\id JDG  
\h Judges 
\toc1 Judges 
\toc2 Judges 
\mt1 Judges  
\c 1  
\s1 Judah Takes the Lead  
\p
\v 1  \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w died|strong="H4194"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w lead|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* invasion \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* launch \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w attack|strong="H5927"\w*?”  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said, “\w The|strong="H5414"\w* men \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w take|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w lead|strong="H5927"\w*. \w Be|strong="H3027"\w* sure \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H5414"\w*! \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* \w handing|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* land \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*.”  
\v 3  \w The|strong="H5927"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w of|strong="H5927"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w their|strong="H1571"\w* relatives, \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w of|strong="H5927"\w* \w Simeon|strong="H8095"\w*, “\w Invade|strong="H5927"\w* \w our|strong="H3898"\w* \w allotted|strong="H1486"\w* \w land|strong="H1486"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w us|strong="H3898"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* help \w us|strong="H3898"\w* \w attack|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1980"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H1571"\w* \w into|strong="H1980"\w* \w your|strong="H5927"\w* \w allotted|strong="H1486"\w* \w land|strong="H1486"\w*.” \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w of|strong="H5927"\w* \w Simeon|strong="H8095"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w them|strong="H5927"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* men \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Perizzites|strong="H6522"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand men \w at|strong="H3068"\w* Bezek.  
\v 5  \w They|strong="H5221"\w* \w met|strong="H4672"\w* Adoni-Bezek \w at|strong="H3898"\w* Bezek \w and|strong="H5221"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w*. \w They|strong="H5221"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w and|strong="H5221"\w* \w Perizzites|strong="H6522"\w*.  
\v 6  \w When|strong="H5127"\w* Adoni-Bezek \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w away|strong="H5127"\w*, \w they|strong="H7272"\w* \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* captured \w him|strong="H3027"\w*. Then \w they|strong="H7272"\w* \w cut|strong="H7112"\w* \w off|strong="H7112"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* thumbs \w and|strong="H3027"\w* big \w toes|strong="H7272"\w*.  
\v 7  Adoni-Bezek \w said|strong="H3651"\w*, “\w Seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w*, \w with|strong="H6213"\w* thumbs \w and|strong="H4428"\w* big \w toes|strong="H7272"\w* \w cut|strong="H7112"\w* \w off|strong="H7112"\w*, \w used|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* lick \w up|strong="H3950"\w* food scraps \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w my|strong="H1961"\w* \w table|strong="H7979"\w*. \w God|strong="H7999"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w repaid|strong="H7999"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w*.” \w They|strong="H3651"\w* \w brought|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 8  \w The|strong="H5221"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w it|strong="H5221"\w*. \w They|strong="H6310"\w* \w put|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w it|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w set|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w on|strong="H7971"\w* fire.   
\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 attack|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w*, \w the|strong="H3427"\w* \w Negev|strong="H5045"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* lowlands.  
\v 10  \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*. (\w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w* used \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w be|strong="H8034"\w* \w called|strong="H8034"\w* Kiriath Arba.) \w They|strong="H5221"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w Sheshai|strong="H8344"\w*, Ahiman, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Talmai|strong="H8526"\w*.  
\v 11  \w From|strong="H6440"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* attacked \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Debir|strong="H1688"\w*. (\w Debir|strong="H1688"\w* used \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w be|strong="H8034"\w* \w called|strong="H8034"\w* Kiriath Sepher.)  
\v 12  \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* said, “\w To|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* man \w who|strong="H1323"\w* \w attacks|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H1323"\w* \w captures|strong="H3920"\w* Kiriath Sepher \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w Acsah|strong="H5915"\w* \w as|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* wife.”  
\v 13  \w When|strong="H1121"\w* \w Othniel|strong="H6274"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Kenaz|strong="H7073"\w*, \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w*’s \w younger|strong="H6996"\w* brother, \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w*, \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w Acsah|strong="H5915"\w* \w as|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* wife.   
