the meat|strong="H1320"\w* \w and unleavened|strong="H4682"\w* \w bread on this|strong="H1975"\w* \w rock|strong="H5553"\w*, \w and pour out|strong="H8210"\w* \w the broth|strong="H4839"\w*.” \w Gideon|strong="H8210"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w as instructed|strong="H3651"\w*.  
\v 21  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w touched|strong="H5060"\w* \w the meat|strong="H1320"\w* \w and the unleavened|strong="H4682"\w* \w bread with the|strong="H0853"\w* \w tip|strong="H7097"\w* \w of his staff|strong="H4938"\w*. \w Fire|strong="H0784"\w* \w flared up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the rock|strong="H6697"\w* \w and consumed|strong="H0398"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w meat|strong="H1320"\w* \w and unleavened|strong="H4682"\w* \w bread|strong="H4682"\w*. \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w then|strong="H1980"\w* \w disappeared|strong="H5869"\w*.   
\p
\v 22  \w When Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*, \w he|strong="H1439"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Oh|strong="H0162"\w* \w no!|strong="H0136"\w* \w Master|strong="H0136"\w*, \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3069"\+w*\nd*\w !|strong="H3651"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w to face|strong="H6440"\w*!”  
\v 23  \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “You are safe|strong="H7965"\w*\w !|strong="H0408"\w* \w Do|strong="H0408"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be afraid|strong="H3372"\w*\w ! You are not|strong="H3808"\w* \w going to die|strong="H4191"\w*!”  
\v 24  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w an altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, \w and named|strong="H7121"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* “\w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is on friendly terms|strong="H7965"\w* \w with me.”|strong="H5704"\w* \w To|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w it is still|strong="H5750"\w* \w there in Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w* \w of the Abiezrites|strong="H0033"\w*.   
\s1 \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* Destroys \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Altar|strong="H4196"\w*  
\p
\v 25  \w That night|strong="H3915"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w bull|strong="H7794"\w* \w from your father’s|strong="H0001"\w* \w herd, as well as|strong="H0834"\w* \w a second|strong="H8145"\w* \w bull|strong="H6499"\w*, \w one that is seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w old.|strong="H2040"\w* \w Pull|strong="H2040"\w* \w down|strong="H3772"\w* \w your father’s|strong="H0001"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w and cut down|strong="H3772"\w* \w the nearby Asherah pole|strong="H0842"\w*.  
\v 26  \w Then build|strong="H1129"\w* \w an altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w your God|strong="H0430"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the top|strong="H7218"\w* \w of this|strong="H2088"\w* \w stronghold|strong="H4581"\w* \w according to the proper pattern|strong="H4634"\w*. \w Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w bull|strong="H6499"\w* \w and offer|strong="H5927"\w* \w it as a burnt sacrifice|strong="H5930"\w* \w on the wood|strong="H6086"\w* \w from the Asherah pole|strong="H0842"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w you cut down|strong="H3772"\w*.”  
\v 27  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w of his servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w and did|strong="H6213"\w* \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had told|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*. \w He was|strong="H1961"\w* \w too afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w of his father’s|strong="H0001"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w and the|strong="H0853"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w to do|strong="H6213"\w* \w it in broad daylight|strong="H3119"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w he waited|strong="H6213"\w* \w until nighttime|strong="H3915"\w*.   
\p
\v 28  \w When the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w got up|strong="H7925"\w* \w the next morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w they saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w the Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w pulled down|strong="H5422"\w*, \w the nearby|strong="H5921"\w* \w Asherah pole|strong="H0842"\w* \w cut down|strong="H3772"\w*, \w and the|strong="H0853"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w bull|strong="H6499"\w* \w sacrificed|strong="H5927"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the newly built|strong="H1129"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w*.  
\v 29  \w They said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*\w ?”|strong="H1245"\w* \w They|strong="H0376"\w* \w investigated|strong="H1245"\w* \w the matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w thoroughly|strong="H1875"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* concluded \w that Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w had done|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 30  \w The men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w*, \w “Bring out|strong="H3318"\w* \w your son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w so we|strong="H3588"\w* \w can execute|strong="H4191"\w* \w him!|strong="H5422"\w* \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w pulled|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w the Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w and cut down|strong="H3772"\w* \w the nearby|strong="H5921"\w* \w Asherah pole|strong="H0842"\w*.”  
\v 31  \w But Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those who|strong="H0834"\w* \w confronted|strong="H5975"\w* \w him,|strong="H0859"\w* “\w Must|strong="H4191"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w fight Baal’s|strong="H1168"\w* \w battles|strong="H7378"\w*\w ?|strong="H0518"\w* \w Must|strong="H4191"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w him? Whoever|strong="H0834"\w* \w takes up his cause|strong="H4191"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w* \w by morning|strong="H1242"\w*\w !|strong="H0518"\w* \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w he really is a god|strong="H0430"\w*, \w let him fight his own battles|strong="H7378"\w*\w !|strong="H4196"\w* \w After|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w*, \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w was pulled down|strong="H5422"\w*.”  
\v 32  \w That very day|strong="H3117"\w* \w Gideon’s father named|strong="H7121"\w* \w him Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w*, \w because he had said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Let Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w fight|strong="H7378"\w* \w with him, for|strong="H3588"\w* \w it was|strong="H1931"\w* \w his altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w was pulled|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w*.”   
\s1 \w Gideon|strong="H0559"\w* \w Summons|strong="H7121"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* Army \w and|strong="H3117"\w* Seeks Confirmation  
\p
\v 33  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*, \w Amalekites|strong="H6002"\w*, \w and the people|strong="H1121"\w* \w from the east|strong="H6924"\w* \w assembled|strong="H0622"\w*. \w They crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the Jordan River|strong="H2583"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in the Jezreel|strong="H3157"\w* \w Valley|strong="H6010"\w*.  
\v 34  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w took control|strong="H3847"\w* \w of|strong="H1439"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*. \w He blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w a trumpet|strong="H7782"\w*, \w summoning|strong="H2199"\w* \w the Abiezrites|strong="H0044"\w* \w to follow|strong="H0310"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w*.  
\v 35  \w He sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w* \w and summoned|strong="H2199"\w* \w them to follow|strong="H0310"\w* \w him as well|strong="H1571"\w*. \w He also|strong="H1571"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w throughout Asher|strong="H0836"\w*, \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w*, \w and Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w*, \w and they came up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to meet|strong="H7125"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*.   
\p
\v 36  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w “If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you really|strong="H3426"\w* \w intend to use me to deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w you promised|strong="H1696"\w*, \w then|strong="H1696"\w* \w give|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* sign \w as|strong="H0834"\w* proof.  
\v 37  \w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w I am|strong="H0595"\w* \w putting|strong="H3322"\w* \w a wool|strong="H6785"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w* \w on the threshing floor|strong="H1637"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w there is dew|strong="H2919"\w* \w only on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the fleece|strong="H1492"\w*, \w and the ground|strong="H0776"\w* \w around it|strong="H2721"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w dry|strong="H2721"\w*, \w then I will be sure|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you will use me to deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w you promised|strong="H1696"\w*.”  
\v 38  \w The \+nd Lord\+nd* did as he asked. When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he got up|strong="H7925"\w* \w the next morning|strong="H4283"\w*, \w he squeezed|strong="H2115"\w* \w the fleece|strong="H1492"\w*, \w and enough dew|strong="H2919"\w* \w dripped|strong="H4680"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w it|strong="H1492"\w* \w to fill|strong="H4393"\w* \w a bowl|strong="H5602"\w*.  
\v 39  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w “Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w get angry|strong="H0639"\w* \w at me|strong="H0413"\w*, \w when|strong="H1696"\w* \w I ask|strong="H1696"\w* \w for just|strong="H0389"\w* \w one more|strong="H6471"\w* \w sign.|strong="H5254"\w* \w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w allow|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w more|strong="H6471"\w* \w test|strong="H5254"\w* \w with the fleece|strong="H1492"\w*. \w This time make|strong="H6471"\w* \w only|strong="H7535"\w* \w the fleece|strong="H1492"\w* \w dry|strong="H2721"\w*, \w while the ground|strong="H0776"\w* \w around it is covered with dew|strong="H2919"\w*.”  
\v 40  \w That|strong="H3651"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w did|strong="H3651"\w* \w as he|strong="H1931"\w* \w asked.|strong="H0905"\w* \w Only|strong="H0905"\w* \w the fleece|strong="H1492"\w* \w was dry|strong="H2721"\w* \w and the ground|strong="H0776"\w* \w around it was|strong="H1961"\w* \w covered with dew|strong="H2919"\w*.   
\c 7  
\p
\v 1  \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* \w (that|strong="H1931"\w* \w is, Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*\w ) and his men|strong="H5971"\w* \w got up|strong="H7925"\w* \w the next morning and camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w the spring of Harod|strong="H5878"\w*. \w The Midianites|strong="H4080"\w* \w were camped|strong="H4264"\w* \w north|strong="H6828"\w* \w of them near the hill|strong="H1389"\w* \w of Moreh|strong="H4176"\w* \w in the valley|strong="H6010"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, \w “You have too many|strong="H7227"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w for me|strong="H0854"\w* \w to hand|strong="H5414"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w to you.|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w might|strong="H6435"\w* \w brag|strong="H6286"\w*, ‘\w Our own strength has delivered|strong="H3467"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*.’  
\v 3  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w announce|strong="H0241"\w* \w to the men|strong="H5971"\w*, ‘\w Whoever|strong="H4310"\w* \w is shaking|strong="H2730"\w* \w with fear|strong="H3373"\w* \w may turn around|strong="H7725"\w* \w and leave|strong="H6852"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*.’” \w Twenty-two|strong="H8147"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w went home|strong="H7725"\w*; \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w remained|strong="H7604"\w*.  
\v 4  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w spoke|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w again, “There are still|strong="H5750"\w* \w too many|strong="H7227"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w*. \w Bring them down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the water|strong="H4325"\w* \w and I will thin the ranks|strong="H6884"\w* \w some|strong="H8033"\w* \w more.|strong="H1961"\w* \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w I say|strong="H0559"\w*, \w ‘This|strong="H2088"\w* \w one should go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w you,’ pick him|strong="H0854"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w*; \w when I say|strong="H0559"\w*, ‘\w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w one should not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you,’ do not|strong="H3808"\w* \w take|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H0854"\w*.”  
\v 5  \w So he brought the men|strong="H5971"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the water|strong="H4325"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, \w “Separate those who lap|strong="H3952"\w* \w the water|strong="H4325"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w a dog|strong="H3611"\w* \w laps|strong="H3952"\w* \w from those who|strong="H0834"\w* \w kneel|strong="H3766"\w* \w to drink|strong="H8354"\w*.”  
\v 6  \w Three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w lapped|strong="H3952"\w*; \w the rest|strong="H3499"\w* \w of the men|strong="H5971"\w* \w kneeled|strong="H1290"\w* \w to drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*.  
\v 7  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, \w “With the three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w who lapped|strong="H3952"\w* \w I will deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w and I will|strong="H5414"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w over to you.|strong="H0376"\w* \w The|strong="H3605"\w* rest \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w should go|strong="H1980"\w* \w home|strong="H4725"\w*.”  
\v 8  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who were chosen|strong="H3947"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w supplies|strong="H6720"\w* \w and their trumpets|strong="H7782"\w*. \w Gideon|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w back to their homes|strong="H0168"\w*; \w he kept only three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w*. \w Now the Midianites|strong="H4080"\w* \w were camped down below|strong="H8478"\w* \w in the valley|strong="H6010"\w*.   
\s1 \w Gideon|strong="H7971"\w* Reassured \w of|strong="H0376"\w* Victory  
\p
\v 9  \w That night|strong="H3915"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Gideon,|strong="H6965"\w* “\w Get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up! Attack|strong="H3381"\w* \w the camp|strong="H4264"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w I am handing|strong="H5414"\w* \w it over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.  
\v 10  \w But if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you are|strong="H0859"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3373"\w* \w to attack|strong="H3381"\w*, \w go down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to the camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w with Purah|strong="H6513"\w* \w your servant|strong="H5288"\w*  
\v 11  \w and listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to what|strong="H4100"\w* \w they are saying|strong="H1696"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0310"\w* \w you will be brave|strong="H3027"\w* \w and attack|strong="H3381"\w* \w the camp|strong="H4264"\w*.” \w So he went down|strong="H3381"\w* \w with Purah|strong="H6513"\w* \w his servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w where the sentries were guarding|strong="H2571"\w* \w the camp|strong="H4264"\w*.  
\v 12  \w Now the Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*, \w Amalekites|strong="H6002"\w*, \w and the people|strong="H1121"\w* \w from the east|strong="H6924"\w* \w covered|strong="H5307"\w* \w the valley|strong="H6010"\w* \w like a swarm of locusts|strong="H7230"\w*. \w Their camels|strong="H1581"\w* \w could not|strong="H0369"\w* \w be counted|strong="H4557"\w*; \w they were as innumerable|strong="H7230"\w* \w as the sand|strong="H2344"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the seashore|strong="H3220"\w*.  
\v 13  \w When Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w arrived|strong="H0935"\w*, \w he heard|strong="H2009"\w* \w a man|strong="H0376"\w* \w telling|strong="H5608"\w* \w another man|strong="H7453"\w* \w about a dream|strong="H2472"\w* \w he had.|strong="H0559"\w* \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Look|strong="H2009"\w*\w ! I had|strong="H2492"\w* \w a dream|strong="H2472"\w*. \w I saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w a stale cake|strong="H6742"\w* \w of barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w rolling into|strong="H2015"\w* \w the Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w It hit|strong="H0935"\w* \w a tent|strong="H0168"\w* \w so hard it knocked|strong="H5221"\w* \w it over|strong="H5221"\w* \w and turned|strong="H2015"\w* \w it upside down|strong="H4605"\w*. \w The tent|strong="H0168"\w* \w just collapsed|strong="H5307"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w The other|strong="H7453"\w* \w man said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Without|strong="H0369"\w* \w a doubt|strong="H6030"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w symbolizes|strong="H2719"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w of Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Joash|strong="H3101"\w*, \w the Israelite|strong="H3478"\w*. \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w is handing|strong="H3027"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the army|strong="H4264"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*.”   
\s1 \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* Routs \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Enemy  
\p
\v 15  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the report|strong="H4557"\w* \w of the dream|strong="H2472"\w* \w and its interpretation|strong="H7667"\w*, \w he praised|strong="H7812"\w* \w God.|strong="H7725"\w* \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Get up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is handing|strong="H3027"\w* \w the Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w over|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*!”  
\v 16  \w He divided|strong="H2673"\w* \w the three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w into three|strong="H7969"\w* \w units|strong="H7218"\w*. \w He gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w them all|strong="H3605"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H7782"\w* \w and empty|strong="H7386"\w* \w jars|strong="H3537"\w* \w with torches|strong="H3940"\w* \w inside them|strong="H8432"\w*.  
\v 17  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them, “Watch|strong="H7200"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w* \w and do as I do|strong="H6213"\w*. \w Watch|strong="H2009"\w* \w closely!|strong="H2009"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w going|strong="H0935"\w* \w to the edge|strong="H7097"\w* \w of the camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w as I|strong="H3651"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*!  
\v 18  \w When|strong="H8628"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w are with|strong="H0854"\w* \w me blow our|strong="H8628"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H7782"\w*, \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w blow|strong="H8628"\w* \w your|strong="H0859"\w* \w trumpets all|strong="H3605"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w the camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w Then say|strong="H0559"\w*, ‘\w For|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and for Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*!’”   
\p
\v 19  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w took|strong="H0935"\w* \w a hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w to|strong="H0854"\w* \w the edge|strong="H7097"\w* \w of the camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w at the beginning|strong="H7218"\w* \w of the middle|strong="H8484"\w* \w watch|strong="H0821"\w*, \w just after|strong="H0389"\w* \w they had changed|strong="H6965"\w* \w the guards|strong="H8104"\w*. \w They blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w their trumpets|strong="H7782"\w* \w and broke|strong="H5310"\w* \w the jars|strong="H3537"\w* \w they were carrying|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 20  \w All three|strong="H7969"\w* \w units|strong="H7218"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w their trumpets|strong="H7782"\w* \w and broke|strong="H7665"\w* \w their jars|strong="H3537"\w*. \w They held|strong="H3027"\w* \w the torches|strong="H3940"\w* \w in their left hand|strong="H8040"\w* \w and the trumpets|strong="H7782"\w* \w in their right|strong="H8628"\w*. \w Then they yelled|strong="H7121"\w*, \w “A sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and for Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*!”  
\v 21  \w They stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w in order|strong="H5439"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w the camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w The whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w away; they shouted|strong="H7321"\w* \w as they scrambled|strong="H8478"\w* \w away|strong="H5127"\w*.  
\v 22  \w When the three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w their trumpets|strong="H7782"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w caused the Midianites to attack one|strong="H0376"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w* \w with their swords|strong="H2719"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w The army|strong="H4264"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Beth Shittah|strong="H1029"\w* \w on the way to Zererah|strong="H6888"\w*. \w They went|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the border|strong="H8193"\w* \w of Abel Meholah|strong="H0065"\w* \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w Tabbath|strong="H2888"\w*.  
\v 23  \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w*, \w Asher|strong="H0836"\w*, \w and Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w* \w answered the call|strong="H6817"\w* \w and chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w the Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*.   
\s1 Gideon Appeases \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Ephraimites  
\p
\v 24  \w Now Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w hill country|strong="H2022"\w* \w who announced|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Go down|strong="H3381"\w* \w and head off|strong="H7125"\w* \w the Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*. \w Take control|strong="H3920"\w* \w of the fords of the streams|strong="H4325"\w* \w all the way to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Beth Barah|strong="H1012"\w* \w and the Jordan River|strong="H3383"\w*.” \w When all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the Ephraimites|strong="H0669"\w* \w had assembled|strong="H6817"\w*, \w they took control|strong="H3920"\w* \w of the fords|strong="H4325"\w* \w all the way to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Beth Barah|strong="H1012"\w* \w and the Jordan River|strong="H3383"\w*.  
\v 25  \w They captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the two|strong="H8147"\w* \w Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w generals|strong="H8269"\w*, \w Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w and Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w*. \w They executed|strong="H2026"\w* \w Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w on the rock|strong="H6697"\w* \w of Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w and Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w* \w in the winepress|strong="H3342"\w* \w of Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w*. \w They chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w the Midianites|strong="H4080"\w* \w and brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w the heads|strong="H7218"\w* \w of Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w and Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, \w who was now on the other side|strong="H5676"\w* \w of the Jordan River|strong="H3383"\w*.   
\c 8  
\p
\v 1  \w The Ephraimites|strong="H0669"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him, “Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have you done|strong="H6213"\w* \w such|strong="H2088"\w* \w a thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w to us? You did not|strong="H1115"\w* \w summon|strong="H7121"\w* \w us|strong="H3588"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you went|strong="H1980"\w* \w to fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w the Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*\w !” They argued|strong="H7378"\w* \w vehemently|strong="H2394"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 2  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them, “Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w have I accomplished|strong="H6213"\w* \w compared to you? Even Ephraim’s|strong="H0669"\w* \w leftover grapes|strong="H5955"\w* \w are better|strong="H2896"\w* \w quality than Abiezer’s|strong="H0044"\w* \w harvest|strong="H1210"\w*!  
