\id JDG - Translation 4 Translators 1 
\ide 65001 - Unicode (UTF-8)
\h JUDGES 
\toc1 Judges 
\toc2 Judges 
\toc3 Jdg 
\mt2 This book contains the account of people who delivered Israel from their enemies. We call this book  
\mt1 Judges  
\c 1  
\s1 The tribes of Judah and Simeon defeated the Canaanites  
\p
\v 1 \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w died|strong="H4194"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, “\w Which|strong="H3068"\w* \add of our tribes\add* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w attack|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w first|strong="H1121"\w*?”   
\p
\v 2 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* enable \w the|strong="H5414"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* [IDM] \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Canaan people-group.”   
\p
\v 3 \w The|strong="H5927"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w of|strong="H5927"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w their|strong="H1571"\w* fellow Israelis, \add the men\add* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H5927"\w* \w Simeon|strong="H8095"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w them|strong="H5927"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* help \w us|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \add in order that we can take from them\add* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w land|strong="H1486"\w* \add that Yahweh\add* \w allotted|strong="H1486"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w us|strong="H5927"\w*. If \w you|strong="H3212"\w* \w do|strong="H3063"\w* \w that|strong="H3669"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H3212"\w* \add and help you\add* \w conquer|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w people|strong="H1571"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w land|strong="H1486"\w* \add that Yahweh promised to give to\add* \w you|strong="H3212"\w*.” \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H5927"\w* \w Simeon|strong="H8095"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w of|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H5927"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.   
\p
\v 4 \w When|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* men \w of|strong="H3068"\w* those \w two|strong="H5221"\w* tribes \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w*, \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w enabled|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5221"\w* 10,000 men \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Periz people-group [DOU] \w at|strong="H3068"\w* Bezek \add city\add*.  
\v 5 During \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w battle|strong="H3898"\w* \w they|strong="H5221"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* Adoni-Bezek, \w the|strong="H5221"\w* leader \w of|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* city,  
\v 6 \w but|strong="H5127"\w* \w he|strong="H3027"\w* \add tried to\add* \w run|strong="H5127"\w* \w away|strong="H5127"\w*. \w The|strong="H3027"\w* Israelis \w pursued|strong="H7291"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* caught \w him|strong="H3027"\w*. Then \w they|strong="H3027"\w* \w cut|strong="H7112"\w* \w off|strong="H7112"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* thumbs \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* big \w toes|strong="H7272"\w*.   
\p
\v 7 Adoni-Bezek \w said|strong="H3651"\w*, “\add My army captured\add* 70 \w kings|strong="H4428"\w*. \w We|strong="H8033"\w* \w cut|strong="H7112"\w* \w off|strong="H7112"\w* \w their|strong="H6213"\w* thumbs \w and|strong="H4428"\w* big \w toes|strong="H7272"\w*. \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w*, \add we forced\add* \w those|strong="H1961"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* eat scraps \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w fell|strong="H1961"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w our|strong="H1961"\w* \w table|strong="H7979"\w*. \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w God|strong="H3027"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* ◄\w paid|strong="H7999"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w back|strong="H7999"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w*/\w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w*► \add what we did to them\add*.” \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Judah \w took|strong="H1961"\w* Adoni-Bezek \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.   
\p
\v 8 \w The|strong="H5221"\w* \w army|strong="H3389"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H6310"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w With|strong="H3898"\w* \w their|strong="H7971"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w* \w they|strong="H6310"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \add the people who lived there\add* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H6310"\w* \w burned|strong="H7971"\w* \add the houses in\add* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.   
\p
\v 9 Later, \w the|strong="H3427"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w*, \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* desert \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* \w south|strong="H5045"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* \w foothills|strong="H8219"\w* \add to the west\add*.  
\v 10 \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w also|strong="H8034"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* fight \w against|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w* \add city\add*, \w which|strong="H3063"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H3669"\w* \w time|strong="H6440"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Kiriath-Arba|strong="H7153"\w*. \w They|strong="H6440"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \add the armies of kings\add* \w Sheshai|strong="H8344"\w*, Ahiman, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Talmai|strong="H8526"\w*.   
\s1 Springs for Caleb’s daughter  
\p
\v 11 Then \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w left|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H3212"\w* area \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* fight \w against|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Debir|strong="H1688"\w* \add city\add*, \w which|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w previously|strong="H6440"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Kiriath-Sepher|strong="H7158"\w*.  
\v 12  \add Before they attacked the city\add*, \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* said \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, “If one \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w attacks|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H1323"\w* \w captures|strong="H3920"\w* \w Kiriath-Sepher|strong="H7158"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w marry|strong="H5414"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*.”  
\v 13 \w Othniel|strong="H6274"\w*, \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w*’s \w younger|strong="H6996"\w* brother \w Kenaz|strong="H7073"\w*, \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* city. \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w Acsah|strong="H5915"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w to|strong="H5414"\w* become \w his|strong="H5414"\w* wife.   
\p
\v 14 \w When|strong="H1961"\w* Acsah married Othniel, \w she|strong="H5921"\w* told \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* father \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w give|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. \add But she decided to ask him herself. She rode to Caleb’s house on her donkey\add*, \w and|strong="H7704"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* got \w off|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w donkey|strong="H2543"\w*, \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* \add could see that something was troubling her. So he\add* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* want?”   
\p
\v 15 \w She|strong="H3588"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* want \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* do \w a|strong="H3068"\w* favor \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*. \w You|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H5414"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* some land \w in|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w southern|strong="H5045"\w* desert, \add but it is very dry there\add*. \w So|strong="H5414"\w* please \w also|strong="H3588"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* some \add land that has\add* \w springs|strong="H1543"\w* \w of|strong="H4325"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*.” \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* some land \w on|strong="H5414"\w* higher ground \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w spring|strong="H4325"\w*, \w and|strong="H4325"\w* some land \w on|strong="H5414"\w* \w lower|strong="H8482"\w* ground \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w also|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w spring|strong="H4325"\w*.   
\s1 More fights against the Canaanites  
\p
\v 16 \w The|strong="H5927"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* Ken people-group \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w*’ \w father-in-law|strong="H2859"\w* \w left|strong="H5927"\w* Jericho, \w which|strong="H5971"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* called ‘\w The|strong="H5927"\w* \w City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Palm|strong="H8558"\w* \w Trees|strong="H8558"\w*’. \w They|strong="H5971"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w some|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w them|strong="H5927"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w southern|strong="H5045"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* area, near \w Arad|strong="H6166"\w* \add city\add*.   
\p
\v 17 \w The|strong="H5221"\w* \w men|strong="H7121"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w their|strong="H5221"\w* fellow Israelis \w from|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Simeon|strong="H8095"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Zephath|strong="H6857"\w* \add city\add*. \w They|strong="H2763"\w* \w completely|strong="H2763"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H2763"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w gave|strong="H7121"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* new \w name|strong="H8034"\w*, \w Hormah|strong="H2767"\w*, \add which means ‘complete destruction’\add*.  
\v 18 \w The|strong="H3920"\w* men \w of|strong="H1366"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w also|strong="H3063"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w Gaza|strong="H5804"\w*, Ashkelon, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Ekron|strong="H6138"\w* \add cities\add* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w all|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H3920"\w* \w land|strong="H1366"\w* \w that|strong="H3063"\w* \w is|strong="H3063"\w* \w near|strong="H3920"\w* those cities.  
\v 19 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* helped \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H3423"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* capture \w the|strong="H3588"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* could \w not|strong="H3808"\w* force \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* plains \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w leave|strong="H3423"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \add those people had better weapons—\add*\w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w iron|strong="H1270"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w*.   
\p
\v 20 \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w* \add city\add* \w was|strong="H4872"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* \w because|strong="H8033"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w* \w had|strong="H4872"\w* \w promised|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H5414"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* could \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w that|strong="H5414"\w* city. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* forced \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* clans \w descended|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* Anak \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w leave|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H5414"\w* area.  
\v 21 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w could|strong="H2088"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* force \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* Jebus people-group \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w leave|strong="H3423"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w So|strong="H3808"\w*, \w since|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* Jebus people-group \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*.   
\p
\v 22 \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \w men|strong="H1992"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* tribes \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Ephraim \w and|strong="H3068"\w* Manasseh \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* fight \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \add the men of\add* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \add city\add*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* helped \w them|strong="H1992"\w*.  
\v 23 \w They|strong="H6440"\w* sent some spies \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \add find out everything that they could find out about\add* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w*, \w which|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w previously|strong="H6440"\w* \w called|strong="H8034"\w* \w Luz|strong="H3870"\w*.  
\v 24 \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w spies|strong="H8104"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H7200"\w* \w who|strong="H8104"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w coming|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w They|strong="H6213"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w If|strong="H7200"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* way \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w get|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H5892"\w* \w be|strong="H4994"\w* kind \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \add and we will not kill you\add*.”  
\v 25 \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w showed|strong="H7200"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w way|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w enter|strong="H3996"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* Ephraim \w and|strong="H7971"\w* Manasseh entered \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H7200"\w* \w with|strong="H5892"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w*, \w but|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H6310"\w* \w did|strong="H7200"\w* \w not|strong="H7200"\w* \w kill|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \add who showed them how to get into the city\add*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w they|strong="H6310"\w* \w did|strong="H7200"\w* \w not|strong="H7200"\w* \w kill|strong="H5221"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H4940"\w*.  
\v 26 \w That|strong="H3117"\w* \w man|strong="H2088"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* area \w where|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Heth lived, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w Luz|strong="H3870"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w still|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.   
\p
\v 27 \w There|strong="H3427"\w* \w were|strong="H1323"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Beth-Shan|strong="H1052"\w*, \w Taanach|strong="H8590"\w*, \w Dor|strong="H1756"\w*, \w Ibleam|strong="H2991"\w*, \w and|strong="H3427"\w* \w Megiddo|strong="H4023"\w* \add cities\add* \w and|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w surrounding|strong="H1323"\w* \w villages|strong="H1323"\w*. \add The men of\add* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* force \w those|strong="H2063"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H1323"\w* \w leave|strong="H3423"\w* \w those|strong="H2063"\w* \w towns|strong="H1323"\w*, because \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w were|strong="H1323"\w* \w determined|strong="H2974"\w* \w to|strong="H1323"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 28 \w Later|strong="H1961"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Israelis \w became|strong="H1961"\w* ◄\w stronger|strong="H2388"\w*/\w more|strong="H3808"\w* numerous►, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w forced|strong="H4522"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w work|strong="H7760"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w them|strong="H7760"\w* \add as their slaves\add*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w force|strong="H2388"\w* all \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w leave|strong="H3423"\w* \w their|strong="H7760"\w* land.  
\v 29  \add The men of\add* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3427"\w* Ephraim \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* force \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w to|strong="H3427"\w* \w leave|strong="H3423"\w* \w Gezer|strong="H1507"\w* \add city\add*. \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w continued|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H3427"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3427"\w* Ephraim.  
\v 30  \add The men of\add* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* compel \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Kitron|strong="H7003"\w* \w and|strong="H3427"\w* \w Nahalol|strong="H5096"\w* \add cities\add* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w leave|strong="H3423"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w* \w and|strong="H3427"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* \w forced|strong="H4522"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* work \w for|strong="H3427"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w their|strong="H7130"\w* slaves.  
\v 31  \add The men of\add* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3427"\w* Asher \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* force \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* Canaan people-group \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Acco|strong="H5910"\w*, \w Sidon|strong="H6721"\w*, Ahlab, Aczib, \w Helbah|strong="H2462"\w*, Aphek \w and|strong="H3427"\w* \w Rehob|strong="H7340"\w* \add cities\add* \w to|strong="H3427"\w* \w leave|strong="H3423"\w*.  
\v 32 \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3427"\w* Asher \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w*.  
\v 33  \add The men of\add* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* compel \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Beth-Shemesh|strong="H1053"\w* \w and|strong="H3427"\w* \w Beth-Anath|strong="H1043"\w* \add cities\add* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w leave|strong="H3423"\w*, \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w those|strong="H1961"\w* \w two|strong="H3427"\w* cities \w continued|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w forced|strong="H4522"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* work \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* slaves \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w*.  
\v 34 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Amor people-group \w forced|strong="H3905"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* live \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w come|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \add and live\add* \w on|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* plain.  
\v 35 \w The|strong="H3027"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* Amor people-group \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w determined|strong="H2974"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Heres|strong="H2776"\w* \w Mountain|strong="H2022"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* Aijalon \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Shaalbim|strong="H8169"\w* \add cities\add*. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* Israelis \w became|strong="H1961"\w* ◄stronger/\w more|strong="H1961"\w* numerous►, \w they|strong="H3027"\w* \w forced|strong="H4522"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* Amor people-group \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w work|strong="H3027"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w their|strong="H1961"\w* slaves.  
\v 36 \w The|strong="H4605"\w* \w land|strong="H1366"\w* where \w the|strong="H4605"\w* Amor people-group lived extended \w from|strong="H1366"\w* Scorpion Pass \add toward the west\add* beyond \w Sela|strong="H5553"\w* \add town\add*, \w up|strong="H4605"\w* into \w the|strong="H4605"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H1366"\w*.   
\c 2  
\s1 Yahweh’s message to Israel  
\p
\v 1 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \add appeared in the form of\add* \w an|strong="H7650"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \add and \add* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Gilgal|strong="H1537"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \add a place that was later called\add* \w Bokim|strong="H1066"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* said \add to the Israeli people\add*, “\w I|strong="H4714"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \add ancestors\add* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* here \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*. \w I|strong="H4714"\w* \w led|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H5927"\w* \w into|strong="H5927"\w* \w this|strong="H3068"\w* land \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H4714"\w* \w solemnly|strong="H7650"\w* \w promised|strong="H7650"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w give|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors. \w I|strong="H4714"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H5927"\w*, ‘\w The|strong="H3068"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H4714"\w* \w made|strong="H7650"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*, \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w for|strong="H4714"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w*, \w I|strong="H4714"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* ◄\w break|strong="H6565"\w* \w it|strong="H5927"\w*/say \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H5927"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* ended►.  
\v 2 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w*, \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w peace|strong="H6213"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w with|strong="H1285"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* land. \w You|strong="H6213"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w tear|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w altars|strong="H4196"\w* \add where they make sacrifices to idols\add*.’ \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w obeyed|strong="H8085"\w* \w me|strong="H6963"\w*.  
\v 3 \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w now|strong="H1961"\w*, \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* \w telling|strong="H1571"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w that|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w expel|strong="H1644"\w* \add your enemies\add* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* advance. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* thorns \w in|strong="H6440"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w sides|strong="H6654"\w*. \w And|strong="H6440"\w* \add they\add* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* try \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w trap|strong="H4170"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \add by making you worship\add* \w their|strong="H6440"\w* idols.”   
\p
\v 4 \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w told|strong="H1696"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w cried|strong="H3478"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w*.  
\v 5 \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w Bokim|strong="H1066"\w*, \add which means ‘weeping’\add*. \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w offered|strong="H2076"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H2076"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*.   
\s1 Joshua died  
\p
\v 6 \w After|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w away|strong="H7971"\w*, \w each|strong="H5971"\w* group \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w possess|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w land|strong="H5159"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w been|strong="H5971"\w* \w allotted|strong="H5159"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\v 7 \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w served|strong="H5647"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w long|strong="H3117"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w alive|strong="H7200"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w long|strong="H3117"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w elders|strong="H2205"\w*, \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w things|strong="H1419"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w alive|strong="H7200"\w*.   
\p
\v 8 \w Then|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*’s \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* 110 \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w when|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 9 They \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w his|strong="H6912"\w* body \w in|strong="H6912"\w* \w the|strong="H6912"\w* \w area|strong="H1366"\w* \w he|strong="H6912"\w* had received \add from Moses\add*, \w at|strong="H6912"\w* \w Timnath-Serah|strong="H8556"\w*, \w in|strong="H6912"\w* \w the|strong="H6912"\w* \w area|strong="H1366"\w* where \w the|strong="H6912"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H2022"\w* Ephraim lived, \w north|strong="H6828"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w Gaash|strong="H1608"\w* \w Mountain|strong="H2022"\w*.   
\s1 The Israelis were punished for doing evil things  
\p
\v 10 \w After|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* died \w who|strong="H3605"\w* lived \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H1931"\w* \w time|strong="H1755"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* Joshua [EUP], \w a|strong="H3068"\w* group \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* grew \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4639"\w* \w great|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H3808"\w*.  
\v 11-13 They did things that \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said were very evil. They worshiped \add idols that represented the god\add* Baal and the goddess Astarte. They worshiped [DOU] the various gods that the people-groups around them worshiped. They stopped worshiping \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, the God their ancestors worshiped, the one who had brought their ancestors out of Egypt. That caused \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* to be very angry.  
\v 14 \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w allowed|strong="H3201"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w other|strong="H5750"\w* groups \w to|strong="H3478"\w* raid \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* steal \w their|strong="H3068"\w* crops \w and|strong="H3478"\w* animals. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w longer|strong="H5750"\w* \w able|strong="H3201"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w resist|strong="H5975"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w allowed|strong="H3201"\w* \w all|strong="H5439"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 15 \w Whenever|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* fight \add their enemies\add*, \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* [MTY] \w was|strong="H3068"\w* opposing \w them|strong="H3027"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w allowed|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* defeat \w them|strong="H3027"\w*, \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w promised|strong="H1696"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w*. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w greatly|strong="H3966"\w* \w distressed|strong="H3334"\w*.   
\p
\v 16 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w gave|strong="H3467"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8199"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w*. \w These|strong="H6965"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8199"\w* rescued \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* people \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* raiding \w them|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 17 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Israelis \w still|strong="H1980"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pay|strong="H8085"\w* \w attention|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8199"\w*. \w Instead|strong="H3588"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* idols, \add acting like\add* \w prostitutes|strong="H1870"\w* \add who gave themselves to men who were not their husbands\add* [MET], \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H7812"\w* \w those|strong="H4480"\w* idols. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1571"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w like|strong="H3651"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors. \w Their|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors \w obeyed|strong="H8085"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w commanded|strong="H4687"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* descendants \w quickly|strong="H4118"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5493"\w* behaving \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w behaved|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 18 \w Whenever|strong="H3605"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w gave|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* leader \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w helped|strong="H3467"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* leader \w and|strong="H6965"\w* enabled \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H6965"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w helped|strong="H3467"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w long|strong="H3117"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* leader \w was|strong="H3068"\w* alive. \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* pitied \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* groaned \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w being|strong="H1961"\w* \w oppressed|strong="H3905"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w caused|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w suffer|strong="H1961"\w*.  
\v 19 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w after|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H5307"\w* leader \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w the|strong="H5647"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* behaving \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w ways|strong="H1870"\w* \w even|strong="H3808"\w* \w more|strong="H3808"\w* evil \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w their|strong="H7725"\w* ancestors \w had|strong="H1961"\w* behaved. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H7812"\w* other gods \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w bowed|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w all|strong="H7843"\w* [LIT] \w the|strong="H5647"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H5307"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* thought \w those|strong="H1961"\w* gods wanted \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w do|strong="H5647"\w*.   
\p
\v 20 \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1471"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H8085"\w*, “\w These|strong="H2088"\w* \w people|strong="H1471"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w disobeyed|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w I|strong="H6680"\w* \w made|strong="H8085"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H3478"\w* \w what|strong="H2088"\w* \w I|strong="H6680"\w* \w told|strong="H6680"\w* \w them|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w*.  
\v 21 \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1471"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w longer|strong="H3254"\w* \w expel|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* people-groups \w that|strong="H1471"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w left|strong="H5800"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w this|strong="H6440"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w* \w when|strong="H4480"\w* \w he|strong="H4480"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 22 \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* use \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w test|strong="H5254"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* see whether \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H1870"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w want|strong="H3808"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w*, \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors \w did|strong="H3478"\w*.”  
\v 23 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w allowed|strong="H5414"\w* \w those|strong="H3240"\w* people-groups \w to|strong="H3068"\w* stay \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* land. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w expel|strong="H3423"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* allowing \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \add and his men\add* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*.   
\c 3  
\p
\v 1-2 At that time there were still many people-groups in Canaan. \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* left them there to test the Israeli people. But many of the Israelis in Canaan were ones who had not fought in any of the wars in Canaan. So \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* also left those people-groups in Canaan so that the descendants of those who had not fought in any of the wars might learn how to fight.  
\v 3  \add This is a list of\add* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people-groups \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w left|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w*: \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w and|strong="H2568"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w leaders|strong="H5633"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w area|strong="H2022"\w* \w near|strong="H5704"\w* Sidon \add city\add*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w*, \w and|strong="H2568"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H3427"\w* Hiv \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H6430"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w mountains|strong="H2022"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Lebanon|strong="H3844"\w* \w between|strong="H3427"\w* \w Baal-Hermon|strong="H1179"\w* \w Mountain|strong="H2022"\w* \w and|strong="H2568"\w* \w Lebo-Hamath|strong="H2574"\w*.  
\v 4 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w left|strong="H1961"\w* \w these|strong="H8085"\w* people-groups \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w test|strong="H5254"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Israelis, \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w see|strong="H3045"\w* \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w obey|strong="H8085"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w commands|strong="H6680"\w* \w which|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w told|strong="H6680"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w give|strong="H6680"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 5 \w The|strong="H7130"\w* Israelis \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w the|strong="H7130"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3669"\w* people-group, \w the|strong="H7130"\w* Hiv people-group, \w the|strong="H7130"\w* Amor people-group, \w the|strong="H7130"\w* Periz people-group, \w the|strong="H7130"\w* Hiv people-group, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H7130"\w* Jebus people-group.  
\v 6  \add Moses had told the people not to associate with any of those people\add*. \w But|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Israelis \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* people-groups \add to be their own wives\add*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* own \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w groups|strong="H1121"\w*, \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w marry|strong="H3947"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \add as a result\add* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* started \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w worship|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* gods \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* people-groups.   
\s1 Othniel became their leader  
\p
\v 7 \w The|strong="H6213"\w* Israelis \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w very|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w forgot|strong="H7911"\w* \w about|strong="H6213"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* started \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w worship|strong="H5647"\w* \add the idols that represented\add* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w god|strong="H3068"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* goddess Asherah.  
\v 8 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w became|strong="H2734"\w* \w very|strong="H2734"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5647"\w* Israelis. \w So|strong="H3027"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w allowed|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* Cushan \w from|strong="H3478"\w* Mesopotamia \w to|strong="H3478"\w* conquer \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w rule|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w eight|strong="H8083"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 9 \w But|strong="H3068"\w* \w when|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* pleaded \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \add to help them\add*, \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w gave|strong="H3467"\w* \w them|strong="H4480"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* leader \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w them|strong="H4480"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w Othniel|strong="H6274"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w*’s \w younger|strong="H6996"\w* brother \w Kenaz|strong="H7073"\w*.  
\v 10 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*’s \w Spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* leader. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \add led an army that\add* fought \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \add the army of\add* Cushan, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* defeated \w them|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 11 \w After|strong="H8141"\w* \w that|strong="H8141"\w*, there \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w peace|strong="H8252"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* land \w for|strong="H4191"\w* 40 \w years|strong="H8141"\w*, until \w Othniel|strong="H6274"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.   
\s1 Ehud became their next leader  
\p
\v 12 \w After|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israelis \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w very|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*. \w As|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* result, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w allowed|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* army \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w*, \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w ruled|strong="H4428"\w* \add the \add* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \add area\add*, \w to|strong="H3478"\w* defeat \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israelis.  
\v 13 Eglon persuaded \w the|strong="H5221"\w* leaders \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Amalek|strong="H6002"\w* people-groups \w to|strong="H3478"\w* join \w their|strong="H3423"\w* armies \w with|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H5221"\w* army \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w attack|strong="H5221"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w They|strong="H5221"\w* captured \add Jericho, which was called\add* ‘\w The|strong="H5221"\w* \w City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Palm|strong="H8558"\w* \w Trees|strong="H8558"\w*’.  
\v 14 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w* \w ruled|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5647"\w* Israelis \w for|strong="H1121"\w* \w eighteen|strong="H8083"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\p
\v 15 \w But|strong="H4428"\w* \w then|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \w again|strong="H7971"\w* pleaded \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \add to help them\add*. \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w gave|strong="H7971"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w* another leader \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* Ehud, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w left-handed|strong="H3225"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gera|strong="H1617"\w*, \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1145"\w*. \w The|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* give \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* yearly protection money.  
\v 16 Ehud \w had|strong="H3225"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* double-edged \w dagger|strong="H2719"\w*, \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w foot|strong="H8478"\w* \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* half \w long|strong="H5921"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w strapped|strong="H2296"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w thigh|strong="H3409"\w*, \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w clothes|strong="H4055"\w*.  
\v 17 \w He|strong="H7126"\w* gave \w the|strong="H7126"\w* money \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w*, \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w fat|strong="H1277"\w* man.  
\v 18 \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ehud|strong="H3615"\w* \w started|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w go|strong="H7971"\w* \w back|strong="H4503"\w* home \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w carried|strong="H5375"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* money.  
\v 19 \w When|strong="H3318"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* arrived \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* stone carvings \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gilgal|strong="H1537"\w*, \add he told the other men to go on, but\add* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w himself|strong="H1931"\w* \w turned|strong="H7725"\w* \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \add to the king of Moab. When he arrived at the palace\add*, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w Your|strong="H3605"\w* majesty, \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w secret|strong="H5643"\w* \w message|strong="H1697"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*.” \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w told|strong="H1697"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* servants \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w quiet|strong="H2013"\w*, \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w sent|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* room.   
\p
\v 20 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w*, \w as|strong="H1697"\w* Eglon \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w alone|strong="H1931"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* upstairs \w room|strong="H5944"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w summer|strong="H4747"\w* palace, Ehud \w came|strong="H1697"\w* close \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w message|strong="H1697"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* God.” \w As|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H3678"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w chair|strong="H3678"\w*,  
\v 21 Ehud \w reached|strong="H7971"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w left|strong="H8040"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w pulled|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w dagger|strong="H2719"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w thigh|strong="H3409"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* plunged \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H5921"\w*’s belly.  
\v 22 \w He|strong="H3588"\w* thrust \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H3808"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w far|strong="H3318"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w handle|strong="H5325"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* king’s belly, \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w blade|strong="H3851"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* king’s \w back|strong="H3318"\w*. \w Ehud|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pull|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w dagger|strong="H2719"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w*. \add He left it there, with\add* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w handle|strong="H5325"\w* buried \w in|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* king’s \w fat|strong="H2459"\w*.  
\v 23 \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* Ehud \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w room|strong="H5944"\w*. \w He|strong="H3318"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w porch|strong="H4528"\w*. \w He|strong="H3318"\w* \w shut|strong="H5462"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w room|strong="H5944"\w* \w and|strong="H3318"\w* \w locked|strong="H5274"\w* \w them|strong="H3318"\w*.   
\p
\v 24 \w After|strong="H7272"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H5650"\w* \w gone|strong="H3318"\w*, King Eglon’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w back|strong="H3318"\w*, \w but|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H1931"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of|strong="H5650"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w room|strong="H2315"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w locked|strong="H5274"\w*. \w They|strong="H1931"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w The|strong="H7200"\w* king must \w be|strong="H5650"\w* defecating \w in|strong="H5650"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w inner|strong="H2315"\w* \w room|strong="H2315"\w*.”  
\v 25 \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w waited|strong="H2342"\w*, \w but|strong="H2009"\w* \w when|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* king \w did|strong="H5307"\w* \w not|strong="H4191"\w* \w open|strong="H6605"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w room|strong="H5944"\w*, \w after|strong="H2009"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w were|strong="H5944"\w* worried. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w got|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w key|strong="H4668"\w* \w and|strong="H3947"\w* unlocked \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w*. \w And|strong="H3947"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w that|strong="H5307"\w* \w their|strong="H3947"\w* king was \w lying|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5307"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* floor, \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*.   