\p
\v 14  \w One|strong="H1961"\w* \w time|strong="H1961"\w* Acsah \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w and|strong="H7704"\w* charmed \w her|strong="H5921"\w* father \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w could|strong="H4100"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* some \w land|strong="H7704"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* got \w down|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w donkey|strong="H2543"\w*, \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w would|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w*?”  
\v 15  \w She|strong="H3588"\w* answered, “Please \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* special \w present|strong="H1293"\w*. \w Since|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H5414"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* land \w in|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Negev|strong="H5045"\w*, \w now|strong="H3588"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \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* both \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w upper|strong="H5942"\w* \w and|strong="H4325"\w* \w lower|strong="H8482"\w* \w springs|strong="H1543"\w*.   
\p
\v 16  \w Now|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w Kenite|strong="H7017"\w*, \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w*’ \w father-in-law|strong="H2859"\w*, \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Date|strong="H8558"\w* \w Palm|strong="H8558"\w* \w Trees|strong="H8558"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Arad|strong="H6166"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, located \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w Negev|strong="H5045"\w*. \w They|strong="H5971"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.   
\p
\v 17  \w The|strong="H5221"\w* \w men|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w their|strong="H5221"\w* brothers \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w men|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Simeon|strong="H8095"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Zephath|strong="H6857"\w*. \w They|strong="H2763"\w* wiped \w out|strong="H3212"\w* \w Zephath|strong="H6857"\w*. \w So|strong="H7121"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w now|strong="H3212"\w* \w call|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w Hormah|strong="H2767"\w*.  
\v 18  \w The|strong="H3920"\w* men \w of|strong="H1366"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w Gaza|strong="H5804"\w*, Ashkelon, \w Ekron|strong="H6138"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w the|strong="H3920"\w* \w territory|strong="H1366"\w* surrounding each \w of|strong="H1366"\w* these cities.   
\p
\v 19  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H3423"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w conquered|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* could \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* coastal plain, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* iron-rimmed wheels.  
\v 20  \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w* \w received|strong="H2275"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*, \w just|strong="H1696"\w* \w as|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w* \w had|strong="H4872"\w* \w promised|strong="H1696"\w*. \w He|strong="H8033"\w* \w drove|strong="H3423"\w* \w out|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* Anakites.  
\v 21  \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w however|strong="H2983"\w*, \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w Jebusites|strong="H2983"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w Jebusites|strong="H2983"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\s1 Partial Success  
\p
\v 22  \w When|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w men|strong="H1992"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Joseph|strong="H3130"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5927"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*.  
\v 23  \w When|strong="H8446"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Joseph|strong="H3130"\w* \w spied|strong="H8446"\w* \w out|strong="H8446"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* (\w it|strong="H8034"\w* used \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w be|strong="H8034"\w* \w called|strong="H8034"\w* \w Luz|strong="H3870"\w*),  
\v 24  \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w spies|strong="H8104"\w* \w spotted|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H7200"\w* \w leaving|strong="H4480"\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* secret \w entrance|strong="H3996"\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* reward \w you|strong="H6213"\w*.”  
\v 25  \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w showed|strong="H7200"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* secret \w entrance|strong="H3996"\w* \w into|strong="H2719"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w they|strong="H6310"\w* \w put|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w*. \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H6310"\w* \w let|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w extended|strong="H7971"\w* \w family|strong="H4940"\w* leave safely.  
\v 26  \w He|strong="H1931"\w* moved \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Hittite|strong="H2850"\w* country \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 it|strong="H1931"\w* \w Luz|strong="H3870"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w has|strong="H3117"\w* kept \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\p
\v 27  \w The|strong="H3423"\w* \w men|strong="H3423"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* Beth Shan, \w Taanach|strong="H8590"\w*, \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w their|strong="H3423"\w* \w surrounding|strong="H1323"\w* \w towns|strong="H1323"\w*. \w Nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Dor|strong="H1756"\w*, \w Ibleam|strong="H2991"\w*, \w Megiddo|strong="H4023"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w their|strong="H3423"\w* \w surrounding|strong="H1323"\w* \w towns|strong="H1323"\w*. \w The|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w managed|strong="H2974"\w* \w to|strong="H1323"\w* \w remain|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w those|strong="H3427"\w* areas.  