\v 3  \w It was to you|strong="H5414"\w* \w that God|strong="H0430"\w* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w over the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w generals|strong="H8269"\w*, \w Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w and Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w*\w ! What|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w I accomplish|strong="H6213"\w* \w to rival|strong="H3201"\w* \w that?”|strong="H1696"\w* \w When|strong="H1696"\w* \w he said|strong="H1697"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*, \w they calmed|strong="H1697"\w* \w down|strong="H5414"\w*.   
\s1 Gideon Tracks \w Down|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* Kings  
\p
\v 4  \w Now Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w and his three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w had crossed over|strong="H5674"\w* \w the Jordan River|strong="H3383"\w*, \w and even though they were exhausted|strong="H5889"\w*, \w they were still chasing|strong="H7291"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* Midianites.  
\v 5  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to the men|strong="H0582"\w* \w of Succoth|strong="H5523"\w*, \w “Give|strong="H5414"\w* \w some loaves|strong="H3603"\w* \w of bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w to the men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who are following me|strong="H0310"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they are|strong="H1992"\w* \w exhausted|strong="H5889"\w*. \w I am|strong="H0595"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7291"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*, \w the kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w of Midian|strong="H4080"\w*.”  
\v 6  \w The officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w of Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “You have not yet overpowered|strong="H3709"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*. \w So|strong="H6258"\w* \w why should we give|strong="H5414"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w to your army|strong="H6635"\w*?”  
\v 7  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Since|strong="H3651"\w* \w you will not help,|strong="H3068"\w* after \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w hands Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to me, I will thresh|strong="H1758"\w* \w your skin|strong="H1320"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w thorns|strong="H6975"\w* \w and briers|strong="H1303"\w*.”  
\v 8  \w He went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from there|strong="H8033"\w* \w to Penuel|strong="H6439"\w* \w and made the same request|strong="H6030"\w*. \w The men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Penuel|strong="H6439"\w* \w responded|strong="H6030"\w* \w the same way the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w*.  
\v 9  \w He also|strong="H1571"\w* \w threatened|strong="H0559"\w* \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Penuel|strong="H6439"\w*, \w warning|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w When I return|strong="H7725"\w* \w victoriously|strong="H7965"\w*, \w I will tear|strong="H5422"\w* \w down this|strong="H2088"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w*.”   
\p
\v 10  \w Now Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* \w were in Karkor|strong="H7174"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w their armies. There were about fifteen|strong="H6240"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w survivors|strong="H3498"\w* \w from the army|strong="H4264"\w* \w of the eastern|strong="H6924"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5307"\w*; \w a hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w and twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w soldiers had been killed|strong="H2719"\w*.  
\v 11  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w the road|strong="H1870"\w* \w of the nomads|strong="H0168"\w* \w east|strong="H6924"\w* \w of Nobah|strong="H5025"\w* \w and Jogbehah|strong="H3011"\w* \w and ambushed|strong="H5221"\w* \w the surprised|strong="H0983"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w*.  
\v 12  \w When Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w away, Gideon|strong="H7291"\w* \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w them|strong="H0310"\w* \w and captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the two|strong="H8147"\w* \w Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w*, \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*. \w He had surprised|strong="H2729"\w* \w their entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w by the pass|strong="H4608"\w* \w of Heres|strong="H2775"\w*.  
\v 14  \w He captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w a young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H0582"\w* \w from Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* \w and interrogated|strong="H7592"\w* \w him. The young man wrote down|strong="H3789"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w him the names of Succoth’s|strong="H5523"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w and city leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w – seventy-seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H0376"\w*.  
\v 15  \w He approached|strong="H0935"\w* \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Look|strong="H2009"\w* \w what I have!|strong="H2078"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*\w ! You insulted|strong="H2778"\w* \w me, saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w ‘You have not yet overpowered|strong="H3709"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*. \w So|strong="H6258"\w* \w why should we give|strong="H5414"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w to your exhausted|strong="H3286"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w*?’”  
\v 16  \w He seized|strong="H3947"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of the city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w along|strong="H0853"\w* \w with some desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w thorns|strong="H6975"\w* \w and briers|strong="H1303"\w*; \w he then “threshed|strong="H3045"\w*” \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* \w with|strong="H0376"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*.  
\v 17  \w He also|strong="H0853"\w* \w tore|strong="H5422"\w* \w down the tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of Penuel|strong="H6439"\w* \w and executed|strong="H2026"\w* \w the city’s|strong="H5892"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w*.   
\p
\v 18  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*, \w “Describe for me|strong="H0375"\w* \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w you killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w at Tabor|strong="H8396"\w*.” \w They said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “They were like|strong="H3644"\w* \w you. Each one|strong="H0259"\w* \w looked like|strong="H8389"\w* \w a king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*.”  
\v 19  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “They were|strong="H1992"\w* \w my brothers|strong="H0251"\w*, \w the sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of my mother|strong="H0517"\w*. \w I swear|strong="H1992"\w*, \w as surely|strong="H2416"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is alive, if|strong="H3863"\w* \w you had|strong="H3863"\w* \w let them live|strong="H2421"\w*, \w I would|strong="H3863"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*.”  
\v 20  \w He ordered|strong="H0559"\w* \w Jether|strong="H3500"\w* \w his firstborn son|strong="H1060"\w*, \w “Come on|strong="H6965"\w*\w !|strong="H2026"\w* \w Kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w them!” But|strong="H3808"\w* \w Jether was too afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w to draw|strong="H8025"\w* \w his sword|strong="H2719"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he was still|strong="H5750"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w*.  
\v 21  \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to Gideon|strong="H6965"\w*, “\w Come on,|strong="H0859"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w strike|strong="H6293"\w* \w us, for|strong="H3588"\w* \w a man|strong="H0376"\w* \w is judged by his strength|strong="H1369"\w*.” \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*, \w and he took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w crescent-shaped ornaments|strong="H7720"\w* \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w were on the necks|strong="H6677"\w* \w of their camels|strong="H1581"\w*.   
\s1 \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* Rejects \w a|strong="H3947"\w* Crown \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w Makes|strong="H0559"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* Ephod  
\p
\v 22  \w The men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, \w “Rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H0413"\w* \w us|strong="H0413"\w* – \w you|strong="H0859"\w*, \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w grandson|strong="H1121"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w delivered|strong="H3467"\w* \w us|strong="H0413"\w* \w from|strong="H0376"\w* \w Midian’s|strong="H4080"\w* \w power|strong="H3027"\w*.”  
\v 23  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them, “I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will not|strong="H3808"\w* \w rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over you, nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w will my son|strong="H1121"\w* \w rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*. \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w will rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*.”  
\v 24  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w continued,|strong="H7596"\w* “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H0559"\w* \w like|strong="H0376"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w make|strong="H5414"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w request|strong="H7592"\w*. \w Each|strong="H0376"\w* \w of you give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me an|strong="H0376"\w* \w earring|strong="H5141"\w* \w from the plunder|strong="H7998"\w* \w you have taken.”|strong="H2091"\w* (\w The|strong="H0559"\w* Midianites \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w earrings|strong="H5141"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were Ishmaelites|strong="H3459"\w*.)  
\v 25  \w They said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “We are happy to give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w earrings.”|strong="H6566"\w* \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w spread|strong="H6566"\w* \w out a garment|strong="H8071"\w*, \w and each one|strong="H0376"\w* \w threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w an earring|strong="H5141"\w* \w from his plunder|strong="H7998"\w* onto \w it|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 26  \w The total weight|strong="H4948"\w* \w of the gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w earrings|strong="H5141"\w* \w he requested|strong="H7592"\w* \w came to seventeen hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w shekels.|strong="H0905"\w* \w This|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w addition|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the crescent-shaped ornaments|strong="H7720"\w*, \w jewelry|strong="H5188"\w*, \w purple|strong="H0713"\w* \w clothing|strong="H0899"\w* \w worn by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and the necklaces|strong="H6677"\w* \w on the camels|strong="H1581"\w*.  
\v 27  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w used all this to make|strong="H6213"\w* \w an ephod|strong="H0646"\w*, \w which he put|strong="H3322"\w* \w in his hometown|strong="H5892"\w* \w of Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w prostituted|strong="H2181"\w* \w themselves|strong="H0310"\w* \w to it by worshiping it|strong="H8033"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. \w It became|strong="H1961"\w* \w a snare|strong="H4170"\w* \w to Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w and his family|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\s1 Gideon’s Story Ends  
\p
\v 28  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w humiliated|strong="H3665"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*; \w the Midianites’ fighting spirit|strong="H7218"\w* \w was broken|strong="H3254"\w*. \w The land|strong="H0776"\w* \w had rest|strong="H8252"\w* \w for forty|strong="H0705"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w during Gideon’s|strong="H1439"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 29  \w Then|strong="H1980"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w went home|strong="H1004"\w* \w and settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 30  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w fathered|strong="H3409"\w* \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w through|strong="H3409"\w* \w his many|strong="H7227"\w* \w wives|strong="H0802"\w*.  
\v 31  \w His concubine|strong="H6370"\w*, \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w lived in Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w gave|strong="H3205"\w* \w him|strong="H1931"\w* \w a son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w whom he named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*.  
\v 32  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w at a very|strong="H7872"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w age|strong="H1121"\w* \w and was buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in the tomb|strong="H6913"\w* \w of his father|strong="H0001"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w located in Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w* \w of the Abiezrites|strong="H0033"\w*.   
\s1 Israel Returns \w to|strong="H4191"\w* Baal-Worship  
\p
\v 33  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w prostituted|strong="H2181"\w* \w themselves to the Baals|strong="H1168"\w*. \w They made|strong="H7760"\w* \w Baal-Berith|strong="H1170"\w* \w their god|strong="H0430"\w*.  
\v 34  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w remain|strong="H2142"\w* \w true|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w their God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w who had delivered|strong="H5337"\w* \w them from all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the enemies|strong="H0341"\w* \w who lived around|strong="H5439"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*.  
\v 35  \w They did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w treat|strong="H6213"\w* \w the family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* \w (that is, Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*\w ) fairly|strong="H2617"\w* \w in return for all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the good|strong="H2896"\w* \w he had|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\c 9  
\p
\v 1  \w Now Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w to Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w see his mother’s|strong="H0517"\w* \w relatives|strong="H0251"\w*. \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them and to|strong="H0413"\w* \w his mother’s|strong="H0517"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w extended family|strong="H0001"\w*,  
\v 2 “\w Tell|strong="H0241"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w this: ‘Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w would you want|strong="H2896"\w* \w to have seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jerub-Baal’s|strong="H3378"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w ruling|strong="H4910"\w* \w over you, when you can have just one|strong="H0259"\w* \w ruler? Recall|strong="H2142"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w am your own flesh|strong="H1320"\w* \w and blood|strong="H6106"\w*.’”  
\v 3  \w His mother’s|strong="H0517"\w* \w relatives|strong="H0251"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his behalf|strong="H0241"\w* \w to|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w and reported his proposal|strong="H0428"\w*. \w The leaders were drawn|strong="H3820"\w* \w to Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*; \w they said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “He|strong="H1931"\w* \w is our close relative|strong="H0251"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w They paid|strong="H5414"\w* \w him seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w shekels out of the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of Baal-Berith|strong="H1170"\w*. \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w then used the silver to hire|strong="H7936"\w* \w some lawless|strong="H7386"\w*, \w dangerous|strong="H6348"\w* \w men|strong="H0582"\w* \w as his followers|strong="H0310"\w*.  
\v 5  \w He went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to his father’s|strong="H0001"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w in Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w* \w and murdered|strong="H2026"\w* \w his half-brothers|strong="H0251"\w*, \w the seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w legitimate|strong="H0376"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w*, \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w stone|strong="H0068"\w*. \w Only Jotham|strong="H3147"\w*, \w Jerub-Baal’s|strong="H3378"\w* \w youngest|strong="H6996"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w escaped|strong="H3498"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he hid|strong="H2244"\w*.  
\v 6  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w and Beth|strong="H1004"\w* \w Millo|strong="H4407"\w* \w assembled|strong="H0622"\w* \w and then went|strong="H1980"\w* \w and made|strong="H4427"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w by the oak|strong="H0436"\w* \w near|strong="H5973"\w* \w the pillar|strong="H5324"\w* \w in Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*.   
\s1 Jotham’s Parable  
\p
\v 7  \w When Jotham|strong="H3147"\w* \w heard|strong="H6963"\w* \w the news,|strong="H1980"\w* \w he|strong="H0430"\w* \w went|strong="H0413"\w* \w and stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w on the top|strong="H7218"\w* \w of Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Gerizim|strong="H1630"\w*. \w He spoke loudly|strong="H6963"\w* \w to the people below|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to me|strong="H0413"\w*, \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, \w so|strong="H7121"\w* \w that God|strong="H0430"\w* \w may listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w*!   
\p
\v 8 “\w The trees|strong="H6086"\w* \w were determined|strong="H1980"\w* \w to go out|strong="H1980"\w* \w and choose|strong="H4886"\w* \w a king|strong="H4428"\w* \w for themselves.|strong="H0559"\w* \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to the olive|strong="H2132"\w* \w tree, ‘Be our king|strong="H4427"\w*!’  
\v 9  \w But the olive|strong="H2132"\w* \w tree said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, ‘I am not going to stop|strong="H2308"\w* \w producing my oil|strong="H1880"\w*, \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w is used to honor|strong="H3513"\w* \w gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w and men|strong="H0376"\w*, \w just to sway|strong="H5128"\w* \w above|strong="H5921"\w* \w the other trees|strong="H6086"\w*!’   
\p
\v 10 “\w So the trees|strong="H6086"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to the fig tree|strong="H8384"\w*, \w ‘You|strong="H0859"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w and be our king|strong="H4427"\w*!’  
\v 11  \w But the fig tree|strong="H8384"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, ‘I am not|strong="H2308"\w* \w going to stop producing|strong="H2308"\w* \w my sweet|strong="H4987"\w* \w figs, my excellent fruit|strong="H8570"\w*, \w just to sway|strong="H5128"\w* \w above|strong="H5921"\w* \w the other trees|strong="H6086"\w*!’   
\p
\v 12 “\w So the trees|strong="H6086"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to the grapevine|strong="H1612"\w*, \w ‘You|strong="H0859"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w and be our king|strong="H4427"\w*!’  
\v 13  \w But the grapevine|strong="H1612"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, ‘I am not going to stop|strong="H2308"\w* \w producing my wine|strong="H8492"\w*, \w which makes|strong="H8055"\w* \w gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w and men|strong="H0376"\w* \w so happy, just to sway|strong="H5128"\w* \w above|strong="H5921"\w* \w the other trees|strong="H6086"\w*!’   
\p
\v 14 “\w So all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the trees|strong="H6086"\w* \w said to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the thornbush|strong="H0329"\w*, \w ‘You|strong="H0859"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w and be our king|strong="H4427"\w*!’  
\v 15  \w The thornbush|strong="H0329"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the trees|strong="H6086"\w*, \w ‘If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w really|strong="H0571"\w* \w want to choose|strong="H4886"\w* \w me as your king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w then come along|strong="H0935"\w*, \w find safety|strong="H2620"\w* \w under my branches|strong="H6738"\w*\w !|strong="H0369"\w* \w Otherwise|strong="H0369"\w* \w may fire|strong="H0784"\w* \w blaze|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the thornbush|strong="H0329"\w* \w and consume|strong="H0398"\w* \w the cedars|strong="H0730"\w* \w of Lebanon|strong="H3844"\w*!’   
\p
\v 16 “\w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you have shown loyalty|strong="H0571"\w* \w and integrity|strong="H8549"\w* \w when you made|strong="H6213"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w king|strong="H4427"\w*, \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you have done|strong="H6213"\w* \w right|strong="H2895"\w* \w to|strong="H5973"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* \w and his family|strong="H1004"\w*, \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you have properly repaid|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w* –  
\v 17  \w my father|strong="H0001"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w for you; he risked|strong="H7993"\w* \w his life|strong="H5315"\w* \w and delivered|strong="H5337"\w* \w you from|strong="H5337"\w* \w Midian’s|strong="H4080"\w* \w power|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 18  \w But you|strong="H0859"\w* \w have attacked|strong="H5921"\w* \w my father’s|strong="H0001"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*. \w You murdered|strong="H2026"\w* \w his seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w legitimate|strong="H1121"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w stone|strong="H0068"\w* \w and made|strong="H4427"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of his female slave|strong="H0519"\w*, \w king over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, \w just because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he is|strong="H1931"\w* \w your close relative|strong="H0251"\w*.  
\v 19  \w So if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you have shown|strong="H6213"\w* \w loyalty|strong="H0571"\w* \w and integrity|strong="H8549"\w* \w to Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* \w and his family|strong="H1004"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*, \w then may Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w bring you happiness|strong="H8055"\w* \w and|strong="H1571"\w* \w may you bring him|strong="H1931"\w* \w happiness|strong="H8055"\w*!  
\v 20  \w But if|strong="H0518"\w* \w not|strong="H0369"\w*, \w may fire|strong="H0784"\w* \w blaze from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w and consume|strong="H0398"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w and Beth|strong="H1004"\w* \w Millo|strong="H4407"\w*\w ! May fire|strong="H0784"\w* \w also blaze from|strong="H3318"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w and Beth|strong="H1004"\w* \w Millo|strong="H4407"\w* \w and consume|strong="H0398"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*!”  
\v 21  \w Then Jotham|strong="H3147"\w* \w ran away|strong="H1980"\w* \w to Beer|strong="H0876"\w* \w and lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w to escape from|strong="H6440"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w his half-brother|strong="H0251"\w*.   
\s1 God Fulfills \w Jotham’s|strong="H3147"\w* Curse  
\p
\v 22  \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w commanded|strong="H7786"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 23  \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w a spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w to stir up hostility|strong="H7451"\w* \w between|strong="H0996"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w and the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*. \w He made the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w disloyal|strong="H0898"\w* \w to Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*.  
\v 24  \w He did this so the violent|strong="H2555"\w* \w deaths of Jerub-Baal’s|strong="H3378"\w* \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w might be avenged and Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*, \w their half-brother|strong="H0251"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w murdered|strong="H2026"\w* \w them, might have to pay|strong="H7760"\w* \w for their spilled blood|strong="H1818"\w*, \w along|strong="H5921"\w* \w with the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w helped|strong="H3027"\w* \w him murder|strong="H2026"\w* \w them|strong="H0251"\w*.  
\v 25  \w The leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w rebelled against|strong="H5921"\w* \w Abimelech by putting|strong="H7760"\w* \w bandits|strong="H0693"\w* \w in|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w*, \w who robbed|strong="H1497"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w traveled|strong="H5674"\w* \w by on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the road|strong="H1870"\w*. \w But Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w found out|strong="H5046"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w*.   
\p
\v 26  \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ebed|strong="H5651"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w with his brothers|strong="H0251"\w*. \w The leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w transferred|strong="H0982"\w* \w their|strong="H0935"\w* loyalty \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w him|strong="H0935"\w*.  
\v 27  \w They went out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to the field|strong="H7704"\w*, \w harvested|strong="H1219"\w* \w their grapes|strong="H3754"\w*, \w squeezed out|strong="H6213"\w* \w the juice,|strong="H1974"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w celebrated|strong="H6213"\w*. \w They came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of their god|strong="H0430"\w* \w and ate|strong="H0398"\w*, \w drank|strong="H8354"\w*, \w and cursed|strong="H7043"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*.  