\p
\v 26 Meanwhile, Ehud \w escaped|strong="H4422"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w passed|strong="H5674"\w* \w by|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* stone carvings \w and|strong="H5674"\w* arrived \w at|strong="H5704"\w* \w Seirah|strong="H8167"\w*, \w in|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* hilly area where \w the|strong="H5704"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H6456"\w* Ephraim lived.  
\v 27 \w There|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w trumpet|strong="H7782"\w* \add to signal that the people should join him to fight the people of Moab\add*. \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelis \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w*. \w They|strong="H1931"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \add toward the Jordan river\add*, \w with|strong="H5973"\w* Ehud \w leading|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\p
\v 28 \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* men, “\w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w going|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w follow|strong="H7291"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*!” \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w followed|strong="H7291"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w river|strong="H3588"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* stationed \w some|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* men \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w place|strong="H5414"\w* \w where|strong="H3027"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w can|strong="H3808"\w* \w walk|strong="H5674"\w* \w across|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w river|strong="H3588"\w*, \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w order|strong="H3027"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* could \add kill any people from Moab who tried to\add* \w cross|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w river|strong="H3588"\w* \add to escape\add*.  
\v 29 \w At|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w about|strong="H5221"\w* 10,000 \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w from|strong="H4422"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w were|strong="H2428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w strong|strong="H2428"\w* \w and|strong="H2428"\w* \w capable|strong="H2428"\w* \w men|strong="H2428"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H6256"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w* \w escaped|strong="H4422"\w*.  
\v 30 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H3117"\w* Israelis conquered \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w people|strong="H1931"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3117"\w* \w there|strong="H3117"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w peace|strong="H8252"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w their|strong="H8478"\w* land \w for|strong="H8478"\w* 80 \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\s1 Shamgar became their next leader  
\p
\v 31 \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ehud|strong="H8044"\w* \add died\add*, \w Shamgar|strong="H8044"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w their|strong="H1961"\w* leader. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* rescued \w the|strong="H5221"\w* Israelis \add from the Philistines. In one battle\add* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* 600 \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w with|strong="H3478"\w* \w an|strong="H1961"\w* ◄\w ox|strong="H1241"\w* \w goad|strong="H4451"\w*/sharp wooden pole►.   
\c 4  
\s1 Deborah became the next leader  
\p
\v 1 After Ehud \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* Israelis \w again|strong="H3254"\w* started \w doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H7451"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w very|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*.  
\v 2 \w So|strong="H3427"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w allowed|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w*, \w one|strong="H1931"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3667"\w* land, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w ruled|strong="H4427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Hazor|strong="H2674"\w* \add city\add*, \w to|strong="H3068"\w* conquer \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis. \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \w commander|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* Harosheth-Haggoyim.  
\v 3 \w Sisera|strong="H8672"\w*’s \add army\add* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* 900 \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* 20 \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w oppressed|strong="H3905"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Israelis. \w Then|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* pleaded \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* help \w them|strong="H1121"\w*.   
\p
\v 4 \w At|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w*, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H8199"\w* wife \w of|strong="H6256"\w* \w Lappidoth|strong="H3941"\w*, \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w prophetess|strong="H5031"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* become \w the|strong="H8199"\w* leader \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 5 \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w her|strong="H1931"\w* \w palm|strong="H8560"\w* \w tree|strong="H8560"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w place|strong="H8478"\w* \w between|strong="H3427"\w* \w Ramah|strong="H7414"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w*, \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H8478"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w* \w where|strong="H8478"\w* \w the|strong="H8478"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ephraim \w lived|strong="H3427"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w her|strong="H1931"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* ask \w her|strong="H1931"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w settle|strong="H3427"\w* disputes \w between|strong="H3427"\w* \w them|strong="H8478"\w*.  
\v 6 \w One|strong="H3808"\w* day \w she|strong="H7121"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abinoam, \w when|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Kedesh|strong="H6943"\w*, \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w area|strong="H2022"\w* \w where|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* lived. \w She|strong="H7121"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w This|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* what \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w whom|strong="H7121"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \w worship|strong="H7121"\w*, \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w commanding|strong="H6680"\w* \w you|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w*: ‘\w Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H6680"\w* 1,000 \w men|strong="H1121"\w*, some \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* some \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w lead|strong="H3212"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w* \w Mountain|strong="H2022"\w*.  
\v 7 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H6635"\w* lure \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*, \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w commander|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* King \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w*’s \w army|strong="H6635"\w*, \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w come|strong="H6635"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w*, \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Kishon|strong="H7028"\w* \w River|strong="H5158"\w*, \add a few miles away\add*. \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H6635"\w* enable \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w men|strong="H8269"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w there|strong="H5158"\w*.’ ”   
\p
\v 8 \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* only if \w you|strong="H5973"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H5973"\w*.”   
\p
\v 9 \w She|strong="H3588"\w* replied, “Okay, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w decided|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w*, \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* enable \w a|strong="H3068"\w* woman \w to|strong="H1980"\w* defeat \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* result \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* ◄\w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* honored/\w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w honor|strong="H8597"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*► \add for doing that\add*.”  
\v 10 \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w Kedesh|strong="H6943"\w*. \w There|strong="H5927"\w* \w he|strong="H7272"\w* \w summoned|strong="H2199"\w* men \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* \w and|strong="H5927"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w*. \w Ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand men \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w*, \w and|strong="H5927"\w* \w then|strong="H5927"\w* \w they|strong="H7272"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w together|strong="H2199"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \add to Tabor Mountain\add*.   
\p
\v 11 \w At|strong="H1121"\w* \w that|strong="H1121"\w* \w time|strong="H5704"\w* \w Heber|strong="H2268"\w*, \w one|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* Ken people-group, \w had|strong="H4872"\w* moved \add with his wife Jael\add* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* area where \w that|strong="H1121"\w* group lived, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* set \w up|strong="H5704"\w* \w his|strong="H5186"\w* tent \w near|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* big oak tree \w at|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zaanannim|strong="H6815"\w*, \w near|strong="H5704"\w* \w Kedesh|strong="H6943"\w*. \w Heber|strong="H2268"\w* \w was|strong="H4872"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w descendant|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w*’ brother-in-law \w Hobab|strong="H2246"\w*.   
\p
\v 12 Someone \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w gone|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w on|strong="H5927"\w* \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w* \w Mountain|strong="H2022"\w* \add with an army\add*.  
\v 13 So \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w gathered|strong="H2199"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w troops|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* 900 \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w they|strong="H5971"\w* marched \w from|strong="H1471"\w* Harosheth-Haggoyim \w to|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Kishon|strong="H7028"\w* \w River|strong="H5158"\w*.   
\p
\v 14 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*, “\w Get|strong="H6965"\w* ready! \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* enable \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \add army\add* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* army \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*. \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w going|strong="H3318"\w* \w ahead|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*!” \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w led|strong="H3318"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* men \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w descended|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w* \w Mountain|strong="H2022"\w*.  
\v 15 \w As|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* advanced, \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w caused|strong="H2000"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H6440"\w* difficulty maneuvering/moving \w around|strong="H5921"\w*. \w So|strong="H3381"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* jumped \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w chariot|strong="H7393"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w away|strong="H5127"\w*.  
\v 16 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w and|strong="H7393"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w pursued|strong="H7291"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w and|strong="H7393"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* enemy soldiers \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* Harosheth-Haggoyim. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w killed|strong="H5307"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H6310"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H7604"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*’s \w army|strong="H4264"\w*. \w Not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w survived|strong="H7604"\w*.   
\p
\v 17 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w*’s tent. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H7965"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \add his boss\add*, \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hazor|strong="H2674"\w* \add city\add*, \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* good friend \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \add Jael’s husband\add* \w Heber|strong="H2268"\w*.   
\p
\v 18 \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* greet \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*. She \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H3318"\w*, “Sir, \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H3318"\w* \w my|strong="H3318"\w* tent! \w Do|strong="H3318"\w* \w not|strong="H3318"\w* \w be|strong="H3372"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w*!” \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w he|strong="H3318"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3680"\w* tent \add and lay down\add*, \w and|strong="H3318"\w* she \w covered|strong="H3680"\w* \w him|strong="H3318"\w* \w with|strong="H3318"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* blanket.   
\p
\v 19 \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H4325"\w* \w her|strong="H3680"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w*’m \w thirsty|strong="H6770"\w*; \w can|strong="H4994"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w give|strong="H8248"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w some|strong="H4592"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*?” \w So|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w opened|strong="H6605"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* leather container \w of|strong="H4325"\w* \w milk|strong="H2461"\w*, \w and|strong="H2461"\w* \w gave|strong="H8248"\w* \w him|strong="H8248"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w drink|strong="H8248"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w covered|strong="H3680"\w* \w him|strong="H8248"\w* \w with|strong="H3680"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* blanket again.   
\p
\v 20 \w He|strong="H3426"\w* said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H7592"\w*, “\w Stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w of|strong="H7592"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* tent. \w If|strong="H1961"\w* someone \w comes|strong="H1961"\w* \w and|strong="H5975"\w* \w asks|strong="H7592"\w* ‘\w Is|strong="H3426"\w* anyone else \w here|strong="H6311"\w*?’, say ‘\w No|strong="H5975"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 21 Sisera \w was|strong="H1931"\w* very \w exhausted|strong="H3027"\w*, \w so|strong="H3947"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* soon \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w asleep|strong="H7290"\w*. \w While|strong="H1931"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w sleeping|strong="H7290"\w*, \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w* crept quietly \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w*, holding \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hammer|strong="H4718"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w tent|strong="H3489"\w* \w peg|strong="H3489"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* pounded \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w peg|strong="H3489"\w* \w into|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H7760"\w* skull, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* way \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H7760"\w* head \w into|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* ground, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.   
\p
\v 22 \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w passed|strong="H7291"\w* \w by|strong="H3318"\w* \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w*’s \w tent|strong="H3489"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w look|strong="H7200"\w* \w for|strong="H4191"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*, she \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* greet \w him|strong="H7200"\w*. She \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H3318"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w*, \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w will|strong="H5307"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w you|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w man|strong="H4191"\w* \w you|strong="H7200"\w* \w are|strong="H1245"\w* \w searching|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H4191"\w*!” \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w he|strong="H3318"\w* \w followed|strong="H3212"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w* \w into|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w tent|strong="H3489"\w*, \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w he|strong="H3318"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w lying|strong="H5307"\w* \w there|strong="H2009"\w*, \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*, \w with|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w tent|strong="H3489"\w* \w peg|strong="H3489"\w* \w through|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w head|strong="H5307"\w*.   
\p
\v 23 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* God enabled \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelis \w to|strong="H3478"\w* defeat \add the army of\add* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3667"\w*.  
\v 24 \w From|strong="H3772"\w* \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w time|strong="H5704"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w continued|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w become|strong="H3027"\w* stronger, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \add the army of\add* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w* \w continued|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w become|strong="H3027"\w* weaker. \w Finally|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israelis \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w able|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w completely|strong="H3772"\w* subdue \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w ruled|strong="H4428"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3667"\w*.   
\c 5  
\s1 The song that Deborah sang  
\p
\v 1 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w sang|strong="H7891"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w song|strong="H7891"\w*, along \w with|strong="H3117"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*:   
\q1
\v 2 “\w When|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w leaders|strong="H5068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H5971"\w* really lead \w them|strong="H3478"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w follow|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H3478"\w*, \add it is time to\add* \w praise|strong="H1288"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*!   
\q1
\v 3 \w Listen|strong="H8085"\w*, \w you|strong="H2167"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w*! \w Pay|strong="H8085"\w* \w attention|strong="H8085"\w*, \w you|strong="H2167"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7891"\w*!  
\q2 \w I|strong="H8085"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w sing|strong="H7891"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*. \w With|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H3068"\w* \w song|strong="H7891"\w* \w I|strong="H8085"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w praise|strong="H2167"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \w worship|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\q1
\v 4 \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w when|strong="H3318"\w* \w you|strong="H1571"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Seir|strong="H8165"\w*, \w when|strong="H3318"\w* \w you|strong="H1571"\w* \w marched|strong="H6805"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w land|strong="H7704"\w* \add better known as\add* Edom,  
\q2 \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w earth|strong="H8064"\w* \w shook|strong="H7493"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w rain|strong="H4325"\w* \w poured|strong="H5197"\w* \w down|strong="H5197"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* skies.   
\q1
\v 5 \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w mountains|strong="H2022"\w* shook \w when|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w came|strong="H3478"\w*,  
\q2 \w just|strong="H2088"\w* \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w Sinai|strong="H5514"\w* \w Mountain|strong="H2022"\w* shook \w when|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* appeared \w there|strong="H2088"\w*,  
\q2 \w because|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*,  
\q2 \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \w worship|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\b  
\q1
\v 6 “\w When|strong="H3117"\w* \w Shamgar|strong="H8044"\w* \w was|strong="H3117"\w* our leader \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w* ruled \w us|strong="H3117"\w*,  
\q2 \add we were afraid to walk on\add* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* main roads;  
\q2 instead, caravans \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w travelers|strong="H1980"\w* \w walked|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* winding \add less traveled\add* roads  
\q1 \add to avoid being molested\add*.   
\q2
\v 7 People \w left|strong="H2308"\w* \w their|strong="H5704"\w* small \w villages|strong="H6520"\w*, \add and moved into the walled cities\add*  
\q2 \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w*, \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w*, became \w their|strong="H5704"\w* leader.  
\q2 \add I became like\add* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* mother \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* Israeli people.   
\q1
\v 8 \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H7200"\w* \add abandoned Yahweh and\add* chose \w new|strong="H2319"\w* gods,  
\q2 enemies attacked \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w of|strong="H8179"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w cities|strong="H8179"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w then|strong="H7200"\w* \add they took away\add* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w shields|strong="H4043"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w spears|strong="H7420"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* 40,000 Israeli soldiers.  
\q2 \w Not|strong="H7200"\w* \w one|strong="H7200"\w* \w shield|strong="H4043"\w* \w or|strong="H7200"\w* \w spear|strong="H7420"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w left|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\q1
\v 9 \w I|strong="H3478"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* thankful \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2710"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w volunteered|strong="H5068"\w* \add to fight\add*.  
\q2 \w Praise|strong="H1288"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \add for them!\add*   
\b  
\q1
\v 10 “\w You|strong="H5921"\w* wealthy \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w ride|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* donkeys,  
\q2 \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* nice padded saddles,  
\q2 \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* just \w walk|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w*,  
\q1 \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H5921"\w* listen!   
\q1
\v 11 \w Listen|strong="H6963"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w voices|strong="H6963"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* singers \w who|strong="H5971"\w* gather \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w places|strong="H4857"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \add the animals drink\add* \w water|strong="H4857"\w*.  
\q2 \w They|strong="H8033"\w* tell \w about|strong="H8033"\w* how \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* acted \w righteously|strong="H6666"\w*  
\q2 \w when|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* enabled \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Israeli \w warriors|strong="H6520"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* conquer \add their enemies\add*.  
\b  
\q1 “\w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w* marched \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w city|strong="H8179"\w*.   
\q1
\v 12 \w The|strong="H6965"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* came \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w my|strong="H6965"\w* house \w and|strong="H1121"\w* shouted,  
\q2 ‘\w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w*, \w wake|strong="H5782"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*! \w Wake|strong="H5782"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* start \w singing|strong="H7892"\w*!’  
\q1 \w They|strong="H1696"\w* \w also|strong="H1121"\w* shouted,  
\q2 ‘\w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*, \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abinoam, \w get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w capture|strong="H7617"\w* our \w enemies|strong="H6965"\w*!’   
\b  
\q1
\v 13 Later, \w some|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w came|strong="H3068"\w* down \add from Tabor Mountain\add*  
\q2 \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w us|strong="H5971"\w*, \w their|strong="H3068"\w* leaders.  
\q1 \w These|strong="H5971"\w* \w men|strong="H1368"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w came|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* me  
\q2 \w to|strong="H3068"\w* fight \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w strong|strong="H1368"\w* enemies.   
\q1
\v 14 \w Some|strong="H4480"\w* \w came|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w descended|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* Ephraim.  
\q2 \w They|strong="H5971"\w* \w came|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* land \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w once|strong="H3381"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Amalek|strong="H6002"\w*.  
\q1 \w And|strong="H5971"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w descended|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* followed \w them|strong="H3381"\w*.  
\q2 \w Troops|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* group \w descended|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Makir|strong="H4353"\w* \w also|strong="H5971"\w* \w came|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H5971"\w* officers \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w descended|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* \w came|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w*, carrying staffs.   
\q2
\v 15 \w Leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w from|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* tribes descended \w from|strong="H7971"\w* \w Issachar|strong="H3485"\w* joined \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\q2 \w They|strong="H3651"\w* \w followed|strong="H7272"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*, rushing \w down|strong="H7971"\w* into \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w valley|strong="H6010"\w*.  
\q1 \w But|strong="H3651"\w* \w men|strong="H1419"\w* \w from|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* tribe descended \w from|strong="H7971"\w* \w Reuben|strong="H7205"\w* could not decide whether \w or|strong="H1419"\w* not \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w join|strong="H5973"\w* \w us|strong="H7971"\w*.   
\q1
\v 16 \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* \w men|strong="H1419"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w your|strong="H8085"\w* sheep pens,  
\q2 waiting \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* shepherds whistle \w for|strong="H3427"\w* \w their|strong="H8085"\w* \w flocks|strong="H5739"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* sheep \w to|strong="H3820"\w* come \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* pens?  
\q2 \w Men|strong="H1419"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* tribe descended \w from|strong="H8085"\w* \w Reuben|strong="H7205"\w* \w could|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H8085"\w* decide  
\q2 whether \w they|strong="H4100"\w* \w would|strong="H4100"\w* \w join|strong="H3427"\w* \w us|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3820"\w* fight \w our|strong="H8085"\w* enemies, \w or|strong="H8085"\w* \w not|strong="H8085"\w*.   
\q1
\v 17 Similarly, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H3220"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* area \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* home, \w east|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* River.  
\q1 \w And|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H3220"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* tribe descended \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w*,  
\q2 \w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H4100"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* home?  
\q1 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* tribe descended \w from|strong="H5921"\w* Asher \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w seashore|strong="H3220"\w*.  
\q1 \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* coves.   
\q1
\v 18 \w But|strong="H4191"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* tribe descended \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* risked ◄\w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w lives|strong="H5315"\w*/\w were|strong="H5971"\w* ready \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w* fighting► \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* battlefield,  
\q2 \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* descended \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* ready \w to|strong="H4191"\w* do \w that|strong="H5971"\w*, \w also|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\b  
\q1
\v 19 “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3667"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Taanach|strong="H8590"\w*, \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* springs \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Megiddo|strong="H4023"\w* \add Valley\add*.  
\q1 \add But since they did not defeat us\add*,  
\q2 \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w carry|strong="H3947"\w* \w away|strong="H3947"\w* \w any|strong="H3808"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* other treasures \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w battle|strong="H3898"\w*.   
\q1
\v 20  \add It was as though\add* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w stars|strong="H3556"\w* \w in|strong="H8064"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w sky|strong="H8064"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w for|strong="H8064"\w* \w us|strong="H4480"\w*  
\q2 \add and as though\add* \w those|strong="H4480"\w* \w stars|strong="H3556"\w* \w in|strong="H8064"\w* \w their|strong="H4480"\w* \w paths|strong="H4546"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*.   
\q1
\v 21 \w The|strong="H1869"\w* \w Kishon|strong="H7028"\w* \w River|strong="H5158"\w* \w swept|strong="H1640"\w* \w them|strong="H1640"\w* \w away|strong="H1640"\w*—  
\q2 \w that|strong="H5315"\w* \w river|strong="H5158"\w* \w that|strong="H5315"\w* \w has|strong="H5315"\w* been \w there|strong="H5158"\w* \w for|strong="H5315"\w* ages.  
\q2 \w I|strong="H5315"\w* \w will|strong="H5315"\w* tell \w myself|strong="H5315"\w* \w to|strong="H5315"\w* \w be|strong="H5315"\w* brave \w and|strong="H5797"\w* continue marching \w on|strong="H1869"\w*.   
\q1
\v 22 \w The|strong="H1986"\w* \w hooves|strong="H6119"\w* \w of|strong="H5483"\w* \w the|strong="H1986"\w* \w horses|strong="H5483"\w* \w of|strong="H5483"\w* Sisera’s \add army\add* \w pounded|strong="H1986"\w* \w the|strong="H1986"\w* ground.  
\q2 Those powerful \w horses|strong="H5483"\w* kept galloping along.   
\q1
\v 23 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w sent|strong="H3068"\w* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said,  
\q2 ‘Curse \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Meroz|strong="H4789"\w* \add town\add*,  
\q1 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w come|strong="H1368"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w help|strong="H5833"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*  
\q2 \w to|strong="H3068"\w* defeat \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w mighty|strong="H1368"\w* \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w* \add of Canaan\add*.’   
\b  
\q1
\v 24 “But God \w is|strong="H1288"\w* very pleased \w with|strong="H1288"\w* \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w*,  
\q2 \w the|strong="H1288"\w* wife \w of|strong="H1288"\w* \w Heber|strong="H2268"\w* from \w the|strong="H1288"\w* Ken people-group.  
\q2 \w He|strong="H1288"\w* \w is|strong="H1288"\w* more pleased \w with|strong="H1288"\w* \w her|strong="H1288"\w* than \w with|strong="H1288"\w* \w all|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H1288"\w* other women \w who|strong="H7017"\w* live \w in|strong="H1288"\w* tents.   
\q1
\v 25 Sisera \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w for|strong="H4325"\w* some \w water|strong="H4325"\w*,  
\q2 \w but|strong="H4325"\w* Jael \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* some \w milk|strong="H2461"\w*.  
\q1 \w She|strong="H5602"\w* \w brought|strong="H7126"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* some yogurt/\w curds|strong="H2529"\w* \w in|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w bowl|strong="H5602"\w* \w that|strong="H5414"\w* \w was|strong="H4325"\w* suitable \w for|strong="H4325"\w* kings.   
\q1
\v 26 \w Then|strong="H7971"\w*, \add when he was asleep\add*, she \w reached|strong="H7971"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w tent|strong="H3489"\w* \w peg|strong="H3489"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w left|strong="H7971"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="H7971"\w* she \w reached|strong="H7971"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hammer|strong="H1989"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\q1 She hit \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* hard \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w it|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* crushed \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*.  
\q2 She \w pounded|strong="H1986"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w tent|strong="H3489"\w* \w peg|strong="H3489"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*.   
\q1
\v 27 \w He|strong="H8033"\w* \w collapsed|strong="H5307"\w*  
\q2 \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w dead|strong="H7703"\w* \w at|strong="H5307"\w* \w her|strong="H7901"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w*.   
\b  
\q1
\v 28 “\w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*’s mother \w looked|strong="H8259"\w* \w out|strong="H8259"\w* \w from|strong="H8259"\w* \w her|strong="H1157"\w* \w window|strong="H2474"\w*.  
\q2 \w She|strong="H2474"\w* waited \w for|strong="H1157"\w* him \w to|strong="H4818"\w* return.  
\q1 \w She|strong="H2474"\w* said, ‘\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* is \w he|strong="H5516"\w* taking so long \w to|strong="H4818"\w* come home \w in|strong="H6471"\w* \w his|strong="H1157"\w* \w chariot|strong="H7393"\w*?  
\q2 \w Why|strong="H4069"\w* don’t \w I|strong="H6471"\w* hear \w the|strong="H1157"\w* sound \w of|strong="H7393"\w* \w the|strong="H1157"\w* \w wheels|strong="H6471"\w* \w of|strong="H7393"\w* \w his|strong="H1157"\w* \w chariot|strong="H7393"\w*?’   
\q1
\v 29 \w One|strong="H1931"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* woman \w replied|strong="H6030"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \add kept consoling herself by\add* repeating \w those|strong="H1931"\w* words:   
\q1
\v 30 ‘Perhaps \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H7356"\w* \w dividing|strong="H2505"\w* up \w the|strong="H4672"\w* \w things|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H4672"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* captured after \w the|strong="H4672"\w* battle.  
\q2 Each soldier \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w get|strong="H4672"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w two|strong="H7361"\w* women.  
\q2 \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w get|strong="H4672"\w* some beautiful robes,  
\q2 \w and|strong="H7218"\w* some beautiful \w embroidered|strong="H7553"\w* robes \w for|strong="H3808"\w* \w me|strong="H4672"\w*.’   
\b  
\q1
\v 31 \w But|strong="H3651"\w* \add that is not what happened\add*! \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w I|strong="H3651"\w* hope \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* enemies \w will|strong="H3068"\w* die \w as|strong="H3068"\w* Sisera \w did|strong="H3651"\w*!  
\q2 \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* desire \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* love \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w strong|strong="H1369"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w when|strong="H3318"\w* \w it|strong="H3651"\w* \w rises|strong="H3318"\w*!   
\c 6  
\s1 Gideon became the next leader  
\p
\v 1 \w Again|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Israelis \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w very|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w allowed|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* conquer \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w rule|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 2 \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w treated|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelis \w so|strong="H6213"\w* cruelly \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelis fled \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w mountains|strong="H2022"\w*. \w There|strong="H2022"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w places|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* live \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w caves|strong="H4631"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* animal \w dens|strong="H4492"\w*.  
\v 3 \w Whenever|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israelis \w planted|strong="H2232"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* fields, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Amalek|strong="H6002"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* other \w groups|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w east|strong="H6924"\w* \w invaded|strong="H5927"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 4 \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w set|strong="H3478"\w* \w up|strong="H5704"\w* \w tents|strong="H2583"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* area, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w then|strong="H3478"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H7843"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w crops|strong="H2981"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w far|strong="H5704"\w* south \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w Gaza|strong="H5804"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w leave|strong="H7604"\w* \w anything|strong="H3808"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israelis’ \w sheep|strong="H7716"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w cattle|strong="H7716"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* eat.  
\v 5 \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w into|strong="H5927"\w* Israel \w with|strong="H5927"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* tents \w and|strong="H5927"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w livestock|strong="H4735"\w* \w like|strong="H5927"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* swarm \w of|strong="H4557"\w* locusts. \w There|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1992"\w* \add so many of them that\add* arrived riding \w on|strong="H5927"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w camels|strong="H1581"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w no|strong="H5927"\w* \w one|strong="H3588"\w* could \w count|strong="H4557"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* stayed \w and|strong="H5927"\w* \w ruined|strong="H7843"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Israelis’ crops.  
\v 6 \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w took|strong="H3478"\w* \w almost|strong="H3966"\w* everything \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelis owned. \w So|strong="H3966"\w* finally \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelis pleaded \w for|strong="H6440"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* help \w them|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\p
\v 7 \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israelis pleaded \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w help|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \add what\add* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \add were doing to them\add*,  
\v 8 \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w*, \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H3541"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \w worship|strong="H3478"\w*, \w says|strong="H3541"\w* \w this|strong="H3541"\w*: ‘\w Your|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*.  
\v 9 \w But|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w rescued|strong="H5337"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* leaders \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4713"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* others \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w oppressed|strong="H3905"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w expelled|strong="H1644"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w this|strong="H5414"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* ancestors.  