\v 28  \w Whenever|strong="H1961"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w strong|strong="H2388"\w* militarily, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w forced|strong="H4522"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* do hard \w labor|strong="H4522"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w totally|strong="H3423"\w* \w conquered|strong="H3423"\w* \w them|strong="H7760"\w*.   
\p
\v 29  \w The|strong="H3423"\w* \w men|strong="H3423"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* Ephraim \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Gezer|strong="H1507"\w*. \w The|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Gezer|strong="H1507"\w*.   
\p
\v 30  \w The|strong="H3423"\w* \w men|strong="H4522"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\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*. \w The|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w* \w and|strong="H3427"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w forced|strong="H4522"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* do hard \w labor|strong="H4522"\w*.   
\p
\v 31  \w The|strong="H3423"\w* \w men|strong="H3423"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* Asher \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Acco|strong="H5910"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w Sidon|strong="H6721"\w*, \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* Ahlab, Aczib, \w Helbah|strong="H2462"\w*, Aphek, \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w Rehob|strong="H7340"\w*.  
\v 32  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* Asher \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w residing|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w land|strong="H7130"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w*.   
\p
\v 33  \w The|strong="H3423"\w* \w men|strong="H4522"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* Beth Shemesh \w or|strong="H3808"\w* Beth Anath. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w residing|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w land|strong="H7130"\w*. \w The|strong="H3423"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* Beth Shemesh \w and|strong="H3427"\w* Beth Anath \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w forced|strong="H4522"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* do hard \w labor|strong="H4522"\w* \w for|strong="H3427"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w*.   
\p
\v 34  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* Amorites \w forced|strong="H3905"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \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 hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|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* live \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* coastal plain.  
\v 35  \w The|strong="H1961"\w* Amorites \w managed|strong="H2974"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w remain|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* Har \w Heres|strong="H2776"\w*, Aijalon, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Shaalbim|strong="H8169"\w*. \w Whenever|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Joseph|strong="H3130"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w strong|strong="H3513"\w* \w militarily|strong="H3027"\w*, \w the|strong="H1961"\w* Amorites \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w forced|strong="H4522"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w do|strong="H3027"\w* \w hard|strong="H1004"\w* \w labor|strong="H4522"\w*.  
\v 36  \w The|strong="H4605"\w* \w border|strong="H1366"\w* \w of|strong="H1366"\w* Amorite \w territory|strong="H1366"\w* ran \w from|strong="H1366"\w* \w the|strong="H4605"\w* Scorpion \w Ascent|strong="H4610"\w* \w to|strong="H1366"\w* \w Sela|strong="H5553"\w* \w and|strong="H4605"\w* \w on|strong="H1366"\w* \w up|strong="H4605"\w*.   
\c 2  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w angelic|strong="H4397"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \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* \w Bokim|strong="H1066"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* said, “\w I|strong="H4714"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w led|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w into|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* land \w I|strong="H4714"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\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 I|strong="H4714"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w break|strong="H6565"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*,  
\v 2  \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w an|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 should|strong="H4100"\w* \w tear|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w altars|strong="H4196"\w* \w where|strong="H4100"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* worship.’ \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3808"\w* \w disobeyed|strong="H6963"\w* \w me|strong="H6963"\w*. \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w would|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w such|strong="H2063"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w thing|strong="H2063"\w*?  
\v 3  \w At|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3808"\w* \w time|strong="H6440"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* warned \w you|strong="H6440"\w*, ‘\w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* disobey, \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w drive|strong="H1644"\w* \w out|strong="H1644"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Canaanites \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* ensnare \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w their|strong="H6440"\w* gods \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w lure|strong="H4170"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w away|strong="H1644"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 4  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* finished \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w* \w these|strong="H1696"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w*.  
\v 5  \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w Bokim|strong="H1066"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w offered|strong="H2076"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H2076"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.   