\v 28  \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ebed|strong="H5651"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w and who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w we should serve|strong="H5647"\w* \w him? Is he not|strong="H3808"\w* \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w*, \w and is not Zebul|strong="H2083"\w* \w the deputy|strong="H6496"\w* \w he appointed?|strong="H5647"\w* \w Serve|strong="H5647"\w* \w the sons|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Hamor|strong="H2544"\w*, \w the father|strong="H0001"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*\w ! But why|strong="H4069"\w* \w should we|strong="H0587"\w* \w serve|strong="H5647"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*?  
\v 29  \w If only|strong="H4310"\w* \w these|strong="H2088"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w were under my command|strong="H3027"\w*, \w I would get rid|strong="H5493"\w* \w of Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*\w !” He challenged|strong="H0559"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*, “\w Muster|strong="H7235"\w* \w your army|strong="H6635"\w* \w and come out|strong="H3318"\w* \w for battle|strong="H6635"\w*!”   
\p
\v 30  \w When Zebul|strong="H2083"\w*, \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w commissioner|strong="H8269"\w*, \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ebed|strong="H5651"\w*, \w he was furious|strong="H0639"\w*.  
\v 31  \w He sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*, \w who was in Arumah|strong="H8649"\w*, \w reporting|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Beware|strong="H2009"\w*\w ! |strong="H1603"\w* \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ebed|strong="H5651"\w* \w and his brothers|strong="H0251"\w* \w are coming|strong="H0935"\w* \w to Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w and inciting|strong="H6696"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w to rebel against|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\v 32  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w come up|strong="H6965"\w* \w at night|strong="H3915"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w your|strong="H0859"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w and set an ambush|strong="H0693"\w* \w in the field|strong="H7704"\w* outside \w the|strong="H0834"\w* city.  
\v 33  \w In the morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w at sunrise|strong="H8121"\w* \w quickly|strong="H7925"\w* \w attack|strong="H6584"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w When he and his men|strong="H5971"\w* \w come out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w fight you, do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w you can|strong="H4672"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*.”   
\p
\v 34  \w So Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his men|strong="H5971"\w* \w came up|strong="H6965"\w* \w at night|strong="H3915"\w* \w and set an ambush|strong="H0693"\w* \w outside Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w – they divided into|strong="H0702"\w* \w four|strong="H0702"\w* \w units|strong="H7218"\w*.  
\v 35  \w When Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ebed|strong="H5651"\w* \w came out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w at the entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w to the city’s|strong="H5892"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w and his men|strong="H5971"\w* \w got up|strong="H6965"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w their hiding|strong="H3993"\w* \w places|strong="H3993"\w*.  
\v 36  \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the men|strong="H5971"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w*, \w “Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w are coming down|strong="H3381"\w* \w from the tops|strong="H7218"\w* \w of the hills|strong="H2022"\w*.” \w But Zebul|strong="H2083"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him, “You|strong="H0859"\w* \w are seeing|strong="H7200"\w* \w the shadows|strong="H6738"\w* \w on the hills|strong="H2022"\w* \w – it just looks like men|strong="H0376"\w*.”  
\v 37  \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w are coming down|strong="H3381"\w* \w from the very center|strong="H2872"\w* \w of the land|strong="H0776"\w*. \w A unit|strong="H0259"\w* \w is coming|strong="H0935"\w* \w by way|strong="H1870"\w* \w of the Oak|strong="H0436"\w* \w Tree of the Diviners|strong="H6049"\w*.”  
\v 38  \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “Where|strong="H0346"\w* \w now|strong="H0645"\w* \w are your bragging words|strong="H0559"\w*, ‘\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w we should serve|strong="H5647"\w* \w him?’ Are these|strong="H2088"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w the men|strong="H5971"\w* \w you insulted|strong="H3988"\w*\w ?|strong="H3318"\w* \w Go|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w and fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*!”  
\v 39  \w So Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w led|strong="H3318"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*.  
\v 40  \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w him, and Gaal|strong="H5127"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w him. Many|strong="H7227"\w* \w Shechemites|strong="H5307"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w wounded|strong="H2491"\w* \w at the entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w of the gate|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 41  \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w went back|strong="H3427"\w* \w to Arumah|strong="H0725"\w*; \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w* \w drove|strong="H1644"\w* \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w and his brothers|strong="H0251"\w* \w out|strong="H1644"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*.   
\p
\v 42  \w The next day|strong="H4283"\w* \w the Shechemites|strong="H5971"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to the field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w When Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w heard about it|strong="H5046"\w*,  
\v 43  \w he took|strong="H3947"\w* \w his men|strong="H5971"\w* \w and divided|strong="H2673"\w* \w them into three|strong="H7969"\w* \w units|strong="H7218"\w* \w and set an ambush|strong="H0693"\w* \w in the field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w When he saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w coming|strong="H2009"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of the city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w he attacked|strong="H6965"\w* \w and struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w*.  
\v 44  \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w and his units|strong="H7218"\w* \w attacked and blocked|strong="H6584"\w* \w the entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w to the city’s|strong="H5892"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w Two|strong="H8147"\w* \w units|strong="H7218"\w* \w then attacked|strong="H6584"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the field|strong="H7704"\w* \w and struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w*.  
\v 45  \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w against the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w all the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in it. Then he leveled|strong="H5422"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and spread|strong="H2232"\w* \w salt|strong="H4417"\w* \w over|strong="H0853"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*.   
\p
\v 46  \w When all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of the Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the news, they went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the stronghold|strong="H6877"\w* \w of the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of El-Berith|strong="H1286"\w*.  
\v 47  \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w heard|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of the Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w were in one place|strong="H6908"\w*.  
\v 48  \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his men|strong="H5971"\w* \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w on Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Zalmon|strong="H6756"\w*. \w He|strong="H0040"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w an ax|strong="H7134"\w* \w in|strong="H0854"\w* \w his hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w and cut off|strong="H3772"\w* \w a tree|strong="H6086"\w* \w branch|strong="H7754"\w*. \w He put|strong="H7760"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his shoulder|strong="H7926"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w his men|strong="H5971"\w*, \w “Quickly|strong="H4116"\w*, \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w you have just|strong="H3644"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w me do|strong="H6213"\w*!”  
\v 49  \w So each|strong="H0376"\w* \w of his men|strong="H0376"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w cut off|strong="H3772"\w* \w a branch|strong="H7754"\w* \w and followed|strong="H0310"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w*. \w They put|strong="H7760"\w* \w the branches|strong="H5921"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the stronghold|strong="H6877"\w* \w and set|strong="H3341"\w* \w fire|strong="H0784"\w* \w to it|strong="H6877"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H0376"\w* \w of the Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w – about a thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w and women|strong="H0802"\w*.   
\p
\v 50  \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w moved|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Thebez|strong="H8405"\w*; \w he besieged|strong="H2583"\w* \w and captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w it|strong="H3920"\w*.  
\v 51  \w There was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a fortified|strong="H5797"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w in the center|strong="H8432"\w* \w of the city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w so all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the men|strong="H0582"\w* \w and women|strong="H0802"\w*, \w as well as the city’s|strong="H5892"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w*, \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w into it and locked|strong="H5462"\w* \w the entrance. Then they went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the roof|strong="H1406"\w* \w of the tower|strong="H4026"\w*.  
\v 52  \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w and attacked|strong="H3898"\w* \w the tower|strong="H4026"\w*. \w When he approached|strong="H5066"\w* \w the entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w of the tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w to set it on fire|strong="H0784"\w*,  
\v 53  \w a woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w an|strong="H0259"\w* \w upper millstone|strong="H7393"\w* \w down on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H0040"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w and shattered|strong="H7533"\w* \w his skull|strong="H1538"\w*.  
\v 54  \w He quickly|strong="H4120"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the young man|strong="H5288"\w* \w who carried|strong="H5375"\w* \w his weapons|strong="H3627"\w*, “\w Draw|strong="H8025"\w* \w your sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w and kill|strong="H4191"\w* \w me, so|strong="H6435"\w* \w they will not say|strong="H0559"\w*, ‘\w A woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w him.’” So the young man|strong="H5288"\w* \w stabbed|strong="H1856"\w* \w him and he died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 55  \w When the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w was dead|strong="H4191"\w*, \w they went|strong="H1980"\w* \w home|strong="H4725"\w*.   
\p
\v 56  \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w repaid|strong="H7725"\w* \w Abimelech|strong="H0040"\w* \w for the evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w he did|strong="H6213"\w* \w to his father|strong="H0001"\w* \w by murdering|strong="H2026"\w* \w his seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w half-brothers|strong="H0251"\w*.  
\v 57  \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w also repaid|strong="H7725"\w* \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w for their evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w deeds. The curse|strong="H7045"\w* \w spoken|strong="H0935"\w* \w by|strong="H0413"\w* \w Jotham|strong="H3147"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* fell \w on|strong="H0413"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*.   
\c 10  
\p
\v 1  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w Abimelech’s|strong="H0040"\w* \w death,|strong="H8439"\w* \w Tola|strong="H8439"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Puah|strong="H6312"\w*, \w grandson|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Dodo|strong="H1734"\w*, \w from the tribe of Issachar|strong="H3485"\w*, \w rose|strong="H6965"\w* \w up to deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Shamir|strong="H8069"\w* \w in the Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w hill country|strong="H2022"\w*.  
\v 2  \w He led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for twenty-three|strong="H7969"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*, \w then died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and was buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in Shamir|strong="H8069"\w*.   
\p
\v 3  \w Jair|strong="H2971"\w* \w the Gileadite|strong="H1569"\w* \w rose up|strong="H6965"\w* \w after|strong="H0310"\w* \w him; he led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for twenty-two|strong="H8147"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 4  \w He had thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w who rode|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H5895"\w* \w and possessed thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w cities|strong="H5895"\w*. \w To this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w these|strong="H1992"\w* \w towns are called|strong="H7121"\w* \w Havvoth Jair|strong="H2334"\w* – \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w are in the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*.  
\v 5  \w Jair|strong="H2971"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and was buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in Kamon|strong="H7056"\w*.   
\s1 \w The|strong="H4191"\w* Lord’s Patience Runs Short  
\p
\v 6  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*. \w They worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Baals|strong="H1168"\w* \w and the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Ashtars|strong="H6252"\w*, \w as well as the|strong="H0853"\w* \w gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w of Syria|strong="H0758"\w*, \w Sidon|strong="H6721"\w*, \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*, \w and the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*. \w They abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w worship|strong="H5647"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w*.  
\v 7  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was furious|strong="H0639"\w* \w with Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and turned|strong="H4376"\w* \w them over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H6430"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w and Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*.  
\v 8  \w They ruthlessly|strong="H7492"\w* \w oppressed|strong="H7533"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w that eighteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* – \w that is, all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w living east|strong="H5676"\w* \w of the Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w in Amorite|strong="H0567"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* \w in Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*.  
\v 9  \w The Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w to fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w and Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*. \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w suffered|strong="H3334"\w* \w greatly|strong="H3966"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried|strong="H2199"\w* \w out for help to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w : “We have sinned|strong="H2398"\w* \w against you. We|strong="H3588"\w* \w abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w our God|strong="H0430"\w* \w and worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w the Baals|strong="H1168"\w*.”  
\v 11  \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w “Did I not|strong="H3808"\w* \w deliver you from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*, \w the Amorites|strong="H0567"\w*, \w the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*, \w the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*,  
\v 12  \w the Sidonians|strong="H6722"\w*, \w Amalek|strong="H6002"\w*, \w and Midian|strong="H4584"\w* \w when they oppressed|strong="H3905"\w* \w you?|strong="H6817"\w* \w You|strong="H0853"\w* \w cried|strong="H6817"\w* \w out|strong="H0413"\w* \w for help to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me, and I delivered|strong="H3467"\w* \w you from their power|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 13  \w But|strong="H0859"\w* \w since you|strong="H0859"\w* \w abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w me and worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w other|strong="H0312"\w* \w gods|strong="H0430"\w*, \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w will not|strong="H3808"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w you again|strong="H3254"\w*.  
\v 14  \w Go|strong="H1980"\w* \w and cry|strong="H2199"\w* \w for help to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w you have|strong="H0834"\w* \w chosen|strong="H0977"\w*\w ! Let them|strong="H1992"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w you from trouble|strong="H6869"\w*!”  
\v 15  \w But the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w said to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , “We have sinned|strong="H2398"\w*. \w You do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to us as you|strong="H0859"\w* \w see|strong="H5869"\w* \w fit|strong="H0389"\w*, \w but deliver|strong="H5337"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*!”  
\v 16  \w They threw away|strong="H5493"\w* \w the foreign|strong="H5236"\w* \w gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w they owned|strong="H7130"\w* \w and worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w . Finally|strong="H7114"\w* \w the \+nd Lord\+nd* grew tired|strong="H7114"\w* \w of seeing|strong="H7114"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w suffer|strong="H5999"\w* \w so much|strong="H5315"\w*.   
\s1 \w An|strong="H3068"\w* Outcast Becomes \w a|strong="H3068"\w* General  
\p
\v 17  \w The Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6817"\w* \w and camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*; \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w gathered together|strong="H0622"\w* \w and camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*.  
\v 18  \w The leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w*, \w “Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is willing|strong="H2490"\w* \w to lead the charge|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*\w ? He will become|strong="H1961"\w* \w the leader|strong="H7218"\w* \w of all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*!”   
\c 11  
\p
\v 1  \w Now Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w the Gileadite|strong="H1569"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a brave|strong="H2428"\w* \w warrior|strong="H1368"\w*. \w His mother|strong="H0802"\w* \w was a prostitute|strong="H2181"\w*, \w but Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w was his father|strong="H3205"\w*.  
\v 2  \w Gilead’s|strong="H1568"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w also gave|strong="H3205"\w* \w him sons|strong="H1121"\w*. \w When his wife’s|strong="H0802"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w grew|strong="H1431"\w* \w up, they made Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w leave and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “You are not|strong="H3808"\w* \w going to inherit|strong="H5157"\w* \w any of our father’s|strong="H0001"\w* \w wealth,|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are another|strong="H0312"\w* \w woman’s|strong="H0802"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*.”  
\v 3  \w So Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w left|strong="H1272"\w* \w his half-brothers|strong="H0251"\w* \w and lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Tob|strong="H2897"\w*. \w Lawless|strong="H7386"\w* \w men|strong="H0582"\w* \w joined|strong="H3950"\w* \w Jephthah’s|strong="H3316"\w* \w gang and traveled|strong="H3318"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w It was some|strong="H1961"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w after this when the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 5  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w* \w attacked|strong="H3898"\w*, \w the leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w asked Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w to come back|strong="H0776"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Tob|strong="H2897"\w*.  
\v 6  \w They said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H1980"\w*, \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w our commander|strong="H7101"\w*, \w so we can fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*.”  
\v 7  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to the leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*, \w “But you|strong="H0859"\w* \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* \w me and made me leave|strong="H1644"\w* \w my father’s|strong="H0001"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w do you come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to me|strong="H0413"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w when you are in trouble|strong="H6862"\w*?”  
\v 8  \w The leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*, \w “That may be true|strong="H3651"\w*, \w but now|strong="H6258"\w* \w we pledge|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you our loyalty.|strong="H1980"\w* \w Come|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us and fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*. \w Then you will become|strong="H1961"\w* \w the leader|strong="H7218"\w* \w of all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*.”  
\v 9  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*, \w “All right!|strong="H0518"\w* \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w take me back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w them to me,|strong="H0595"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will be|strong="H1961"\w* \w your leader|strong="H7218"\w*.”  
\v 10  \w The leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*, “\w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w will judge any grievance|strong="H8085"\w* \w you have|strong="H8085"\w* \w against us,|strong="H0518"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w we do not|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w as you say|strong="H1697"\w*.”  
\v 11  \w So Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*. \w The people|strong="H5971"\w* \w made|strong="H7760"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w their leader|strong="H7218"\w* \w and commander|strong="H7101"\w*. \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w repeated|strong="H1696"\w* \w the terms|strong="H1697"\w* \w of the agreement|strong="H6440"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w in Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*.   
\s1 \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* Gives \w a|strong="H7760"\w* History Lesson  
\p
\v 12  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Ammonite|strong="H5983"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w against|strong="H0413"\w* \w me to|strong="H0413"\w* \w attack|strong="H3898"\w* \w my land|strong="H0776"\w*?”  
\v 13  \w The Ammonite|strong="H5983"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Jephthah’s|strong="H3316"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w*, \w “Because|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w stole|strong="H3947"\w* \w my land|strong="H0776"\w* \w when they|strong="H5927"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* \w – from the Arnon|strong="H0769"\w* \w River|strong="H5704"\w* \w in the south to the Jabbok|strong="H2999"\w* \w River in the north, and as far|strong="H5704"\w* \w west as the Jordan|strong="H3383"\w*. \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w it|strong="H7965"\w* \w peaceably|strong="H7965"\w*!”   
\p
\v 14  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w back to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Ammonite|strong="H5983"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*  
\v 15  \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “This is what|strong="H3541"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w says|strong="H0559"\w*, \w ‘Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w steal|strong="H3947"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w and the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*.  
\v 16  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w they left|strong="H1980"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*, \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w traveled|strong="H1980"\w* \w through the desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w as far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as the Red|strong="H5488"\w* \w Sea|strong="H3220"\w* \w and then came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to Kadesh|strong="H6946"\w*.  
\v 17  \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of Edom|strong="H0123"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w allow us|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w pass|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w your land|strong="H0776"\w*.” \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of Edom|strong="H0123"\w* \w rejected the request|strong="H8085"\w*. \w Israel sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w the same|strong="H1571"\w* \w request to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, \w but he was unwilling|strong="H0014"\w* \w to cooperate.|strong="H3478"\w* \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w at Kadesh|strong="H6946"\w*.  
\v 18  \w Then Israel|strong="H1980"\w* \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w through|strong="H0935"\w* \w the desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w and bypassed|strong="H5437"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Edom|strong="H0123"\w* \w and the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. \w They traveled|strong="H0935"\w* \w east|strong="H8121"\w* \w of the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w and camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w on the other side|strong="H5676"\w* \w of the Arnon|strong="H0769"\w* \w River;|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w through Moabite|strong="H4124"\w* \w territory|strong="H1366"\w* \w (the Arnon|strong="H0769"\w* \w was Moab’s|strong="H4124"\w* \w border|strong="H1366"\w*).  
\v 19  \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Sihon|strong="H5511"\w*, \w the Amorite|strong="H0567"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w who ruled in Heshbon|strong="H2809"\w*, \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w allow us to pass|strong="H5674"\w* \w through your land|strong="H0776"\w* \w to our land|strong="H4725"\w*.”  
\v 20  \w But Sihon|strong="H5511"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w trust|strong="H0539"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w to pass through|strong="H5674"\w* \w his territory|strong="H1366"\w*. \w He|strong="H5511"\w* \w assembled|strong="H0622"\w* \w his whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*, \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in Jahaz|strong="H3096"\w*, \w and fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 21  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w handed Sihon|strong="H5511"\w* \w and his whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and they defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w*. \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w took|strong="H0853"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of the Amorites|strong="H0567"\w* \w who lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in that land|strong="H0776"\w*.  