\v 10 \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w told|strong="H8085"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w all|strong="H3068"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*. \w You|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w now|strong="H8085"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* land \w where|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Amor \w live|strong="H3427"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w worship|strong="H3372"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* gods whom \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w worship|strong="H3372"\w*.” \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pay|strong="H8085"\w* \w attention|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H6963"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 11 \w One|strong="H1121"\w* day \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* appeared \add in the form of\add* \w an|strong="H6440"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w underneath|strong="H8478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* big oak tree \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w* \add town\add*. \w That|strong="H3068"\w* tree belonged \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w*, \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* clan \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abiezer. \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w threshing|strong="H2251"\w* \w wheat|strong="H2406"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* pit \w where|strong="H8478"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* pressed \add grapes to make\add* \w wine|strong="H1660"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w threshing|strong="H2251"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w grain|strong="H2406"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* order \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w hide|strong="H5127"\w* \w it|strong="H6440"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*.  
\v 12 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \add went over\add* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* Gideon \w and|strong="H3068"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w*, “\w You|strong="H5973"\w* \w mighty|strong="H1368"\w* \w warrior|strong="H1368"\w*, \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* helping \w you|strong="H5973"\w*!”   
\p
\v 13 \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* replied, “Sir, \w if|strong="H3426"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* helping \w us|strong="H5414"\w*, \w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H2063"\w* \add bad things\add* \w happened|strong="H4672"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*? \w We|strong="H6258"\w* heard \w about|strong="H3605"\w* [RHQ] \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w miracles|strong="H6381"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w performed|strong="H5414"\w* \w for|strong="H4714"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors. \w We|strong="H6258"\w* heard \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5608"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w about|strong="H3605"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* rescued \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \add being slaves in\add* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w abandoned|strong="H5203"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* ruled \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*.”   
\p
\v 14 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w toward|strong="H3709"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* said, “\w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* give \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w strength|strong="H3581"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* enable \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*. \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* \w sending|strong="H7971"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \add to do that\add*!”   
\p
\v 15 Gideon replied, “\w But|strong="H2009"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w the|strong="H2009"\w* Israelis? \w My|strong="H3467"\w* clan \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H2009"\w* \w least|strong="H6810"\w* significant \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H2009"\w* whole tribe descended \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* am \w the|strong="H2009"\w* \w least|strong="H6810"\w* significant person \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w my|strong="H3467"\w* whole \w family|strong="H1004"\w*!”   
\p
\v 16 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w help|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* army \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \add as easily\add* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* fighting \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w one|strong="H3588"\w* man!”   
\p
\v 17 Gideon \w replied|strong="H1696"\w*, “If \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w truly|strong="H6213"\w* \w pleased|strong="H5869"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*, \w do|strong="H6213"\w* something \w which|strong="H5869"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* prove \w that|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w who|strong="H4672"\w* \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w are|strong="H5869"\w* really \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*.  
\v 18 \w But|strong="H7725"\w* \w do|strong="H3318"\w* \w not|strong="H2088"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w away|strong="H7725"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w bring|strong="H3318"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w an|strong="H6440"\w* \w offering|strong="H4503"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*.”  
\p \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w answered|strong="H7725"\w*, “Okay, \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H5704"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w here|strong="H2088"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w*.”   
\p
\v 19 \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* hurried \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w his|strong="H7760"\w* home. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \add killed\add* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H1423"\w* \w goat|strong="H5795"\w* \add and\add* cooked \add it\add*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w took|strong="H3318"\w* ◄\w a|strong="H3068"\w* half \w a|strong="H3068"\w* bushel/18 liters► \w of|strong="H8478"\w* \w flour|strong="H7058"\w* \w and|strong="H6213"\w* baked some \w bread|strong="H4682"\w* \w without|strong="H6213"\w* yeast. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* cooked \w meat|strong="H1320"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w basket|strong="H5536"\w*, \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w broth|strong="H4839"\w* \add from the meat\add* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w pot|strong="H6517"\w*, \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w took|strong="H3318"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w who|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H1439"\w* sitting \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* tree.   
\p
\v 20 \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w Put|strong="H3240"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w meat|strong="H1320"\w* \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w bread|strong="H4682"\w* \w on|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w rock|strong="H5553"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w pour|strong="H8210"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w broth|strong="H4839"\w* \w on|strong="H6213"\w* top \w of|strong="H4397"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w*.” \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H8210"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w*.  
\v 21 \w Then|strong="H1980"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w touched|strong="H5060"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w meat|strong="H1320"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w bread|strong="H4682"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w walking|strong="H1980"\w* stick \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*. \w A|strong="H3068"\w* fire flamed \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w rock|strong="H6697"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w burned|strong="H7971"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* everything \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H7971"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w*! \w And|strong="H1980"\w* \w then|strong="H1980"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w disappeared|strong="H5869"\w*.  
\v 22 \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* really \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \add who had appeared in the form of an angel and talked with him\add*, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* exclaimed, “\w O|strong="H3068"\w*, \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* face-to-face \add when you had the form of\add* \w an|strong="H7200"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w*! \add So I will surely die\add*!”   
\p
\v 23 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* called \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* said, “\w Do|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w*! \w You|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w* \add because of seeing me\add*!”   
\p
\v 24 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w an|strong="H1129"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \add worship\add* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* ‘\w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w gives|strong="H7121"\w* \w us|strong="H3117"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w*’. \w That|strong="H3117"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w* \add town\add*, \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* land \w that|strong="H3117"\w* belongs \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Abiezer.   
\p
\v 25 \w That|strong="H1931"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* Gideon, “\w Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* second-best/oldest \w bull|strong="H6499"\w* \w from|strong="H3772"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* father’s \w herd|strong="H7794"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w bull|strong="H6499"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w old|strong="H8141"\w*. \add Kill it\add*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w tear|strong="H2040"\w* \w down|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* father built \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \add worship\add* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w god|strong="H3068"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w*. \w Also|strong="H3068"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w down|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* pole \w for|strong="H5921"\w* worshipping \add the goddess\add* Astarte \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w beside|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*.  
\v 26 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \add stone\add* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* worship \w me|strong="H5921"\w*, \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w here|strong="H2088"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* hill. \w Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wood|strong="H6086"\w* \w from|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* pole \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w down|strong="H3772"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w make|strong="H3772"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* fire \add to cook the meat of the bull\add* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w offering|strong="H5930"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*.”   
\p
\v 27 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w commanded|strong="H1696"\w*. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*, \w because|strong="H3372"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* other \w members|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* other \w men|strong="H5650"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w* \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w found|strong="H3068"\w* \w out|strong="H3947"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w*.   
\p
\v 28 \w Early|strong="H7925"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w next|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w as|strong="H5927"\w* \w soon|strong="H7925"\w* \w as|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H3772"\w* \w got|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w*, \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w that|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w had|strong="H1129"\w* \w been|strong="H5927"\w* \w torn|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w*, \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* pole \w for|strong="H5921"\w* worshiping Astarte \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w gone|strong="H5927"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w that|strong="H5892"\w* \w there|strong="H2009"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* new \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w there|strong="H2009"\w*, \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w what|strong="H5921"\w* remained \w from|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w bull|strong="H6499"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H1129"\w* \w sacrificed|strong="H5927"\w*.   
\p
\v 29 \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w asked|strong="H1875"\w* \w each|strong="H2088"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*?” \w After|strong="H1875"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w investigated|strong="H1245"\w*, \w someone|strong="H4310"\w* \w told|strong="H1697"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w*, \add who had done it\add*.   
\p
\v 30 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w Bring|strong="H3318"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w here|strong="H3318"\w*! ◄\w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w executed|strong="H4191"\w*/\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w kill|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*►, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H3772"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* god \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w*’s \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* pole \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* goddess Astarte!”   
\p
\v 31 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* replied, “\w Are|strong="H5975"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* trying \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w defend|strong="H5975"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w*? \w Are|strong="H5975"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* trying \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w argue|strong="H7378"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w case|strong="H3588"\w*? \w Anyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* tries \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w defend|strong="H5975"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w executed|strong="H4191"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H1242"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*! \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w truly|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* god, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* ought \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* able \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w defend|strong="H5975"\w* \w himself|strong="H1931"\w*, \w and|strong="H1242"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* get rid \w of|strong="H4196"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* person \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w tore|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w*!”  
\v 32 \w From|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*, \w people|strong="H1931"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* Gideon \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w*, \w which|strong="H1931"\w* means ‘\w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w defend|strong="H7378"\w* \w himself|strong="H1931"\w*’, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w tore|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w*’s \w altar|strong="H4196"\w*.   
\p
\v 33 Soon after \w that|strong="H3605"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* armies \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Amalek|strong="H6002"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w east|strong="H6924"\w* gathered \w together|strong="H3162"\w*. \w They|strong="H3605"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jordan River \add to attack the Israelis\add*. \w They|strong="H3605"\w* set \w up|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w tents|strong="H2583"\w* \w in|strong="H2583"\w* \w Jezreel|strong="H3157"\w* \w Valley|strong="H6010"\w*.  
\v 34 \w Then|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*’s \w Spirit|strong="H7307"\w* took control \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* ram’s \w horn|strong="H7782"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* summon \w the|strong="H3068"\w* men \w to|strong="H3068"\w* prepare \w to|strong="H3068"\w* fight. \w So|strong="H7307"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* men \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* clan \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Abiezer \w came|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H8628"\w*.  
\v 35 \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribes descended \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \add the four tribes of\add* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w*, Asher, \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* \add to tell their soldiers to come\add*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4397"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w*.   
\p
\v 36 \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w God|strong="H3027"\w*, “\w If|strong="H3426"\w* \w you|strong="H3467"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* truly \w going|strong="H3426"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* enable \w me|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1696"\w* \w as|strong="H1696"\w* \w you|strong="H3467"\w* \w promised|strong="H1696"\w*,  
\v 37 confirm \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w doing|strong="H3027"\w* \w this|strong="H1696"\w*: Tonight \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w put|strong="H3322"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w dry|strong="H2721"\w* \w wool|strong="H6785"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ground \w where|strong="H5921"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* thresh \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w grain|strong="H3605"\w*. Tomorrow morning, \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* wet \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w dew|strong="H2919"\w* \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ground \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w dry|strong="H2721"\w*, \w then|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* enable \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1696"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w promised|strong="H1696"\w*.”  
\v 38 \w And|strong="H7925"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w is|strong="H3651"\w* \w what|strong="H3651"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* Gideon \w got|strong="H7925"\w* \w up|strong="H7925"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w next|strong="H4283"\w* \w morning|strong="H4283"\w*, \w he|strong="H3651"\w* picked \w up|strong="H7925"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w*, \w and|strong="H7925"\w* \w squeezed|strong="H2115"\w* \w out|strong="H4480"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* whole bowlful \w of|strong="H4325"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*!   
\p
\v 39 \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* God, “\w Do|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*, \w but|strong="H7535"\w* \w let|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* ask \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w more|strong="H6471"\w* \w thing|strong="H3605"\w*. Tonight \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w put|strong="H5254"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w again|strong="H1961"\w*. \w This|strong="H1696"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w*, \w let|strong="H4994"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w* \w remain|strong="H1961"\w* \w dry|strong="H2721"\w*, \w while|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ground \w is|strong="H3605"\w* wet \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w dew|strong="H2919"\w*.”  
\v 40 \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*, God \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* Gideon asked \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w next|strong="H5921"\w* morning \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w dry|strong="H2721"\w*, \w but|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ground \w was|strong="H1961"\w* covered \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w dew|strong="H2919"\w*.   
\c 7  
\s1 Gideon and his men defeated the army from Midian  
\p
\v 1 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w next|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H7925"\w*, \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w got|strong="H7925"\w* \w up|strong="H7925"\w* \w early|strong="H7925"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w went|strong="H5971"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w far|strong="H5921"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w Harod|strong="H5878"\w* Spring. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w of|strong="H6010"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w north|strong="H6828"\w* \w of|strong="H6010"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w valley|strong="H6010"\w* \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w Moreh|strong="H4176"\w* \w Hill|strong="H1389"\w*.  
\v 2 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, “\w You|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w too|strong="H5921"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w If|strong="H6435"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w all|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* fight \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*, \add if your army defeats them\add*, \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w boast|strong="H6286"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* defeated \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5414"\w*, \add without my help\add*.  
\v 3 \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w tell|strong="H4994"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w*, ‘\w Whoever|strong="H4310"\w* \w among|strong="H4480"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* timid \w or|strong="H4480"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3373"\w* \w may|strong="H4994"\w* \w leave|strong="H7604"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w and|strong="H6242"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w*.’ ” \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \add after Gideon told that to them\add*, 22,000 \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w went|strong="H5971"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w*. Only 10,000 \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w left|strong="H7604"\w* \w there|strong="H4480"\w*.   
\p
\v 4 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* told \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, “\w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w too|strong="H1961"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w*! \w Take|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w spring|strong="H4325"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* choose \w from|strong="H3381"\w* \w among|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H3381"\w*, \w which|strong="H1931"\w* ones \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w which|strong="H1931"\w* ones \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w*.”.   
\p
\v 5 \w When|strong="H3068"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w took|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w spring|strong="H4325"\w*, \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* told \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w When|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w put|strong="H3322"\w* \w into|strong="H3381"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* group \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ones \w who|strong="H3605"\w* scoop \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w into|strong="H3381"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* hands, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w then|strong="H3068"\w* \w lap|strong="H1290"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w like|strong="H3381"\w* \w dogs|strong="H3611"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w*. \w Put|strong="H3322"\w* \w into|strong="H3381"\w* \w another|strong="H4480"\w* group \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ones \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w kneel|strong="H3766"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \add and bend over\add* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* mouths \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*.”  
\v 6 \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w drank|strong="H8354"\w*, \w only|strong="H3605"\w* 300 \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w drank|strong="H8354"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w others|strong="H5971"\w* \w drank|strong="H8354"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w mouths|strong="H6310"\w* \w down|strong="H3766"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*.   
\p
\v 7 \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* told \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, “\w The|strong="H3605"\w* 300 \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w lapped|strong="H3952"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* water \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*! \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* enable \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*. \w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w others|strong="H5971"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w home|strong="H4725"\w*!”  
\v 8 \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H7971"\w*’s 300 \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w collected|strong="H2388"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w food|strong="H6720"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* rams’ \w horns|strong="H7782"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w* home.  
\p \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* camping \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w valley|strong="H6010"\w* \w below|strong="H8478"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\v 9 \w That|strong="H3588"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*, \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* Gideon, “\w Get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w go|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*, \add and you will hear something that will convince you that\add* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* enable \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w men|strong="H4264"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 10 But if \w you|strong="H3381"\w* \w are|strong="H5288"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3373"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* attack \w them|strong="H3381"\w* \w by|strong="H3381"\w* yourself, \w take|strong="H3381"\w* \w your|strong="H3381"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w Purah|strong="H6513"\w* \w with|strong="H3381"\w* \w you|strong="H3381"\w*.  
\v 11 \w Go|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w some|strong="H7097"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Midian \w soldiers|strong="H5288"\w* \w are|strong="H3027"\w* \w saying|strong="H1696"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* very \w encouraged|strong="H2388"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* ready \w to|strong="H1696"\w* attack \w their|strong="H8085"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*.” \w So|strong="H3381"\w* Gideon \w took|strong="H2388"\w* \w Purah|strong="H6513"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w they|strong="H4100"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w edge|strong="H7097"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* enemy \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*.  
\v 12 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* armies \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Amalek|strong="H6002"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w east|strong="H6924"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* set \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* tents \w and|strong="H1121"\w* looked \w like|strong="H5307"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* swarm \w of|strong="H1121"\w* locusts. \w It|strong="H5921"\w* seemed \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w camels|strong="H1581"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w as|strong="H7230"\w* impossible \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w count|strong="H4557"\w* \w as|strong="H7230"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* grains \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w sand|strong="H2344"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w seashore|strong="H3220"\w*.   
\p
\v 13 \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* crept closer \w and|strong="H3899"\w* heard \w one|strong="H7453"\w* \w man|strong="H5307"\w* \w telling|strong="H5608"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w friend|strong="H7453"\w* \w about|strong="H5221"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w dream|strong="H2472"\w*. \w He|strong="H5704"\w* said, “\w I|strong="H5704"\w* just \w had|strong="H2492"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w dream|strong="H2472"\w*, \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w in|strong="H3899"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w dream|strong="H2472"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w round|strong="H2015"\w* \w loaf|strong="H6742"\w* \w of|strong="H4264"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* tumble \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w into|strong="H2015"\w* \w our|strong="H5307"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w It|strong="H5704"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* tent \w so|strong="H5704"\w* hard \w that|strong="H5307"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* tent \w turned|strong="H2015"\w* \w upside|strong="H4605"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w collapsed|strong="H5307"\w*!”   
\p
\v 14 \w His|strong="H3605"\w* \w friend|strong="H7453"\w* \w said|strong="H6030"\w*, “\w Your|strong="H3605"\w* dream \w can|strong="H1121"\w* mean \w only|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w thing|strong="H2063"\w*. \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w means|strong="H3027"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* enable \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w armies|strong="H4264"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w here|strong="H2063"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*.”   
\p
\v 15 \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \add man tell about his\add* \w dream|strong="H2472"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* meaning \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w dream|strong="H2472"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* thanked \w God|strong="H3068"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \add and Purah\add* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Israeli \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w shouted|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w*, “\w Get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*! \w Because|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* enabling \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*!”  
\v 16 \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w divided|strong="H2673"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w into|strong="H8432"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w groups|strong="H7218"\w*. \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* ram’s \w horn|strong="H7782"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w an|strong="H5414"\w* \w empty|strong="H7386"\w* clay \w jar|strong="H3537"\w*. \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w also|strong="H3027"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w torch|strong="H3940"\w* \add that they lit\add*.   
\p
\v 17 \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w Watch|strong="H7200"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w close|strong="H4480"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* enemy \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*, \add spread out to surround the camp\add*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w exactly|strong="H3651"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 18 \w As|strong="H1571"\w* soon \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H3605"\w* \w blow|strong="H8628"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* ram’s \w horns|strong="H7782"\w*, \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* two groups \w surrounding|strong="H5439"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w blow|strong="H8628"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w horns|strong="H7782"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* shout, ‘\add We are doing this\add* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*!’”   
\p
\v 19 \w A|strong="H3068"\w* while \w before|strong="H6965"\w* midnight, just \w after|strong="H7097"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* new group \w of|strong="H3027"\w* Israeli \w guards|strong="H8104"\w* \w took|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w places|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* previous group, \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* 100 \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w* arrived \w at|strong="H4264"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w edge|strong="H7097"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* Midian \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*. Suddenly \w they|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H6965"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w their|strong="H8104"\w* \w horns|strong="H7782"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* broke \w their|strong="H8104"\w* \w jars|strong="H3537"\w*.  
\v 20 \w Then|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H7121"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w groups|strong="H7218"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w horns|strong="H7782"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w smashed|strong="H7665"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w jars|strong="H3537"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w held|strong="H2388"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w torches|strong="H3940"\w* \w high|strong="H7218"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w left|strong="H8040"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w held|strong="H2388"\w* \w up|strong="H7665"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w horns|strong="H7782"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* alternatively \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w shouted|strong="H7121"\w*, “\add We have\add* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w* \add to fight\add* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*!”  
\v 21 \w Each|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4264"\w* Gideon’s \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H5975"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w position|strong="H5975"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* enemy \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w As|strong="H8478"\w* \w they|strong="H7323"\w* watched, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Midian \w men|strong="H3605"\w* started \w running|strong="H7323"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w and|strong="H5975"\w* \w shouting|strong="H7321"\w* \w in|strong="H5975"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* panic.   
\p
\v 22 \w While|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 300 Israeli \w men|strong="H3605"\w* kept \w blowing|strong="H8628"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w horns|strong="H7782"\w*, \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* caused \w their|strong="H3605"\w* enemies \w to|strong="H5704"\w* start fighting \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H7453"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w*/daggers. \w Some|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w killed|strong="H2719"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H7453"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* rest \w fled|strong="H5127"\w*. \w Some|strong="H3605"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w* south \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Beth-Shittah|strong="H1029"\w*. \w Some|strong="H3605"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Zerarah \add village\add*, \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w Tabbath|strong="H2888"\w*.  
\v 23 \w Then|strong="H3605"\w* Gideon sent messages \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* soldiers \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* areas \w where|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w*, Asher, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w* lived, \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w tell|strong="H3605"\w* \w them|strong="H7291"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w come|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w pursue|strong="H7291"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* army \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*.  
\v 24 \w He|strong="H5704"\w* also \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w* where \w the|strong="H3605"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H2022"\w* Ephraim lived, saying, “\w Come|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* attack \w the|strong="H3605"\w* army \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*. \w Come|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w River|strong="H5704"\w*, \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H3605"\w* where people can wade across, \w to|strong="H5704"\w* prevent enemy troops \w from|strong="H3381"\w* crossing \w it|strong="H3381"\w*! Station \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w far|strong="H5704"\w* south \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w Beth-Barah|strong="H1012"\w*.”  
\p \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* Ephraim \w did|strong="H2022"\w* what \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* told \w them|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w do|strong="H3381"\w*.  
\v 25 \w They|strong="H3920"\w* \w also|strong="H8269"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w*, \w the|strong="H5676"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w generals|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w the|strong="H5676"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* army. \w They|strong="H3920"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w at|strong="H3383"\w* \add the big rock which is now called\add* \w the|strong="H5676"\w* \w rock|strong="H6697"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w Oreb|strong="H6159"\w*, \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w they|strong="H3920"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w* \w at|strong="H3383"\w* \add the place where people crush grapes that is now called\add* \w the|strong="H5676"\w* \w winepress|strong="H3342"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w*. Afterwards, \w the|strong="H5676"\w* Israelis cut \w off|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H5676"\w* \w heads|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* brought \w them|strong="H7291"\w* \w to|strong="H3383"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, \w while|strong="H3383"\w* \w he|strong="H8147"\w* \w was|strong="H7218"\w* \w near|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H5676"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* River.   
\c 8  
\s1 Gideon killed Zebah and Zalmunna  
\p
\v 1 \w Then|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H1697"\w* Ephraim \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* Gideon, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w acted|strong="H6213"\w* \w toward|strong="H1980"\w* \w us|strong="H6213"\w* \w like|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*? \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w out|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* people \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*, \w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H1115"\w* \w summon|strong="H7121"\w* \w us|strong="H6213"\w* \add to help you\add*?” \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w rebuked|strong="H7378"\w* Gideon \w severely|strong="H2394"\w*.   
\p
\v 2 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* Gideon replied, “\w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w have|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* [RHQ] \w very|strong="H2896"\w* little compared \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*! \w My|strong="H6213"\w* small clan \w of|strong="H6213"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H6213"\w* Abiezer only started \w the|strong="H6213"\w* battle, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \add your very large group of\add* descendants \w of|strong="H6213"\w* Ephraim \add helped me to finish the task very well. It is like\add* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* final \w grapes|strong="H5955"\w* \w of|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w harvest|strong="H1210"\w* being \w much|strong="H4100"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* first \w grapes|strong="H5955"\w* \w that|strong="H6213"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* picked.  
\v 3 \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w enabled|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w generals|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* army \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*. \w That|strong="H1697"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* [RHQ] \w much|strong="H3027"\w* \w more|strong="H5921"\w* important \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w*!” \w After|strong="H5921"\w* Gideon \w told|strong="H1696"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w*, \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w no|strong="H6213"\w* longer resented \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H5414"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\p
\v 4 \w Then|strong="H5674"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w his|strong="H5674"\w* 300 men \add went east and\add* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \add River\add*. Although \w they|strong="H1931"\w* \w were|strong="H3383"\w* very \w tired|strong="H5889"\w*, \w they|strong="H1931"\w* \w continued|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H5674"\w* \w pursue|strong="H7291"\w* their enemies.  
\v 5 \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* arrived \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* \add town\add*, Gideon said \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* town leaders, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w some|strong="H1992"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w*! \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w very|strong="H1992"\w* \w tired|strong="H5889"\w*. \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w pursuing|strong="H7291"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*.”   
\p
\v 6 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* replied, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w not|strong="H5414"\w* caught [RHQ] \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* \w yet|strong="H3588"\w*. \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w why|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w troops|strong="H6635"\w* \add now? Catch them first, and then we will give you food\add*.”   
\p
\v 7 \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* replied, “\add Because you said that\add*, after \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* enables \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* return. \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w then|strong="H3651"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w make|strong="H5414"\w* whips \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w thorns|strong="H6975"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* rip \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w flesh|strong="H1320"\w* \w off|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* bones!”   
\p
\v 8 \w From|strong="H5927"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, Gideon \add and his 300 men\add* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Peniel|strong="H6439"\w* \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w asked|strong="H1696"\w* \w for|strong="H8033"\w* food \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, \w but|strong="H6030"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w people|strong="H1696"\w* \w gave|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w same|strong="H2063"\w* \w answer|strong="H6030"\w*.  
\v 9 \w So|strong="H1571"\w* \w he|strong="H7725"\w* said \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* men \w of|strong="H4026"\w* \w Peniel|strong="H6439"\w*, “After \w I|strong="H2088"\w* defeat \w those|strong="H2088"\w* kings, \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w tear|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w*!”   
\p
\v 10 \w By|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H6924"\w*, \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w gone|strong="H5307"\w* \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w Karkor|strong="H7174"\w* \add town\add* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* 15,000 \w troops|strong="H1121"\w*. \w They|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w left|strong="H3498"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w armies|strong="H4264"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w come|strong="H5307"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w east|strong="H6924"\w*. 120,000 \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* already \w been|strong="H3605"\w* \w killed|strong="H5307"\w*.  
\v 11 \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \add and his men\add* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w east|strong="H6924"\w* along \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w* \w on|strong="H1870"\w* which caravans travel. \w They|strong="H5221"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w past|strong="H6924"\w* \w Nobah|strong="H5025"\w* \w and|strong="H1870"\w* \w Jogbehah|strong="H3011"\w* \add villages\add* \w and|strong="H1870"\w* arrived \w at|strong="H4264"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* enemy \w camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w by|strong="H1870"\w* surprise.  
\v 12 \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w*, \w but|strong="H4428"\w* Gideon’s \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w pursued|strong="H7291"\w* \w them|strong="H7291"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w them|strong="H7291"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* warriors.   
\p
\v 13 \w After|strong="H4480"\w* \w that|strong="H4480"\w*, \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \add took Zebah and Zalmunna with them and\add* started \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w*, \w going|strong="H7725"\w* \w through|strong="H4480"\w* Heres \w Pass|strong="H7725"\w*.  
\v 14 There \w he|strong="H2205"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w from|strong="H3920"\w* \w Succoth|strong="H5523"\w*, \w and|strong="H5288"\w* \w demanded|strong="H7592"\w* \w that|strong="H5288"\w* \w he|strong="H2205"\w* \w write|strong="H3789"\w* \w down|strong="H3789"\w* \w the|strong="H3920"\w* names \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w all|strong="H3920"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w the|strong="H3920"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w in|strong="H3789"\w* \w the|strong="H3920"\w* town. \w The|strong="H3920"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w down|strong="H3789"\w* \w seventy-seven|strong="H7657"\w* names.  
\v 15 \w Then|strong="H2009"\w* Gideon \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* men returned \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* said \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w those|strong="H3588"\w* leaders, “\w Here|strong="H2009"\w* \w are|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*. \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w here|strong="H2009"\w* before, \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w made|strong="H5414"\w* fun \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* said ‘\w You|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w not|strong="H5414"\w* [RHQ] caught \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* \w yet|strong="H3588"\w*! \w After|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* catch \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w exhausted|strong="H3286"\w* men \w some|strong="H3027"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w*.’ ”  
\v 16 \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* Gideon’s \w men|strong="H2205"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* whipped \w them|strong="H3947"\w* \w with|strong="H3045"\w* whips \w made|strong="H3045"\w* \w from|strong="H3947"\w* \w briers|strong="H1303"\w* \w from|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w*, \w to|strong="H3045"\w* \w teach|strong="H3045"\w* \w them|strong="H3947"\w* \add that they deserved to be punished for not giving them any food\add*.  