\s1 The End of an Era  
\p
\v 6  \w When|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w dismissed|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3423"\w* \w allotted|strong="H5159"\w* portions \w of|strong="H1121"\w* territory, intending \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w take|strong="H3423"\w* \w possession|strong="H3423"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3423"\w* \w land|strong="H5159"\w*.  
\v 7  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w*’s \w lifetime|strong="H3117"\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* elderly \w men|strong="H2205"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* outlived \w him|strong="H6213"\w* \w remained|strong="H7200"\w* \w alive|strong="H7200"\w*. \w These|strong="H6213"\w* \w men|strong="H2205"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w witnessed|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w things|strong="H1419"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 8  \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Nun|strong="H5126"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*, \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w age|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w one|strong="H1121"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w*.  
\v 9  \w The|strong="H6912"\w* \w people|strong="H5159"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w him|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H6912"\w* \w his|strong="H6912"\w* \w allotted|strong="H5159"\w* \w land|strong="H5159"\w* \w in|strong="H6912"\w* Timnath Heres \w in|strong="H6912"\w* \w the|strong="H6912"\w* \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* Ephraim, \w north|strong="H6828"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Gaash|strong="H1608"\w*.  
\v 10  \w That|strong="H3045"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w generation|strong="H1755"\w* \w passed|strong="H3068"\w* \w away|strong="H3605"\w*; \w a|strong="H3068"\w* new \w generation|strong="H1755"\w* grew \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* personally \w experienced|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s presence \w or|strong="H3808"\w* seen \w what|strong="H4639"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\s1 A Monotonous Cycle  
\p
\v 11  \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w before|strong="H5869"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w worshiping|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Baals|strong="H1168"\w*.  
\v 12  \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w brought|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H5439"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* land \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w followed|strong="H3212"\w* other gods – \w the|strong="H3068"\w* gods \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w nations|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* lived \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w them|strong="H5439"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H7812"\w* \w them|strong="H5439"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w made|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w angry|strong="H3707"\w*.  
\v 13  \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w the|strong="H5647"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5647"\w* \w Ashtars|strong="H6252"\w*.   
\p
\v 14  \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w furious|strong="H2734"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* robbers \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w plundered|strong="H8155"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w turned|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* lived \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w could|strong="H3201"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w withstand|strong="H5975"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w*’ attacks.  
\v 15  \w Whenever|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* fight, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w harm|strong="H7451"\w*, \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w warned|strong="H1696"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w solemnly|strong="H7650"\w* \w vowed|strong="H7650"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w suffered|strong="H3334"\w* \w greatly|strong="H3966"\w*.   
\p
\v 16  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w raised|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8199"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w delivered|strong="H3467"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w these|strong="H6965"\w* robbers.  
\v 17  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w obey|strong="H8085"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8199"\w*. \w Instead|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w prostituted|strong="H2181"\w* \w themselves|strong="H7812"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* other \w gods|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H7812"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w quickly|strong="H4118"\w* \w turned|strong="H5493"\w* \w aside|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w path|strong="H1870"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w walked|strong="H1980"\w*. \w Their|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w obeyed|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w commands|strong="H4687"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w*.  
\v 18  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w raised|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8199"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* leader \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w delivered|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 while|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* leader \w remained|strong="H1961"\w* alive. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* felt \w sorry|strong="H5162"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* cried \w out|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* agony \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H3588"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* harsh \w oppressors|strong="H3905"\w* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 19  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* leader \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w the|strong="H5647"\w* next generation would \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w act|strong="H7843"\w* \w more|strong="H3808"\w* wickedly \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5647"\w* previous \w one|strong="H3808"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* would \w follow|strong="H3212"\w* \w after|strong="H1961"\w* other gods, \w worshiping|strong="H7812"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w bowing|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w give|strong="H7725"\w* \w up|strong="H3212"\w* \w their|strong="H7725"\w* \w practices|strong="H4611"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w their|strong="H7725"\w* \w stubborn|strong="H7186"\w* \w ways|strong="H1870"\w*.   