\v 22  \w They took|strong="H3423"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the Amorite|strong="H0567"\w* \w territory|strong="H1366"\w* \w from the Arnon|strong="H0769"\w* \w River|strong="H5704"\w* \w on the south to the Jabbok|strong="H2999"\w* \w River on the north, from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w in the east to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w in|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* west.  
\v 23  \w Since|strong="H6258"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w has driven|strong="H3423"\w* \w out|strong="H0567"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Amorites|strong="H0567"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w his people|strong="H5971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w do you|strong="H0859"\w* \w think you can just take|strong="H3423"\w* \w it|strong="H3068"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*?  
\v 24  \w You have|strong="H0834"\w* \w the right to take|strong="H3423"\w* \w what Chemosh|strong="H3645"\w* \w your god|strong="H0430"\w* \w gives you, but we will take|strong="H3423"\w* \w the land of all|strong="H3605"\w* \w whom|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w our God|strong="H0430"\w* \w has driven|strong="H3423"\w* \w out before|strong="H6440"\w* \w us|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 25  \w Are you really|strong="H6258"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w Balak|strong="H1111"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zippor|strong="H6834"\w*, \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of Moab|strong="H4124"\w*\w ? Did he dare to quarrel|strong="H7378"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*\w ? Did he dare to fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H0859"\w*?  
\v 26  \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w has been|strong="H0834"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Heshbon|strong="H2809"\w* \w and its nearby towns|strong="H1323"\w*, \w in Aroer|strong="H6177"\w* \w and its nearby towns|strong="H1323"\w*, \w and in all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w along|strong="H3027"\w* \w the Arnon|strong="H0769"\w* \w for three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*\w ! Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w did you not|strong="H3808"\w* \w reclaim them|strong="H5337"\w* \w during that time|strong="H6256"\w*?  
\v 27  \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w have not|strong="H3808"\w* \w done you wrong|strong="H2398"\w*, \w but you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w wrong|strong="H7451"\w* \w by attacking|strong="H3898"\w* \w me. May|strong="H8199"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , the Judge|strong="H8199"\w*, \w judge|strong="H8199"\w* \w this day|strong="H3117"\w* \w between|strong="H0996"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w and the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*!’”  
\v 28  \w But the Ammonite|strong="H5983"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w disregarded|strong="H8085"\w* \w the message|strong="H1697"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w by Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*.   
\s1 \w A|strong="H8085"\w* Foolish Vow Spells Death \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w a|strong="H8085"\w* Daughter  
\p
\v 29  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w empowered|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*. \w He passed through|strong="H5674"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w and Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w* \w and went|strong="H5674"\w* \w to Mizpah|strong="H4708"\w* \w in Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*. \w From there he approached|strong="H5674"\w* \w the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*.  
\v 30  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w made|strong="H5087"\w* \w a vow|strong="H5088"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you really do hand|strong="H5414"\w* \w the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*,  
\v 31  \w then|strong="H3318"\w* \w whoever is the first to come through|strong="H3318"\w* \w the doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of my house|strong="H1004"\w* \w to meet|strong="H7125"\w* \w me when I return|strong="H7725"\w* \w safely|strong="H7965"\w* \w from fighting the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w* \w – he|strong="H1961"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w belong|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and|strong="H5927"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w offer|strong="H5927"\w* \w him|strong="H7725"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w as a burnt sacrifice|strong="H5930"\w*.”  
\v 32  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w approached|strong="H5674"\w* \w the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w* \w to fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w over|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 33  \w He defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w them from Aroer|strong="H6177"\w* \w all the way to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Minnith|strong="H4511"\w* \w – twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w in all|strong="H5704"\w*, \w even as far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as Abel|strong="H0058"\w* \w Keramim|strong="H3754"\w*\w ! He wiped them out|strong="H3966"\w*\w !|strong="H3478"\w* \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w humiliated|strong="H3665"\w* \w the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*.   
\p
\v 34  \w When Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w to Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*, \w there was|strong="H2009"\w* \w his daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w hurrying out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to meet|strong="H7125"\w* \w him, dancing|strong="H4246"\w* \w to the rhythm|strong="H7535"\w* \w of tambourines|strong="H8596"\w*. \w She was his only child|strong="H3173"\w*; \w except|strong="H7535"\w* \w for her he had no|strong="H0369"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w or|strong="H0176"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*.  
\v 35  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w her|strong="H3766"\w*, \w he ripped|strong="H7167"\w* \w his clothes|strong="H0899"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Oh|strong="H0162"\w* \w no! My daughter|strong="H1323"\w*\w ! You have completely ruined|strong="H3766"\w* \w me!|strong="H0859"\w* \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w have brought me disaster|strong="H5916"\w*\w !|strong="H0595"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w made an oath|strong="H6475"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w and I cannot|strong="H3201"\w* \w break|strong="H7725"\w* \w it|strong="H7725"\w*.”  
\v 36  \w She said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “My father|strong="H0001"\w*, \w since|strong="H6310"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w an|strong="H0559"\w* oath \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to me as|strong="H0834"\w* \w you promised|strong="H6310"\w*. \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w all|strong="H0310"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w vindicated|strong="H5360"\w* \w you before|strong="H0341"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w*, \w the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*.”  
\v 37  \w She then said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w her father|strong="H0001"\w*, \w “Please grant|strong="H6213"\w* \w me this|strong="H2088"\w* \w one|strong="H7503"\w* \w wish|strong="H1697"\w*. \w For two|strong="H8147"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w allow|strong="H1980"\w* \w me to walk|strong="H3381"\w* \w through|strong="H5921"\w* \w the hills|strong="H2022"\w* \w with my friends|strong="H7474"\w* \w and mourn|strong="H1058"\w* \w my virginity|strong="H1331"\w*.”  
\v 38  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “You may|strong="H7971"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w*.” \w He permitted|strong="H7971"\w* \w her to leave|strong="H8147"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w*. \w She went|strong="H1980"\w* \w with her friends|strong="H7464"\w* \w and mourned|strong="H1058"\w* \w her virginity|strong="H1331"\w* \w as she walked through the hills|strong="H2022"\w*.  
\v 39  \w After|strong="H7093"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w she returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w her father|strong="H0001"\w*, \w and he did|strong="H6213"\w* \w to her as he had|strong="H5087"\w* \w vowed|strong="H5088"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w died a virgin|strong="H0376"\w*. \w Her tragic death gave rise to a custom|strong="H2706"\w* \w in Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 40  \w Every year|strong="H8141"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w women commemorate|strong="H8567"\w* \w the daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w the Gileadite|strong="H1569"\w* \w for four|strong="H0702"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\c 12  
\p
\v 1  \w The Ephraimites|strong="H0669"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6817"\w* \w and crossed over|strong="H5674"\w* \w to Zaphon|strong="H6828"\w*. \w They said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*, \w “Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w did you go|strong="H5674"\w* \w and fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w* \w without|strong="H3808"\w* \w asking|strong="H7121"\w* \w us to go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you? We will burn|strong="H8313"\w* \w your house|strong="H1004"\w* \w down|strong="H8313"\w* \w right over|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*!”   
\p
\v 2  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “My people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and I|strong="H0589"\w* \w were entangled|strong="H2199"\w* \w in controversy|strong="H7379"\w* \w with the Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*. \w I asked for|strong="H2199"\w* \w your help|strong="H2199"\w*, \w but you did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w me from their power|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 3  \w When I saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you were not|strong="H0369"\w* \w going to help|strong="H3467"\w*, \w I risked|strong="H3709"\w* \w my life|strong="H5674"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* advanced \w against|strong="H5983"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H5983"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w them over to me. Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have you come up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with me today|strong="H3117"\w*?”  
\v 4  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6908"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w and they fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*. \w The men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the Ephraimites insulted them, saying|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w Gileadites|strong="H1568"\w* \w are refugees|strong="H6412"\w* \w in Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, \w living within|strong="H8432"\w* \w Ephraim’s|strong="H0669"\w* \w and Manasseh’s|strong="H4519"\w* \w territory|strong="H8432"\w*.”  
\v 5  \w The Gileadites|strong="H1568"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the fords|strong="H4569"\w* \w of the Jordan River|strong="H3383"\w* \w opposite Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*. \w Whenever an Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w fugitive|strong="H6412"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Let me cross over|strong="H5674"\w*,” \w the men|strong="H0582"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w asked|strong="H0859"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w*, “\w Are|strong="H0376"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w an Ephraimite|strong="H0673"\w*\w ?” If he said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “No|strong="H3808"\w*,”  
\v 6  \w then they said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Say|strong="H0559"\w* \w ‘Shibboleth|strong="H7641"\w*\w !’”|strong="H0559"\w* \w If|strong="H1931"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Sibboleth|strong="H5451"\w*” \w (and could not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pronounce|strong="H1696"\w* \w the word|strong="H3651"\w* \w correctly|strong="H3651"\w*\w ), they grabbed|strong="H0270"\w* \w him and executed|strong="H7819"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w right there at the fords|strong="H4569"\w* \w of the Jordan|strong="H3383"\w*. \w On that|strong="H1931"\w* \w day|strong="H6256"\w* \w forty-two|strong="H8147"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w Ephraimites|strong="H0669"\w* \w fell dead|strong="H5307"\w*.  
\v 7  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for six|strong="H8337"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*; \w then he|strong="H4191"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and was|strong="H1569"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in his city|strong="H5892"\w* \w in Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*.   
\s1 Order Restored  
\p
\v 8  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him Ibzan|strong="H0078"\w* \w of Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 9  \w He had thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*. \w He arranged for thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w of his daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to be married outside|strong="H2351"\w* \w his extended|strong="H7971"\w* \w family,|strong="H7970"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H4480"\w* arranged \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w young women|strong="H1323"\w* \w to be brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w outside|strong="H2351"\w* \w as wives for his sons|strong="H1121"\w*. \w Ibzan|strong="H8199"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*;  
\v 10  \w then he|strong="H0078"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and was buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*.   
\p
\v 11  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him Elon|strong="H0356"\w* \w the Zebulunite|strong="H2075"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 12  \w Then Elon the Zebulunite|strong="H2075"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and was buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in Aijalon|strong="H0357"\w* \w in the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him Abdon|strong="H5658"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hillel|strong="H1985"\w* \w the Pirathonite|strong="H6553"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 14  \w He had forty|strong="H0705"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w grandsons|strong="H1121"\w* \w who rode|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H5895"\w*. \w He led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for eight|strong="H8083"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 15  \w Then|strong="H4191"\w* \w Abdon|strong="H5658"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hillel|strong="H1985"\w* \w the Pirathonite|strong="H6553"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and was buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in Pirathon|strong="H6552"\w* \w in the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, \w in the hill country|strong="H2022"\w* \w of the Amalekites|strong="H6003"\w*.   
\c 13  
\p
\v 1  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*, \w so|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w them over to the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w for forty|strong="H0705"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\p
\v 2  \w There was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a man|strong="H0376"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w from Zorah|strong="H6881"\w*, \w from the Danite|strong="H1839"\w* \w tribe|strong="H4940"\w*. \w His wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w was infertile|strong="H6135"\w* \w and childless|strong="H3205"\w*.  
\v 3  \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w angelic|strong="H4397"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w appeared|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to her|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “You|strong="H0859"\w* \w are infertile|strong="H6135"\w* \w and childless|strong="H3205"\w*, \w but you will conceive|strong="H2029"\w* \w and have a son|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 4  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w be careful|strong="H8104"\w*\w ! Do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w or beer|strong="H7941"\w*, \w and do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w food that will make you ritually unclean|strong="H2931"\w*.  
\v 5  \w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w you will conceive|strong="H2029"\w* \w and have a son|strong="H1121"\w*. \w You must never|strong="H3808"\w* \w cut his hair,|strong="H3588"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the child|strong="H5288"\w* \w will be|strong="H1961"\w* \w dedicated|strong="H5139"\w* \w to God|strong="H0430"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w birth|strong="H0990"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w will begin|strong="H2490"\w* \w to deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w from the power|strong="H3027"\w* \w of the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*.”   
\p
\v 6  \w The woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to her husband|strong="H0376"\w*, \w “A man|strong="H0376"\w* \w sent from God|strong="H0430"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me! He looked like|strong="H4758"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w angelic|strong="H4758"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w – he was very|strong="H3966"\w* \w awesome|strong="H3372"\w*. \w I did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w him where|strong="H0335"\w* \w he came from, and he|strong="H1931"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me his name|strong="H8034"\w*.  
\v 7  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to me, ‘Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w you will conceive|strong="H2029"\w* \w and have a son|strong="H1121"\w*. \w So now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w or beer|strong="H7941"\w* \w and do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w food that will make you ritually unclean|strong="H2932"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w the child|strong="H5288"\w* \w will be|strong="H1961"\w* \w dedicated|strong="H5139"\w* \w to God|strong="H0430"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w birth|strong="H0990"\w* \w till|strong="H5704"\w* \w the day|strong="H3117"\w* \w he dies|strong="H4194"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 8  \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w prayed|strong="H6279"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w ,|strong="H0994"\w* “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w*, \w Lord|strong="H0136"\w*, \w allow|strong="H4994"\w* \w the man|strong="H0376"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w from God|strong="H0430"\w* \w to visit|strong="H0935"\w* \w us again|strong="H5750"\w*, \w so he can teach|strong="H3384"\w* \w us how|strong="H4100"\w* \w we should raise|strong="H6213"\w* \w the child|strong="H5288"\w* \w who will be born|strong="H3205"\w*.”  
\v 9  \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w answered|strong="H8085"\w* \w Manoah’s|strong="H4495"\w* \w prayer.|strong="H0430"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w angelic messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w visited|strong="H0935"\w* \w the woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w while she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w in the field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w But her husband|strong="H0376"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w was not|strong="H0369"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 10  \w The woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w ran|strong="H7323"\w* \w at once and told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w* \w husband|strong="H0376"\w*, “\w Come quickly|strong="H4116"\w*, \w the man|strong="H0376"\w* \w who visited|strong="H0935"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w the other|strong="H0376"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w has appeared|strong="H7200"\w* \w to me|strong="H0413"\w*!”  
\v 11  \w So Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w got up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and followed|strong="H0310"\w* \w his wife|strong="H0802"\w*. \w When he met|strong="H0935"\w* \w the man|strong="H0376"\w*, \w he said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Are you|strong="H0859"\w* \w the man|strong="H0376"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w my wife|strong="H0802"\w*\w ?”|strong="H0559"\w* \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Yes|strong="H0589"\w*.”  
\v 12  \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w when your announcement|strong="H1697"\w* \w comes|strong="H0935"\w* \w true,|strong="H4100"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w should the child|strong="H5288"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* raised \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H0935"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w*?”  
\v 13  \w The \+nd Lord\+nd*’s|strong="H3069"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w told|strong="H0413"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w*, \w “Your wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w should pay attention|strong="H8104"\w* \w to everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w I told|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H0802"\w*.  
\v 14  \w She should not drink|strong="H0398"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w the grapevine|strong="H1612"\w* \w produces|strong="H3318"\w*. \w She must not|strong="H0408"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w or beer|strong="H7941"\w*, \w and she must not|strong="H3808"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w food that will make her ritually unclean|strong="H2932"\w*. \w She should|strong="H0408"\w* \w obey|strong="H8104"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w I commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H8104"\w* \w do|strong="H0408"\w*.”  
\v 15  \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*, \w “Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w stay here awhile|strong="H6113"\w*, \w so we can prepare|strong="H6213"\w* \w a young|strong="H1423"\w* \w goat|strong="H5795"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* eat.”  
\v 16  \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w*, \w “If|strong="H0518"\w* \w I stay|strong="H6113"\w*, \w I will not|strong="H3808"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w your food|strong="H3899"\w*. \w But if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you want to make|strong="H6213"\w* \w a burnt sacrifice|strong="H5930"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , you should offer|strong="H5927"\w* \w it.” (He said this because|strong="H3588"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*.)  
\v 17  \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*, \w “Tell us your name|strong="H8034"\w*, \w so we can honor|strong="H3513"\w* \w you when your announcement|strong="H1697"\w* \w comes|strong="H0935"\w* \w true|strong="H3068"\w*.”  
\v 18  \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “You should|strong="H4100"\w* \w not ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w me my name|strong="H8034"\w*, \w because you cannot comprehend|strong="H6383"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*.”  
\v 19  \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w a young|strong="H1423"\w* \w goat|strong="H5795"\w* \w and a grain offering|strong="H4503"\w* \w and offered|strong="H5927"\w* \w them on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a rock|strong="H6697"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w . The \+nd Lord\+nd*’s messenger did|strong="H6213"\w* \w an amazing|strong="H6381"\w* \w thing as Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w and his wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w watched|strong="H7200"\w*.  
\v 20  \w As the flame|strong="H3851"\w* \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from the altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w toward the sky|strong="H8064"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w in it|strong="H3851"\w* \w while Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w and his wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w watched|strong="H7200"\w*. \w They fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w facedown|strong="H0776"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w ground|strong="H0776"\w*.   
\p
\v 21  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w appear|strong="H7200"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w and his|strong="H1931"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w*. \w After all this happened Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w realized|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* visitor \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*.  
\v 22  \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w his wife|strong="H0802"\w*, \w “We|strong="H4191"\w* \w will certainly die|strong="H4191"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w we have seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w a supernatural|strong="H0430"\w* \w being|strong="H0430"\w*!”  
\v 23  \w But his wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “If|strong="H3863"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w wanted|strong="H2654"\w* \w to kill|strong="H4191"\w* \w us|strong="H3863"\w*, \w he would|strong="H3863"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w have accepted|strong="H3947"\w* \w the burnt offering|strong="H5930"\w* \w and the grain offering|strong="H4503"\w* \w from us.|strong="H3863"\w* \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w have shown|strong="H7200"\w* \w us|strong="H3863"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w things|strong="H6256"\w*, \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H8085"\w* \w spoken|strong="H8085"\w* \w to us like|strong="H3863"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w now|strong="H6256"\w*.”   
\p
\v 24  \w Manoah’s|strong="H3205"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w gave birth to a son|strong="H1121"\w* \w and named|strong="H8034"\w* \w him Samson|strong="H8123"\w*. \w The child|strong="H5288"\w* \w grew|strong="H1431"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w empowered|strong="H1288"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w*.  
\v 25  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w began|strong="H2490"\w* \w to control him|strong="H6470"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* Mahaneh \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w between|strong="H0996"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and Eshtaol|strong="H0847"\w*.   
\c 14  
\p
\v 1  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w went down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to Timnah|strong="H8553"\w*, \w where a Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w girl|strong="H1323"\w* \w caught his eye|strong="H7200"\w*.  
\v 2  \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w he got|strong="H5927"\w* \w home,|strong="H5046"\w* \w he|strong="H0853"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w his father|strong="H0001"\w* \w and mother|strong="H0517"\w*, \w “A Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w girl|strong="H1323"\w* \w in Timnah|strong="H8553"\w* \w has caught my eye.|strong="H6258"\w* \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w get|strong="H3947"\w* \w her for my wife|strong="H0802"\w*.”  