\v 17 Then \add they went to\add* \w Peniel|strong="H6439"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w tore|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w the|strong="H2026"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w*, \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w all|strong="H2026"\w* \w the|strong="H2026"\w* men \w in|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H2026"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w*.   
\p
\v 18 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* Gideon said \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*, “\w The|strong="H2026"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3644"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* near \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w* \add Mountain\add*, what did \w they|strong="H3644"\w* look \w like|strong="H3644"\w*?”  
\p \w They|strong="H3644"\w* replied, “\w They|strong="H3644"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w you|strong="H3644"\w*; \w they|strong="H3644"\w* \w all|strong="H2026"\w* looked \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w they|strong="H3644"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.”   
\p
\v 19 Gideon replied, “\w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w*! Just \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w surely|strong="H2421"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w lives|strong="H2416"\w*, \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w if|strong="H3863"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*.”  
\v 20 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* turned \w to|strong="H6965"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w oldest|strong="H1060"\w* \w son|strong="H1060"\w*, \w Jether|strong="H3500"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H6965"\w* \w him|strong="H2026"\w*, “\w Kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w them|strong="H2026"\w*!” \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jether|strong="H3500"\w* \w was|strong="H5288"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w boy|strong="H5288"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H5288"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w*, \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pull|strong="H8025"\w* \w out|strong="H6965"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w dagger|strong="H2719"\w* \add to kill them\add*.   
\p
\v 21 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* said \w to|strong="H6965"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, “Do \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w ask|strong="H6293"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* young boy \w to|strong="H6965"\w* do \w the|strong="H3588"\w* work \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* man \w should|strong="H3588"\w* do!” \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* both \w of|strong="H6677"\w* \w them|strong="H3947"\w*. \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* gold \w ornaments|strong="H7720"\w* \w from|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w necks|strong="H6677"\w* \w of|strong="H6677"\w* \w their|strong="H3947"\w* \w camels|strong="H1581"\w*.   
\s1 Gideon refused to be their king  
\p
\v 22 \w Then|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* group \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \add came to\add* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w*, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w our|strong="H3588"\w* \w ruler|strong="H4910"\w*! \add We want\add* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w grandsons|strong="H1121"\w* \add to\add* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w our|strong="H3588"\w* \w rulers|strong="H4910"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* rescued \w us|strong="H3588"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* army.”   
\p
\v 23 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* replied, “\w No|strong="H3808"\w*, \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H4910"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H4910"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*. \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H4910"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*.”  
\v 24 \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* said, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w request|strong="H7596"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w thing|strong="H3588"\w*. \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w request|strong="H7596"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w each|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w earring|strong="H5141"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w things|strong="H1992"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* captured \w after|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* battle.”  
\p [\w All|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H1992"\w* descended \w from|strong="H4480"\w* Ishmael wore \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w earrings|strong="H5141"\w*.]  
\v 25 \w They|strong="H8033"\w* replied, “\w We|strong="H8033"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* glad \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w earrings|strong="H5141"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*!” \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w spread|strong="H6566"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w cloth|strong="H8071"\w* \add on the ground\add*, \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w each|strong="H5414"\w* man \w threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w on|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* one gold \w earring|strong="H5141"\w* \w that|strong="H5414"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w had|strong="H5414"\w* \w taken|strong="H5414"\w* \add from a man he had killed in the battle\add*.  
\v 26 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w weight|strong="H4948"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w earrings|strong="H5141"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* ◄43 pounds/19.4 kg.►. \w That|strong="H4428"\w* \w did|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w include|strong="H5921"\w* other \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \add that they gave to Gideon\add*—\w the|strong="H5921"\w* other \w ornaments|strong="H7720"\w* \w or|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pendants|strong="H5188"\w* \w or|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* clothes \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w wore|strong="H5921"\w* \w or|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w chains|strong="H6060"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w necks|strong="H6677"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w camels|strong="H1581"\w*.  
\v 27 \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w*/decorated \w a|strong="H3068"\w* sacred vest \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* gold, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w later|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w put|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* hometown, \w Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w*. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* soon \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli people \w started|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w worship|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* vest. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w trap|strong="H4170"\w* [MET] \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people, \add causing them to worship it instead of worshiping only God\add*.   
\s1 Gideon died  
\p
\v 28 \w That|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* how \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelis defeated \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w become|strong="H5375"\w* strong enough \w to|strong="H3478"\w* attack \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w*. \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w while|strong="H3117"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* alive, \w there|strong="H3117"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w peace|strong="H8252"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w* \w for|strong="H6440"\w* 40 \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\p
\v 29 Gideon \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w back|strong="H3212"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 30 \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* wives, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* bore \w him|strong="H3318"\w* \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 31 \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w had|strong="H3205"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* slave wife \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \add town\add*, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w bore|strong="H3205"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* whom \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* Abimelech.  
\v 32 \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w when|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H1439"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w very|strong="H2896"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w*. They \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w his|strong="H6912"\w* \w body|strong="H4191"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* \w grave|strong="H6913"\w* where \w his|strong="H6912"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w*, \w at|strong="H4191"\w* \w Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w*, \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* land belonging \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abiether.   
\p
\v 33 \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* soon \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w the|strong="H7725"\w* Israelis \add stopped worshiping God and started worshiping the images of the god Baal, like\add* [MET] adultresses \add leave their husbands and go to sleep with other men\add*. \w They|strong="H3478"\w* \w made|strong="H7760"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \add statue of a\add* new god \w called|strong="H7760"\w* \w Baal-Berith|strong="H1170"\w*.  
\v 34 \w They|strong="H3068"\w* forgot \w about|strong="H5439"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w rescued|strong="H5337"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w surrounded|strong="H5439"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 35 \w And|strong="H3478"\w* \w even|strong="H3808"\w* though \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w many|strong="H3808"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis, \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w kind|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*’s \w family|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\c 9  
\s1 Abimelech became king in Shechem  
\p
\v 1 Gideon’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* Abimelech \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \add talk with\add* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* mother’s \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \add city\add*. \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w them|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* mother’s \w relatives|strong="H4940"\w*,  
\v 2 “Ask \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* city: ‘\w Do|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \add think it would be\add* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* 70 \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Gideon’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H4910"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*? \w Or|strong="H1121"\w* \w would|strong="H4100"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \add me\add*, \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H4910"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*?’ \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* forget \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w relative|strong="H1167"\w*! [MTY]”   
\p
\v 3 \w So|strong="H3588"\w* Abimelech’s mother’s brothers \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* Abimelech \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w*, “\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* allow Abimelech \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w rule|strong="H1697"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w relative|strong="H1167"\w*.”  
\v 4 \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* leaders \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Shechem \w took|strong="H5414"\w* \w from|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \add their god\add* \w Baal-Berith|strong="H1170"\w* ◄almost 2 pounds/0.8 kg.► \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* Abimelech. \w With|strong="H1004"\w* \w that|strong="H5414"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w paid|strong="H5414"\w* some \w worthless|strong="H7386"\w* troublemakers \w to|strong="H3212"\w* help \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w they|strong="H5414"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* Abimelech wherever \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w*.  
\v 5 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w*, \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w*’s town, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w murdered|strong="H2026"\w* 69 \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* 70 \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w* Gideon. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w all|strong="H6996"\w* \w those|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H1121"\w* huge rock. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* Gideon’s \w youngest|strong="H6996"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jotham|strong="H3147"\w* \w hid|strong="H2244"\w* \add from Abimelech and his men\add*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w escaped|strong="H3498"\w*.  
\v 6 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Beth-Millo \w gathered|strong="H7927"\w* \w under|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* big sacred tree \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*. \w There|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3605"\w* \w appointed|strong="H4427"\w* Abimelech \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* leader.   
\p
\v 7 \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w Jotham|strong="H3147"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w about|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H8085"\w*, \w he|strong="H7121"\w* climbed \w up|strong="H5375"\w* \w Gerizim|strong="H1630"\w* \w Mountain|strong="H2022"\w*. \w He|strong="H7121"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w at|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w top|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w mountain|strong="H2022"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w shouted|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w people|strong="H8085"\w* \add down below\add*, “\w You|strong="H5046"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w*, \w in|strong="H8085"\w* order \w that|strong="H8085"\w* God \w will|strong="H2022"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w*!  
\v 8 \w One|strong="H4428"\w* day \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w* decided \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w appoint|strong="H4427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w rule|strong="H4427"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w olive|strong="H2132"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w*, ‘\w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H6086"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*!’   
\p
\v 9 “\w But|strong="H3513"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w olive|strong="H2132"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w* said, ‘\w No|strong="H2308"\w*! \add I will not be your king\add* \w Men|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w gods|strong="H1980"\w* \w enjoy|strong="H3513"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* oil \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w fruit|strong="H6086"\w*. \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H2132"\w* \w not|strong="H2308"\w* [RHQ] \w stop|strong="H2308"\w* producing \add olives from which we make\add* \w that|strong="H6086"\w* oil, \w in|strong="H5921"\w* order \w to|strong="H1980"\w* rule \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* other \w trees|strong="H6086"\w*!’   
\p
\v 10 “Then \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fig|strong="H8384"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w*, ‘\w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w come|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w be|strong="H6086"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4427"\w*!’   
\p
\v 11 “\w But|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fig|strong="H8384"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w* replied, ‘\w No|strong="H2308"\w*! \w I|strong="H5921"\w* do \w not|strong="H2308"\w* want \w to|strong="H1980"\w* [RHQ] \w stop|strong="H2308"\w* producing \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w sweet|strong="H2896"\w* \w fruit|strong="H8570"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* rule \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* other \w trees|strong="H6086"\w*!’   
\p
\v 12 “Then \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* grapevine, ‘\w Come|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w be|strong="H6086"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4427"\w*!’   
\p
\v 13 “\w But|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* grapevine replied, ‘\w No|strong="H2308"\w*! \add I will not be your king\add* \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w new|strong="H8492"\w* \w wine|strong="H8492"\w* \add that is made from my grapes\add* causes \w people|strong="H5128"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w gods|strong="H1980"\w* \add who drink it\add* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w become|strong="H1980"\w* \w very|strong="H8055"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w*. \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H1612"\w* \w not|strong="H2308"\w* want \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w stop|strong="H2308"\w* producing \w grapes|strong="H8492"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* rule \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* other \w trees|strong="H6086"\w*!’ [RHQ]   
\p
\v 14 “\w Then|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* thornbush, ‘\w Come|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w be|strong="H6086"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4427"\w*!’   
\p
\v 15 “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* thornbush replied, ‘If \w you|strong="H5921"\w* truly want \w to|strong="H3318"\w* appoint \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w shade|strong="H6738"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \add tiny branches\add*. \w But|strong="H4428"\w* if \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H3318"\w* \w not|strong="H3318"\w* want \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w do|strong="H3318"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w*, \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w hope|strong="H2620"\w*/desire \w that|strong="H4428"\w* fire \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* burn \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* huge cedar \w trees|strong="H6086"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lebanon|strong="H3844"\w* \add country\add*!’”   
\p
\v 16 “\add After\add* Jotham \add finished telling them this parable, he\add* said, “\w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \add I ask you\add*, \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w being|strong="H4427"\w* completely honest \w and|strong="H3027"\w* sincere \w when|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w appointed|strong="H6213"\w* Abimelech \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w your|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4427"\w* [RHQ]? \w And|strong="H3027"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w treated|strong="H6213"\w* Gideon \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* [RHQ] fairly? \w Have|strong="H3027"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* rewarded Gideon \w by|strong="H3027"\w* honoring \w him|strong="H3027"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w deserved|strong="H1576"\w* \add because of all the good things he did for you\add*? \w No|strong="H6213"\w*!  
\v 17 “\add Do not forget that\add* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* father \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w battle|strong="H3898"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w he|strong="H3027"\w* \w was|strong="H5315"\w* willing \w to|strong="H5921"\w* die \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \add if that had been necessary\add*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w save|strong="H5337"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* people-group.  
\v 18 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w now|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w rebelled|strong="H6965"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w*’s \w family|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* 69 \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* huge rock. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w appointed|strong="H1121"\w* Abimelech—\w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w*’s slave girl, \add not the son of his wife\add*—\w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4427"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* \w rule|strong="H4427"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* done \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w relatives|strong="H1121"\w*!  
\v 19 \w So|strong="H6213"\w*, \w if|strong="H1931"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w truly|strong="H1571"\w* \w acted|strong="H6213"\w* fairly \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w sincerely|strong="H8549"\w* \w toward|strong="H5973"\w* Gideon \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*, \w I|strong="H3117"\w* hope/desire \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w cause|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w cause|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w*.  
\v 20 But if what \w you|strong="H3318"\w* \w did|strong="H7927"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w not|strong="H3318"\w* right, \w I|strong="H3318"\w* wish/desire \w that|strong="H1004"\w* Abimelech \w will|strong="H1004"\w* burn \w up|strong="H3318"\w* \w all|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H3318"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* Beth-Millo \w with|strong="H1004"\w* fire! \w And|strong="H1004"\w* \w I|strong="H3318"\w* \w also|strong="H7927"\w* hope/desire \w that|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* Beth-Millo \w will|strong="H1004"\w* \w cause|strong="H3318"\w* fire \w to|strong="H3318"\w* burn \w up|strong="H3318"\w* Abimelech!”   
\p
\v 21  \add After\add* \w Jotham|strong="H3147"\w* \add finished saying that, he\add* \w escaped|strong="H5127"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w away|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* Beer \add town\add*. \w He|strong="H8033"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w because|strong="H6440"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H6440"\w* afraid \w that|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* brother Abimelech \add would try to kill him\add*.   
\s1 Abimelech and his men killed the people of Shechem  
\p
\v 22 Abimelech \add became the leader of all the people of Israel. He\add* ruled \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 23 \w Then|strong="H7971"\w* \w God|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w an|strong="H7971"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \add to cause trouble\add* \w between|strong="H7307"\w* Abimelech \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H7307"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, \w with|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* result \w that|strong="H7451"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H7307"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* rebelled \w against|strong="H7971"\w* Abimelech.  
\v 24 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w had|strong="H3027"\w* previously \w helped|strong="H2388"\w* Abimelech \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w* 69 \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Gideon’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H7760"\w* \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w*. \w So|strong="H7760"\w* \w now|strong="H5921"\w* \w God|strong="H3027"\w* \w sent|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* evil spirit \w to|strong="H5921"\w* punish \w all|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 25 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* ◄\w set|strong="H7760"\w* \w an|strong="H7760"\w* ambush/\w sent|strong="H5674"\w* \w men|strong="H1167"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* hide► \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* hilltops \w to|strong="H5921"\w* ambush Abimelech. \w Those|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H1167"\w* \w robbed|strong="H1497"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w passed|strong="H5674"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w*. \w But|strong="H1870"\w* someone \w told|strong="H5046"\w* Abimelech \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w*, \add so he did not go near them\add*.   
\p
\v 26 There \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* named \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w*, \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ebed|strong="H5651"\w*, \w who|strong="H1121"\w* moved \w into|strong="H5674"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \add city\add*, \w along|strong="H5674"\w* \w with|strong="H5674"\w* \w his|strong="H5674"\w* \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w*. Soon \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* started \w to|strong="H1121"\w* trust \w him|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 27 \w They|strong="H6213"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \add of the city\add* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w their|strong="H6213"\w* \w vineyards|strong="H3754"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* picked some grapes. \w They|strong="H6213"\w* pressed \w the|strong="H6213"\w* grapes \add to make juice, and then they made wine\add*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H7704"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* feast \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w their|strong="H6213"\w* god, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* ate \add a lot of food\add* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w drank|strong="H8354"\w* \add a lot of wine\add*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w cursed|strong="H7043"\w* Abimelech.  
\v 28 \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* said, “◄\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \add we allow\add* Abimelech \w to|strong="H1121"\w* rule over \w us|strong="H3588"\w*?/\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* allow Abimelech \w to|strong="H1121"\w* rule over \w us|strong="H3588"\w*!► [RHQ] \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Gideon’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \add so he really does not belong to us\add* [RHQ]! \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w appointed|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* governor \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w our|strong="H3588"\w* city, \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* deputy! \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* ◄\w serve|strong="H5647"\w*/\w be|strong="H3808"\w* loyal \w to|strong="H1121"\w*► \add one of the descendants of\add* \w Hamor|strong="H2544"\w*, \add the founder of our city\add*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w let|strong="H3808"\w* \w him|strong="H5647"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w our|strong="H3588"\w* \w leader|strong="H6496"\w*, \w not|strong="H3808"\w* Abimelech [RHQ]!  
\v 29 If \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w appoint|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* leader, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w get|strong="H3318"\w* rid \w of|strong="H3027"\w* Abimelech. \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* say \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, ‘\w Get|strong="H3318"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w* ready, \add and then come to fight us\add*!’”   
\p
\v 30 \w When|strong="H8085"\w* someone \w told|strong="H1697"\w* \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, \w he|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w very|strong="H2734"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w*.  
\v 31 \w He|strong="H5921"\w* secretly \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w some|strong="H2009"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* Abimelech. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* told \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w come|strong="H5892"\w* \w here|strong="H2009"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* causing \add the people of\add* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* rebel \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\v 32 \w You|strong="H3915"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w your|strong="H6965"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* should \w get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w during|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w go|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* hide \w in|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w* outside \w the|strong="H6965"\w* city.  
\v 33 \w As|strong="H1961"\w* \w soon|strong="H7925"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w rises|strong="H2224"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w get|strong="H3318"\w* \w up|strong="H7925"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w attack|strong="H6584"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* Gaal \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* fight \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*, \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* whatever \w you|strong="H5921"\w* want \w to|strong="H3318"\w*.”   
\p
\v 34 \w So|strong="H6965"\w* Abimelech \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w during|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \add divided into\add* four \w groups|strong="H7218"\w*, \add and \add* hid \add in the fields\add* \w near|strong="H5973"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*.  
\v 35  \add The next morning\add*, \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w at|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w While|strong="H5975"\w* \w he|strong="H4480"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w there|strong="H5975"\w*, Abimelech \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H3318"\w* hiding \w places|strong="H3993"\w* \add and started walking toward the city\add*.   
\p
\v 36 \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w*, \w he|strong="H5971"\w* said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H7200"\w*! \w There|strong="H2009"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w coming|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w*!”  
\p \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w* said, “\w You|strong="H7200"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w seeing|strong="H7200"\w* only \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w shadows|strong="H6738"\w* \add of trees\add* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w*. \w They|strong="H5971"\w* \add are not people; they\add* only resemble \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.”  
\v 37 \w But|strong="H1696"\w* \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \add looked\add* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \add and\add* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*! \w There|strong="H2009"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w coming|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H1870"\w* \w top|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H1870"\w* sacred mountain! \w There|strong="H2009"\w* \w is|strong="H1870"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* group \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w them|strong="H3381"\w* \w coming|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H3381"\w* \w where|strong="H2009"\w* \w the|strong="H1870"\w* tree \w is|strong="H1870"\w* \w where|strong="H2009"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w talk|strong="H1696"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H1870"\w* spirits \w of|strong="H7218"\w* dead \w people|strong="H5971"\w*!”   
\p
\v 38 \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* Gaal, “\w Now|strong="H6258"\w* ◄\w what|strong="H4310"\w* good \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* bragging?/\w your|strong="H3588"\w* bragging \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w worthless|strong="H3808"\w*!► [MTY, RHQ] \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, ‘◄\w Why|strong="H3808"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w serve|strong="H5647"\w* Abimelech/\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w allow|strong="H4994"\w* Abimelech \w to|strong="H3318"\w* rule \w over|strong="H3318"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w*►?’ \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H5647"\w* fun \w of|strong="H6310"\w* \w these|strong="H2088"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w*. \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w them|strong="H3318"\w*!”   
\p
\v 39 \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w led|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w outside|strong="H3318"\w* \add the city\add* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* Abimelech \add and his men\add*.  
\v 40 Abimelech \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H7227"\w* \w pursued|strong="H7291"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*, \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w killed|strong="H2491"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* Gaal’s \w men|strong="H7227"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* could return \add safely\add* \w inside|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H8179"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 41 Abimelech then \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* Arumah, \add about five miles away from Shechem\add*, \w and|strong="H3427"\w* \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w*’s men forced \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w and|strong="H3427"\w* \w his|strong="H3427"\w* brothers \w to|strong="H3427"\w* leave \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*.   
\p
\v 42 \w The|strong="H3318"\w* \w next|strong="H4283"\w* \w day|strong="H4283"\w*, \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* Shechem \add got ready to leave the city and work\add* \w in|strong="H5971"\w* \w their|strong="H1961"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* someone \w told|strong="H5046"\w* Abimelech \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w*,  
\v 43 \w he|strong="H4480"\w* \w divided|strong="H2673"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w groups|strong="H7218"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* told \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* hide \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w*. \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w did|strong="H5971"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w*. \w And|strong="H6965"\w* \w when|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w coming|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w they|strong="H5921"\w* jumped \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 44 Abimelech \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5892"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w ran|strong="H7218"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H8147"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w groups|strong="H7218"\w* \w ran|strong="H7218"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 45 Abimelech \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w tore|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* buildings, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w then|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* threw \w salt|strong="H4417"\w* \w over|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w ruins|strong="H5892"\w* \add in order that nothing would grow there again\add*.   
\s1 They killed the people in the fortress  
\p
\v 46 \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* lived \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w*/fortress outside \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w what|strong="H8085"\w* \w had|strong="H1167"\w* happened, \w they|strong="H3605"\w* ran \w and|strong="H1004"\w* hid \w inside|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \add fortress, which was also a\add* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \add their god\add* El-Berith.  
\v 47 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* someone \w told|strong="H5046"\w* Abimelech \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6908"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 48 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w Zalmon|strong="H6756"\w* \w Mountain|strong="H2022"\w* \add which is near Shechem\add*. Abimelech \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w some|strong="H3027"\w* \w branches|strong="H6086"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* \w axe|strong="H7134"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w shoulders|strong="H7926"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* said \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w Quickly|strong="H4116"\w*, \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*!”  
\v 49 \w So|strong="H1571"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* branches \add then carried them down the mountain\add*, \w following|strong="H3212"\w* Abimelech. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* fortress \w and|strong="H3212"\w* piled \w the|strong="H3605"\w* branches \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* walls. \w Then|strong="H1571"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w kindled|strong="H3341"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fire|strong="H3341"\w*, \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fire|strong="H3341"\w* \w burned|strong="H3341"\w* \w down|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* fortress \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w killed|strong="H4191"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* inside. \w So|strong="H1571"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* inside \w the|strong="H3605"\w* fortress—\w about|strong="H5921"\w* 1,000 \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* women—\w died|strong="H4191"\w*.   
\s1 Abimelech was killed  
\p
\v 50 Then Abimelech \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H3212"\w* men \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* Thebes \add city\add*. \w They|strong="H3920"\w* surrounded \w it|strong="H3920"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w it|strong="H3920"\w*.  
\v 51 \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w strong|strong="H5797"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w inside|strong="H8432"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H1167"\w*, women, \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w inside|strong="H8432"\w*, \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w locked|strong="H5462"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* door. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w climbed|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w roof|strong="H1406"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w*.  
\v 52 Abimelech \w and|strong="H5066"\w* \w his|strong="H5704"\w* men \w came|strong="H5066"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w and|strong="H5066"\w* tried \w to|strong="H5704"\w* get \w in|strong="H6607"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w door|strong="H6607"\w*, \add but they could not\add*. \w Then|strong="H5066"\w* Abimelech prepared \w to|strong="H5704"\w* light \w a|strong="H3068"\w* fire \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w burn|strong="H8313"\w* \w down|strong="H8313"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w door|strong="H6607"\w*.  
\v 53 \w But|strong="H5921"\w* \w when|strong="H5921"\w* Abimelech came \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* doorway, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* woman \add who was on the roof\add* \w dropped|strong="H7993"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* big grinding stone \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*, \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w crushed|strong="H7533"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w skull|strong="H1538"\w*.   
\p
\v 54 Abimelech \w quickly|strong="H4120"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H5288"\w* \w carried|strong="H5375"\w* Abimelech’s \w weapons|strong="H3627"\w*, \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Pull|strong="H8025"\w* \w out|strong="H8025"\w* \w your|strong="H5375"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w me|strong="H7121"\w* \w with|strong="H3627"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w*! \w I|strong="H5288"\w* do \w not|strong="H6435"\w* want \w people|strong="H5288"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* say ‘\w It|strong="H7121"\w* \w was|strong="H5288"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* woman \w who|strong="H5288"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* Abimelech.’” \w So|strong="H6435"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w thrust|strong="H1856"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w into|strong="H2719"\w* Abimelech, \w and|strong="H2719"\w* Abimelech \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 55 \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* Israeli soldiers \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* Abimelech \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H7200"\w* returned \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H7200"\w* homes.   
\p
\v 56 \w In|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H7451"\w* way God punished Abimelech \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H7451"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H6213"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* father \w and|strong="H7725"\w* especially \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w killing|strong="H2026"\w* \w all|strong="H6213"\w* 69 \w of|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* brothers.  
\v 57 God \w also|strong="H1121"\w* punished \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w for|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w done|strong="H7451"\w*. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w when|strong="H7725"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* happened, \w it|strong="H7725"\w* fulfilled \w what|strong="H7451"\w* Gideon’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jotham|strong="H3147"\w* said \w when|strong="H7725"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* cursed \add Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem\add*.   
\c 10  
\s1 Tola ruled the Israelis  
\p
\v 1 \w After|strong="H6965"\w* Abimelech died, \w Tola|strong="H8439"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Puah|strong="H6312"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w grandson|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dodo|strong="H1734"\w* became \w the|strong="H6965"\w* leader \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \add from their enemies\add*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Issachar|strong="H3485"\w*, \w but|strong="H1931"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Shamir|strong="H8069"\w* \add city\add* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w* where \w the|strong="H6965"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ephraim \w live|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 2 \w He|strong="H8141"\w* \w ruled|strong="H8199"\w* \w the|strong="H8199"\w* Israeli people \w for|strong="H4191"\w* 23 \w years|strong="H8141"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3478"\w* \w he|strong="H8141"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w Shamir|strong="H8069"\w*.   
\s1 Jair ruled the Israelis  
\p
\v 3 \w After|strong="H6965"\w* Tola died, \w Jair|strong="H2971"\w*, \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \add the\add* Gilead \add region\add*, became \w the|strong="H6965"\w* Israelis’ leader, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H8147"\w* \w ruled|strong="H8199"\w* \w them|strong="H8147"\w* \w for|strong="H3478"\w* 22 \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 4 \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w each|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* donkey \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w ride|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w each|strong="H3117"\w* controlled \w a|strong="H3068"\w* different town \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \add the\add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add*. \w That|strong="H3117"\w* region \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w still|strong="H5704"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* ‘\w The|strong="H5921"\w* Towns \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Jair’.  
\v 5 When \w Jair|strong="H2971"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w he|strong="H6912"\w* was \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w Kamon|strong="H7056"\w* \add city\add*.   
\s1 The Ammon people-group oppressed the Israelis  
\p
\v 6 \w Again|strong="H3254"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* Israelis \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w wrong|strong="H7451"\w*/\w evil|strong="H7451"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \add the idols of their god\add* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \add their goddess\add* Astarte. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w also|strong="H3068"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* gods \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* Aram, \w Sidon|strong="H6721"\w*, \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-groups, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* gods \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* Philistia people-group. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5800"\w* \w worshiping|strong="H5647"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 7 \w So|strong="H3027"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H2734"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w allowed|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Philistia \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-groups \w to|strong="H3478"\w* defeat [IDM] \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis.  