\s1 A Divine Decision  
\p
\v 20  \w The|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w furious|strong="H2734"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H8085"\w*, “\w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w nation|strong="H1471"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w violated|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* terms \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w I|strong="H6680"\w* \w made|strong="H3478"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors \w by|strong="H5674"\w* disobeying \w me|strong="H6963"\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 remove|strong="H6440"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w any|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w that|strong="H1471"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w* \w left|strong="H5800"\w* \w unconquered|strong="H3423"\w* \w when|strong="H4480"\w* \w he|strong="H4480"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 22  Joshua \w left|strong="H3478"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* nations \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w test|strong="H5254"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w wanted|strong="H4616"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* see whether \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w carefully|strong="H8104"\w* \w walk|strong="H3212"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w path|strong="H1870"\w* \w marked|strong="H8104"\w* \w out|strong="H3212"\w* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w careful|strong="H8104"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w*.”  
\v 23  \w This|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w why|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w permitted|strong="H3240"\w* these \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w remain|strong="H3808"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* immediately; \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Joshua|strong="H3091"\w*.   
\c 3  
\p
\v 1  \w These|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w permitted|strong="H3240"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w remain|strong="H3808"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w could|strong="H3045"\w* use \w them|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w test|strong="H5254"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* – \w he|strong="H3068"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w test|strong="H5254"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w experienced|strong="H3045"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w against|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Canaanites.  
\v 2  \w He|strong="H3808"\w* \w left|strong="H3478"\w* \w those|strong="H1121"\w* \w nations|strong="H6440"\w* \w simply|strong="H1847"\w* \w because|strong="H6440"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w wanted|strong="H4616"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w teach|strong="H3925"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* subsequent \w generations|strong="H1755"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w experienced|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* earlier \w battles|strong="H4421"\w*, \w how|strong="H3045"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* conduct holy \w war|strong="H4421"\w*.  
\v 3  \w These|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H6430"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* nations: \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w lords|strong="H5633"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Sidonians|strong="H6722"\w*, \w and|strong="H2568"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Hivites|strong="H2340"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Lebanon|strong="H3844"\w*, \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* Baal Hermon \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Lebo-Hamath|strong="H2574"\w*.  
\v 4  \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w left|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w test|strong="H5254"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H3045"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w obey|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w commands|strong="H6680"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w gave|strong="H6680"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w*.   
\p
\v 5  \w The|strong="H7130"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H7130"\w* \w the|strong="H7130"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w*, \w Hittites|strong="H2850"\w*, Amorites, \w Perizzites|strong="H6522"\w*, \w Hivites|strong="H2340"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jebusites|strong="H2983"\w*.  
\v 6  \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Canaanites’ \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w as|strong="H1121"\w* wives \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Canaanites; \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* gods \w as|strong="H1121"\w* well.   
\s1 Othniel: A Model Leader  
\p
\v 7  \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w forgot|strong="H7911"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Baals|strong="H1168"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* Asherahs.  
\v 8  \w The|strong="H5647"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w furious|strong="H2734"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w turned|strong="H3478"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Cushan-Rishathaim|strong="H3573"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Aram-Naharaim. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w Cushan-Rishathaim|strong="H3573"\w*’s \w subjects|strong="H8083"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w eight|strong="H8083"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 9  \w When|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried|strong="H2199"\w* \w out|strong="H2199"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w raised|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w deliverer|strong="H3467"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* rescued \w them|strong="H1121"\w*. \w His|strong="H3068"\w* name \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w Othniel|strong="H6274"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Kenaz|strong="H7073"\w*, \w Caleb|strong="H3612"\w*’s \w younger|strong="H6996"\w* brother.  
\v 10  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w empowered|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Cushan-Rishathaim|strong="H3573"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Aram \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w overpowered|strong="H3027"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 11  \w The|strong="H4191"\w* land \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w rest|strong="H8252"\w* \w for|strong="H4191"\w* forty \w years|strong="H8141"\w*; \w then|strong="H1121"\w* \w Othniel|strong="H6274"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Kenaz|strong="H7073"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.   