\v 3  \w But his father|strong="H0001"\w* \w and mother|strong="H0517"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Certainly|strong="H0369"\w* \w you can find a wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w among your relatives|strong="H0251"\w* \w or among all|strong="H3605"\w* \w our|strong="H5971"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*\w ! You|strong="H0859"\w* \w should not have to go|strong="H1980"\w* \w and get|strong="H3947"\w* \w a wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w from the uncircumcised|strong="H6189"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*.” \w But Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w his father|strong="H0001"\w*, \w “Get|strong="H3947"\w* \w her for me,|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w is the right|strong="H3474"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w Now his father|strong="H0001"\w* \w and mother|strong="H0517"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w doing,|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he was|strong="H1931"\w* \w looking|strong="H1245"\w* \w for an opportunity|strong="H8385"\w* \w to stir up trouble with the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w (for at that time|strong="H6256"\w* \w the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w were ruling|strong="H4910"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*).   
\p
\v 5  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w went down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to Timnah|strong="H8553"\w*. \w When he approached|strong="H0935"\w* \w the vineyards|strong="H3754"\w* \w of Timnah|strong="H8553"\w*, \w he saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w a roaring|strong="H7580"\w* \w young|strong="H3715"\w* \w lion|strong="H0738"\w* \w attacking|strong="H7125"\w* \w him|strong="H0935"\w*.  
\v 6  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w empowered|strong="H8156"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and he tore the lion|strong="H3027"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w two|strong="H3808"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* bare \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w as easily|strong="H8156"\w* \w as one|strong="H0369"\w* \w would tear a young goat|strong="H1423"\w*. \w But he did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w his father|strong="H0001"\w* \w or mother|strong="H0517"\w* \w what he had|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\p
\v 7  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w continued on down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to Timnah|strong="H0802"\w* \w and spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w to the girl|strong="H3474"\w*. \w In his opinion|strong="H5869"\w*, she \w was|strong="H0802"\w* \w just|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H1696"\w* \w right|strong="H3474"\w* \w one|strong="H0802"\w*.  
\v 8  \w Some time|strong="H3117"\w* \w later, when he went back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to marry|strong="H3947"\w* \w her, he turned aside|strong="H5493"\w* \w to see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the lion’s|strong="H0738"\w* \w remains|strong="H4658"\w*. \w He saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w a swarm|strong="H5712"\w* \w of bees|strong="H1682"\w* \w in the lion’s|strong="H0738"\w* \w carcass|strong="H1472"\w*, \w as well as some honey|strong="H1706"\w*.  
\v 9  \w He scooped|strong="H7287"\w* \w it up with his hands|strong="H3709"\w* \w and ate|strong="H0398"\w* \w it as he walked|strong="H1980"\w* \w along. When he returned|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w his father|strong="H0001"\w* \w and mother|strong="H0517"\w*, \w he offered|strong="H5414"\w* \w them some and they ate|strong="H0398"\w* \w it. But he did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w them he had|strong="H3588"\w* \w scooped|strong="H7287"\w* \w the honey|strong="H1706"\w* \w out of the lion’s|strong="H0738"\w* \w carcass|strong="H1472"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w Then Samson’s|strong="H3381"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w accompanied him|strong="H0413"\w* \w to Timnah for the marriage|strong="H0802"\w*. \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w hosted|strong="H8033"\w* \w a party|strong="H4960"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w was customary|strong="H6213"\w* \w for bridegrooms|strong="H0970"\w* \w to do|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 11  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the Philistines saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w he had no attendants, they gave him thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w groomsmen|strong="H4828"\w* who kept \w him|strong="H0853"\w* company.  
\v 12  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, “I will give|strong="H2330"\w* \w you a riddle|strong="H2420"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you really can solve|strong="H2330"\w* \w it during the seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w the party|strong="H4960"\w* \w lasts|strong="H4672"\w*, \w I will give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w linen|strong="H5466"\w* \w robes and thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w sets|strong="H2487"\w* \w of clothes|strong="H0899"\w*.  
\v 13  \w But if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w solve|strong="H3201"\w* \w it,|strong="H0859"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w will give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w linen|strong="H5466"\w* \w robes and thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w sets|strong="H2487"\w* \w of clothes|strong="H0899"\w*.” \w They said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Let|strong="H2330"\w* \w us hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w your riddle|strong="H2420"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them,|strong="H3318"\w*  
\q1 \w “Out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of the one who eats|strong="H0398"\w* \w came something|strong="H3978"\w* \w to eat;|strong="H3318"\w*  
\q1 \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of the strong|strong="H5794"\w* \w one came something sweet|strong="H4966"\w*.”  
\pi1 \w They could|strong="H3201"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w solve|strong="H5046"\w* \w the riddle|strong="H2420"\w* \w for three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\p
\v 15  \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the fourth|strong="H7637"\w* \w day|strong="H7637"\w* \w they said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to Samson’s|strong="H8123"\w* \w bride, “Trick|strong="H6601"\w* \w your husband|strong="H0376"\w* \w into giving the solution to the riddle|strong="H2420"\w*. \w If you refuse,|strong="H6435"\w* \w we|strong="H3117"\w* \w will burn up|strong="H8313"\w* \w you and your father’s|strong="H0001"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Did you invite|strong="H7121"\w* \w us here|strong="H6435"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w make|strong="H5046"\w* \w us|strong="H5046"\w* \w poor|strong="H3423"\w*?”  
\v 16  \w So Samson’s|strong="H8123"\w* \w bride cried|strong="H1058"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his shoulder|strong="H7535"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “You must|strong="H7535"\w* \w hate|strong="H8130"\w* \w me; you do not|strong="H3808"\w* \w love|strong="H0157"\w* \w me! You told the young men|strong="H5971"\w* \w a riddle|strong="H2330"\w*, \w but you have not|strong="H3808"\w* \w told me the solution|strong="H2420"\w*.” \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to her, “Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w I have not|strong="H3808"\w* \w even told my father|strong="H0001"\w* \w or mother|strong="H0517"\w*. Do \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w really|strong="H0559"\w* expect \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*?”  
\v 17  \w She cried|strong="H1058"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his shoulder|strong="H4960"\w* \w until|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* party \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w almost|strong="H3117"\w* \w over.|strong="H3117"\w* Finally, \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w day, he told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her because|strong="H3588"\w* \w she had nagged|strong="H6693"\w* \w him so much.|strong="H5046"\w* \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w the young|strong="H1121"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w the solution to the riddle|strong="H2420"\w*.  
\v 18  \w On the seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w before|strong="H2962"\w* \w the sun|strong="H2775"\w* \w set|strong="H0935"\w*, \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him,|strong="H4100"\w*  
\q1 \w “What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is sweeter|strong="H4966"\w* \w than honey|strong="H1706"\w*\w ?|strong="H4100"\w*  
\q1 \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is stronger|strong="H5794"\w* \w than a lion|strong="H0738"\w*\w ?”|strong="H0559"\w*  
\pi1 \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them,|strong="H3884"\w*  
\q1 \w “If|strong="H3884"\w* \w you had not plowed|strong="H2790"\w* \w with my heifer|strong="H5697"\w*,  
\q1 \w you would not|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H4672"\w* \w solved my riddle|strong="H2420"\w*!”   
\p
\v 19  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w empowered|strong="H6743"\w* \w him. He went down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to Ashkelon|strong="H0831"\w* \w and murdered|strong="H5221"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w*. \w He took|strong="H3947"\w* \w their clothes|strong="H2488"\w* \w and gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w who|strong="H0376"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* solved \w the riddle|strong="H2420"\w*. \w He was furious|strong="H0639"\w* \w as he went back|strong="H5927"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 20  \w Samson’s|strong="H8123"\w* \w bride was then given to his best man|strong="H4828"\w*.   
\c 15  
\p
\v 1  \w Sometime later|strong="H3117"\w*, \w during the wheat|strong="H2406"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w*, \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w took a young|strong="H1423"\w* \w goat|strong="H5795"\w* \w as a gift and went to visit|strong="H6485"\w* \w his bride|strong="H0802"\w*. \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to her father,|strong="H0935"\w* “\w I|strong="H5414"\w* want \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* sex \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w my bride|strong="H0802"\w* \w in her bedroom|strong="H2315"\w*\w !”|strong="H0001"\w* \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w would not|strong="H3808"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w him enter|strong="H0935"\w*.  
\v 2  \w Her father|strong="H0001"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “I really thought|strong="H0559"\w* \w you absolutely|strong="H8130"\w* \w despised|strong="H8130"\w* \w her, so I gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w her to your best man|strong="H4828"\w*. \w Her younger|strong="H6996"\w* \w sister|strong="H0269"\w* \w is more attractive|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w she is. Take|strong="H4994"\w* \w her instead|strong="H8478"\w*!”  
\v 3  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them,|strong="H6471"\w* “\w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w* \w I am|strong="H0589"\w* \w justified|strong="H5352"\w* \w in doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w harm|strong="H7451"\w*!”  
\v 4  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w and captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w jackals|strong="H7776"\w* \w and got some|strong="H3947"\w* \w torches|strong="H3940"\w*. \w He tied the jackals in pairs|strong="H8147"\w* \w by their tails|strong="H2180"\w* \w and then tied|strong="H7760"\w* \w a torch|strong="H3940"\w* \w to each|strong="H0259"\w* \w pair|strong="H0996"\w*.  
\v 5  \w He lit|strong="H1197"\w* \w the torches|strong="H3940"\w* \w and set|strong="H7971"\w* \w the jackals loose in the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*’ \w standing grain|strong="H7054"\w*. \w He burned|strong="H1197"\w* \w up the grain heaps|strong="H1430"\w* \w and the standing grain|strong="H7054"\w*, \w as well as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the vineyards|strong="H3754"\w* \w and olive|strong="H2132"\w* \w groves|strong="H5704"\w*.  
\v 6  \w The Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*\w ?” They were told|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, \w the Timnite’s|strong="H8554"\w* \w son-in-law|strong="H2860"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the Timnite|strong="H3947"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w Samson’s|strong="H0802"\w* \w bride and gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w her to his best man|strong="H4828"\w*.” \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and burned|strong="H8313"\w* \w her and her father|strong="H0001"\w*.  
\v 7  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, “Because|strong="H3588"\w* \w you did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*, \w I will get revenge|strong="H5358"\w* \w against you before I quit|strong="H2308"\w* fighting.”  
\v 8  \w He struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w them down|strong="H5221"\w* \w and defeated|strong="H1419"\w* \w them.|strong="H0853"\w* \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w he went down|strong="H3381"\w* \w and lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w for a time in the cave|strong="H5585"\w* \w in the cliff|strong="H5553"\w* \w of Etam|strong="H5862"\w*.   
\p
\v 9  \w The Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and invaded|strong="H2583"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w They arrayed|strong="H5203"\w* \w themselves for battle|strong="H3896"\w* \w in|strong="H2583"\w* \w Lehi|strong="H3896"\w*.  
\v 10  \w The men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w are you attacking|strong="H5927"\w* \w us?” The Philistines|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “We have come up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to take Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w prisoner|strong="H0631"\w* \w so we can do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to him what|strong="H0834"\w* \w he has done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*.”  
\v 11  \w Three|strong="H7969"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w went down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the cave|strong="H5585"\w* \w in the cliff|strong="H5553"\w* \w of Etam|strong="H5862"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, \w “Do you not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w rule over|strong="H4910"\w* \w us? Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have you done|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w to us?” He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, “I have only done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to them what|strong="H3651"\w* \w they have done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*.”  
\v 12  \w They said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “We have come down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to take|strong="H5414"\w* \w you prisoner|strong="H0631"\w* \w so we can hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w you over to the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*.” \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, “Promise|strong="H7650"\w* \w me|strong="H0859"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w will not|strong="H6435"\w* \w kill|strong="H6293"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*.”  
\v 13  \w They said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “We promise|strong="H0559"\w*\w !|strong="H0631"\w* \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* only \w take|strong="H5927"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w prisoner|strong="H0631"\w* \w and hand|strong="H5414"\w* \w you over|strong="H5414"\w* \w to them. We promise|strong="H4191"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to kill|strong="H4191"\w* \w you.” They tied|strong="H0631"\w* \w him up|strong="H0631"\w* \w with two|strong="H8147"\w* \w brand new|strong="H2319"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w and led|strong="H5927"\w* \w him up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the cliff|strong="H5553"\w*.  
\v 14  \w When he|strong="H1931"\w* \w arrived|strong="H0935"\w* \w in Lehi|strong="H3896"\w*, \w the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w shouted|strong="H7321"\w* \w as they approached|strong="H7125"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w empowered|strong="H5921"\w* \w him. The ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w his arms|strong="H2220"\w* \w were like flax|strong="H6593"\w* \w dissolving|strong="H1197"\w* \w in|strong="H0784"\w* \w fire|strong="H0784"\w*, \w and they|strong="H4549"\w* \w melted|strong="H4549"\w* \w away|strong="H4549"\w* \w from his hands|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 15  \w He happened to see|strong="H4672"\w* \w a solid|strong="H2961"\w* \w jawbone|strong="H3895"\w* \w of a donkey|strong="H2543"\w*. \w He grabbed|strong="H3947"\w* \w it|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w a thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w then said|strong="H0559"\w*,  
\q1 “\w With the jawbone|strong="H3895"\w* \w of a donkey|strong="H2543"\w*  
\q1 \w I have left them in heaps|strong="H2563"\w*;  
\q1 \w with the jawbone|strong="H3895"\w* \w of a donkey|strong="H2543"\w*  
\q1 \w I have struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down a thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w*!”   
\p
\v 17  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he finished|strong="H3615"\w* \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w*, \w he threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w the jawbone|strong="H3895"\w* \w down|strong="H7121"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w that place|strong="H4725"\w* \w Ramath|strong="H7437"\w* Lehi.   
\p
\v 18  \w He was very|strong="H3966"\w* \w thirsty|strong="H6770"\w*, \w so he cried|strong="H7121"\w* \w out to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “You|strong="H0859"\w* \w have given|strong="H5414"\w* \w your servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w victory|strong="H8668"\w*. \w But now|strong="H6258"\w* \w must I die|strong="H4191"\w* \w of thirst|strong="H6772"\w* \w and fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w into hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w of the Philistines|strong="H6189"\w*?”  
\v 19  \w So God|strong="H0430"\w* \w split open|strong="H1234"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w basin|strong="H4388"\w* \w at Lehi|strong="H3895"\w* \w and water|strong="H4325"\w* \w flowed out|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w it. When he took a drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w his strength|strong="H7307"\w* \w was restored|strong="H7725"\w* \w and he revived|strong="H2421"\w*. \w For this reason|strong="H3651"\w* \w he named|strong="H8034"\w* \w the spring|strong="H5875"\w* En Hakkore. \w It remains in Lehi|strong="H3896"\w* \w to this|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H5704"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 20  \w Samson led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w during the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* prominence.   
\c 16  
\p
\v 1  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w to Gaza|strong="H5804"\w*. \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w he saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w a prostitute|strong="H2181"\w* \w and went|strong="H0935"\w* \w in to|strong="H0413"\w* \w have sex with her|strong="H0802"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The Gazites|strong="H5841"\w* \w were told|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w has come|strong="H0935"\w* \w here|strong="H2008"\w*\w !” So they surrounded|strong="H5437"\w* \w the town|strong="H0693"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* hid \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w at the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w waiting for him to leave.|strong="H2790"\w* \w They|strong="H5704"\w* relaxed \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*, \w thinking|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w He will not leave|strong="H5704"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w comes|strong="H0216"\w*; \w then we will kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w him|strong="H0935"\w*!”  
\v 3  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w spent|strong="H7901"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the night|strong="H3915"\w* \w with the prostitute; then he got up|strong="H6965"\w* \w in the middle|strong="H2677"\w* \w of the night|strong="H3915"\w* \w and left.|strong="H0270"\w* \w He|strong="H0834"\w* grabbed \w the doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w as well as the two|strong="H8147"\w* \w posts|strong="H4201"\w*, \w and pulled|strong="H5265"\w* \w them right|strong="H5265"\w* \w off|strong="H5973"\w*, \w bar|strong="H1280"\w* \w and all.|strong="H7760"\w* \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w them on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his shoulders|strong="H3802"\w* \w and carried them up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the top|strong="H7218"\w* \w of a hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w east of Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w this Samson|strong="H3651"\w* \w fell in love|strong="H0157"\w* \w with a woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w*, \w who lived in the Sorek|strong="H7796"\w* \w Valley|strong="H5158"\w*.  
\v 5  \w The rulers|strong="H5633"\w* \w of the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w visit her and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to her, “Trick|strong="H6601"\w* \w him! Find out|strong="H7200"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w makes him so|strong="H1419"\w* \w strong|strong="H3581"\w* \w and how|strong="H4100"\w* \w we can|strong="H3201"\w* \w subdue|strong="H0631"\w* \w him and humiliate|strong="H6031"\w* \w him. Each one|strong="H0376"\w* \w of us|strong="H0587"\w* \w will give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you eleven hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* pieces.”   
\p
\v 6  \w So Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, \w “Tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w makes you so|strong="H1419"\w* \w strong|strong="H3581"\w* \w and how|strong="H4100"\w* \w you can be subdued|strong="H0631"\w* \w and humiliated|strong="H6031"\w*.”  
\v 7  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w her, “If|strong="H0518"\w* \w they tie|strong="H0631"\w* \w me up|strong="H0631"\w* \w with seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w fresh|strong="H3892"\w* \w bowstrings|strong="H3499"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w have not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been dried|strong="H2717"\w*, \w I will become weak|strong="H2470"\w* \w and be|strong="H1961"\w* \w just like any other|strong="H0259"\w* \w man|strong="H0120"\w*.”  
\v 8  \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w the rulers|strong="H5633"\w* \w of the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w brought her seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w fresh|strong="H3892"\w* \w bowstrings|strong="H3499"\w* \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w had not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been dried|strong="H2717"\w* \w and they tied|strong="H0631"\w* \w him up|strong="H0631"\w* \w with|strong="H5927"\w* \w them|strong="H5927"\w*.  
\v 9  \w They hid|strong="H0693"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the bedroom|strong="H2315"\w* \w and then she said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him, “The Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w are here,|strong="H8123"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*\w !” He snapped|strong="H5423"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w bowstrings|strong="H3499"\w* \w as easily|strong="H5423"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w a thread|strong="H6616"\w* \w of yarn|strong="H5296"\w* \w snaps when it is put close|strong="H7306"\w* \w to fire|strong="H0784"\w*. \w The secret of his strength|strong="H3581"\w* \w was not|strong="H3808"\w* \w discovered|strong="H3045"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, \w “Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w you deceived|strong="H2048"\w* \w me and told|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w lies|strong="H3576"\w*\w ! Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w you can be subdued|strong="H0631"\w*.”  
\v 11  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w her, “If|strong="H0518"\w* \w they tie|strong="H0631"\w* \w me tightly with brand new|strong="H2319"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w have never|strong="H3808"\w* \w been used|strong="H4399"\w*, \w I will become weak|strong="H2470"\w* \w and be|strong="H1961"\w* \w just like any other|strong="H0259"\w* \w man|strong="H0120"\w*.”  