\v 8 \w In|strong="H8141"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H1931"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w*, \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* started \w to|strong="H3478"\w* oppress \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis \w who|strong="H3605"\w* lived \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \add the\add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add* \w on|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w east|strong="H5676"\w* \w side|strong="H5676"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \add River\add*. \w That|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* where \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Amor people-group \w also|strong="H3478"\w* lived. \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w They|strong="H8141"\w* caused \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis \w who|strong="H3605"\w* lived \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* region \w to|strong="H3478"\w* suffer \w for|strong="H1121"\w* 18 \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 9 \w Then|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \add River\add* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* tribes \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Ephraim. \w They|strong="H1571"\w* \w caused|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* Israelis’ lives \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* miserable.  
\v 10 \w So|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Israelis \w cried|strong="H2199"\w* \w out|strong="H2199"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, saying “\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2398"\w* \w against|strong="H2398"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w been|strong="H5647"\w* \w worshiping|strong="H5647"\w* \add the idols of their god\add* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w*.”   
\p
\v 11 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* answered \w them|strong="H4480"\w*, saying, “\w When|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Amor \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Philistia people-groups  
\v 12 \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* Sidon \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Amalek|strong="H6002"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Maon|strong="H4584"\w* people-groups \w were|strong="H3027"\w* cruel \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w you|strong="H3467"\w*, \w you|strong="H3467"\w* \w cried|strong="H6817"\w* \w out|strong="H6817"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w me|strong="H3467"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w then|strong="H6817"\w* \w I|strong="H3027"\w* rescued \w you|strong="H3467"\w*.  
\v 13 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* now \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H3808"\w* \w abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w me|strong="H3254"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w*, \w and|strong="H3254"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H5647"\w* \w worshiping|strong="H5647"\w* other gods. \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w*.  
\v 14 \w You|strong="H3467"\w* \w have|strong="H6869"\w* chosen \w those|strong="H1992"\w* gods \add to be the ones that you worship\add*. \w So|strong="H1992"\w* \w call|strong="H2199"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w* \w you|strong="H3467"\w*. Allow \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w you|strong="H3467"\w* \w when|strong="H6256"\w* \w you|strong="H3467"\w* \w have|strong="H6869"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* lot \w of|strong="H6256"\w* \w trouble|strong="H6869"\w*!”   
\p
\v 15 \w But|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, “\w Truly|strong="H6213"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2398"\w*. \w Punish|strong="H6213"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H2088"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w wish|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w*, \w but|strong="H3117"\w* \w please|strong="H4994"\w* \w rescue|strong="H5337"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w now|strong="H4994"\w*!”  
\v 16 \w Then|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5647"\w* Israelis threw \w away|strong="H5493"\w* \w the|strong="H5647"\w* \add idols of the\add* gods \w that|strong="H5315"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H3478"\w* other people-groups, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w again|strong="H3478"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* saw \w that|strong="H5315"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* suffering very much, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* felt \w sorry|strong="H5999"\w* [IDM] \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H5493"\w*.   
\p
\v 17 \w The|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group \w gathered|strong="H6817"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* fight \add against the Israelis\add*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3478"\w* \w set|strong="H3478"\w* \w up|strong="H1121"\w* their \w tents|strong="H2583"\w* \w in|strong="H2583"\w* \add the \add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add*. \w The|strong="H1121"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w also|strong="H3478"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6817"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w set|strong="H3478"\w* \w up|strong="H1121"\w* their \w tents|strong="H2583"\w* \w at|strong="H2583"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*, \add which was a city in Gilead\add*.  
\v 18 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* said, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w lead|strong="H7218"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w attack|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group? \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w lead|strong="H7218"\w* \w us|strong="H1961"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leader|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w us|strong="H1961"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w this|strong="H3605"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add*.”   
\c 11  
\s1 Jephthah was chosen to be their leader  
\p
\v 1  \add There was a man\add* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \add the\add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add* named \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H2181"\w* \w warrior|strong="H1368"\w*. \w His|strong="H1961"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w also|strong="H3205"\w* named \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* mother \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w prostitute|strong="H2181"\w*.  
\v 2 \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*’s wife \w gave|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* several \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*. \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w grew|strong="H1431"\w* \w up|strong="H1431"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* forced \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* leave \w home|strong="H1004"\w*, saying \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w*, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* prostitute, \add not the son of our mother\add*. \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \add when\add* \w our|strong="H3588"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \add dies\add*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w receive|strong="H5157"\w* \w any|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* property.”  
\v 3 \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w ran|strong="H1272"\w* \w away|strong="H1272"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* brothers, \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w he|strong="H6440"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Tob|strong="H2897"\w* region. \w While|strong="H5973"\w* \w he|strong="H6440"\w* \w was|strong="H6440"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w*, some \w worthless|strong="H7386"\w* men \w started|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* spend \w a|strong="H3068"\w* lot \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w time|strong="H3318"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\p
\v 4 \w Some|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w later|strong="H1961"\w*, \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group \w started|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* Israelis.  
\v 5 \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* [DOU], \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \add the\add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w bring|strong="H3947"\w* \w him|strong="H3947"\w* \w back|strong="H3947"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w Tob|strong="H2897"\w* region \add to their area\add*.  
\v 6 \w They|strong="H5983"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w him|strong="H1961"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H1961"\w* \add with us\add* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w lead|strong="H3212"\w* \w our|strong="H1961"\w* army, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \add help us to\add* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group!”   
\p
\v 7 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* replied, “\w You|strong="H3808"\w* \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* \w me|strong="H8130"\w* [RHQ] \w previously|strong="H3808"\w*! \w You|strong="H3808"\w* forced \w me|strong="H8130"\w* \w to|strong="H1004"\w* leave \w my|strong="H6258"\w* father’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*! \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w why|strong="H4069"\w* \w are|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* coming \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w me|strong="H8130"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w*, \add asking me to help you\add* when \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H1004"\w* experiencing \w trouble|strong="H6862"\w*?”   
\p
\v 8 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* replied, “\add Yes, we are having trouble, and\add* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w reason|strong="H3651"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w*. \w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \add help us to\add* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group, \add after we defeat them, we will appoint\add* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leader|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w us|strong="H7725"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \add the \add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add*.”   
\p
\v 9 \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* replied, “\w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* helps \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* truly \w appoint|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w leader|strong="H7218"\w*?”  
\v 10 \w They|strong="H3651"\w* replied, “\w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w listening|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* everything \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w say|strong="H1697"\w*. \add So he will punish us \add* \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* everything \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w tell|strong="H8085"\w* \w us|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*.”  
\v 11 \w So|strong="H1697"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w back|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \add the\add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w appointed|strong="H7760"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w leader|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w commander|strong="H7101"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*. \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* solemnly \w promised|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w* \add to serve him well\add*.   
\s1 Jephthah’s message to the king of the Ammon people-group  
\p
\v 12 \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* some \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \add done to make you angry, with the result \add* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* army \w is|strong="H4100"\w* coming \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \add against the people\add* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w our|strong="H3588"\w* land?”   
\p
\v 13 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* replied, “\add We have come to fight against you Israelis because\add* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w our|strong="H3947"\w* land \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w here|strong="H5704"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w our|strong="H3947"\w* land east \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \add River\add*, \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Arnon \add River in the south\add* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jabbok|strong="H2999"\w* \add River in the north\add*. \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w give|strong="H7725"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w us|strong="H7725"\w*, \w there|strong="H5927"\w* ◄\w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w* \w between|strong="H7965"\w* \w us|strong="H7725"\w*/\w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* fight \w against|strong="H5927"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*►.”   
\p
\v 14  \add The messengers returned to Jephthah and told him what the king had said\add*. \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w*.  
\v 15 \w They|strong="H3808"\w* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w him|strong="H3947"\w*, “\w This|strong="H3541"\w* \w is|strong="H3478"\w* \w what|strong="H3541"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w says|strong="H3541"\w*: ‘\w It|strong="H3947"\w* \w is|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \add true \add* \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* land \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* people-group \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group.  
\v 16 \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Israeli people \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w out|strong="H3212"\w* \w of|strong="H4057"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w walked|strong="H3212"\w* \w through|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Red|strong="H5488"\w* \w Sea|strong="H3220"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w then|strong="H3588"\w* \add walked across it and traveled to Kadesh town at the border of the Edom region\add*.  
\v 17 \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Edom people-group, \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w say|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w allow|strong="H4994"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* Israelis \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w walk|strong="H5674"\w* \w across|strong="H5674"\w* \w your|strong="H8085"\w* land.” \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Edom people-group \w refused|strong="H3808"\w*. Later \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* same message \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* people-group, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w allow|strong="H4994"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Israelis \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w go|strong="H7971"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* land. \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Israelis \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w Kadesh|strong="H6946"\w* \add for a long time\add*.  
\v 18 \w Then|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Israelis \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w into|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w walked|strong="H3212"\w* outside \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w borders|strong="H1366"\w* \w of|strong="H1366"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Edom \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w regions|strong="H5676"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w walked|strong="H3212"\w* \w east|strong="H4217"\w* \w of|strong="H1366"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* region, \w east|strong="H4217"\w* \w of|strong="H1366"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Arnon \add River, which is the eastern border of the Moab region\add*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* cross \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w river|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* enter \add the \add* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \add region\add*.   
\p
\v 19 ‘\w Then|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* Israelis \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* message \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Sihon|strong="H5511"\w*, \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* Amor people-group, \w who|strong="H3478"\w* lived \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Heshbon|strong="H2809"\w* \add city\add*. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w asked|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, “\w Will|strong="H4428"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w please|strong="H4994"\w* \w allow|strong="H4994"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* Israeli people \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w cross|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w your|strong="H7971"\w* \w land|strong="H4725"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* arrive \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w land|strong="H4725"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w which|strong="H3478"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \add are going\add*.”  
\v 20 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w Sihon|strong="H5511"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* trust \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis; \add he thought that they would steal some of the things in his land\add*. \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w troops|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w set|strong="H3478"\w* \w up|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w tents|strong="H2583"\w* \w at|strong="H2583"\w* \w Jahaz|strong="H3096"\w* \add village\add* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w then|strong="H5674"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w attacked|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis.  
\v 21 \w But|strong="H5221"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w whom|strong="H5971"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \add worship\add*, \w enabled|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5221"\w* [IDM] \w Sihon|strong="H5511"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*. \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* ◄\w took|strong="H3423"\w* \w possession|strong="H3423"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w*/started \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w*► \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land \w where|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Amor people-group \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 22 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis \w took|strong="H3423"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H1366"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Amor people-group, \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Arnon \add River in the south\add* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jabbok|strong="H2999"\w* \add River in the north\add*, \w and|strong="H4057"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \add in the east\add* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \add River in the west\add*.   
\p
\v 23 ‘\w It|strong="H3423"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \add worship\add*, \w who|strong="H5971"\w* forced \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Amor people-group \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w leave|strong="H3423"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelis advanced. \w So|strong="H6258"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* think \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* can \w force|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelis \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w leave|strong="H3423"\w* [RHQ]?  
\v 24 \w You|strong="H6440"\w* \w take|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w god|strong="H3068"\w* \w Chemosh|strong="H3645"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w given|strong="H3423"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*. \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* live \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w given|strong="H3423"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w us|strong="H6440"\w*!  
\v 25 ◄\w You|strong="H5973"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w no|strong="H3478"\w*/\w Are|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w*► \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w Zippor|strong="H6834"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Balak|strong="H1111"\w*, \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* people-group? \w He|strong="H3478"\w* never [RHQ] \w quarreled|strong="H7378"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H3478"\w* never started \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w us|strong="H3898"\w* [RHQ]!  
\v 26 \w For|strong="H5921"\w* 300 \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Heshbon|strong="H2809"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w Aroer|strong="H6177"\w* \add cities in your region\add*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w surrounding|strong="H1323"\w* \w towns|strong="H1323"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w along|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Arnon \add River\add*. \w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Ammon people-group \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w taken|strong="H3427"\w* back \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w during|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* [RHQ]?  
\v 27 \w We|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2398"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w sinning|strong="H2398"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w by|strong="H3117"\w* attacking \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \add and my army\add*. \w I|strong="H3117"\w* trust \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w great|strong="H6213"\w* \w judge|strong="H8199"\w*, \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w decide|strong="H8199"\w* whether \w we|strong="H3068"\w* Israelis \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w right|strong="H3478"\w*, \w or|strong="H3808"\w* whether \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w right|strong="H3478"\w*.’ ”   
\m
\v 28 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pay|strong="H8085"\w* \w attention|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w message|strong="H1697"\w* \w from|strong="H8085"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*.   
\p
\v 29 \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w took|strong="H1961"\w* control \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*. \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w went|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \add the \add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* area \w where|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w* \w lived|strong="H1961"\w*, \add to enlist/gather men for his army\add*. \add He finally gathered them together\add* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4708"\w* \add city\add* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \add the \add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* fight \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group.  
\v 30 \w There|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w made|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* solemn \w promise|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* said, “\w If|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* enable \w my|strong="H5414"\w* army \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* [IDM] \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group,  
\v 31 \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H1121"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* battle, \w I|strong="H1121"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H5930"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w first|strong="H1121"\w* \w person|strong="H5927"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w comes|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \add to greet me\add*. \w It|strong="H7725"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H5930"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* completely burned \add on the altar\add*.”   
\p
\v 32 \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \add and his men\add* \w went|strong="H5674"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* Mizpah \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w attack|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w enabled|strong="H5414"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* army \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 33 Jephthah \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*, \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w Aroer|strong="H6177"\w* \add city\add* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w way|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* area \w around|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Minnith|strong="H4511"\w*. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H5221"\w* 20 \w cities|strong="H5892"\w*, \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \add the city of\add* Abel Keramim. \w So|strong="H3966"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelis \add completely\add* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group.   
\p
\v 34 \w When|strong="H3318"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* returned \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w his|strong="H4480"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*, \w his|strong="H4480"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w first|strong="H1121"\w* \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w meet|strong="H7125"\w* \w him|strong="H3318"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \add joyfully\add* playing \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w tambourine|strong="H8596"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w dancing|strong="H4246"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w his|strong="H4480"\w* \w only|strong="H7535"\w* \w child|strong="H1121"\w*; \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w no|strong="H4480"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w no|strong="H4480"\w* other \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w*.  
\v 35 \w When|strong="H1961"\w* Jephthah \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w tore|strong="H7167"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* clothes \add to show that he was very sad about what he was going to do\add*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H6310"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w*, “\w My|strong="H3068"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w caused|strong="H1961"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w very|strong="H3766"\w* sad [DOU] \w because|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3201"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* solemn \w promise|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \add to sacrifice the first one who came out of my house\add*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3201"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H3201"\w* \w promised|strong="H3068"\w*.”   
\p
\v 36 \w His|strong="H3068"\w* daughter \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w My|strong="H3068"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w*, \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* solemn \w promise|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w must|strong="H1121"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w promised|strong="H3318"\w*, \w because|strong="H3068"\w* \add you said that you would do that if\add* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* helped \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* defeat \w our|strong="H3068"\w* enemies, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group.”  
\v 37 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w also|strong="H6213"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w But|strong="H5921"\w* allow \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w*. ◄\w First|strong="H2088"\w*/\w before|strong="H4480"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* promised►, allow \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w into|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* wander \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w*. \w Since|strong="H4480"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1697"\w* never \w be|strong="H1697"\w* married \add and have children\add*, allow \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* friends \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* cry \w together|strong="H5921"\w*.”   
\p
\v 38 Jephthah replied, “\w All|strong="H1058"\w* right, \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w may|strong="H1931"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w*.” \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w left|strong="H7971"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* friends stayed \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w cried|strong="H1058"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* would never \w be|strong="H2022"\w* married.  
\v 39 \w After|strong="H7093"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w*, \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w* father Jephthah, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w* \w what|strong="H3045"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w vowed|strong="H5087"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* daughter \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* married.  
\p Because \w of|strong="H7093"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* Israelis \w now|strong="H1961"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w custom|strong="H2706"\w*.  
\v 40 \w Every|strong="H3212"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w young|strong="H3117"\w* Israeli \w women|strong="H1323"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \add into the hills\add* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* four \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* remember \add and cry about what happened to\add* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*.   
\c 12  
\s1 Jephthah’s army defeated the tribe of Ephraim  
\p
\v 1 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ephraim \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w their|strong="H8313"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \add the Jordan River\add* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \add the town of \add* Zaphon \add to talk with\add* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w*, “◄\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w ask|strong="H6817"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* help?/\w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w should|strong="H4069"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* requested \w us|strong="H5921"\w*► \w to|strong="H3212"\w* help \w your|strong="H5921"\w* army \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group. \w So|strong="H7121"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* \w burn|strong="H8313"\w* \w down|strong="H8313"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w while|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w*.”   
\p
\v 2 \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* replied, “\w The|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group \w were|strong="H1961"\w* oppressing \w us|strong="H3027"\w* \w greatly|strong="H3966"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w prepared|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* start \w to|strong="H1961"\w* attack \w them|strong="H3027"\w*, \w I|strong="H3808"\w* requested \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w* \w us|strong="H3027"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w*. \w My|strong="H1961"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* defeated \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w* \w us|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 3 \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H2088"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* willing \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* killed \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w battle|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w Ammon|strong="H5983"\w* people-group. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w helped|strong="H3467"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \add You did not help us when we requested it before\add*, \w so|strong="H5414"\w* ◄\w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w here|strong="H2088"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*?/\w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H2088"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w here|strong="H2088"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*.►” [RHQ]   
\p
\v 4 \w Then|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* summoned \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H8432"\w* \add the\add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add* \w to|strong="H6908"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \add against the men of the tribe of\add* Ephraim. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H8432"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H8432"\w* Ephraim said, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H8432"\w* \add the \add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add* are \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* deserted \w us|strong="H3588"\w*. \w Long|strong="H3605"\w* ago \w you|strong="H3588"\w* left \w us|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H1568"\w* moved \w to|strong="H6908"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* area \w between|strong="H8432"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w and|strong="H1568"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H8432"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w*.” \add Because of their saying that\add*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H8432"\w* \add the\add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H8432"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H8432"\w* Ephraim.  
\v 5 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* men \w of|strong="H4569"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* ◄\w ford|strong="H4569"\w*/\w place|strong="H1961"\w* \w where|strong="H3808"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w can|strong="H3808"\w* \w walk|strong="H5674"\w* \w across|strong="H5674"\w*► \w at|strong="H3383"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \add River\add* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* land \w where|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4569"\w* Ephraim live. \w Whenever|strong="H1961"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H4569"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* soldiers \w from|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4569"\w* Ephraim \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w ford|strong="H4569"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* try \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w escape|strong="H6412"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H1568"\w* say, “\w Let|strong="H3808"\w* \w me|strong="H5674"\w* \w cross|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w river|strong="H3588"\w*.” \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* men \w of|strong="H4569"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w would|strong="H1568"\w* ask \w him|strong="H1961"\w*, “\w Are|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w from|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4569"\w* Ephraim?” \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* said “\w No|strong="H3808"\w*,”  
\v 6 \w they|strong="H3651"\w* would \w say|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H1931"\w*, “\w Say|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H7819"\w* \w word|strong="H1696"\w* ‘\w Shibboleth|strong="H7641"\w*’.” \w The|strong="H7819"\w* \w men|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H6256"\w* Ephraim \w could|strong="H3559"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pronounce|strong="H1696"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w word|strong="H1696"\w* \w correctly|strong="H3651"\w*. \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w if|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H7819"\w* \w person|strong="H1696"\w* \w from|strong="H5307"\w* \w the|strong="H7819"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H6256"\w* Ephraim \w said|strong="H1696"\w* ‘\w Sibboleth|strong="H5451"\w*’, \add they would know that he was lying and that he was really from the tribe of Ephraim, and\add* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* would \w kill|strong="H7819"\w* \w him|strong="H1931"\w* there \w at|strong="H3383"\w* \w the|strong="H7819"\w* \w ford|strong="H4569"\w*.  
\p \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H7819"\w* \w men|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H6256"\w* Gilead \w killed|strong="H7819"\w* 42,000 \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w from|strong="H5307"\w* \w the|strong="H7819"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H6256"\w* Ephraim \w at|strong="H3383"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*.   
\m
\v 7 \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*, \w the|strong="H8199"\w* \w man|strong="H4191"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \add the\add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add*, \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* leader \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H8199"\w* Israeli people \w for|strong="H4191"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3478"\w* \w he|strong="H8141"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \add the\add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region\add*.   
\s1 Ibzan became their leader  
\p
\v 8 After Jephthah died, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* man named \w Ibzan|strong="H8199"\w*, \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*, became \w the|strong="H8199"\w* leader \w of|strong="H8199"\w* \w the|strong="H8199"\w* Israeli people.  
\v 9 \w He|strong="H4480"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* 30 \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 30 \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w*. \w He|strong="H4480"\w* forced \w all|strong="H4480"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w marry|strong="H1961"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* clan, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w brought|strong="H3478"\w* \w women|strong="H1323"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w outside|strong="H2351"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* clan \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w marry|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*. \w He|strong="H4480"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* leader \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 10 When \w he|strong="H6912"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w he|strong="H6912"\w* was \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*.   
\s1 Elon became their leader  
\p
\v 11 \w After|strong="H8141"\w* \w Ibzan|strong="H8199"\w* died, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* man named Elon, \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H8199"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H8141"\w* Zebulun, became \w the|strong="H8199"\w* leader \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H8199"\w* Israeli people. \w He|strong="H8141"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* their leader \w for|strong="H3478"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 12 \w Then|strong="H4191"\w* \w he|strong="H2074"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H4191"\w* was \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* Aijalon \add city\add* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* area where \w the|strong="H4191"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4191"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* lives.   
\s1 Abdon became their leader  
\p
\v 13 After Elon died, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* named \w Abdon|strong="H5658"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H8199"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hillel|strong="H1985"\w*, \w from|strong="H3478"\w* Pirathon \add city, in the area where the tribe of Ephraim live\add* became \w the|strong="H8199"\w* leader \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H8199"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 14 \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* 40 \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 30 \w grandsons|strong="H1121"\w*. Each \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* donkey \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w which|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w ride|strong="H7392"\w*. Abdon \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* leader \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w eight|strong="H8083"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 15 \w When|strong="H1121"\w* \w Abdon|strong="H5658"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w he|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w Pirathon|strong="H6552"\w*, \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w* where \w the|strong="H4191"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Amalek lived previously, \add but now it is the area where the tribe of Ephraim lives\add*.   
\c 13  
\s1 Samson was born  
\p
\v 1 \w Again|strong="H3254"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* said \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w very|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w enabled|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Philistia \w to|strong="H3478"\w* conquer \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* ruled \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Israelis \w for|strong="H6213"\w* 40 \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\p
\v 2 \w There|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* man \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w from|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w descendants|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1839"\w* \w who|strong="H3205"\w* \w lived|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H8034"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \add town\add*. \w His|strong="H1961"\w* wife \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w unable|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* pregnant, \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w children|strong="H3205"\w*.  
\v 3 \w One|strong="H3808"\w* day, \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w appeared|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* Manoah’s wife \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* form \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w an|strong="H7200"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w*, “\w Even|strong="H3808"\w* though \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* able \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w give|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w any|strong="H7200"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w* \w until|strong="H3068"\w* \w now|strong="H4994"\w*, \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w soon|strong="H3205"\w* \w become|strong="H3205"\w* \w pregnant|strong="H2029"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w give|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 4  \add From now until he is born\add*, \w you|strong="H3605"\w* must \w not|strong="H8354"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w or|strong="H3196"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* alcoholic/fermented \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w and|strong="H8354"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* must \w not|strong="H8354"\w* eat \w any|strong="H3605"\w* food \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H3605"\w* make \w you|strong="H3605"\w* unacceptable \w to|strong="H8104"\w* God.  
\v 5 \w After|strong="H4480"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w give|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w must|strong="H1121"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* allow \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w hair|strong="H7218"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w cut|strong="H3478"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w must|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w dedicated|strong="H5139"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* day \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w until|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* day \w he|strong="H1931"\w* dies. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \add many of\add* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Philistia.”   
\p
\v 6 \w The|strong="H3372"\w* \w woman|strong="H2088"\w* ran \w and|strong="H3372"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* husband, “\w A|strong="H3068"\w* prophet \w came|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H4397"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w looked|strong="H4758"\w* \w awesome|strong="H3372"\w*, \w like|strong="H4758"\w* \w an|strong="H2088"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w from|strong="H8034"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w*. \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w where|strong="H2088"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w came|strong="H4397"\w* \w from|strong="H8034"\w*, \w and|strong="H3372"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w his|strong="H5046"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*.  
\v 7 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* told \w me|strong="H4480"\w*, ‘\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w pregnant|strong="H2029"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w give|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*. \w Until|strong="H5704"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w must|strong="H1121"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w or|strong="H5704"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* alcoholic/fermented \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w must|strong="H1121"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* eat \w any|strong="H3605"\w* food \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H5288"\w* \w make|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* unacceptable \w to|strong="H5704"\w* God. \w Your|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w must|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w dedicated|strong="H5139"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* God \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w dies|strong="H4194"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 8 \w Then|strong="H7971"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w prayed|strong="H6279"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, saying, “\w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w I|strong="H5288"\w* plead \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w*, \w allow|strong="H4994"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* prophet whom \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H4994"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w teach|strong="H3384"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* raise \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w boy|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H5750"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w*.”   
\p
\v 9 God \w did|strong="H5750"\w* \w what|strong="H6963"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* asked, \w and|strong="H6963"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* appeared \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w his|strong="H8085"\w* wife \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* form \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w an|strong="H3427"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w*, \w while|strong="H5750"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w out|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w But|strong="H8085"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w her|strong="H8085"\w* husband \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w not|strong="H8085"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w her|strong="H8085"\w*.  
\v 10 \w So|strong="H7200"\w* she \w quickly|strong="H4116"\w* \w ran|strong="H7323"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* said \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* husband, “\w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w man|strong="H7200"\w* \w who|strong="H7323"\w* \w appeared|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* few \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w ago|strong="H3117"\w* \w has|strong="H3117"\w* come back again!”   
\p
\v 11 \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w ran|strong="H3212"\w* \w back|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w wife|strong="H1696"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w asked|strong="H1696"\w*, “Are \w you|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* man who \w talked|strong="H1696"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w my|strong="H6965"\w* \w wife|strong="H1696"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* few days ago?” \w He|strong="H1696"\w* \w replied|strong="H1696"\w*, “Yes, \w I|strong="H6965"\w* am.”   
\p
\v 12 \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* \w him|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* promised \w occurs|strong="H1961"\w* \add and my wife gives birth to a son\add*, \w what|strong="H4100"\w* rules must \w he|strong="H1697"\w* obey, \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w work|strong="H4639"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1697"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \add when he grows up\add*?”   
\p
\v 13 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* replied, “\w Your|strong="H3068"\w* wife must \w obey|strong="H8104"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w instructions|strong="H8104"\w* \w I|strong="H3068"\w* gave \w her|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 14  \add Before the baby is born\add*, \w she|strong="H3808"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* eat grapes, \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* alcoholic/fermented \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w or|strong="H3808"\w* eat \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* make \w her|strong="H3605"\w* unacceptable \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w*.”   
\p
\v 15 \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* said, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* stay here \w until|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* kill \w and|strong="H3068"\w* cook \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H1423"\w* \w goat|strong="H5795"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*.”   
\p
\v 16 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* stay here, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w eat|strong="H3899"\w* \w anything|strong="H3899"\w*. \w However|strong="H3588"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w may|strong="H3068"\w* kill \w an|strong="H6213"\w* animal \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H5930"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* burned \w offering|strong="H5930"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*.” (\w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \add man he thought was an\add* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* really \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*.)   
\p
\v 17 \w Then|strong="H3588"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w asked|strong="H1697"\w* \w him|strong="H3588"\w*, “\w What|strong="H1697"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*? \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w promised|strong="H3068"\w* happens, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* want \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w honor|strong="H3513"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.”   