\v 12  \w So Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w and tied|strong="H0631"\w* \w him with them and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him, “The Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w are here,|strong="H8123"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*\w !” (The Philistines were hiding|strong="H0693"\w* \w in the bedroom|strong="H2315"\w*.\w )|strong="H5423"\w* \w But|strong="H3947"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w tore|strong="H5423"\w* \w the ropes|strong="H2220"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w arms|strong="H2220"\w* \w as if they were a piece of thread|strong="H2339"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, \w “Up to|strong="H5704"\w* \w now|strong="H2008"\w* \w you have deceived|strong="H2048"\w* \w me and told me lies|strong="H0413"\w*. \w Tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me how|strong="H4100"\w* \w you can be subdued|strong="H0631"\w*.” \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w her, “If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you weave|strong="H0707"\w* \w the seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w braids|strong="H4253"\w* \w of my hair|strong="H7218"\w* \w into the fabric|strong="H4545"\w* \w on the loom|strong="H5973"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* secure \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* pin, \w I|strong="H0518"\w* \w will|strong="H4100"\w* become weak \w and|strong="H7218"\w* be \w like|strong="H5973"\w* any \w other|strong="H2008"\w* \w man|strong="H7218"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w So she made him|strong="H0854"\w* \w go to|strong="H0413"\w* \w sleep|strong="H8142"\w*, \w wove the seven braids of his hair into the fabric on the|strong="H5921"\w* \w loom, fastened|strong="H8628"\w* \w it with|strong="H0854"\w* \w the pin|strong="H3489"\w*, \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him|strong="H0854"\w*, \w “The Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w are here,|strong="H8123"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*\w !”|strong="H3364"\w* \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w woke|strong="H3364"\w* \w up|strong="H3489"\w* \w and|strong="H6430"\w* tore away \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w pin|strong="H3489"\w* \w of the|strong="H5921"\w* \w loom|strong="H0708"\w* \w and the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fabric|strong="H4545"\w*.   
\p
\v 15  \w She said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “How|strong="H0349"\w* \w can you say|strong="H0559"\w*, \w ‘I love|strong="H0157"\w* \w you,’ when you will not|strong="H0369"\w* \w share your secret|strong="H3820"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w me?|strong="H7969"\w* \w Three|strong="H7969"\w* \w times|strong="H6471"\w* \w you have deceived|strong="H2048"\w* \w me and have not|strong="H3808"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w me what|strong="H4100"\w* \w makes|strong="H3581"\w* \w you so strong|strong="H1419"\w*.”  
\v 16  \w She nagged|strong="H6693"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w and pressured|strong="H0509"\w* \w him until he was sick to death|strong="H4191"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*.  
\v 17  \w Finally he told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her his secret|strong="H3820"\w*. \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to her, “My hair|strong="H7218"\w* \w has never|strong="H3808"\w* \w been cut|strong="H5927"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w I have been dedicated|strong="H5139"\w* \w to God|strong="H0430"\w* \w from the time I|strong="H0589"\w* \w was conceived|strong="H0517"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w my head|strong="H1548"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w shaved|strong="H1548"\w*, \w my strength|strong="H3581"\w* \w would leave|strong="H5493"\w* \w me; I would become weak|strong="H2470"\w*, \w and be|strong="H1961"\w* \w just like all|strong="H3605"\w* \w other men|strong="H0120"\w*.”  
\v 18  \w When Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he had told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her his secret|strong="H3820"\w*, \w she sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w for|strong="H5633"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* rulers \w of the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Come up|strong="H5927"\w* \w here again|strong="H6471"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he has told|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w his secret|strong="H3820"\w*.” \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w the rulers|strong="H5633"\w* \w of the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w visit her, bringing the silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w in their hands|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 19  \w She made him go to sleep|strong="H3462"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w her lap|strong="H1290"\w* \w and then called|strong="H7121"\w* \w a man|strong="H0376"\w* \w in to shave|strong="H1548"\w* \w off|strong="H7651"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w braids|strong="H4253"\w* \w of his hair|strong="H7218"\w*. \w She made him vulnerable|strong="H5493"\w* \w and his strength|strong="H3581"\w* \w left him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 20  \w She said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “The Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w are here,|strong="H8123"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*\w !” He woke up|strong="H8142"\w* \w and thought|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w I will do|strong="H3318"\w* \w as I did before|strong="H6471"\w* \w and shake|strong="H5287"\w* \w myself free|strong="H5287"\w*.” \w But he did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had left|strong="H5493"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 21  \w The Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w captured|strong="H0270"\w* \w him and gouged out|strong="H5365"\w* \w his eyes|strong="H5869"\w*. \w They brought|strong="H3381"\w* \w him down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to Gaza|strong="H5804"\w* \w and bound|strong="H0631"\w* \w him in bronze|strong="H5178"\w* \w chains. He became|strong="H1961"\w* \w a grinder|strong="H2912"\w* \w in the prison|strong="H0615"\w*.  
\v 22  \w His hair|strong="H8181"\w* \w began|strong="H2490"\w* \w to grow|strong="H6779"\w* \w back after it had|strong="H0834"\w* \w been shaved|strong="H1548"\w* \w off|strong="H1548"\w*.   
\s1 Samson’s Death \w and|strong="H7218"\w* Burial  
\p
\v 23  \w The rulers|strong="H5633"\w* \w of the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w gathered|strong="H0622"\w* \w to offer|strong="H2076"\w* \w a great|strong="H1419"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H2077"\w* \w to Dagon|strong="H1712"\w* \w their god|strong="H0430"\w* \w and to celebrate|strong="H8057"\w*. \w They said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Our god|strong="H0430"\w* \w has handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, \w our enemy|strong="H0341"\w*, \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*.”  
\v 24  \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w saw him,|strong="H1984"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w praised|strong="H1984"\w* \w their god|strong="H0430"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Our god|strong="H0430"\w* \w has handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w our enemy|strong="H0341"\w* \w over to us, the one who ruined|strong="H2717"\w* \w our land|strong="H0776"\w* \w and killed|strong="H2491"\w* \w so many|strong="H7235"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*!”   
\p
\v 25  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w they really|strong="H2896"\w* \w started celebrating|strong="H7832"\w*, \w they said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Call|strong="H7121"\w* \w for Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w so he can entertain|strong="H7832"\w* \w us!” So they summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w from the prison|strong="H0615"\w* \w and he entertained them.|strong="H5975"\w* \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w between|strong="H0996"\w* \w two pillars|strong="H5982"\w*.  
\v 26  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the young man|strong="H5288"\w* \w who held|strong="H2388"\w* \w his hand|strong="H3027"\w*, \w “Position|strong="H3240"\w* \w me so I can touch|strong="H3237"\w* \w the pillars|strong="H5982"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w support|strong="H3559"\w* \w the temple|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Then I can lean|strong="H8172"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*.”  
\v 27  \w Now the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w was filled|strong="H4390"\w* \w with men|strong="H0582"\w* \w and women|strong="H0802"\w*, \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the rulers|strong="H5633"\w* \w of the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w were there. There|strong="H8033"\w* \w were three|strong="H7969"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w and women|strong="H0802"\w* \w on the roof|strong="H1406"\w* \w watching|strong="H7832"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w entertain|strong="H7832"\w*.  
\v 28  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the \+nd Lord\+nd*|strong="H3069"\w*\w , “O Master|strong="H0136"\w*, \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w ,|strong="H2142"\w* \w remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*\w ! Strengthen|strong="H2388"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w just|strong="H0389"\w* \w one more time|strong="H6471"\w*, \w O God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w so I can get swift|strong="H0259"\w* \w revenge|strong="H5359"\w* \w against the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w for my two|strong="H8147"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w*!”  
\v 29  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w took hold|strong="H3943"\w* \w of the two|strong="H8147"\w* \w middle|strong="H8432"\w* \w pillars|strong="H5982"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w supported|strong="H3943"\w* \w the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w and he leaned|strong="H5564"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w them, with his right hand|strong="H3225"\w* \w on one|strong="H0259"\w* \w and his left hand|strong="H8040"\w* \w on the other|strong="H0259"\w*.  
\v 30  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Let me die|strong="H4191"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*\w !” He pushed|strong="H3581"\w* \w hard|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w collapsed|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the rulers|strong="H5633"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in it|strong="H1961"\w*. \w He killed|strong="H4191"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w more people in his death|strong="H4191"\w* \w than he had|strong="H0834"\w* \w killed|strong="H4191"\w* \w during his life|strong="H2416"\w*.  
\v 31  \w His brothers|strong="H0251"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his family|strong="H0001"\w* \w went down|strong="H3381"\w* \w and brought|strong="H5375"\w* \w him back|strong="H5927"\w*. \w They buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w him between|strong="H0996"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and Eshtaol|strong="H0847"\w* \w in the tomb|strong="H6913"\w* \w of Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w his father|strong="H0001"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w had led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\c 17  
\p
\v 1  \w There was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a man|strong="H0376"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4319"\w* \w from the Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w hill country|strong="H2022"\w*.  
\v 2  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to his mother|strong="H0517"\w*, \w “You know|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* eleven \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w pieces of silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w were stolen|strong="H3947"\w* \w from you|strong="H0859"\w*, \w about which I heard|strong="H0241"\w* \w you pronounce|strong="H0559"\w* \w a curse|strong="H0422"\w*\w ? Look|strong="H2009"\w* \w here, I have the silver|strong="H3701"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w stole|strong="H3947"\w* \w it, but now I am giving it back to you.”|strong="H0517"\w* \w His|strong="H3947"\w* \w mother|strong="H0517"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w reward|strong="H1288"\w* \w you, my son|strong="H1121"\w*!”  
\v 3  \w When he gave back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to his mother|strong="H0517"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w eleven hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w pieces of silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w his mother|strong="H0517"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “I solemnly dedicate|strong="H6942"\w* \w this silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w . It will be for my son’s|strong="H1121"\w* \w benefit|strong="H3027"\w*. \w We will use it to make|strong="H6213"\w* \w a carved image|strong="H6459"\w* \w and a metal image|strong="H4541"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w When he gave the silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to his mother|strong="H0517"\w*, \w she|strong="H0517"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w two hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w pieces of silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w to a silversmith|strong="H6884"\w*, \w who made|strong="H6213"\w* \w them into a carved|strong="H6213"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w* \w and a metal image|strong="H4541"\w*. \w She then put them in Micah’s|strong="H4319"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 5  \w Now this man|strong="H0376"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w owned a shrine|strong="H0430"\w*. \w He made|strong="H6213"\w* \w an ephod|strong="H0646"\w* \w and some personal idols|strong="H8655"\w* \w and hired|strong="H3027"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w of his sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w to serve as|strong="H1961"\w* \w a priest|strong="H3548"\w*.  
\v 6  \w In those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w had no|strong="H0369"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w Each man|strong="H0376"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w what he considered to be right|strong="H3477"\w*.   
\s1 Micah Hires \w a|strong="H0369"\w* Professional  
\p
\v 7  \w There was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a young man|strong="H5288"\w* \w from Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w He was|strong="H1931"\w* \w a Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w who had been temporarily|strong="H1481"\w* \w residing among the tribe|strong="H4940"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.  
\v 8  \w This man|strong="H0376"\w* \w left|strong="H1980"\w* \w the town|strong="H5892"\w* \w of Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w to find|strong="H4672"\w* \w another place to live|strong="H1481"\w*. \w He came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to the Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w hill country|strong="H2022"\w* \w and made|strong="H6213"\w* \w his way|strong="H1870"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Micah’s|strong="H4318"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 9  \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Where|strong="H0370"\w* \w do you come|strong="H0935"\w* \w from?” He replied|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “I am|strong="H0595"\w* \w a Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w from Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w I am|strong="H0595"\w* \w looking|strong="H4672"\w* \w for a new place to live|strong="H1481"\w*.”  
\v 10  \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w with me|strong="H5978"\w*. \w Become|strong="H1961"\w* \w my adviser|strong="H0001"\w* \w and priest|strong="H3548"\w*. \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w pieces of silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w per year|strong="H3117"\w*, \w plus|strong="H4241"\w* \w clothes|strong="H0899"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* food.”  
\v 11  \w So the Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w agreed|strong="H2974"\w* \w to stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w the man|strong="H0376"\w*; \w the young man|strong="H5288"\w* \w was like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a son|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* Micah.  
\v 12  \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w paid|strong="H3027"\w* \w the Levite|strong="H3881"\w*; \w the young man|strong="H5288"\w* \w became his priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w and lived in Micah’s|strong="H4318"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 13  \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w I know|strong="H3045"\w* \w God|strong="H3190"\w* \w will make|strong="H3190"\w* \w me rich|strong="H3190"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I have this|strong="H3190"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w as my priest|strong="H3548"\w*.”   
\c 18  
\p
\v 1  \w In those|strong="H3427"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w had no|strong="H0369"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w And in those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w the Danite|strong="H1839"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w was looking for|strong="H1245"\w* \w a place|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w settle|strong="H3427"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w at that time|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w yet|strong="H3117"\w* \w have a place to call their own|strong="H5159"\w* \w among|strong="H8432"\w* \w the tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The Danites|strong="H1835"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w out from their whole tribe|strong="H4940"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w representatives|strong="H7098"\w*, \w capable|strong="H2428"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w from Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and Eshtaol|strong="H0847"\w*, \w to spy|strong="H7270"\w* \w out the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w and explore|strong="H2713"\w* \w it. They said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “Go|strong="H1980"\w*, \w explore|strong="H2713"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*.” \w They came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to the Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w hill country|strong="H2022"\w* \w and spent|strong="H3885"\w* \w the night at Micah’s|strong="H4318"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 3  \w As they|strong="H1992"\w* \w approached|strong="H5973"\w* \w Micah’s|strong="H4318"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w recognized|strong="H5234"\w* \w the accent|strong="H6963"\w* \w of the|strong="H0853"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w*. \w So they stopped|strong="H5493"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w you here|strong="H1988"\w*\w ? What|strong="H4100"\w* \w are you|strong="H0859"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w in this|strong="H2088"\w* \w place? What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is your business|strong="H4100"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w*?”  
\v 4  \w He told|strong="H0559"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w what|strong="H2088"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w had done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for him, saying,|strong="H7936"\w* “\w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w hired|strong="H7936"\w* \w me and I became|strong="H1961"\w* \w his priest|strong="H3548"\w*.”  
\v 5  \w They said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Seek|strong="H7592"\w* \w a divine|strong="H0430"\w* \w oracle|strong="H4994"\w* \w for us,|strong="H3045"\w* \w so|strong="H1980"\w* \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w can|strong="H0834"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w if we will be successful|strong="H6743"\w* \w on our mission|strong="H1870"\w*.”  
\v 6  \w The priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, “Go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with confidence.|strong="H3068"\w* \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w will be|strong="H7965"\w* \w with you on|strong="H1870"\w* \w your mission|strong="H5227"\w*.”   
\p
\v 7  \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w the five|strong="H2568"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w journeyed on|strong="H0935"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w arrived|strong="H0935"\w* \w in Laish|strong="H3919"\w*. \w They noticed|strong="H7200"\w* \w that the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w securely|strong="H0983"\w*, \w like the Sidonians|strong="H6722"\w* \w do,|strong="H8252"\w* \w undisturbed|strong="H8252"\w* \w and unsuspecting|strong="H0982"\w*. \w No|strong="H0369"\w* \w conqueror|strong="H3423"\w* \w was troubling|strong="H6114"\w* \w them in any way.|strong="H7350"\w* \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w far|strong="H7350"\w* \w from the Sidonians|strong="H6722"\w* \w and had|strong="H1697"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w dealings|strong="H1697"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w anyone|strong="H0120"\w*.  
\v 8  \w When the Danites returned|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w their tribe|strong="H0251"\w* \w in Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and Eshtaol|strong="H0847"\w*, \w their kinsmen|strong="H0251"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w* \w them, “How|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H4100"\w* \w it|strong="H0935"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w*?”  
\v 9  \w They said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Come on|strong="H6965"\w*, \w let’s attack|strong="H5927"\w* \w them,|strong="H3588"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w we saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w their land|strong="H0776"\w* \w and it is very|strong="H3966"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w*. \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w seem lethargic|strong="H2814"\w*, \w but don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w hesitate|strong="H1980"\w* \w to invade|strong="H0935"\w* \w and conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w*.  
\v 10  \w When you invade|strong="H0935"\w*, \w you will encounter|strong="H0935"\w* \w unsuspecting|strong="H0982"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w The land|strong="H0776"\w* \w is wide|strong="H3027"\w*\w !|strong="H0430"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w is handing|strong="H5414"\w* \w it over|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* – \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w lacks|strong="H0369"\w* \w nothing|strong="H0369"\w* \w on|strong="H0413"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w*!”   
\p
\v 11  \w So six|strong="H8337"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w Danites|strong="H1839"\w*, \w fully armed|strong="H2296"\w*, \w set out|strong="H5265"\w* \w from Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and Eshtaol|strong="H0847"\w*.  
\v 12  \w They went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in Kiriath Jearim|strong="H7157"\w* \w in Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w (To|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w is called|strong="H7121"\w* \w Camp of Dan|strong="H4265"\w*. \w It is west|strong="H0310"\w* \w of Kiriath Jearim|strong="H7157"\w*.)  
\v 13  \w From there|strong="H8033"\w* \w they traveled|strong="H5674"\w* \w through the Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w hill country|strong="H2022"\w* \w and arrived|strong="H0935"\w* \w at Micah’s|strong="H4318"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 14  \w The five|strong="H2568"\w* \w men|strong="H0582"\w* \w who had gone|strong="H1980"\w* \w to spy out|strong="H7270"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Laish|strong="H3919"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w their kinsmen|strong="H0251"\w*, “\w Do you realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w inside these|strong="H0428"\w* \w houses|strong="H1004"\w* \w are|strong="H3426"\w* \w an ephod|strong="H0646"\w*, \w some personal idols|strong="H8655"\w*, \w a carved image|strong="H6459"\w*, \w and a metal image|strong="H4541"\w*\w ? Decide|strong="H3045"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w you want to do|strong="H6213"\w*.”  
\v 15  \w They stopped|strong="H5493"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w inside|strong="H1004"\w* \w the young|strong="H5288"\w* \w Levite’s|strong="H3881"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w (which belonged to Micah|strong="H4318"\w*\w ),|strong="H7592"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w him how he was doing|strong="H7965"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Meanwhile the six|strong="H8337"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w Danites|strong="H1835"\w*, \w fully|strong="H2296"\w* \w armed|strong="H4421"\w*, \w stood|strong="H5324"\w* \w at the entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w to the gate|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 17  \w The five|strong="H2568"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w who had gone|strong="H1980"\w* \w to spy out|strong="H7270"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w broke in|strong="H0935"\w* \w and stole|strong="H3947"\w* \w the carved image|strong="H6456"\w*, \w the ephod|strong="H0646"\w*, \w the personal|strong="H0853"\w* \w idols|strong="H8655"\w*, \w and the metal image|strong="H4541"\w*, \w while the priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w was standing|strong="H5324"\w* \w at the entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w to the gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w with the six|strong="H8337"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w fully|strong="H2296"\w* \w armed|strong="H4421"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w*.  
\v 18  \w When these|strong="H0428"\w* \w men broke into|strong="H0935"\w* \w Micah’s|strong="H4318"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and stole|strong="H3947"\w* \w the carved image|strong="H6459"\w*, \w the ephod|strong="H0646"\w*, \w the personal idols|strong="H8655"\w*, \w and the metal image|strong="H4541"\w*, \w the priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them, “What|strong="H4100"\w* \w are you|strong="H0859"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w*?”  