\p
\v 18 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* replied, “◄\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w me|strong="H7592"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*?/\w You|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H2088"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w me|strong="H7592"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*.► [RHQ] \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* ◄\w wonderful|strong="H6383"\w*/\w it|strong="H1931"\w* cannot \w be|strong="H3068"\w* understood►.”  
\v 19 \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* killed \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H1423"\w* \w goat|strong="H5795"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* burned \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w rock|strong="H6697"\w*, \w along|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* grain \w offering|strong="H4503"\w*, \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H4503"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*. \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* \w amazing|strong="H6381"\w* thing \w while|strong="H5921"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w watched|strong="H7200"\w*.  
\v 20 \w Flames|strong="H3851"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* blazed \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w toward|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w sky|strong="H8064"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w ascended|strong="H5927"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w flames|strong="H3851"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w*, \w they|strong="H3068"\w* prostrated \w themselves|strong="H6440"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w ground|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 21 \w Although|strong="H3588"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H3254"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w appear|strong="H7200"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* form \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w an|strong="H7200"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w again|strong="H5750"\w*, \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w realized|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \add man they thought was an\add* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* really \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*.   
\p
\v 22 \w So|strong="H4191"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* said, “\w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H4191"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H7200"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* God!”   
\p
\v 23 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* wife \w said|strong="H8085"\w*, “\w No|strong="H3808"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*, \w because|strong="H3027"\w* \w if|strong="H3863"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* intended \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w kill|strong="H4191"\w* \w us|strong="H7200"\w*, \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w accepted|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* burned \w offering|strong="H4503"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w grain|strong="H3605"\w* \w offering|strong="H4503"\w*. \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w appeared|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w us|strong="H7200"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w told|strong="H8085"\w* \w us|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* wonderful \w thing|strong="H2063"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* happen \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w us|strong="H7200"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* performed \w this|strong="H2063"\w* miracle.”   
\p
\v 24 \w When|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w*, \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*. \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w blessed|strong="H1288"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w grew|strong="H1431"\w* \w up|strong="H1431"\w*.  
\v 25 \w And|strong="H3068"\w* while \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* Mahaneh-Dan, \w which|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w between|strong="H7307"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* Eshtaol \add towns\add*, \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*’s \w Spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w began|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* control \w him|strong="H3068"\w*.   
\c 14  
\s1 Samson’s riddle  
\p
\v 1 \w One|strong="H7200"\w* \w day|strong="H3381"\w* \w when|strong="H7200"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w was|strong="H6430"\w* \w in|strong="H7200"\w* \w Timnah|strong="H8553"\w* \add town\add*, \w he|strong="H3381"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* young \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w woman|strong="H1323"\w* \w there|strong="H7200"\w*.  
\v 2 \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H7200"\w* \w returned|strong="H5927"\w* home, \w he|strong="H7200"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* mother \w and|strong="H7200"\w* father, “\w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* young \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w woman|strong="H1323"\w* \w in|strong="H7200"\w* \w Timnah|strong="H8553"\w*, \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H6258"\w* want \w you|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w get|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w for|strong="H3947"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w* \w so|strong="H3947"\w* \w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w can|strong="H7200"\w* \w marry|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w*.”   
\p
\v 3 \w His|strong="H3605"\w* mother \w and|strong="H1980"\w* father objected \w very|strong="H1980"\w* strongly. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* said, “\w Is|strong="H1931"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w no|strong="H3605"\w* \w woman|strong="H1323"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* tribe, \w or|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli tribes, \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w could|strong="H5971"\w* \w marry|strong="H3947"\w*? \w Why|strong="H3588"\w* \w must|strong="H3947"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* heathen \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w get|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* wife?”  
\p \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* told \w his|strong="H3605"\w* father, “\w Get|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H3947"\w*! \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* want!”  
\v 4 \w His|strong="H3068"\w* mother \w and|strong="H3478"\w* father \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* arranging \w this|strong="H1931"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* preparing \w a|strong="H3068"\w* way \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \add Samson to defeat\add* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w ruling|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H4910"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*.  
\v 5 \w So|strong="H3381"\w*, \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w was|strong="H8123"\w* \w going|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Timnah|strong="H8553"\w*, followed \w by|strong="H5704"\w* \w his|strong="H3381"\w* mother \w and|strong="H3381"\w* father, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H3715"\w* \w lion|strong="H3715"\w* \w attacked|strong="H7125"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w near|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w vineyards|strong="H3754"\w* close \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Timnah|strong="H8553"\w*.  
\v 6 \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*’s \w Spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w came|strong="H3068"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* Samson powerfully, \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* result \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w tore|strong="H8156"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* lion \w apart|strong="H7307"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \add as easily\add* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* if \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H1423"\w* \w goat|strong="H1423"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* mother \w and|strong="H3068"\w* father \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 7 \w When|strong="H1696"\w* \w they|strong="H1696"\w* arrived \w in|strong="H1696"\w* Timnah, \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w talked|strong="H1696"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H1696"\w* young woman, \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w he|strong="H1696"\w* \w liked|strong="H5869"\w* \w her|strong="H3381"\w* very much. \add And his father made arrangements for the wedding\add*.   
\p
\v 8 Later, \w when|strong="H3117"\w* Samson \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Timnah \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* wedding, \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w turned|strong="H7725"\w* \w off|strong="H5493"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* path \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w carcass|strong="H1472"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* lion. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* discovered \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \add after other creatures had eaten all the flesh\add*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w swarm|strong="H5712"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w bees|strong="H1682"\w* \add had made a hive in the skeleton and\add* \w had|strong="H5712"\w* \w made|strong="H7725"\w* \w some|strong="H3117"\w* \w honey|strong="H1706"\w*.  
\v 9 \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w scooped|strong="H7287"\w* some \w of|strong="H3709"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w honey|strong="H1706"\w* \w into|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w hands|strong="H3709"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* ate some \w of|strong="H3709"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H5414"\w* \w walking|strong="H1980"\w* \w along|strong="H1980"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w also|strong="H3588"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* some \w of|strong="H3709"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* mother \w and|strong="H1980"\w* father, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w taken|strong="H7287"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w honey|strong="H1706"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* skeleton \w of|strong="H3709"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* lion, \add because anyone dedicated to God was not to touch any corpse\add*.   
\p
\v 10 \w As|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* father \w was|strong="H6213"\w* \w making|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* final arrangements \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* marriage, \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* party \add for the young men in that area\add*. \w That|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w custom|strong="H3651"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* were \w about|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w be|strong="H3588"\w* married.  
\v 11 \w Thirty|strong="H7970"\w* young \w man|strong="H7200"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* invited \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* party.   
\p
\v 12 \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w Allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*. If \w you|strong="H5414"\w* tel \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* meaning \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w these|strong="H5046"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* celebration, \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w each|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w linen|strong="H5466"\w* robe \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w an|strong="H5414"\w* extra \w set|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* clothes.  
\v 13 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* if \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* meaning, \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w each|strong="H5414"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w linen|strong="H5466"\w* robe \w and|strong="H7970"\w* \w an|strong="H5414"\w* extra \w set|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H2487"\w* clothes.” \w They|strong="H3808"\w* replied, “\w All|strong="H5414"\w* right. \w Tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*.”   
\p
\v 14 \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w*,  
\q1 “\w From|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* thing \w that|strong="H3117"\w* eats \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w something|strong="H4966"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w eat|strong="H3978"\w*;  
\q2 \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w something|strong="H4966"\w* \w strong|strong="H5794"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w something|strong="H4966"\w* \w sweet|strong="H4966"\w*.”  
\m \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w could|strong="H3201"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* meaning \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*.   
\p
\v 15 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w fourth|strong="H7637"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*’s bride, “Ask \w your|strong="H3808"\w* husband \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* meaning \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*. \w If|strong="H6435"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* do \w not|strong="H3808"\w* do \w that|strong="H3117"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w burn|strong="H8313"\w* \w down|strong="H8313"\w* \w your|strong="H3808"\w* father’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w with|strong="H8313"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w inside|strong="H1004"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w*! \w Did|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w invite|strong="H7121"\w* \w us|strong="H5046"\w* here only \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w make|strong="H5046"\w* \w us|strong="H5046"\w* \w poor|strong="H3423"\w* \add by forcing us to buy a lot of clothes for your husband\add*?”   
\p
\v 16 \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*’s wife \w came|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w crying|strong="H1058"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* said \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w You|strong="H5921"\w* do \w not|strong="H3808"\w* really love \w me|strong="H5046"\w*. \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w hate|strong="H8130"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w*! \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* friends, \w but|strong="H7535"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* meaning \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*!”  
\p \w He|strong="H3808"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* meaning \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w* \w even|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* mother \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w*, \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w why|strong="H5921"\w* should \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*?”  
\v 17 \w She|strong="H3588"\w* \w continued|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* cry \w every|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w all|strong="H1058"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w rest|strong="H1961"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* celebration. Finally, \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w continued|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* nag \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* meaning \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w young|strong="H1121"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w*.   
\p
\v 18 \w So|strong="H3808"\w*, \w before|strong="H2962"\w* sunset \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w young|strong="H4672"\w* \w men|strong="H5794"\w* \w came|strong="H4672"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* Samson \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w said|strong="H2790"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w him|strong="H4672"\w*,  
\q1 “\w What|strong="H4100"\w*/\w Nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w sweeter|strong="H4966"\w* \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w honey|strong="H1706"\w* [RHQ].  
\q2 \w What|strong="H4100"\w*/\w Nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w stronger|strong="H5794"\w* \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* lion [RHQ]!”  
\p Samson replied, “\add You should not force a heifer to\add* \w plow|strong="H2790"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* field [\w MET|strong="H4672"\w*].  
\q1 Similarly, \w if|strong="H3884"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H4672"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* forced \w my|strong="H4672"\w* bride \w to|strong="H3117"\w* ask \w me|strong="H4672"\w* \w about|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w* [\w MET|strong="H4672"\w*],  
\q2 \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w would|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H4672"\w* \w known|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* answer \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w my|strong="H4672"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*!”   
\p
\v 19 \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*’s \w Spirit|strong="H7307"\w* powerfully \w took|strong="H3947"\w* control \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Samson. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \add the coast at\add* Ashkelon \add town\add*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* 30 \w men|strong="H3947"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* clothes \add and went back to Timnah\add* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H3947"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* meaning \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*. \w But|strong="H1992"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H2734"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w what|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* happened, \w so|strong="H3947"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w back|strong="H5927"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* live \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* mother \w and|strong="H3068"\w* father.  
\v 20 \w So|strong="H1961"\w* ◄\w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*’s wife \w was|strong="H1961"\w* given/\w the|strong="H1961"\w* bride’s father \w gave|strong="H1961"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*’s wife► \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* man \w who|strong="H7462"\w* \w who|strong="H7462"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*’s best man \w at|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* wedding, \add but Samson did not know that\add*.   
\c 15  
\s1 Samson got revenge on the Philistines  
\p
\v 1 \w During|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* harvested \w wheat|strong="H2406"\w*, \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w took|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H1423"\w* \w goat|strong="H5795"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* Timnah \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w present|strong="H5414"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* wife. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* planned \w to|strong="H1961"\w* sleep \w with|strong="H3117"\w* [EUP] \w his|strong="H5414"\w* wife, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* father would \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w* \w into|strong="H1961"\w* \add her room\add*.   
\p
\v 2 \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* Samson, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* really thought \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*. \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w man|strong="H2896"\w* \w who|strong="H2896"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w man|strong="H2896"\w* \w at|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* wedding, \w and|strong="H2896"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* married \w him|strong="H5414"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w look|strong="H4994"\w*, \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w younger|strong="H6996"\w* sister \w is|strong="H2896"\w* [RHQ] \w more|strong="H4480"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H3808"\w* \w marry|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*!”   
\p
\v 3 \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* replied, “\w No|strong="H6213"\w*! \w And|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H6430"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* right \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w get|strong="H6213"\w* revenge \w on|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*!”  
\v 4 \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w he|strong="H8147"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w out|strong="H3947"\w* \add into the fields\add* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w caught|strong="H3920"\w* 300 \w foxes|strong="H7776"\w*. \w He|strong="H8147"\w* tied \w their|strong="H3947"\w* \w tails|strong="H2180"\w* \w together|strong="H8147"\w*, two-by-two. \w He|strong="H8147"\w* fastened \w torches|strong="H3940"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w each|strong="H3947"\w* \w pair|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H8432"\w* \w tails|strong="H2180"\w*.  
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* lit \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w torches|strong="H3940"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w let|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* foxes run through \w the|strong="H5704"\w* fields \w of|strong="H3754"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*. \w The|strong="H5704"\w* fire \add from the torches\add* \w burned|strong="H1197"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w grain|strong="H7054"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* ground, \w including|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w grain|strong="H7054"\w* \w that|strong="H5704"\w* \w had|strong="H6430"\w* been cut \w and|strong="H7971"\w* piled \w in|strong="H7971"\w* bundles. \w The|strong="H5704"\w* fire \w also|strong="H6430"\w* \w burned|strong="H1197"\w* \w down|strong="H7971"\w* \w their|strong="H7971"\w* grapevines \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w their|strong="H7971"\w* \w olive|strong="H2132"\w* \w trees|strong="H2132"\w*.   
\p
\v 6 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* asked, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*?” \w Someone|strong="H4310"\w* \w told|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w married|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* woman \w from|strong="H5927"\w* Timnah, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w then|strong="H3947"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w father-in-law|strong="H2860"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* man \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w was|strong="H6430"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*’s best man \w at|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* wedding, \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w married|strong="H3947"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*.” \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \add to Timnah\add* \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w got|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* woman \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* father, \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w burned|strong="H8313"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* death.   
\p
\v 7 \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \add found out about that, and he\add* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w Because|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3588"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H2308"\w* \w stop|strong="H2308"\w* \w until|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w get|strong="H6213"\w* \w revenge|strong="H5358"\w* \w on|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*!”  
\v 8 \w So|strong="H3427"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Philistines furiously, \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w many|strong="H1419"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Then|strong="H5221"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \add to hide\add* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* cave \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w large|strong="H1419"\w* \w rock|strong="H5553"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w place|strong="H3427"\w* called \w Etam|strong="H5862"\w*.   
\p
\v 9 \w The|strong="H5927"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \add did not know where he was, so they \add* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* where \w the|strong="H5927"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H5927"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* lived, \w set|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w their|strong="H5927"\w* \w tents|strong="H2583"\w* near \w Lehi|strong="H3896"\w* \add town and then raided the town\add*.  
\v 10 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w there|strong="H5927"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Philistines, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H3063"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5927"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*?”  
\p \w The|strong="H5921"\w* Philistines replied, “\w We|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3063"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* capture \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*. \w We|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3063"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w get|strong="H6213"\w* revenge \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*.”   
\p
\v 11  \add Someone there knew where Samson was hiding\add*. \w So|strong="H3651"\w* 3,000 \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w from|strong="H3381"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w get|strong="H6213"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w at|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* cave \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w rock|strong="H5553"\w* \w where|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H3063"\w* hiding. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, “\w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H6213"\w* Philistia \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w ruling|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H4910"\w* \w us|strong="H6213"\w*? \w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3063"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w us|strong="H6213"\w*?”  
\p \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* replied, “\w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w thing|strong="H2063"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H3063"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* got revenge \w on|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H3381"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\p
\v 12 But \w the|strong="H5414"\w* men \w from|strong="H3381"\w* Judah said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w We|strong="H6435"\w* \w have|strong="H6430"\w* \w come|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* tie \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w up|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*.”  
\p \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said, “\w All|strong="H5414"\w* right, but \w promise|strong="H7650"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w yourselves|strong="H3027"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w not|strong="H6435"\w* \w kill|strong="H6293"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*!”   
\p
\v 13 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* replied, “\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* just tie \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w take|strong="H5927"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Philistines. \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w kill|strong="H4191"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.” \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w tied|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* led \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w away|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* cave.  
\v 14 \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* arrived \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lehi|strong="H3896"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w toward|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w shouting|strong="H7321"\w* \add triumphantly\add*. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*’s \w Spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* Samson powerfully. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* snapped \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w arms|strong="H2220"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* easily \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* stalks \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w burned|strong="H1197"\w* \w flax|strong="H6593"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w fell|strong="H1961"\w* \w off|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w wrists|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 15 \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w he|strong="H3027"\w* saw \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w donkey|strong="H2543"\w*’s \w jawbone|strong="H3895"\w* lying \w on|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* ground. \w It|strong="H5221"\w* \w was|strong="H3027"\w* \w fresh|strong="H2961"\w*, \add so it was hard\add*. \w He|strong="H3027"\w* picked \w it|strong="H5221"\w* \w up|strong="H3947"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w about|strong="H3947"\w* 1,000 Philistine \w men|strong="H3947"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w it|strong="H5221"\w*.  
\v 16 \w Then|strong="H8123"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* wrote \w this|strong="H5221"\w* poem:  
\q1 “\w With|strong="H3895"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w jawbone|strong="H3895"\w* \w of|strong="H5221"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w donkey|strong="H2543"\w*  
\q2 I have \w made|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w* \w like|strong="H5221"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* heap \w of|strong="H5221"\w* \add dead\add* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*.  
\q1 \w With|strong="H3895"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w jawbone|strong="H3895"\w* \w of|strong="H5221"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w donkey|strong="H2543"\w*  
\q2 I \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* 1,000 men.”   
\m
\v 17 \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w finished|strong="H3615"\w* killing \w those|strong="H1931"\w* \w men|strong="H7121"\w*, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w the|strong="H7121"\w* \w jawbone|strong="H3895"\w* \w away|strong="H7993"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w later|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w Jawbone|strong="H3895"\w* Hill.   
\p
\v 18 \w Then|strong="H6258"\w* Samson \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w thirsty|strong="H6770"\w*, \w so|strong="H7121"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, “\w You|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w strength|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* win \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w victory|strong="H8668"\w*. \w So|strong="H7121"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w* \w because|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w being|strong="H3068"\w* \w thirsty|strong="H6770"\w*, \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* result \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w those|strong="H2063"\w* heathen Philistines \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w take|strong="H5414"\w* \w away|strong="H5307"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w body|strong="H4191"\w* \add and mutilate it\add*?”  
\v 19 \w So|strong="H3651"\w* God caused \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* gush \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* depression \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* ground \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lehi|strong="H3896"\w*. Samson \w drank|strong="H8354"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* soon felt strong \w again|strong="H7725"\w*. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w place|strong="H2088"\w* ‘\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w spring|strong="H4325"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w who|strong="H2088"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w*’. \w That|strong="H3117"\w* \w spring|strong="H4325"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w still|strong="H7725"\w* \w there|strong="H2088"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lehi|strong="H3896"\w*.   
\p
\v 20 Samson \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* leader \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* Israeli people \w for|strong="H3117"\w* 20 \w years|strong="H8141"\w*, \w but|strong="H3117"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \add were the ones who really ruled over the land\add*.   
\c 16  
\s1 Samson removed the gate at Gaza  
\p
\v 1 \w One|strong="H7200"\w* day \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Gaza|strong="H5804"\w* \add city in the Philistia area\add*. \w He|strong="H8033"\w* spent \w some|strong="H8033"\w* time \w with|strong="H3212"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w prostitute|strong="H2181"\w*.  
\v 2 People \w soon|strong="H1242"\w* found \w out|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w there|strong="H2008"\w*, \w so|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* Gaza \w gathered|strong="H5437"\w* together \w at|strong="H2026"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* waited \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w said|strong="H2790"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* themselves, “\w When|strong="H5704"\w* \w it|strong="H1242"\w* dawns \w tomorrow|strong="H1242"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H5892"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \add when he tries to leave the city\add*.”   
\p
\v 3 \w But|strong="H5973"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w did|strong="H2022"\w* \w not|strong="H7760"\w* \w stay|strong="H7901"\w* \w there|strong="H5927"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*. \w At|strong="H5921"\w* \w midnight|strong="H2677"\w*, \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w*. \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w took|strong="H7760"\w* \w hold|strong="H6965"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w its|strong="H5921"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w posts|strong="H4201"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w lifted|strong="H5927"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w out|strong="H5265"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w ground|strong="H6440"\w*, \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w its|strong="H5921"\w* \add connecting cross\add* \w bar|strong="H1280"\w* \w still|strong="H7901"\w* \w attached|strong="H7760"\w*. \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H7760"\w* \w shoulders|strong="H3802"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w carried|strong="H5927"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \add many miles\add* uphill \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*.   
\p
\v 4 \w Later|strong="H1961"\w* Samson \w fell|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H8034"\w* love \w with|strong="H3651"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w woman|strong="H8034"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w*, \add and started to live with her\add*. \w She|strong="H3651"\w* \w lived|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H8034"\w* \w Sorek|strong="H7796"\w* \w Valley|strong="H5158"\w* \add in the Philistia area\add*.  
\v 5 \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w leaders|strong="H5633"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* said, “\w Find|strong="H3201"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* Samson \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w makes|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w so|strong="H5414"\w* \w strong|strong="H3581"\w*. \w And|strong="H3967"\w* \w find|strong="H3201"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H3201"\w* subdue \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* tie \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* securely. \w If|strong="H7200"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w*, \w each|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H3701"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* 1,100 pieces \w of|strong="H3701"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*.”   
\p
\v 6 \w So|strong="H4994"\w* \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* said \w to|strong="H5046"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w makes|strong="H3581"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w so|strong="H4994"\w* \w strong|strong="H3581"\w*, \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* someone \w can|strong="H4100"\w* subdue \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* tie \w you|strong="H5046"\w* up.”   
\p
\v 7 \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said, “\w If|strong="H1961"\w* someone ties \w me|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H1961"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* new \w bowstrings|strong="H3499"\w*, ones \w that|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w dry|strong="H2717"\w* \w yet|strong="H3808"\w*, \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w weak|strong="H2470"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* other \w men|strong="H7651"\w*.”   
\p
\v 8 \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \add after Delilah told that to the Philistine leaders\add*, \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* new \w bowstrings|strong="H3499"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* Delilah.  
\v 9 \w Then|strong="H3045"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* hid \w the|strong="H5921"\w* men \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w rooms|strong="H2315"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* house. \w Then|strong="H3045"\w* \add while Samson was sleeping\add*, \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w tied|strong="H6616"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w bowstrings|strong="H3499"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3045"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* called \w out|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*! \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* \w come|strong="H3045"\w* \w here|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* capture \w you|strong="H5921"\w*!” \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w snapped|strong="H5423"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w bowstrings|strong="H3499"\w* \w as|strong="H3427"\w* easily \w as|strong="H3427"\w* though \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H6430"\w* strings \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w had|strong="H6430"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* singed \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* fire. \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w find|strong="H3045"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w what|strong="H3045"\w* \w made|strong="H3045"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w strong|strong="H3581"\w*.   
\p
\v 10 \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, “\w You|strong="H5046"\w* \w have|strong="H6258"\w* \w deceived|strong="H2048"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w and|strong="H1696"\w* \w lied|strong="H3576"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*! \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \add the truth,\add* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* someone \w can|strong="H4100"\w* tie \w you|strong="H5046"\w* up securely.”   
\p
\v 11 Samson replied, “\w If|strong="H1961"\w* someone ties \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w*, ones \w that|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w used|strong="H6213"\w*, \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w weak|strong="H2470"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* other \w men|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\p
\v 12 \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w again|strong="H3947"\w*, \add she told the Philistine leaders, and\add* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \add came and\add* hid \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w room|strong="H2315"\w* \w as|strong="H3427"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H6430"\w* done \w before|strong="H5921"\w*. \w And|strong="H6430"\w* \w again|strong="H3947"\w*, \w while|strong="H5921"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w was|strong="H6430"\w* sleeping, \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w and|strong="H6430"\w* tied \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* called \w out|strong="H3947"\w*, “\w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*! \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w have|strong="H6430"\w* come \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w capture|strong="H3947"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*!” \w But|strong="H3947"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w snapped|strong="H5423"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w arms|strong="H2220"\w* \w as|strong="H3427"\w* easily \w as|strong="H3427"\w* if \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H6430"\w* threads.   
\p
\v 13 \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w You|strong="H5704"\w* \w have|strong="H1696"\w* \w deceived|strong="H2048"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w lied|strong="H3576"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \add again\add*! Please \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* someone \w can|strong="H4100"\w* tie \w you|strong="H5704"\w* \w up|strong="H5704"\w* securely!” \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w replied|strong="H1696"\w*, “If \w you|strong="H5704"\w* weave \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w braids|strong="H4253"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w my|strong="H5046"\w* \w hair|strong="H7218"\w* \w into|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* threads \w you|strong="H5704"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* weaving \w on|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* loom, \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w then|strong="H1696"\w* fasten \w those|strong="H5973"\w* threads \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* pin \add that makes the threads tight\add*, \w then|strong="H1696"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H4100"\w* be \w as|strong="H5704"\w* weak \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w other|strong="H2008"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w*.”  
\p \w So|strong="H1696"\w* \w again|strong="H1696"\w*, \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w was|strong="H7218"\w* sleeping \w on|strong="H1696"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* lap, \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* held \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w braids|strong="H4253"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w his|strong="H5046"\w* \w hair|strong="H7218"\w*, \w and|strong="H7218"\w* wove \w them|strong="H5046"\w* \w into|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* threads \w on|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* loom,  
\v 14 \w and|strong="H6430"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* tightened \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pin|strong="H3489"\w*. \w Then|strong="H8123"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* called \w out|strong="H5265"\w*, “\w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*! \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w have|strong="H6430"\w* come \w to|strong="H5921"\w* capture \w you|strong="H5921"\w*!” \w But|strong="H5921"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w woke|strong="H3364"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H6430"\w* \w pulled|strong="H5265"\w* \w out|strong="H5265"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pin|strong="H3489"\w*, \w and|strong="H6430"\w* \w pulled|strong="H5265"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* hair \w from|strong="H5265"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* threads \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* loom.   
\p
\v 15 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* Delilah said \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w*, “\w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w* say \w that|strong="H2088"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w* love \w me|strong="H5046"\w* when \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H5046"\w* \w truth|strong="H3808"\w* about \w yourself|strong="H3820"\w*? \w You|strong="H5046"\w* \w have|strong="H3808"\w* \w deceived|strong="H2048"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w times|strong="H6471"\w*, \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w* still \w have|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w really|strong="H2088"\w* \w makes|strong="H3581"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w strong|strong="H3581"\w*!”  
\v 16 \w Day|strong="H3117"\w* \w after|strong="H1961"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* nagged \w him|strong="H4191"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w thought|strong="H1697"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H1697"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w* \w from|strong="H5315"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* nagging [IDM].   
\p
\v 17 Finally Samson \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w truth|strong="H3808"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w set|strong="H5927"\w* apart \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w since|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* day \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w born|strong="H3808"\w*. \w And|strong="H7218"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w*, \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w hair|strong="H7218"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w cut|strong="H1548"\w*. \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w hair|strong="H7218"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w shaved|strong="H1548"\w* \w off|strong="H5493"\w*, \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w strength|strong="H3581"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w gone|strong="H5927"\w*, \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w weak|strong="H2470"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w*.”   
\p
\v 18 \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H7200"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H6430"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* truth. \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w leaders|strong="H5633"\w* \w again|strong="H7971"\w*, saying, “\w Come|strong="H5927"\w* \w back|strong="H5927"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w more|strong="H6471"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* Samson \w has|strong="H3820"\w* really \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \add about why he is so strong\add*”. \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w leaders|strong="H5633"\w* \w returned|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w* \add that they promised to give her\add*.  
\v 19 Again \w she|strong="H7121"\w* lulled Samson \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w sleep|strong="H3462"\w*, \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w lap|strong="H1290"\w*. \w Then|strong="H7121"\w* \w she|strong="H7121"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w one|strong="H7651"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Philistine \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* come \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w shave|strong="H1548"\w* \w off|strong="H5493"\w* Samson’s \w hair|strong="H7218"\w*. \w As|strong="H7121"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* did \w that|strong="H7121"\w*, Samson \w began|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w get|strong="H5493"\w* weaker. \w And|strong="H7218"\w* finally \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w strength|strong="H3581"\w* \w was|strong="H7218"\w* \w all|strong="H5921"\w* \w gone|strong="H5493"\w*.   
\p
\v 20 \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \add after she tied him up\add*, \w she|strong="H1931"\w* called \w out|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*! \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* capture \w you|strong="H3588"\w*!”  
\p \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w woke|strong="H3364"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w thought|strong="H3045"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w before|strong="H5921"\w*. \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w shake|strong="H5287"\w* \add these ropes\add* \w off|strong="H5493"\w* \w myself|strong="H3045"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w free|strong="H3318"\w*!” \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\p
\v 21 \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* men seized \w him|strong="H3381"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w gouged|strong="H5365"\w* \w out|strong="H5365"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H6430"\w* \w took|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w Gaza|strong="H5804"\w*. \w There|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H6430"\w* \w put|strong="H3381"\w* \w him|strong="H3381"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w prison|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* bound \w him|strong="H3381"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w bronze|strong="H5178"\w* \w chains|strong="H5178"\w*. \w They|strong="H6430"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H3381"\w* \add turn a millstone to\add* \w grind|strong="H2912"\w* grain \add every day\add*.  
\v 22 But \w his|strong="H1548"\w* \w hair|strong="H8181"\w* \w started|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H2490"\w* \w grow|strong="H6779"\w* \w again|strong="H6779"\w*.   
\s1 Samson killed many thousands of Philistines when he died  
\p
\v 23  \add Several months later\add* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w leaders|strong="H5633"\w* celebrated \w a|strong="H3068"\w* big \w festival|strong="H8057"\w*. During \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w festival|strong="H8057"\w* \w they|strong="H3027"\w* \w offered|strong="H2076"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H2077"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w god|strong="H5414"\w* \w Dagon|strong="H1712"\w*. \w They|strong="H3027"\w* praised \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, saying, “\w Our|strong="H5414"\w* \w god|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H3027"\w* \w enabled|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w defeat|strong="H5414"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* enemy \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*!”   
\p
\v 24 \w And|strong="H3027"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* other \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* Samson, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w also|strong="H3027"\w* \w praised|strong="H1984"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w god|strong="H5414"\w* Dagon, saying,  
\q1 “Samson \w ruined|strong="H2717"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* crops \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w killed|strong="H2491"\w* \w many|strong="H7235"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*,  
\q2 \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* \w god|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H3027"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* enemy \w into|strong="H3027"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\q2 \w Our|strong="H5414"\w* \w god|strong="H5414"\w* \w helped|strong="H3027"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* capture \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w one|strong="H2491"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w has|strong="H3027"\w* \w killed|strong="H2491"\w* \w so|strong="H5414"\w* \w many|strong="H7235"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*!”   
\p
\v 25 \w By|strong="H7121"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H3820"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* half-drunk. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w shouted|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Bring|strong="H7121"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w out|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w prison|strong="H1004"\w*! \w Bring|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* here \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H1004"\w* \w entertain|strong="H7832"\w* \w us|strong="H6440"\w*!”  
\p \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w brought|strong="H1961"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w prison|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* fun \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* center \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* between \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w two|strong="H1004"\w* \w pillars|strong="H5982"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w held|strong="H1961"\w* \w up|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* roof.  
\v 26 \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H5288"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* leading \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*, “\w Place|strong="H3027"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w two|strong="H1004"\w* \w pillars|strong="H5982"\w*. \w I|strong="H5921"\w* want \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w rest|strong="H8172"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.”  
\v 27 \w At|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w time|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w full|strong="H4390"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* women. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w leaders|strong="H5633"\w* \w were|strong="H6430"\w* \w also|strong="H6430"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. \w And|strong="H1004"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w were|strong="H6430"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* 3,000 \w people|strong="H7200"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w roof|strong="H1406"\w*, \w watching|strong="H7832"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w making|strong="H3605"\w* fun \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 28 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w prayed|strong="H4994"\w*, saying, “\w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w think|strong="H5869"\w* about \w me|strong="H4994"\w* again! \w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w give|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w strength|strong="H2388"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w more|strong="H6471"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w*, \w so|strong="H7121"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w may|strong="H4994"\w* get \w revenge|strong="H5358"\w* \w on|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3069"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* gouging \w out|strong="H2388"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w*!”  
\v 29 \w Then|strong="H8123"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w put|strong="H5564"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* hands \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w center|strong="H8432"\w* \w pillars|strong="H5982"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \w put|strong="H5564"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w hand|strong="H3225"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H8147"\w* \w pillar|strong="H5982"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w left|strong="H8040"\w* \w hand|strong="H3225"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w other|strong="H8147"\w* \w pillar|strong="H5982"\w*.  
\v 30 \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* shouted \add to God\add*, “\w Let|strong="H5186"\w* \w me|strong="H5315"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*!”, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* pushed \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w strength|strong="H3581"\w*. \add The pillars collapsed\add*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* crashed \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w leaders|strong="H5633"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \add and they all died\add*. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w killed|strong="H4191"\w* \w more|strong="H7227"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w killed|strong="H4191"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w during|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w*.   
\p
\v 31 Later \w his|strong="H3605"\w* brothers \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* relatives \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \add from Zorah to Gaza\add* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w get|strong="H5927"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* body. \w They|strong="H8141"\w* \w took|strong="H5375"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w back|strong="H5927"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w between|strong="H8199"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* Eshtaol, \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H1004"\w* \w where|strong="H1004"\w* Samson’s father \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w*. Samson \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w been|strong="H5927"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*’s leader \w for|strong="H1004"\w* 20 \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\c 17  
\s1 Micah made idols and hired a priest  
\p
\v 1 \w There|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* man \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4319"\w* who \w lived|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w* where \w the|strong="H1961"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H8034"\w* \w live|strong="H8034"\w*.  
\v 2 \w One|strong="H1121"\w* day \w he|strong="H3068"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* mother, “\w I|strong="H2009"\w* heard \w you|strong="H3947"\w* \w curse|strong="H1288"\w* whoever \w stole|strong="H3947"\w* ◄1,100 pieces/28 pounds/13 kg.► \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* house. \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w one|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w still|strong="H1288"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H3947"\w*.” \w His|strong="H3068"\w* mother replied, “\w My|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w I|strong="H2009"\w* pray \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w bless|strong="H1288"\w* \w you|strong="H3947"\w* \add for admitting that you took it\add*.”   
\p
\v 3 Micah \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* mother. \w Then|strong="H6258"\w* \w she|strong="H3967"\w* said \add to herself\add*, “\w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w give|strong="H7725"\w* \add some of\add* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*.” \w And|strong="H3967"\w* \w she|strong="H3967"\w* said \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, “\w My|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w I|strong="H6258"\w* want \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* \w idol|strong="H6459"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* statue \add from this silver\add*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w give|strong="H7725"\w* \add some of\add* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \add for making these things\add*.”   
\p
\v 4 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w all|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* mother, \w she|strong="H3967"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* ◄200 pieces/\w about|strong="H1961"\w* 5 pounds/1.6 kg.► \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* ◄\w silversmith|strong="H6884"\w*/man \w who|strong="H6884"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*►. \w With|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w that|strong="H5414"\w* man \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* \w idol|strong="H6459"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* statue, \add and gave them to Micah\add*. \w Micah|strong="H4319"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\p
\v 5 \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* special ◄\w shrine|strong="H1004"\w*/\w place|strong="H3027"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* putting sacred \w things|strong="H1961"\w*►. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* sacred vest \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w some|strong="H3027"\w* small \w idols|strong="H8655"\w* \add and put them in this shrine along with the big idol and the statue\add*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w chose|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*.  
\v 6 \w At|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H5869"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \add Micah and everyone else\add* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* whatever \w they|strong="H1992"\w* considered \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w right|strong="H3477"\w* thing \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\p
\v 7 \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w living|strong="H1481"\w* \w in|strong="H1035"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in|strong="H1035"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* area \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w tribe|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H4940"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w lives|strong="H1481"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \add wanted to work as a priest because he\add* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* member \w of|strong="H4940"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w tribe|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H4940"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3881"\w*.  
\v 8 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w left|strong="H4672"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* another \w place|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w live|strong="H1481"\w* \add and work\add*. \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w* \w where|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Ephraim \w live|strong="H1481"\w*.   
\p
\v 9 \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* asked \w him|strong="H4672"\w*, “Where \w are|strong="H3063"\w* \w you|strong="H4672"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w*?”  
\p \w He|strong="H1980"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H4672"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*. \w I|strong="H4672"\w* \w am|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H4672"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4672"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3881"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w I|strong="H4672"\w* \w am|strong="H1980"\w* \w looking|strong="H4672"\w* \w for|strong="H3881"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* place \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w live|strong="H1481"\w* \add and work as a priest\add*.”  
\v 10 \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w Stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w can|strong="H3548"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* father \add to counsel me\add*, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*. \w Each|strong="H3117"\w* \w year|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* pieces \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w some|strong="H3117"\w* \add new\add* clothes. \w And|strong="H3701"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w provide|strong="H5414"\w* food \w for|strong="H3427"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*.”  
\v 11 \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w agreed|strong="H2974"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* Micah. \w He|strong="H3881"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w one|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Micah’s \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 12 \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* appointed \w him|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w lived|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 13 \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* said, “\w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H3190"\w* \w good|strong="H3190"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H1961"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H3045"\w* \w from|strong="H3881"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3881"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*.”   
\c 18  
\s1 The tribe of Dan took Micah’s priest and his idols  
\p
\v 1 \w At|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Israelis \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\p \w Also|strong="H3478"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1839"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w still|strong="H3427"\w* \w searching|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w some|strong="H1992"\w* \w land|strong="H5159"\w* \w where|strong="H1992"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* could \w live|strong="H3427"\w*. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* other Israeli \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \add been able to\add* ◄\add capture/take possession of\add*► \add the\add* \w land|strong="H5159"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w allotted|strong="H5307"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1839"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* able \w to|strong="H5704"\w* do \w that|strong="H3588"\w*.  
\v 2 \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* chose \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H2428"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H7971"\w* \w clans|strong="H4940"\w*, \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* lived \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Eshtaol \add cities\add*, \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w through|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w land|strong="H4940"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w explore|strong="H2713"\w* \w it|strong="H8033"\w* \add and try to find some land where their tribe could live\add*.  
\p \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w tribe|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ephraim lived, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3885"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w that|strong="H1121"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w*.  
\v 3 \w While|strong="H2088"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H3881"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H5493"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w heard|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w had|strong="H4318"\w* \w become|strong="H6213"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s priest talking, \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w recognized|strong="H5234"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* ◄\w his|strong="H5493"\w* accent/\w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w way|strong="H2088"\w* \w that|strong="H3881"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* talked► \add that he was from the southern part of Israel\add*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w went|strong="H3881"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w brought|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w*? \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w*? \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w come|strong="H5288"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w*?”   
\p
\v 4 \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w told|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3548"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*. \w And|strong="H3548"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* said, “\w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* ◄\w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w hired|strong="H7936"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w*/\w is|strong="H2088"\w* paying \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w work|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*►, \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*.”   
\p
\v 5 \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* God if \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H7592"\w* \w succeed|strong="H6743"\w* \add in what we are trying to do\add* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H3045"\w* \w journey|strong="H1870"\w*.”   
\p
\v 6 \w The|strong="H3068"\w* young man replied, “Things \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w well|strong="H7965"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3212"\w*. \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3212"\w* \w on|strong="H1870"\w* \w this|strong="H3068"\w* \w journey|strong="H1870"\w*.”   
\p
\v 7  \add The next day\add* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w left|strong="H3427"\w*. \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Laish|strong="H3919"\w* \add city\add*, \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* safely, \w like|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* Sidon \add city\add* \w did|strong="H5971"\w*. \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w* \w thought|strong="H7130"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* safe/protected \add from any enemies\add*, \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w had|strong="H5971"\w* plenty \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \add good fertile\add* \w land|strong="H7130"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w very|strong="H1992"\w* \w far|strong="H7350"\w* \w from|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* Sidon, \add so the people of Sidon would not be able to help defend/protect them\add*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w had|strong="H5971"\w* \w no|strong="H7200"\w* other ◄allies/groups \w nearby|strong="H7130"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w help|strong="H5971"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* battles►.   
\p
\v 8 When those five men returned \w to|strong="H4100"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and|strong="H6881"\w* Eshtaol, \w their|strong="H4100"\w* relatives \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* them “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* find \w out|strong="H4100"\w*?”   
\p
\v 9 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* replied, “\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H7200"\w* found \w some|strong="H2009"\w* land, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w*. \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w attack|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H7200"\w* \add who live there\add*. \w Why|strong="H5921"\w* \w are|strong="H2896"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* staying \w here|strong="H2009"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w doing|strong="H2814"\w* \w nothing|strong="H2814"\w* [RHQ]? Do \w not|strong="H3588"\w* wait \w any|strong="H7200"\w* longer! \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w immediately|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w take|strong="H3423"\w* \w possession|strong="H3423"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* land!  
\v 10 \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w go|strong="H5971"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* see \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w plenty|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w land|strong="H4725"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H3027"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \add that we will need\add*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H5414"\w* expecting \w anyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* attack \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w Surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w giving|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w land|strong="H4725"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*.”   
\p
\v 11 \w So|strong="H5265"\w* 600 men \w from|strong="H5265"\w* \w the|strong="H8033"\w* \w tribe|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H3627"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1839"\w* \w left|strong="H5265"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* Eshtaol, carrying \w their|strong="H8033"\w* \w weapons|strong="H3627"\w*.  
\v 12 \w On|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w way|strong="H2088"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w set|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w tents|strong="H2583"\w* \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w Kiriath-Jearim|strong="H7157"\w* \add city\add* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \add the area where the tribe of\add* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \add lives\add*. \w That|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w why|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w area|strong="H4725"\w* west \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Kiriath-Jearim|strong="H7157"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* ‘\w Camp|strong="H2583"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Dan’, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w still|strong="H5704"\w* \w its|strong="H5921"\w* \w name|strong="H7121"\w*.  
\v 13 \w From|strong="H5704"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w went|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Ephraim lives. \w And|strong="H1004"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* arrived \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\p
\v 14 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w who|strong="H4100"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* explored \w the|strong="H3588"\w* land near \w Laish|strong="H3919"\w* \w said|strong="H6030"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* fellow Israelis, “\w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w one|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w houses|strong="H1004"\w* \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* sacred vest, several \w idols|strong="H8655"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* statue? \add We think that\add* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*.” [RHQ]  
\v 15 \w So|strong="H5493"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w went|strong="H3881"\w* \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3881"\w* lived, \w which|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* lived, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w greeted|strong="H7592"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3881"\w* \add who had become Micah’s priest\add*.  
\v 16 \w The|strong="H1121"\w* 600 \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w stood|strong="H5324"\w* outside \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* house, carrying \w their|strong="H1835"\w* \w weapons|strong="H3627"\w*.  
\v 17 \w The|strong="H3947"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w who|strong="H3548"\w* \w had|strong="H3548"\w* explored \w the|strong="H3947"\w* land \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w into|strong="H1980"\w* Micah’s house, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w all|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w idols|strong="H8655"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* sacred vest, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* statue. While \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w did|strong="H1980"\w* \w that|strong="H3548"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* 600 \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w stood|strong="H5324"\w* outside \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \add talking\add* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*.   
\p
\v 18 \w When|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* saw \w them|strong="H6213"\w* bringing \w out|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w idols|strong="H8655"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* sacred vest \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* statue, \w he|strong="H6213"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3947"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w*?”   
\p
\v 19 \w They|strong="H5921"\w* replied, “\w Be|strong="H1961"\w* \w quiet|strong="H2790"\w*! \w Do|strong="H3027"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w say|strong="H6310"\w* anything! \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \add like\add* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* father \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Is|strong="H3027"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \add stay here and\add* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H4940"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w one|strong="H6310"\w* \w man|strong="H2896"\w*, \w or|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w clan|strong="H4940"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* whole \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Israelis?” [RHQ]  
\v 20 \w The|strong="H3947"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* liked what \w they|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* suggesting. \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w he|strong="H5971"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* sacred vest \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w idols|strong="H8655"\w*, \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w he|strong="H5971"\w* \add prepared to\add* \w go|strong="H3190"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H5971"\w* Dan.  
\v 21 \w They|strong="H6440"\w* \w all|strong="H3212"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w their|strong="H7760"\w* \w little|strong="H2945"\w* \w children|strong="H2945"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w their|strong="H7760"\w* animals \w and|strong="H3212"\w* everything else \w that|strong="H3212"\w* \w they|strong="H6440"\w* owned \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\p
\v 22 \w After|strong="H1992"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w gone|strong="H7368"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* little \w distance|strong="H7368"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \add saw what was happening. He\add* quickly \w summoned|strong="H2199"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* lived \w near|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* ran \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w caught|strong="H5973"\w* \w up|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w*.  
\v 23 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w shouted|strong="H7121"\w* \w at|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w turned|strong="H5437"\w* \w around|strong="H5437"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* problem? \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w gathered|strong="H2199"\w* \w these|strong="H7121"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \add to pursue us\add*?”   
\p
\v 24 Micah shouted, “\w You|strong="H3947"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* silver idols \w that|strong="H3548"\w* \w were|strong="H2088"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w*! \w You|strong="H3947"\w* \w also|strong="H5750"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w my|strong="H3947"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*! \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3548"\w* \w anything|strong="H4100"\w* \w left|strong="H3548"\w* [RHQ]! \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3947"\w* ask \w me|strong="H6213"\w*, ‘\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* problem?’”   
\p
\v 25 \w The|strong="H8085"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H5315"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* replied, “\w You|strong="H5973"\w* should \w not|strong="H6435"\w* \w shout|strong="H6963"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w* \w like|strong="H5973"\w* \w that|strong="H8085"\w*! \w One|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w our|strong="H8085"\w* \w angry|strong="H4751"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w might|strong="H6435"\w* \w attack|strong="H6293"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w kill|strong="H6293"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H8085"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*!”  
\v 26 \w Then|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* continued \w walking|strong="H3212"\w*. \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H1992"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H1992"\w* \w large|strong="H1004"\w* group \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \add so that it would be useless for him to try to fight them\add*. \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w around|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\p
\v 27 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H5892"\w* Dan \w were|strong="H1961"\w* carrying \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*, \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w also|strong="H6213"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*, \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w continued|strong="H1961"\w* traveling \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Laish|strong="H3919"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* peacefully living \w there|strong="H1961"\w*, \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w with|strong="H8313"\w* \w their|strong="H3947"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w*, \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w burned|strong="H8313"\w* everything \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.  
\v 28 Laish \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w far|strong="H7350"\w* \w from|strong="H7350"\w* \add the city of\add* \w Sidon|strong="H6721"\w*, \add so the people of Sidon could not rescue the people of Laish\add*. \w And|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* Laish \w had|strong="H3588"\w* no other allies. Laish \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w valley|strong="H6010"\w* \w near|strong="H5973"\w* \w Beth-Rehob|strong="H1050"\w* \add town\add*.  
\p \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1697"\w* Dan \w rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w started|strong="H1129"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 29 \w They|strong="H3478"\w* \w gave|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \add new\add* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*, \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w*, \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w honor|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w their|strong="H1835"\w* ancestor \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w*, \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w one|strong="H7223"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w sons|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* Jacob.  
\v 30 \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w set|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \add in the city\add* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w idols|strong="H6459"\w* \add that had been made for Micah\add*. \w Jonathan|strong="H3129"\w*, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gershom|strong="H1647"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w grandson|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Moses, \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w appointed|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w their|strong="H1961"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*. \w His|strong="H1540"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w continued|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* Israelis \w were|strong="H1961"\w* captured \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w taken|strong="H1961"\w* \add to Assyria\add*.  
\v 31 \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Dan \w set|strong="H7760"\w* \w up|strong="H7760"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w idols|strong="H6459"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*, \add they worshiped those idols, even though\add* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Sacred Tent \add where they had been commanded to worship\add* God, \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w*.   
\c 19  
\s1 A Levite and his concubine  
\p
\v 1 \w At|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* Israeli people \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H3947"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\p \w There|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* man \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3881"\w* \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w lived|strong="H1481"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w remote|strong="H3411"\w* \w place|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w* \w where|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Ephraim \w lives|strong="H1481"\w*. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* previously \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w a|strong="H3068"\w* woman \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* slave. She \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*, \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w area|strong="H2022"\w* \w where|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w lives|strong="H1481"\w*.  
\v 2 \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w started|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* sleep \w with|strong="H1004"\w* other men \w also|strong="H3117"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w left|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* returned \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* father’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*. \w She|strong="H5921"\w* stayed \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* four \w months|strong="H2320"\w*.  
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* husband \w took|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w two|strong="H6776"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* Bethlehem. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* ask \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w come|strong="H3212"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* live \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w*. \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* arrived \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* father’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w invited|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w come|strong="H3212"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Her|strong="H5921"\w* father \w was|strong="H3820"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 4 \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w*’s father asked \w him|strong="H2388"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w*. \w So|strong="H3427"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w for|strong="H3427"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*. \w During|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* ate \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w drank|strong="H8354"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* slept \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.   
\p
\v 5 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w fourth|strong="H7243"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3212"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w early|strong="H7925"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*. \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w man|strong="H3820"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Levi \w was|strong="H1961"\w* preparing \w to|strong="H3212"\w* leave, \w but|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w*’s father said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w him|strong="H1961"\w*, “\w Eat|strong="H3899"\w* \w something|strong="H3899"\w* \w before|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w*.”  
\v 6 \w So|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3885"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w men|strong="H8147"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H3820"\w* eat \w and|strong="H8147"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w together|strong="H3162"\w*. Then \w the|strong="H3885"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w*’s father said \w to|strong="H3820"\w* him, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* another \w night|strong="H3885"\w*. Relax/Rest \w and|strong="H8147"\w* \w have|strong="H8147"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w joyful|strong="H3190"\w* \w time|strong="H3820"\w*.”  
\v 7 \w The|strong="H7725"\w* man \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H7725"\w* Levi wanted \w to|strong="H7725"\w* leave, \w but|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* woman’s father requested \w him|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w stay|strong="H3885"\w* one \w more|strong="H7725"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w*. \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3885"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w that|strong="H7725"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w*.  
\v 8 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w fifth|strong="H2549"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H3117"\w* man \w got|strong="H7925"\w* \w up|strong="H7925"\w* \w early|strong="H7925"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* prepared \w to|strong="H5704"\w* leave. \w But|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w*’s father said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w him|strong="H5186"\w* \w again|strong="H7925"\w*, “\w Have|strong="H3117"\w* something \w to|strong="H5704"\w* eat. \w Wait|strong="H4102"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H3117"\w* \w afternoon|strong="H5186"\w*, \add and then leave\add*.” \w So|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w men|strong="H8147"\w* ate \w together|strong="H8147"\w*.   
\p
\v 9 \w In|strong="H2583"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w afternoon|strong="H3117"\w*, \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Levi \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* slave wife \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w leave|strong="H1980"\w*, \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w*’s father said, “\w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H5288"\w* \w soon|strong="H7925"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* dark. \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w almost|strong="H3117"\w* \w over|strong="H6965"\w*. \w Stay|strong="H7503"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w* tonight \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w have|strong="H5288"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H3190"\w*/\w joyful|strong="H3190"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*. \w Tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w morning|strong="H7925"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w can|strong="H1980"\w* \w get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w early|strong="H7925"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w leave|strong="H1980"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H4994"\w* \w home|strong="H3212"\w*.”  
\v 10 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* man \w from|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H6776"\w* Levi \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w want|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w stay|strong="H3885"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w another|strong="H3808"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w put|strong="H2280"\w* saddles \w on|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w two|strong="H6776"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w started|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* slave wife \add and his servant\add* \w toward|strong="H5973"\w* \w Jebus|strong="H2982"\w* \add city\add*, \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \add now named\add* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.   
\p
\v 11 \w Late|strong="H3966"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w afternoon|strong="H3117"\w*, \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w near|strong="H5973"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Jebus|strong="H2982"\w*. \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H5493"\w* master, “\w We|strong="H3117"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w stop|strong="H5493"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w where|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w Jebus|strong="H2982"\w* people-group \w live|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w stay|strong="H3885"\w* \w here|strong="H2063"\w* tonight.”   
\p
\v 12 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w his|strong="H5493"\w* master said, “\w No|strong="H3808"\w*, \w it|strong="H5704"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* good \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w us|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* stay \w here|strong="H2008"\w* \w where|strong="H3808"\w* \w foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* live. \w There|strong="H2008"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w here|strong="H2008"\w*. \w We|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w go|strong="H5674"\w* \w on|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \add city\add*.”  
\v 13 \w He|strong="H7126"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H7126"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w*, “\w Let|strong="H3212"\w*’s \w go|strong="H3212"\w*. \w It|strong="H7126"\w* \w is|strong="H4725"\w* \w not|strong="H3212"\w* far \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. We can \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w there|strong="H3885"\w*, or \w we|strong="H3068"\w* can \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* bit further \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Ramah|strong="H7414"\w*. We can \w stay|strong="H3885"\w* \w in|strong="H3212"\w* one \w of|strong="H4725"\w* \w those|strong="H7126"\w* two cities tonight.”  
\v 14 \w So|strong="H5674"\w* \w they|strong="H5674"\w* \w continued|strong="H5674"\w* \w walking|strong="H3212"\w*. \w When|strong="H5674"\w* \w they|strong="H5674"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w* near \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*, where people \w from|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1390"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* live, \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w was|strong="H8121"\w* setting.  
\v 15 \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5493"\w* \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w that|strong="H5892"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w*. \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w went|strong="H5892"\w* \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* public \w square|strong="H7339"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w that|strong="H5892"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w*. But no \w one|strong="H5892"\w* \add who passed by\add* invited \w them|strong="H5493"\w* \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w their|strong="H8033"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w for|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H5892"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w*.   
\p
\v 16 Finally, \w in|strong="H4725"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*, \w an|strong="H4480"\w* \w old|strong="H2205"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w* came \w by|strong="H7704"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H7704"\w* been \w working|strong="H4639"\w* \w in|strong="H4725"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H4725"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H2022"\w* Ephraim, \w but|strong="H2009"\w* \w at|strong="H7704"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* time \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w living|strong="H1481"\w* \w in|strong="H4725"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 17 \w He|strong="H5892"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w* \w from|strong="H5869"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H5892"\w* Levi \w was|strong="H5892"\w* only traveling \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w did|strong="H5869"\w* \w not|strong="H7200"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w home|strong="H3212"\w* \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w So|strong="H5375"\w* \w he|strong="H5892"\w* asked \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w*, “Where \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H7200"\w* \w come|strong="H3212"\w* \w from|strong="H5869"\w*? \w And|strong="H3212"\w* where \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H7200"\w* \w going|strong="H3212"\w*?”   
\p
\v 18 \w He|strong="H5704"\w* replied, “\w We|strong="H5704"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w traveling|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* hilly \w area|strong="H2022"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* people \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Ephraim \w live|strong="H1980"\w*. \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*, \w but|strong="H3068"\w* \w now|strong="H3212"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \add Shiloh\add* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*’s Sacred tent (\w OR|strong="H3068"\w*, \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*) \w is|strong="H3068"\w*. \w No|strong="H1980"\w* \w one|strong="H3068"\w* \w here|strong="H8033"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* invited \w us|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* stay \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* tonight.  