\v 19  \w They said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Shut up|strong="H2790"\w*\w ! Put|strong="H7760"\w* \w your hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w your mouth|strong="H6310"\w* \w and come|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us! You can be|strong="H1961"\w* \w our adviser|strong="H0001"\w* \w and priest|strong="H3548"\w*. \w Wouldn’t it be better|strong="H2896"\w* \w to be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w for a whole|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w than for just|strong="H0176"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w man’s|strong="H0376"\w* \w family|strong="H4940"\w*?”  
\v 20  \w The priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w was happy|strong="H3820"\w*. \w He took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the ephod|strong="H0646"\w*, \w the personal idols|strong="H8655"\w*, \w and the carved image|strong="H6459"\w* \w and joined|strong="H0935"\w* \w the group|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\p
\v 21  \w They turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w and went|strong="H1980"\w* \w on their way, but they walked|strong="H7760"\w* \w behind the children|strong="H2945"\w*, \w the cattle|strong="H4735"\w*, \w and their possessions|strong="H3520"\w*.  
\v 22  \w After they|strong="H1992"\w* \w had gone a good distance|strong="H7368"\w* \w from Micah’s|strong="H4318"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w Micah’s|strong="H4318"\w* \w neighbors|strong="H2199"\w* gathered \w together|strong="H2199"\w* \w and caught|strong="H1692"\w* \w up with the Danites|strong="H1835"\w*.  
\v 23  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w they called|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H2199"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Danites, the Danites|strong="H1835"\w* \w turned|strong="H5437"\w* \w around and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to Micah|strong="H4318"\w*, \w “Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have you gathered|strong="H3588"\w* \w together|strong="H2199"\w*?”  
\v 24  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “You stole|strong="H3947"\w* \w my gods|strong="H0430"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w I made|strong="H6213"\w*, \w as well as this priest|strong="H3548"\w*, \w and then went|strong="H1980"\w* \w away. What|strong="H4100"\w* \w do I have left|strong="H5750"\w*\w ? How|strong="H4100"\w* \w can you have|strong="H4100"\w* \w the audacity|strong="H4100"\w* \w to say|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me, ‘What|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* want?’”  
\v 25  \w The Danites|strong="H1835"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him, “Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w say another word|strong="H6963"\w* \w to|strong="H5973"\w* \w us, or|strong="H6435"\w* \w some very angry|strong="H4751"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w will attack|strong="H6293"\w* \w you, and you and your family|strong="H1004"\w* \w will die|strong="H5315"\w*.”  
\v 26  \w The Danites|strong="H1835"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w on their way|strong="H1870"\w*; \w when|strong="H7200"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w realized|strong="H3588"\w* \w they were|strong="H1992"\w* \w too strong|strong="H2389"\w* \w to resist|strong="H4480"\w*, \w he turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w around and went|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\p
\v 27  \w Now the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Danites|strong="H3947"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w what Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w*, \w as well as his priest|strong="H3548"\w*, \w and came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to Laish|strong="H3919"\w*, \w where the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w were undisturbed|strong="H8252"\w* \w and unsuspecting|strong="H0982"\w*. \w They struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w them down with the sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w and burned|strong="H8313"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w*.  
\v 28  \w No one|strong="H0369"\w* \w came to the rescue|strong="H5337"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the city|strong="H7350"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w far|strong="H7350"\w* \w from Sidon|strong="H6721"\w* \w and they had no|strong="H0369"\w* \w dealings|strong="H1697"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w anyone|strong="H0120"\w*. \w The city|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w in a valley|strong="H6010"\w* \w near Beth Rehob|strong="H1050"\w*. \w The Danites|strong="H1129"\w* \w rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and occupied|strong="H3427"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*.  
\v 29  \w They named|strong="H8034"\w* \w it Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w after their ancestor|strong="H0001"\w*, \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w was one of Israel’s|strong="H3478"\w* \w sons|strong="H3205"\w*. \w But|strong="H0199"\w* \w the city’s|strong="H5892"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w used to be Laish|strong="H3919"\w*.  
\v 30  \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w Danites|strong="H1835"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H6965"\w* \w the carved image|strong="H6459"\w*. \w Jonathan|strong="H3129"\w*, \w descendant|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Gershom|strong="H1647"\w*, \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Moses|strong="H4519"\w*, \w and his descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w served|strong="H1961"\w* \w as priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w for the tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w of Dan|strong="H1839"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the time|strong="H3117"\w* \w of the exile|strong="H0776"\w*.  
\v 31  \w They worshiped|strong="H7760"\w* \w Micah’s|strong="H4318"\w* \w carved|strong="H6213"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w* \w the whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w authorized|strong="H1961"\w* \w shrine|strong="H1004"\w* \w was in Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w*.   
\c 19  
\p
\v 1  \w In those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w had no|strong="H0369"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w There was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w living temporarily|strong="H1481"\w* \w in the remote|strong="H3411"\w* \w region of the Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w hill country|strong="H2022"\w*. \w He acquired|strong="H0802"\w* \w a concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w from Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.  
\v 2  \w However, she|strong="H6370"\w* \w got angry|strong="H2181"\w* \w at him|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w went|strong="H0413"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w her father’s|strong="H0001"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w in Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w she had been there|strong="H8033"\w* \w four|strong="H0702"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w*,  
\v 3  \w her|strong="H6965"\w* \w husband|strong="H0376"\w* \w came|strong="H1980"\w* \w after|strong="H0310"\w* \w her, hoping|strong="H1696"\w* \w he could convince|strong="H3820"\w* \w her to return|strong="H7725"\w*. \w He brought with him|strong="H5973"\w* \w his servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w and a pair|strong="H6776"\w* \w of donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*. \w When she brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w him into her father’s|strong="H0001"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and the girl’s|strong="H5291"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w him|strong="H8055"\w*, \w he greeted|strong="H7125"\w* \w him warmly|strong="H8055"\w*.  
\v 4  \w His father-in-law|strong="H2859"\w*, \w the girl’s|strong="H5291"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w*, \w persuaded|strong="H2388"\w* \w him to stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w him for three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and they ate|strong="H0398"\w* \w and drank|strong="H8354"\w* \w together, and spent|strong="H3885"\w* \w the night there|strong="H8033"\w*.  
\v 5  \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the fourth|strong="H7243"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w they woke up early|strong="H7925"\w* \w and the Levite got|strong="H6965"\w* \w ready to leave|strong="H1980"\w*. \w But the girl’s|strong="H5291"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w his son-in-law|strong="H2860"\w*, \w “Have|strong="H5582"\w* \w a bite|strong="H6595"\w* \w to eat|strong="H3899"\w* \w for some energy,|strong="H0310"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w* \w you can|strong="H5582"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w*.”  
\v 6  \w So the two|strong="H8147"\w* \w of them sat down|strong="H3427"\w* \w and had a meal|strong="H0398"\w* \w together|strong="H3162"\w*. \w Then the girl’s|strong="H5291"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the man|strong="H0376"\w*, \w “Why not|strong="H2974"\w* \w stay another night|strong="H3885"\w* \w and have a good|strong="H3190"\w* \w time|strong="H3820"\w*!”  
\v 7  \w When the man|strong="H0376"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w ready to leave|strong="H1980"\w*, \w his father-in-law|strong="H2859"\w* \w convinced|strong="H6484"\w* \w him to stay|strong="H3885"\w* \w another|strong="H0376"\w* night.  
\v 8  \w He woke up early|strong="H7925"\w* \w in the morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w on the fifth|strong="H2549"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w so|strong="H1980"\w* \w he could|strong="H4102"\w* \w leave, but|strong="H4102"\w* \w the girl’s|strong="H5291"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Get some energy|strong="H5582"\w*. \w Wait|strong="H4102"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w later|strong="H5186"\w* \w in the day|strong="H3117"\w* \w to leave|strong="H4102"\w*\w !”|strong="H5582"\w* \w So|strong="H5704"\w* \w they ate|strong="H0398"\w* \w a|strong="H5704"\w* meal together.  
\v 9  \w When the man|strong="H0376"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w ready to leave|strong="H1980"\w* \w with his concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w and his servant|strong="H5288"\w*, \w his father-in-law|strong="H2859"\w*, \w the girl’s|strong="H5291"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w*, \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him, “Look|strong="H2009"\w*\w ! The day|strong="H3117"\w* \w is almost|strong="H6150"\w* \w over!|strong="H3885"\w* \w Stay|strong="H3885"\w* \w another night! Since|strong="H2583"\w* \w the day|strong="H3117"\w* \w is over,|strong="H3885"\w* \w stay|strong="H3885"\w* \w another night here|strong="H6311"\w* \w and have a good|strong="H3190"\w* \w time. You can|strong="H1980"\w* \w get up early|strong="H7925"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w and start|strong="H1870"\w* \w your trip|strong="H1980"\w* \w home|strong="H0168"\w*.”  
\v 10  \w But the man|strong="H0376"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w want|strong="H0014"\w* \w to stay|strong="H3885"\w* \w another night. He left|strong="H1980"\w* \w and traveled|strong="H0935"\w* \w as far as|strong="H5704"\w* \w Jebus|strong="H2982"\w* \w (that|strong="H1931"\w* \w is, Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*\w ).|strong="H5973"\w* \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H0376"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him a pair|strong="H6776"\w* \w of saddled|strong="H2280"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w* \w and his concubine|strong="H6370"\w*.   
\p
\v 11  \w When they|strong="H1992"\w* \w got near|strong="H5973"\w* \w Jebus|strong="H2982"\w*, \w it was getting|strong="H7286"\w* \w quite|strong="H3117"\w* \w late|strong="H3966"\w* \w and the servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w his master|strong="H0113"\w*, \w “Come on, let’s|strong="H1980"\w* \w stop|strong="H5493"\w* \w at|strong="H2063"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w Jebusite|strong="H2983"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* night \w in|strong="H0413"\w* it.”  
\v 12  \w But his master|strong="H0113"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to him|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “We should not|strong="H3808"\w* \w stop|strong="H5493"\w* \w at|strong="H0413"\w* \w a foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w non-Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w live.|strong="H5674"\w* \w We|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w travel|strong="H5674"\w* \w on to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.”  
\v 13  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to his servant|strong="H5288"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H7126"\w* \w on, we will go|strong="H1980"\w* \w into one|strong="H0259"\w* \w of the other|strong="H0259"\w* \w towns|strong="H3885"\w* \w and|strong="H5288"\w* \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* night \w in Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w or|strong="H0176"\w* \w Ramah|strong="H7414"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w So they traveled|strong="H5674"\w* \w on|strong="H1980"\w*, \w and the sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w went down|strong="H0935"\w* \w when they were near|strong="H0681"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w in the territory of Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*.  
\v 15  \w They stopped|strong="H5493"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w and decided|strong="H0935"\w* \w to spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the night|strong="H1390"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. \w They came|strong="H0935"\w* \w into the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and sat down|strong="H3427"\w* \w in the town square|strong="H7339"\w*, \w but no|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w invited|strong="H0622"\w* \w them to spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the night|strong="H3885"\w*.   
\p
\v 16  \w But then an old|strong="H2205"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w passed by, returning|strong="H0935"\w* \w at the end of the day from|strong="H4480"\w* \w his work|strong="H4639"\w* \w in the field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w The man|strong="H0376"\w* \w was from the Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w hill country|strong="H2022"\w*; \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was living temporarily|strong="H1481"\w* \w in Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. \w (The residents|strong="H0376"\w* \w of the town|strong="H4725"\w* \w were Benjaminites|strong="H1145"\w*.)  
\v 17  \w When he looked up|strong="H5375"\w* \w and saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the traveler|strong="H0732"\w* \w in the town|strong="H5892"\w* \w square|strong="H7339"\w*, \w the old|strong="H2205"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Where|strong="H0575"\w* \w are you heading|strong="H1980"\w*\w ? Where|strong="H0370"\w* \w do you come from|strong="H0935"\w*?”  
\v 18  \w The Levite|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him, “We|strong="H0587"\w* \w are traveling|strong="H5674"\w* \w from Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w to the remote region|strong="H3411"\w* \w of the Ephraimite|strong="H0669"\w* \w hill country|strong="H2022"\w*. \w That’s where I’m|strong="H0595"\w* \w from. I had business in Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w but now I’m|strong="H0589"\w* \w heading|strong="H1980"\w* \w home|strong="H3068"\w*. \w But no|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w has invited|strong="H0622"\w* \w me into their home|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 19  \w We have|strong="H3426"\w* \w enough|strong="H1571"\w* \w straw|strong="H8401"\w* \w and grain|strong="H4554"\w* \w for our donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*, \w and there is|strong="H3426"\w* \w enough|strong="H1571"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w and wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w for me, your female servant|strong="H0519"\w*, \w and the young man|strong="H5288"\w* \w who is with|strong="H5973"\w* \w your servants|strong="H5650"\w*. \w We lack|strong="H4270"\w* \w nothing|strong="H1697"\w*.”  
\v 20  \w The old|strong="H2205"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Everything|strong="H7965"\w* \w is just|strong="H7535"\w* \w fine!|strong="H7535"\w* \w I|strong="H0559"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* take \w care|strong="H5921"\w* \w of all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your needs|strong="H4270"\w*. \w But|strong="H7535"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the night in the town square|strong="H7339"\w*.”  
\v 21  \w So he brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w him to his house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and fed|strong="H1101"\w* \w the donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*. \w They washed|strong="H7364"\w* \w their feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w and had a meal|strong="H8354"\w*.   
\p
\v 22  \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w were having a good|strong="H3190"\w* \w time,|strong="H2009"\w* \w when|strong="H0834"\w* \w suddenly|strong="H2009"\w* \w some men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of the city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w some good-for-nothings|strong="H1100"\w*, \w surrounded|strong="H5437"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and kept beating|strong="H1849"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the door|strong="H1817"\w*. \w They said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the old|strong="H2205"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w who owned|strong="H1167"\w* \w the house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w “Send out|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to visit|strong="H0413"\w* \w you so we can have sex|strong="H3045"\w* \w with him|strong="H0413"\w*.”  
\v 23  \w The man|strong="H0376"\w* \w who owned|strong="H1167"\w* \w the house|strong="H1004"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w outside and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them, “No|strong="H0408"\w*, \w my brothers|strong="H0251"\w*\w ! Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w do this wicked|strong="H7489"\w* \w thing|strong="H4994"\w*\w ! After|strong="H0310"\w* \w all, this|strong="H2088"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w is a guest in my house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w such a disgraceful thing|strong="H5039"\w*!  
\v 24  \w Here|strong="H2009"\w* \w are my virgin|strong="H1330"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w and my guest’s|strong="H6370"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w*. \w I will send|strong="H3318"\w* \w them out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and you can abuse|strong="H6031"\w* \w them and do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to them whatever you like|strong="H5869"\w*. \w But don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w such a disgraceful|strong="H5039"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w to this|strong="H2088"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w*!”  
\v 25  \w The men|strong="H0582"\w* \w refused|strong="H0014"\w* \w to listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to him, so the Levite|strong="H0376"\w* \w grabbed|strong="H2388"\w* \w his concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w and made her go|strong="H3318"\w* \w outside|strong="H2351"\w*. \w They raped|strong="H3045"\w* \w her and abused|strong="H5953"\w* \w her all|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w long until|strong="H5704"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*. \w They let|strong="H7971"\w* \w her go|strong="H5927"\w* \w at dawn|strong="H7837"\w*.  
\v 26  \w The woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w arrived|strong="H0935"\w* \w back at daybreak|strong="H6437"\w* \w and was sprawled|strong="H5307"\w* \w out on|strong="H5307"\w* \w the doorstep|strong="H6607"\w* \w of the house|strong="H1004"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w her master|strong="H0113"\w* \w was staying|strong="H8033"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w it became light|strong="H0216"\w*.  
\v 27  \w When her master|strong="H0113"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up in the morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w opened|strong="H6605"\w* \w the doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of the house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and went|strong="H1980"\w* \w outside to start on|strong="H1980"\w* \w his journey|strong="H1870"\w*, \w there|strong="H2009"\w* \w was the woman|strong="H0802"\w*, \w his concubine|strong="H6370"\w*, \w sprawled|strong="H5307"\w* \w out on|strong="H5307"\w* \w the doorstep|strong="H6607"\w* \w of the house|strong="H1004"\w* \w with her hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the threshold|strong="H5592"\w*.  
\v 28  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to her|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “Get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up, let’s|strong="H1980"\w* \w leave!” But there was no|strong="H0369"\w* \w response|strong="H6030"\w*. \w He put her|strong="H3947"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the donkey|strong="H2543"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w home|strong="H4725"\w*.  
\v 29  \w When he got|strong="H0935"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*, \w he took|strong="H3947"\w* \w a knife|strong="H3979"\w*, \w grabbed|strong="H2388"\w* \w his concubine|strong="H6370"\w*, \w and carved|strong="H5408"\w* \w her up|strong="H5408"\w* \w into twelve|strong="H6240"\w* \w pieces|strong="H5409"\w*. \w Then he sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w the pieces throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 30  \w Everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the sight|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w like this has happened or|strong="H3808"\w* \w been witnessed|strong="H7200"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the entire|strong="H2088"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w since|strong="H5927"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w left the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*\w !|strong="H5779"\w* \w Take|strong="H7760"\w* careful \w note|strong="H7200"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w*! \w Discuss|strong="H1696"\w* \w it and speak|strong="H1696"\w*!”   
\c 20  
\p
\v 1  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Beer Sheba|strong="H0884"\w* \w and from the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w their homes|strong="H5712"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6950"\w* \w together|strong="H0259"\w* \w before|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w at Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The leaders|strong="H6438"\w* \w of all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w from all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w took their places in the assembly|strong="H6951"\w* \w of God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w which numbered|strong="H0702"\w* \w four|strong="H0702"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w foot|strong="H7273"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H0376"\w*.  
\v 3  \w The Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w had gone up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*. \w Then the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w said, “Explain|strong="H1696"\w* \w how|strong="H0349"\w* \w this wicked|strong="H7451"\w* \w thing|strong="H2063"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w*!”  
\v 4  \w The Levite|strong="H3881"\w*, \w the husband|strong="H0376"\w* \w of the murdered|strong="H7523"\w* \w woman|strong="H0802"\w*, \w spoke up|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “I|strong="H0589"\w* \w and my concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w stopped|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H1390"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w in the territory of Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w to spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* night.  
\v 5  \w The leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w attacked|strong="H6965"\w* \w me and at night|strong="H3915"\w* \w surrounded|strong="H5437"\w* \w the house|strong="H1004"\w* \w where I|strong="H1819"\w* \w was staying|strong="H1819"\w*. \w They wanted|strong="H1819"\w* \w to kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w me; instead they abused|strong="H1819"\w* \w my concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w so badly|strong="H6031"\w* \w that she died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 6  \w I grabbed hold|strong="H0270"\w* \w of my concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w and carved|strong="H5408"\w* \w her up and sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w the pieces|strong="H3605"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the territory|strong="H7704"\w* \w occupied|strong="H5159"\w* \w by Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they committed|strong="H6213"\w* \w such an unthinkable|strong="H2154"\w* \w atrocity|strong="H5039"\w* \w in Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 7  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w you Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w make|strong="H3051"\w* \w a decision|strong="H6098"\w* \w here|strong="H1988"\w*!”   
\p
\v 8  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H5971"\w* \w rose|strong="H6965"\w* \w up in unison|strong="H0259"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one of us will go|strong="H1980"\w* \w home|strong="H0168"\w*\w !|strong="H3808"\w* \w Not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w of us will return|strong="H5493"\w* \w to his house|strong="H1004"\w*!  