\v 19 \w We|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w straw|strong="H8401"\w* \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w for|strong="H5650"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*, \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w for|strong="H5650"\w* \w me|strong="H5973"\w* \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* woman \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*. \w We|strong="H3605"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H1571"\w* \w need|strong="H4270"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w else|strong="H3605"\w*.”   
\p
\v 20 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w old|strong="H2205"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w* said, “\w I|strong="H5921"\w* wish \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H2205"\w* go \w well|strong="H7965"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*, \w but|strong="H7535"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* \w like|strong="H4270"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* provide \w what|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w need|strong="H4270"\w*. \w Do|strong="H3605"\w* not \w stay|strong="H3885"\w* \w here|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w square|strong="H7339"\w* tonight.”  
\v 21 Then \w the|strong="H8354"\w* old man took them \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H7364"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \w gave|strong="H1101"\w* \w food|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H8354"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \add gave water to the man and the woman and the servant to\add* \w wash|strong="H7364"\w* \w their|strong="H7364"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w*. \w And|strong="H1004"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w gave|strong="H1101"\w* them something \w to|strong="H1004"\w* eat \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*.   
\p
\v 22 \w While|strong="H2009"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w having|strong="H1167"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H3190"\w*/\w joyful|strong="H3190"\w* \w time|strong="H3318"\w* \w together|strong="H5921"\w*, \w some|strong="H1992"\w* \w wicked|strong="H1100"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w surrounded|strong="H5437"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w started|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* bang \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w door|strong="H1817"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* shouted \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w*, “\w Bring|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w has|strong="H3820"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w We|strong="H5892"\w* want \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* sex \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.”   
\p
\v 23 \w The|strong="H6213"\w* old \w man|strong="H1167"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w outside|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*, “Friends, \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H2088"\w*. \w That|strong="H2088"\w* \w would|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H4994"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w evil|strong="H7489"\w* \w thing|strong="H2088"\w*. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w man|strong="H1167"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* guest \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w my|strong="H3318"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w You|strong="H6213"\w* \w should|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w such|strong="H2088"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w terrible|strong="H6213"\w*/\w disgraceful|strong="H5039"\w*/shameful \w thing|strong="H2088"\w*!  
\v 24 \w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w my|strong="H3318"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w here|strong="H2009"\w*. \w She|strong="H2063"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \add still\add* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w virgin|strong="H1330"\w*. \w And|strong="H5869"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w man|strong="H2896"\w*’s slave wife \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w here|strong="H2009"\w*. \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* \w bring|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w now|strong="H4994"\w*. \w You|strong="H6213"\w* \w may|strong="H4994"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w whatever|strong="H2896"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w wish|strong="H2896"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w such|strong="H2088"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w terrible|strong="H6213"\w*/\w disgraceful|strong="H5039"\w*/shameful \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w young|strong="H2896"\w* \w man|strong="H2896"\w*!”   
\p
\v 25 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pay|strong="H8085"\w* \w attention|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w what|strong="H3045"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w*. \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3605"\w* Levi \w took|strong="H2388"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* slave wife \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*, \w outside|strong="H2351"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* house. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w raped|strong="H3045"\w* [EUP] \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w abused|strong="H5953"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w at|strong="H5927"\w* \w dawn|strong="H7837"\w*, \w they|strong="H3808"\w* allowed \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w*.  
\v 26 \w She|strong="H5704"\w* returned \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* old \w man|strong="H5307"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w her|strong="H5704"\w* husband \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w staying|strong="H8033"\w*, \w but|strong="H6437"\w* \w she|strong="H5704"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w doorway|strong="H6607"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w lay|strong="H5307"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* night.   
\p
\v 27 \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w when|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w man|strong="H5307"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Levi \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w outside|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w continue|strong="H6965"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w journey|strong="H1870"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \w saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* slave wife \w lying|strong="H5307"\w* \w there|strong="H2009"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w doorway|strong="H6607"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Her|strong="H5921"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* doorsill.  
\v 28 \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w said|strong="H6030"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w*, “\w Get|strong="H3947"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*! \w Let|strong="H3212"\w*’s \w go|strong="H3212"\w*!” \w But|strong="H6030"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* did \w not|strong="H3212"\w* \w answer|strong="H6030"\w*, \add because she had died\add*. \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w put|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* body \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w donkey|strong="H2543"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* traveled \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w home|strong="H4725"\w*.   
\p
\v 29 \w When|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* arrived \w home|strong="H1004"\w*, \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w knife|strong="H3979"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w cut|strong="H5408"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w body|strong="H6106"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* slave \w woman|strong="H1004"\w* \w into|strong="H3947"\w* \w twelve|strong="H8147"\w* \w pieces|strong="H5409"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w piece|strong="H5409"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w area|strong="H1366"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \add along with a message telling what had happened\add*.  
\v 30 \w Everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* piece \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* body \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* message \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w ever|strong="H3117"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w before|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Not|strong="H3808"\w* \w since|strong="H3117"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* ancestors \w left|strong="H1961"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* \add have we heard of such a terrible thing\add*. \w We|strong="H3117"\w* need \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w think|strong="H7760"\w* \w carefully|strong="H3808"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w*. Someone \w should|strong="H3478"\w* \w decide|strong="H7200"\w* \w what|strong="H2088"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w should|strong="H3478"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w*.”   
\c 20  
\s1 The war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel  
\p
\v 1 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis, \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \add city in the north\add* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Beersheba \add city in the south\add*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \add the \add* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \add region on the east side of the Jordan River, heard what had happened. So they\add* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6950"\w* \w together|strong="H6950"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*, \add at the place where they worshiped\add* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*.  
\v 2 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* leaders \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \add eleven of\add* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w stood|strong="H3320"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* front \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3478"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w*. \w There|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* 400,000 \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 3 \w The|strong="H8085"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w other|strong="H2063"\w* Israelis \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w gone|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*, \add but none of the men from their tribe went to the meeting there\add*.  
\p \w The|strong="H8085"\w* Israelis \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w* \w asked|strong="H1696"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w thing|strong="H2063"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w*.  
\v 4 \w So|strong="H6030"\w* \w the|strong="H3885"\w* husband \w of|strong="H1390"\w* \w the|strong="H3885"\w* woman \w who|strong="H3881"\w* \w had|strong="H3881"\w* been \w killed|strong="H7523"\w* \w replied|strong="H6030"\w*, “\w My|strong="H1144"\w* slave wife \w and|strong="H6030"\w* I \w came|strong="H1144"\w* \w to|strong="H6030"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \add city\add*, wanting \w to|strong="H6030"\w* \w stay|strong="H3885"\w* \w there|strong="H3885"\w* \w that|strong="H3881"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w*.  
\v 5 \w That|strong="H1004"\w* \w evening|strong="H3915"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* came \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w attack|strong="H6965"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w surrounded|strong="H5437"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \add where I was staying\add* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \add have sex with me and then\add* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \add raped and\add* abused \w my|strong="H5921"\w* slave wife \add all night\add*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 6 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w took|strong="H3478"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* body home \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w cut|strong="H5408"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w into|strong="H6213"\w* \w pieces|strong="H5408"\w*. \w Then|strong="H7971"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* piece \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* area \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \add because I wanted you all to know about\add* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w wicked|strong="H2154"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w disgraceful|strong="H5039"\w*/shameful \w thing|strong="H5039"\w* \add that\add* \w has|strong="H3478"\w* \w been|strong="H3605"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* here \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 7 \w So|strong="H1697"\w* \w now|strong="H2009"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H1121"\w*, \w speak|strong="H1697"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w tell|strong="H3605"\w* \w me|strong="H3051"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* think \w should|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w done|strong="H1697"\w*!”   
\p
\v 8 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w stood|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* unison said, “\w None|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w us|strong="H5971"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*! \w Not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w us|strong="H5971"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w return|strong="H5493"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*!  
\v 9 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* must \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \add the people of\add* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. \w First|strong="H2088"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H1697"\w* ◄cast \w lots|strong="H1486"\w*/throw marked stones► \add to determine which group should attack them\add*.  
\v 10 \w We|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w choose|strong="H3947"\w* ◄\w one|strong="H3605"\w* tenth/\w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w*► \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w*. \w Those|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w go|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w find|strong="H3947"\w* \w food|strong="H6720"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w go|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* attack \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1387"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w go|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1387"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* ◄pay \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w back|strong="H3947"\w*/\w punish|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*► \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w terrible|strong="H6213"\w* \w thing|strong="H5039"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \add here\add* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.”  
\v 11 \w And|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli people agreed \add that the people of Gibeah should be punished\add*.   
\p
\v 12 \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H7451"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* messengers \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*. \w They|strong="H4100"\w* demanded, “\w Do|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* realize \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w some|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H7451"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w done|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* very \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w thing|strong="H2063"\w*?  
\v 13 \w Bring|strong="H5414"\w* \w those|strong="H1121"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7451"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*, \w in|strong="H3478"\w* order \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H7451"\w* \w execute|strong="H4191"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \add By doing that\add*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w doing|strong="H7451"\w* \w what|strong="H7451"\w* \w should|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w done|strong="H5414"\w* because \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w this|strong="H5414"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w thing|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w has|strong="H3478"\w* happened \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.”  
\p \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \add people of the\add* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pay|strong="H5414"\w* \w attention|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w fellow|strong="H1121"\w* Israelis.  
\v 14 \w The|strong="H4480"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w their|strong="H3318"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3478"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w fight|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \add other\add* Israelis.  
\v 15 \w In|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* recruited 26,000 \w soldiers|strong="H3967"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* knew how \w to|strong="H3117"\w* fight using \w swords|strong="H2719"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w also|strong="H3117"\w* chose/recruited 700 \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 16 \w From|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w* \w there|strong="H2088"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* 700 \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w left-handed|strong="H3225"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w could|strong="H5971"\w* \w sling|strong="H7049"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* stone \w at|strong="H5971"\w* \add a target that was very small and as narrow as\add* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hair|strong="H8185"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* stone \w always|strong="H3605"\w* hit \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w target|strong="H2398"\w*!   
\p
\v 17 \w There|strong="H2088"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* 400,000 \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w* Israeli tribes \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w*.   
\p
\v 18 \w Those|strong="H1121"\w* other Israelis \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*, “\w Which|strong="H3068"\w* tribe \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w first|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w attack|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*?”  
\p \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* answered, “\add The men from the tribe of\add* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H5927"\w* \w first|strong="H1121"\w*.”   
\p
\v 19 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w next|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w went|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w set|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w tents|strong="H2583"\w* \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 20 \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w they|strong="H3478"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w fight|strong="H4421"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \add the men from the tribe of\add* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* stood \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3318"\w* positions \w for|strong="H3478"\w* \w fighting|strong="H4421"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*, \add facing Gibeah\add*.  
\v 21 \w The|strong="H4480"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* fought \w against|strong="H4480"\w* \w them|strong="H3318"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* killed 22,000 Israeli \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 22-23  \add Late that afternoon\add*, the \add remaining\add* Israeli men went to the place of worship and cried until the sun set. Then they asked \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, “Should \w we|strong="H3068"\w* attack the men of the tribe of Benjamin again, even though they are our fellow Israelis?”  
\p \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* replied, “Yes, attack them again.” So the Israeli men encouraged each other.  
\v 24 \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w next|strong="H8145"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w again|strong="H8145"\w* stood \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H7126"\w* positions \w for|strong="H3117"\w* fighting, just \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w done|strong="H3478"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* previous \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 25 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w attacked|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w killed|strong="H2719"\w* 18,000 \w more|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w*.   
\p
\v 26  \add In the afternoon\add*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \add who had not been killed\add* \w again|strong="H6440"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w*. \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w cried|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* ◄\w fasted|strong="H6684"\w*/abstained \w from|strong="H6440"\w* eating food► \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w some|strong="H8033"\w* \w offerings|strong="H8002"\w* \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* burned \w completely|strong="H3605"\w* \add on the altar\add*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w also|strong="H3068"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w some|strong="H8033"\w* \w offerings|strong="H8002"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* maintain fellowship \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*.  
\v 27-28 At that time, the Sacred Chest that contained the stone tablets on which were written the Ten Commandments was there at Bethel. \w A|strong="H3068"\w* priest named Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron, often stood in front of that chest \add and talked with Yahweh\add*. While he stood there on that day, he asked \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, “Shall \w we|strong="H3068"\w* go again to fight against our fellow Israelis from the tribe of Benjamin, or shall \w we|strong="H3068"\w* stop fighting against them?”  
\p \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* answered, “Go again tomorrow, because tomorrow I will enable you to defeat them.”  
\v 29 \w So|strong="H7760"\w* \add the next day, 10,000 of\add* \w the|strong="H7760"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H3478"\w* ◄\w set|strong="H7760"\w* \w up|strong="H7760"\w* ambushes/\w went|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* hide► \add in the fields\add* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 30 \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \add other\add* Israeli \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* stood \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3117"\w* positions \w for|strong="H3117"\w* fighting \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w battle|strong="H6186"\w* just \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w done|strong="H3478"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* previous \w days|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 31 \w When|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* fight \w against|strong="H7125"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w*, \w the|strong="H5221"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w retreated|strong="H5927"\w* \w away|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* pursued \w them|strong="H5221"\w*. \w The|strong="H5221"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* many Israelis, \w like|strong="H3318"\w* \w they|strong="H5971"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w done|strong="H3478"\w* \w before|strong="H4480"\w*. \w They|strong="H5971"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w about|strong="H4480"\w* 30 Israelis. \w They|strong="H5971"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H5971"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w on|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* road \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w on|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* road \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.   
\p
\v 32 \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* said, “\w We|strong="H5892"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* defeating \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w*!” \w But|strong="H1992"\w* \w then|strong="H3478"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* what \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* planned. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* main group \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w retreated|strong="H5127"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* short \w distance|strong="H4480"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \add trick\add* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Gibeah \w and|strong="H1121"\w* cause \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w pursue|strong="H5127"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w along|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* roads \w outside|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.   
\p
\v 33 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* main group \w of|strong="H4725"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w left|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* positions \w and|strong="H6965"\w* retreated, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w then|strong="H6965"\w* \w they|strong="H3605"\w* \w stood|strong="H6965"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w battle|strong="H6186"\w* positions \w again|strong="H6965"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* named \w Baal-Tamar|strong="H1193"\w*.  
\v 34 \w Then|strong="H3588"\w* \add while the men of Gibeah were running out of the city toward them\add*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* 10,000 Israelis \w came|strong="H5060"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w places|strong="H3605"\w* \w where|strong="H5921"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* hiding, west \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w men|strong="H7451"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w come|strong="H5060"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* parts \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w There|strong="H1992"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H1992"\w* big \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H7451"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H5921"\w* Benjamin \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w suffer|strong="H5060"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* disastrous defeat.  
\v 35 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* enabled \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* defeat \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w killed|strong="H2719"\w* 25,000 \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*, \w even|strong="H3068"\w* \w though|strong="H1931"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* using \w swords|strong="H2719"\w*.  
\p \add This is what happened\add*:  
\v 36-38 The main group of Israeli men arranged with the men who would be hiding that they should send up \w a|strong="H3068"\w* smoke signal to enable the main group of soldiers to know when they should attack. Then the main group of Israeli men retreated for \w a|strong="H3068"\w* short distance, because they knew that the other Israeli men who had been hiding on the other side of Gibeah would attack the people of the tribe of Benjamin by surprise. So \add after the main group of Israeli men retreated a little distance\add*, the men who had been hiding rushed out and ran into Gibeah and used their swords to kill everyone in the city. \add Then they started to burn the buildings\add*.   
\p
\v 39 \w By|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H7223"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* said, “\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* winning \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*, \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w*!”  
\v 40 \w But|strong="H2009"\w* \w then|strong="H2009"\w* \w smoke|strong="H6227"\w* \add from the burning buildings\add* \w began|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w rise|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w The|strong="H4480"\w* \w men|strong="H2490"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w around|strong="H6437"\w* \w and|strong="H8064"\w* \w saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w that|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w whole|strong="H3632"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* burning.  
\v 41 \w Then|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* main group \w of|strong="H5921"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H7451"\w* \add also saw the smoke, and they knew that the smoke signaled that they should\add* \w turn|strong="H2015"\w* \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* begin \w to|strong="H3478"\w* attack. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H7451"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* very afraid, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w suffer|strong="H5060"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* disastrous defeat.  
\v 42 \w So|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H5892"\w* Benjamin tried \w to|strong="H3478"\w* run \w away|strong="H6437"\w* \w toward|strong="H1870"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* escape \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H3478"\w*, \w but|strong="H6437"\w* \w they|strong="H6440"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H1870"\w* able \w to|strong="H3478"\w* escape, \w because|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H3478"\w* \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* burned \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w two|strong="H8432"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w came|strong="H3478"\w* \w out|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* those \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* killed many \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 43 \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w surrounded|strong="H3803"\w* \add some of\add* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* men \w of|strong="H1390"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1390"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w and|strong="H1144"\w* \w pursued|strong="H7291"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* others \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* area \w east|strong="H4217"\w* \w of|strong="H1390"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 44 \w They|strong="H3605"\w* \w killed|strong="H5307"\w* 18,000 \w strong|strong="H2428"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H2428"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*.  
\v 45 \w Then|strong="H6437"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* rest \w of|strong="H4057"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* men \w of|strong="H4057"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4057"\w* Benjamin realized \w that|strong="H4480"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* had been \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w*. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w toward|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w* \w Rock|strong="H5553"\w*, \w but|strong="H6437"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* Israeli men \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* 5,000 \w more|strong="H4480"\w* men \w of|strong="H4057"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4057"\w* Benjamin \w along|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* roads. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w pursued|strong="H1692"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* rest \w of|strong="H4057"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Gidom|strong="H1440"\w*, \w and|strong="H2568"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* 2,000 \w more|strong="H4480"\w* men \w of|strong="H4057"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H4057"\w* Benjamin \w there|strong="H4480"\w*.   
\p
\v 46 \w Altogether|strong="H3605"\w*, \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* 25,000 \w men|strong="H2428"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w killed|strong="H5307"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* whom \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w*.  
\v 47 \w But|strong="H6437"\w* 600 men \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3427"\w* Benjamin \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w to|strong="H5127"\w* \w Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w* \w Rock|strong="H5553"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w*. \w They|strong="H2320"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w* \w for|strong="H3427"\w* four \w months|strong="H2320"\w*.  
\v 48 \w Then|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w went|strong="H3478"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land belonging \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* animals, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H5221"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w else|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w there|strong="H4672"\w*. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w burned|strong="H7971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w came|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w*.   
\c 21  
\s1 They found wives for the men of the tribe of Benjamin  
\p
\v 1 \w When|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Israeli \w men|strong="H3478"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3478"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w* \add before the battle started\add*, \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w vowed|strong="H7650"\w*, “\w None|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w ever|strong="H3808"\w* \w allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w marry|strong="H5414"\w* \w any|strong="H4480"\w* man \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*!”  
\v 2 \w But|strong="H5971"\w* \w now|strong="H1419"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Israelis \w went|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w cried|strong="H1058"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* day, \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* sun \w went|strong="H5971"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 3 \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w kept|strong="H1961"\w* saying, “\w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*, \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w us|strong="H3117"\w* Israeli people, \add it is as though\add* \w one|strong="H1961"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w us|strong="H3117"\w* Israelis \w does|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* exist \w any|strong="H1961"\w* \w more|strong="H1961"\w*! ◄\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w us|strong="H3117"\w*?/\w It|strong="H1961"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* terrible \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w us|strong="H3117"\w*!►” [RHQ]   
\p
\v 4 \w Early|strong="H7925"\w* \w the|strong="H1129"\w* \w next|strong="H4283"\w* \w morning|strong="H4283"\w* \w the|strong="H1129"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w an|strong="H1129"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* completely burned \w some|strong="H8033"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H5930"\w* \add on the altar\add*, \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w also|strong="H5971"\w* \w offered|strong="H5927"\w* other \w sacrifices|strong="H5930"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w maintain|strong="H1129"\w* fellowship \w with|strong="H5971"\w* God.   
\p
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H1961"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* vowed \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w meet|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H1961"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w* \add to help fight the men of the tribe of Benjamin\add* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w killed|strong="H4191"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* asked \w among|strong="H4310"\w* themselves, “\w Were|strong="H3478"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w meet|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w us|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* presence \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w*?”   
\p
\v 6 \w The|strong="H3117"\w* Israelis felt \w sorry|strong="H5162"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H3117"\w* \w fellow|strong="H1121"\w* Israelis \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* said, “\w Today|strong="H3117"\w* \w one|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w our|strong="H3478"\w* Israeli \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* ◄\w has|strong="H3478"\w* disappeared/\w no|strong="H3478"\w* longer exists►.  
\v 7 \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* heard \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w solemnly|strong="H7650"\w* declare \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H1115"\w* \w allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w any|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w marry|strong="H5414"\w* \w any|strong="H6213"\w* man \w from|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Benjamin. \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* certain \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Benjamin \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H1323"\w* \w not|strong="H1115"\w* killed \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* wives?”  
\v 8 \w Then|strong="H2009"\w* \add one of\add* \w them|strong="H5927"\w* asked, “\w What|strong="H4310"\w* group \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w any|strong="H4310"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w send|strong="H5927"\w* \w any|strong="H4310"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w* \w here|strong="H2009"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*?”  
\v 9  \add They realized that\add* \w when|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6485"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w counted|strong="H6485"\w*, \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H3427"\w* no one \w from|strong="H5971"\w* \w Jabesh-Gilead|strong="H3003"\w* \add city\add* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w had|strong="H5971"\w* \w come|strong="H5971"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.   
\p
\v 10 \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w all|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* Israelis decided \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w send|strong="H7971"\w* 12,000 \w very|strong="H2428"\w* good \w soldiers|strong="H2428"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Jabesh-Gilead|strong="H3003"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w kill|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w their|strong="H7971"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w*, even \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w kill|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w married|strong="H3427"\w* women \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 11  \add They told this to those men\add*: “\w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* must \w do|strong="H6213"\w*: \w You|strong="H3605"\w* must kill \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H2145"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* Jabesh-Gilead. \w You|strong="H3605"\w* must \w also|strong="H6213"\w* kill \w every|strong="H3605"\w* married \w woman|strong="H2088"\w*. \add But do not kill the unmarried women\add*.”  
\v 12 \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w those|strong="H3427"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H3967"\w* \add went to Jabesh-Gilead and killed all the men, married women, and children. But they\add* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* 400 unmarried \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w women|strong="H1330"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w*. \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* brought \w them|strong="H4672"\w* \w to|strong="H3045"\w* \w their|strong="H3045"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w*, \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3667"\w*, \add across the river from the Gilead area that belonged to the tribe of Benjamin\add*.   
\p
\v 13 \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelis \add who had gathered\add* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* message \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 600 \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w at|strong="H1121"\w* \w Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w* \w Rock|strong="H5553"\w*. \w They|strong="H3605"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3605"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* \w like|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w make|strong="H7121"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\v 14 \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* men \w came|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* Rimmon Rock. \w The|strong="H5414"\w* Israelis \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* women \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w Jabesh-Gilead|strong="H3003"\w* whom \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w had|strong="H5414"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* killed. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w there|strong="H4672"\w* \w were|strong="H1144"\w* \add only 400 women. But there were\add* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w enough|strong="H4672"\w* women \add for those 600 men\add*.   
\p
\v 15 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* Israelis \add still\add* felt \w sorry|strong="H5162"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* ◄decimated/almost wiped \w out|strong="H6213"\w*► \w one|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Israeli \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w*.  
\v 16 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* Israeli \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* said, “\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3588"\w* killed \w all|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* married \w women|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H2205"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H2205"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*. \w Where|strong="H4100"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w get|strong="H6213"\w* \w women|strong="H2205"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H5712"\w* wives \w of|strong="H2205"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H2205"\w* \w who|strong="H4100"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w still|strong="H3588"\w* alive?  
\v 17 These \w men|strong="H3478"\w* \w must|strong="H3478"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* wives \w to|strong="H3478"\w* give \w birth|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* children, \w in|strong="H3478"\w* order \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3808"\w* families \w will|strong="H3478"\w* continue. If \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* happen, all \w the|strong="H3808"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w the|strong="H3808"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* die.  
\v 18 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w marry|strong="H5414"\w* these \w men|strong="H1121"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w vowed|strong="H7650"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w curse|strong="H7650"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3588"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* become \w a|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w any|strong="H5414"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*.”  
\v 19 \w Then|strong="H2009"\w* \add one of\add* \w them|strong="H5927"\w* ◄\w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w an|strong="H3068"\w* idea/thought \w of|strong="H3068"\w* something \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* could \w do|strong="H3068"\w*►. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* said, “\w Every|strong="H3117"\w* \w year|strong="H3117"\w* \w there|strong="H2009"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w festival|strong="H2282"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* honor \w Yahweh|strong="H3068"\w* \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w*, \w which|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w north|strong="H6828"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w east|strong="H4217"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* road \w that|strong="H3117"\w* extends \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H5927"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w south|strong="H5045"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Lebonah|strong="H3829"\w* \add city\add*.”   
\p
\v 20 \w So|strong="H6680"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* Israeli leaders \w told|strong="H6680"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, “\add When it is the time for that festival\add*, \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* Shiloh \w and|strong="H1121"\w* hide \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* \w vineyards|strong="H3754"\w*.  
\v 21 \w Keep|strong="H7200"\w* watching \w for|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* young \w women|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* city \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w dance|strong="H4246"\w*. \add When they come out\add*, \w all|strong="H7200"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w you|strong="H7200"\w* \w should|strong="H1980"\w* \w run|strong="H1980"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w vineyards|strong="H3754"\w*. Each \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w you|strong="H7200"\w* \w can|strong="H7200"\w* seize \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* young \w women|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H7200"\w* \w can|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H7200"\w* \w return|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w your|strong="H7200"\w* homes \add with those women\add*.  
\v 22 \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* fathers \w or|strong="H3808"\w* brothers \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3947"\w* \w complain|strong="H7378"\w* \add about what you have done\add*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* say \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, ‘\w Be|strong="H1961"\w* kind \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H3947"\w* \w of|strong="H6256"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H6256"\w* Benjamin. \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* fought \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w leave|strong="H5414"\w* \w any|strong="H5414"\w* women alive \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* wives, \w and|strong="H3947"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w those|strong="H1961"\w* young women \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H3947"\w* \w from|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H6256"\w* Benjamin. \add They stole them\add*. \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* guilty, \add even though you said that you would not allow any of your daughters to marry one of them\add*.’ ”   
\p
\v 23 \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w is|strong="H3651"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w*. \add They went to Shiloh at the time of the festival\add*. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w when|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w young|strong="H1121"\w* women \w were|strong="H1121"\w* dancing, \w each|strong="H5892"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w caught|strong="H1497"\w* \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w took|strong="H5375"\w* \w her|strong="H5375"\w* \w away|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w married|strong="H3427"\w* \w her|strong="H5375"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3651"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w took|strong="H5375"\w* \w their|strong="H5375"\w* wives \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w land|strong="H5159"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w* God \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w given|strong="H5375"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w*. \w They|strong="H3651"\w* \w rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w their|strong="H5375"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \add that had been burned down\add*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w*.   
\p
\v 24 \w The|strong="H3318"\w* other Israelis \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w their|strong="H3318"\w* homes \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* areas \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w their|strong="H3318"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w clans|strong="H4940"\w* lived, \w the|strong="H3318"\w* areas \w that|strong="H1931"\w* God \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w allotted|strong="H5159"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w them|strong="H3318"\w*.   
\p
\v 25 \w At|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* Israeli \w people|strong="H5869"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. Everyone \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H3477"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w themselves|strong="H1992"\w* \w thought|strong="H5869"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w right|strong="H3477"\w*.