\v 9  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w is what|strong="H1697"\w* \w we will do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*\w : We will attack|strong="H5921"\w* \w the city as the lot|strong="H1486"\w* dictates.  
\v 10  \w We will take|strong="H3947"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w of every group of a hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w from all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w (and a hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w of every group of a thousand|strong="H0505"\w*, \w and a thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w of every group of ten thousand|strong="H7233"\w*\w ) to get|strong="H3947"\w* \w supplies|strong="H6720"\w* \w for the army|strong="H5971"\w*. \w When they arrive|strong="H0935"\w* \w in Gibeah|strong="H1387"\w* \w of Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w they will punish them for the atrocity|strong="H5039"\w* \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w they committed|strong="H6213"\w* \w in Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.”  
\v 11  \w So all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w gathered together|strong="H0622"\w* \w at|strong="H0413"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w as allies|strong="H2270"\w*.   
\p
\v 12  \w The tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w men|strong="H0582"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w of Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “How|strong="H4100"\w* \w could such a wicked|strong="H7451"\w* \w thing|strong="H2063"\w* \w take|strong="H1961"\w* \w place|strong="H1961"\w*?  
\v 13  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w hand over|strong="H5414"\w* \w the good-for-nothings|strong="H1100"\w* \w in Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w so we can execute|strong="H4191"\w* \w them and purge|strong="H1197"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w of wickedness|strong="H7451"\w*.” \w But the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w refused|strong="H0014"\w* \w to listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to their Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w brothers|strong="H0251"\w*.  
\v 14  \w The Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w came from|strong="H4480"\w* \w their cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w and assembled|strong="H0622"\w* \w at Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w to make|strong="H3318"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 15  \w That day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w mustered|strong="H6485"\w* \w from their cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w twenty-six|strong="H8337"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w soldiers, besides|strong="H0905"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w well-trained|strong="H0970"\w* \w soldiers from Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Among this|strong="H2088"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w were seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w specially-trained|strong="H0970"\w* \w left-handed|strong="H3225"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H0376"\w*. \w Each|strong="H3605"\w* \w one could sling|strong="H7049"\w* \w a stone|strong="H0068"\w* \w and hit even|strong="H3808"\w* \w the smallest|strong="H8185"\w* \w target|strong="H2398"\w*.  
\v 17  \w The men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w (not counting|strong="H0905"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*\w ) had mustered|strong="H6485"\w* \w four|strong="H0702"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w soldiers, every|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w an|strong="H0376"\w* \w experienced|strong="H2088"\w* \w warrior|strong="H4421"\w*.   
\p
\v 18  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w went|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w and asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w should lead|strong="H8462"\w* \w the charge|strong="H4421"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*\w ?”|strong="H3068"\w* \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w should lead|strong="H8462"\w*.”  
\v 19  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up the next morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w and moved|strong="H2583"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 20  \w The men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w marched out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to fight|strong="H4421"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*; \w they|strong="H6186"\w* \w arranged|strong="H6186"\w* \w their|strong="H0376"\w* \w battle lines|strong="H4421"\w* \w against|strong="H0413"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 21  \w The Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w attacked|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w and struck down|strong="H7843"\w* \w twenty-two|strong="H6242"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\p
\v 22  \w The Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w took heart|strong="H2388"\w* \w and once more|strong="H3254"\w* \w arranged|strong="H6186"\w* \w their battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w lines, in the same place|strong="H4725"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w they had|strong="H0834"\w* \w taken their positions|strong="H6186"\w* \w the day|strong="H3117"\w* \w before|strong="H7223"\w*.  
\v 23  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w went up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*. \w They asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w , “Should we|strong="H3254"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w march out to fight|strong="H4421"\w* \w the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*, \w our brothers|strong="H0251"\w*\w ?”|strong="H3068"\w* \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Attack|strong="H5927"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*!”  
\v 24  \w So the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w marched|strong="H8145"\w* \w toward|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w the next|strong="H8145"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 25  \w The Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w attacked them|strong="H7125"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w and struck down|strong="H7843"\w* \w eighteen|strong="H6240"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5750"\w*.   
\p
\v 26  \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w the whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*, \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w up to|strong="H1008"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w*. \w They wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w and sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w ; they did not eat anything|strong="H6684"\w* \w that day|strong="H3117"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*. \w They offered|strong="H5927"\w* \w up burnt sacrifices|strong="H5930"\w* \w and tokens of peace|strong="H8002"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*.  
\v 27  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w (for the ark|strong="H0727"\w* \w of God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w was there|strong="H8033"\w* \w in those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*;  
\v 28  \w Phinehas|strong="H6372"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Eleazar|strong="H0499"\w*, \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Aaron|strong="H0175"\w*, \w was serving|strong="H5975"\w* \w the \+nd Lord\+nd* in those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*\w ), “Should we|strong="H3254"\w* \w once|strong="H3117"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w march out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to fight|strong="H4421"\w* \w the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w our brothers|strong="H0251"\w*, \w or|strong="H0518"\w* \w should we|strong="H2308"\w* \w quit|strong="H2308"\w*?” \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Attack|strong="H5927"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w I will|strong="H5414"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.”   
\p
\v 29  \w So Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w hid|strong="H7760"\w* \w men in ambush|strong="H0693"\w* \w outside|strong="H5439"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 30  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5927"\w* \w the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w the next day|strong="H3117"\w*; \w they took their positions|strong="H6186"\w* \w against Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w just as|strong="H6471"\w* \w they had done before|strong="H6471"\w*.  
\v 31  \w The Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w attacked|strong="H7125"\w* \w the army|strong="H5971"\w*, \w leaving|strong="H4480"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w unguarded|strong="H5423"\w*. \w They began|strong="H2490"\w* \w to strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w down their enemy|strong="H2491"\w* \w just as|strong="H6471"\w* \w they had done before|strong="H6471"\w*. \w On the main roads|strong="H4546"\w* \w (one|strong="H0259"\w* \w leads|strong="H5927"\w* \w to Bethel|strong="H1008"\w*, \w the other|strong="H0259"\w* \w to Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*\w ) and in the field|strong="H7704"\w*, \w they struck down|strong="H7970"\w* \w about|strong="H4480"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 32  \w Then the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “They are defeated|strong="H5062"\w* \w just as before|strong="H6440"\w*.” \w But|strong="H7223"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Let’s retreat|strong="H5127"\w* \w and lure|strong="H5423"\w* \w them|strong="H4480"\w* \w away|strong="H4480"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w into|strong="H0413"\w* \w the main roads|strong="H4546"\w*.”  
\v 33  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w got up|strong="H6965"\w* \w from their places|strong="H4725"\w* \w and took their positions|strong="H6186"\w* \w at Baal Tamar|strong="H1193"\w*, \w while the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w hiding in ambush|strong="H0693"\w* \w jumped out|strong="H1518"\w* \w of their places|strong="H4725"\w* \w west of Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 34  \w Ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w*, \w well-trained|strong="H0970"\w* \w soldiers from all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w then|strong="H0935"\w* \w made a frontal|strong="H3513"\w* \w assault|strong="H5048"\w* \w against Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w – the battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w was fierce|strong="H3513"\w*. \w But the Benjaminites did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w disaster|strong="H7451"\w* \w was at their doorstep|strong="H5060"\w*.  
\v 35  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w annihilated|strong="H5062"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*; \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w struck down|strong="H7843"\w* \w that day|strong="H3117"\w* \w 25,100|strong="H3967"\w* \w sword-wielding|strong="H2719"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*.  
\v 36  \w Then the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w they were defeated|strong="H5062"\w*.  
\p \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w retreated before|strong="H1144"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they had confidence|strong="H0982"\w* \w in the men they had|strong="H0834"\w* \w hid|strong="H7760"\w* \w in ambush|strong="H0693"\w* \w outside Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 37  \w The men hiding in ambush|strong="H0693"\w* \w made a mad|strong="H4900"\w* \w dash|strong="H6584"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. \w They|strong="H0693"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w and put the sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w to the entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.  
\v 38  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w and the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w hiding in ambush|strong="H0693"\w* \w had arranged|strong="H4150"\w* \w a signal|strong="H4150"\w*. \w When the men hiding in ambush|strong="H5927"\w* \w sent|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w a smoke|strong="H6227"\w* \w signal|strong="H4864"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w*,  
\v 39  \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w counterattacked|strong="H4421"\w*. \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w had begun|strong="H2490"\w* \w to strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w down the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*; \w they struck|strong="H2491"\w* \w down|strong="H7970"\w* \w about|strong="H5221"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w*. \w They said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “There’s no doubt|strong="H5062"\w* \w about it|strong="H1931"\w*\w ! They are totally defeated|strong="H5062"\w* \w as in the earlier|strong="H7223"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*.”  
\v 40  \w But when the signal|strong="H4864"\w*, \w a pillar|strong="H5982"\w* \w of smoke|strong="H6227"\w*, \w began|strong="H2490"\w* \w to rise up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w around|strong="H0310"\w* \w and saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w the whole|strong="H3632"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w going up|strong="H5927"\w* \w in a cloud of smoke that rose high into the sky|strong="H8064"\w*.  
\v 41  \w When the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w turned around|strong="H2015"\w*, \w the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w panicked|strong="H0926"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they could see|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w disaster|strong="H7451"\w* \w was on|strong="H5921"\w* \w their doorstep|strong="H5060"\w*.  
\v 42  \w They retreated|strong="H6437"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w taking the road|strong="H1870"\w* \w to the wilderness|strong="H4057"\w*. \w But the battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w overtook|strong="H1692"\w* \w them as|strong="H0834"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w from|strong="H8432"\w* \w the surrounding cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w struck|strong="H7843"\w* \w them down|strong="H7843"\w*.  
\v 43  \w They surrounded|strong="H3803"\w* \w the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*, \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w them from Nohah|strong="H4496"\w*, \w and annihilated|strong="H1869"\w* \w them all the way to|strong="H5704"\w* \w a spot east|strong="H8121"\w* \w of Geba|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 44  \w Eighteen|strong="H6240"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of them capable warriors|strong="H2428"\w*, \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* dead.  
\v 45  \w The rest|strong="H6437"\w* \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w and ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w toward the wilderness|strong="H4057"\w*, \w heading toward|strong="H0413"\w* \w the cliff|strong="H5553"\w* \w of Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w*. \w But the Israelites|strong="H5953"\w* \w caught|strong="H5953"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w of them|strong="H0376"\w* \w on the main roads|strong="H4546"\w*. \w They stayed right on their heels|strong="H0310"\w* \w all the way|strong="H5704"\w* \w to Gidom|strong="H1440"\w* \w and struck down|strong="H5221"\w* \w two thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w more|strong="H4480"\w*.  
\v 46  \w That day|strong="H3117"\w* \w twenty-five|strong="H2568"\w* \w thousand|strong="H0505"\w* \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w in battle|strong="H2719"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of them capable|strong="H0376"\w* \w warriors|strong="H2428"\w*.  
\v 47  \w Six|strong="H8337"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w survivors|strong="H0376"\w* \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w and ran away|strong="H5127"\w* \w to the wilderness|strong="H4057"\w*, \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the cliff|strong="H5553"\w* \w of Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w*. \w They stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w there four|strong="H0702"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w*.  
\v 48  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Benjaminite|strong="H1144"\w* \w towns|strong="H5892"\w* \w and put|strong="H5221"\w* \w the sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w to them. They wiped out|strong="H4974"\w* \w the cities,|strong="H0929"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w animals|strong="H0929"\w*, \w and everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w they could find|strong="H4672"\w*. \w They set|strong="H7971"\w* \w fire|strong="H0784"\w* \w to every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* path.   
\c 21  
\p
\v 1  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w had taken an oath|strong="H7650"\w* \w in Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one of us will allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w his daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w to marry|strong="H0802"\w* \w a Benjaminite|strong="H1144"\w*.”  
\v 2  \w So the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w and sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*, \w weeping|strong="H1065"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w* \w and uncontrollably|strong="H1419"\w*.  
\v 3  \w They said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Why|strong="H4100"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w has this|strong="H2063"\w* \w happened in Israel|strong="H3478"\w*\w ?” An entire|strong="H0259"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w has disappeared|strong="H6485"\w* \w from Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*!”   
\p
\v 4  \w The next|strong="H4283"\w* \w morning the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w got up early|strong="H7925"\w* \w and built|strong="H1129"\w* \w an altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. \w They offered|strong="H5927"\w* \w up burnt sacrifices|strong="H5930"\w* \w and token of peace|strong="H8002"\w*.  
\v 5  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w from all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6951"\w* \w before|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*\w ?” They had|strong="H3588"\w* \w made a solemn|strong="H7621"\w* \w oath that whoever|strong="H0834"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w assemble|strong="H5927"\w* \w before|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w at Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w certainly be executed|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 6  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w regretted|strong="H5162"\w* \w what had happened to|strong="H0251"\w* \w their|strong="H3117"\w* \w brother|strong="H0251"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*. \w They said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Today|strong="H3117"\w* \w we cut off|strong="H1438"\w* \w an entire|strong="H0259"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w from Israel|strong="H3478"\w*!  
\v 7  \w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w can we find wives|strong="H0802"\w* \w for those who are left|strong="H3498"\w*\w ?|strong="H0587"\w* After all, \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w took an oath|strong="H7650"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w name not|strong="H1115"\w* \w to give|strong="H5414"\w* \w them our daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w as wives|strong="H0802"\w*.”  
\v 8  \w So they asked, “Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w from all|strong="H0259"\w* \w the Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w assemble|strong="H5927"\w* \w before|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w at Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*\w ?” Now|strong="H2009"\w* \w it just so happened no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w from Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w had come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the gathering|strong="H6951"\w*.  
\v 9  \w When|strong="H0376"\w* \w they took roll|strong="H6485"\w* \w call,|strong="H2009"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* noticed \w none|strong="H0369"\w* \w of the inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w were|strong="H6485"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.  
\v 10  \w So|strong="H8033"\w* \w the assembly|strong="H5712"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w 12,000|strong="H0505"\w* \w capable|strong="H0376"\w* \w warriors|strong="H2428"\w* \w against Jabesh Gilead.|strong="H6680"\w* \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w them, “Go|strong="H1980"\w* \w and kill|strong="H5221"\w* \w with your swords|strong="H2719"\w* \w the inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*, \w including|strong="H6310"\w* \w the women|strong="H0802"\w* \w and little children|strong="H2945"\w*.  
\v 11  \w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*\w :|strong="H2763"\w* \w exterminate|strong="H2763"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w male|strong="H2145"\w*, \w as well as|strong="H2763"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w who has had sexual relations|strong="H4904"\w* \w with a male|strong="H2145"\w*. \w But spare the lives of any virgins|strong="H2763"\w*.” \w So they did as instructed|strong="H2763"\w*.  
\v 12  \w They found|strong="H4672"\w* \w among the inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w four|strong="H0702"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w young girls|strong="H5291"\w* \w who were virgins|strong="H1330"\w* \w – they had|strong="H0834"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w had sexual relations|strong="H4904"\w* \w with a male|strong="H2145"\w*. \w They brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w them back to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w at Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w* \w in the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Canaan|strong="H3667"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w The entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w assembly|strong="H5712"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w at the cliff|strong="H5553"\w* \w of Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w* \w and assured|strong="H7121"\w* \w them they would not be harmed|strong="H7965"\w*.  
\v 14  \w The Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w at that time|strong="H6256"\w*, \w and the Israelites|strong="H5414"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w to them the women|strong="H0802"\w* \w they had|strong="H0834"\w* \w spared|strong="H2421"\w* \w from Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*. \w But there were|strong="H4672"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w enough|strong="H4672"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w around|strong="H7725"\w*.   
\p
\v 15  \w The people|strong="H5971"\w* \w regretted|strong="H5162"\w* \w what had happened to|strong="H1144"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had weakened|strong="H6556"\w* \w the Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w*.  
\v 16  \w The leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of the assembly|strong="H5712"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “How|strong="H4100"\w* \w can we find wives|strong="H0802"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w those who are left|strong="H3498"\w*\w ?|strong="H1144"\w* \w After|strong="H3588"\w* all, \w the|strong="H0559"\w* Benjaminite \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w have been wiped|strong="H8045"\w* \w out|strong="H4100"\w*.  
\v 17  \w The|strong="H6413"\w* \w remnant|strong="H6413"\w* \w of Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w must be preserved|strong="H3425"\w*. \w An entire Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w should not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be wiped out|strong="H4229"\w*.  
\v 18  \w But we|strong="H0587"\w* \w can’t|strong="H3201"\w* \w allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w our daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to marry|strong="H0802"\w* \w them,|strong="H3588"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w took an oath|strong="H7650"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w ‘Whoever gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w a woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w to a Benjaminite|strong="H1144"\w* \w will be destroyed|strong="H0779"\w*!’  
\v 19  \w However, there is|strong="H2009"\w* \w an annual|strong="H3117"\w* \w festival|strong="H2282"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w in Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w*, \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w is north|strong="H6828"\w* \w of Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w (east|strong="H8121"\w* \w of the main road|strong="H4546"\w* \w that goes up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w to Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*\w ) and south|strong="H5045"\w* \w of Lebonah|strong="H3829"\w*.”  
\v 20  \w So they commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w the Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*, \w “Go|strong="H1980"\w* \w hide|strong="H0693"\w* \w in the vineyards|strong="H3754"\w*,  
\v 21  \w and keep your eyes open.|strong="H7200"\w* \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w you see|strong="H2009"\w* \w the daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w of Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w* \w coming|strong="H2009"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to dance|strong="H4246"\w* \w in the celebration,|strong="H3318"\w* jump \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the vineyards|strong="H3754"\w*. \w Each one|strong="H0376"\w* \w of you, catch|strong="H2414"\w* \w yourself a wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w from among the daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w of Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w* \w and then go|strong="H1980"\w* \w home to the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*.  
\v 22  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w their fathers|strong="H0001"\w* \w or|strong="H0176"\w* \w brothers|strong="H0251"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w and protest|strong="H7378"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w us,|strong="H0559"\w* we’ll \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them, “Do us a favor|strong="H2603"\w* \w and let them|strong="H0853"\w* \w be,|strong="H3588"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w could not|strong="H3808"\w* \w get|strong="H3947"\w* \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w one a wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w through battle|strong="H4421"\w*. \w Don’t worry about breaking your oath!|strong="H0859"\w* \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w would only be guilty|strong="H0816"\w* \w if you had voluntarily|strong="H6256"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w them wives|strong="H6256"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 23  \w The Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w as instructed|strong="H4557"\w*. \w They abducted|strong="H1497"\w* \w two hundred of the dancing girls to be their wives|strong="H0802"\w*. \w They went|strong="H1980"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w their own territory|strong="H5159"\w*, \w rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w their cities|strong="H5892"\w*, \w and settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 24  \w Then|strong="H1980"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w dispersed|strong="H1980"\w* \w from there|strong="H8033"\w* \w to their respective|strong="H0376"\w* \w tribal|strong="H7626"\w* \w and clan|strong="H4940"\w* \w territories|strong="H6256"\w*. \w Each|strong="H0376"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w from there|strong="H8033"\w* \w to his own|strong="H0376"\w* \w property|strong="H5159"\w*.  
\v 25  \w In those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w had no|strong="H0369"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w Each man|strong="H0376"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w what he considered to be right|strong="H3477"\w*.