\s1 Deceit, Assassination, and Deliverance  
\p
\v 12  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w control|strong="H2388"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*.  
\v 13  Eglon formed alliances \w with|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Amalekites|strong="H6002"\w*. \w He|strong="H5221"\w* \w came|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3478"\w* seized \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Date|strong="H8558"\w* \w Palm|strong="H8558"\w* \w Trees|strong="H8558"\w*.  
\v 14  \w The|strong="H5647"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w subject|strong="H5647"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w for|strong="H1121"\w* \w eighteen|strong="H8083"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\p
\v 15  \w When|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried|strong="H2199"\w* \w out|strong="H7971"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w raised|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w deliverer|strong="H3467"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*. \w His|strong="H3068"\w* name \w was|strong="H3068"\w* Ehud \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gera|strong="H1617"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Benjaminite|strong="H1145"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w left-handed|strong="H3225"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w*. \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \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 of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w tribute|strong="H4503"\w* payment.  
\v 16  Ehud \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w himself|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* – \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H3225"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w edges|strong="H6366"\w* \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w was|strong="H6213"\w* eighteen inches \w long|strong="H5921"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w strapped|strong="H2296"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* coat \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w thigh|strong="H3409"\w*.  
\v 17  \w He|strong="H7126"\w* \w brought|strong="H7126"\w* \w the|strong="H7126"\w* \w tribute|strong="H4503"\w* payment \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. (\w Now|strong="H4428"\w* \w Eglon|strong="H5700"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w fat|strong="H1277"\w* man.)   
\p
\v 18  \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ehud|strong="H3615"\w* \w brought|strong="H7126"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w tribute|strong="H4503"\w* payment, \w he|strong="H7971"\w* \w dismissed|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w carried|strong="H5375"\w* \w it|strong="H7126"\w*.  
\v 19  \w But|strong="H1931"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w once|strong="H7725"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w reached|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w carved|strong="H6456"\w* \w images|strong="H6456"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gilgal|strong="H1537"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Eglon, “\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 O|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.” Eglon \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w Be|strong="H1697"\w* \w quiet|strong="H2013"\w*!” \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* attendants \w left|strong="H3318"\w*.  
\v 20  \w When|strong="H3427"\w* Ehud approached \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* well-ventilated \w upper|strong="H5944"\w* \w room|strong="H5944"\w* \w all|strong="H1697"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w himself|strong="H1931"\w*. Ehud \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 from|strong="H5921"\w* God \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*.” \w When|strong="H3427"\w* Eglon \w rose|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w seat|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 pulled|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sword|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* \w drove|strong="H8628"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* Eglon’s belly.  
\v 22  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w handle|strong="H5325"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w in|strong="H3808"\w* \w after|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w blade|strong="H3851"\w*, \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w fat|strong="H2459"\w* \w closed|strong="H5462"\w* \w around|strong="H1157"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w blade|strong="H3851"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ehud|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pull|strong="H8025"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H3318"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* belly.  
\v 23  \w As|strong="H3318"\w* Ehud \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w vestibule|strong="H4528"\w*, \w he|strong="H3318"\w* \w closed|strong="H5462"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w upper|strong="H5944"\w* \w room|strong="H5944"\w* behind \w him|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H3318"\w* \w locked|strong="H5274"\w* \w them|strong="H3318"\w*.   
\p
\v 24  \w When|strong="H7200"\w* Ehud \w had|strong="H1817"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w*, Eglon’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w locked|strong="H5274"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of|strong="H5650"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w upper|strong="H5944"\w* \w room|strong="H2315"\w*. \w They|strong="H1931"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w He|strong="H1931"\w* must \w be|strong="H5650"\w* \w relieving|strong="H5526"\w* \w himself|strong="H1931"\w* \w in|strong="H5650"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* well-ventilated \w inner|strong="H2315"\w* \w room|strong="H2315"\w*.”  
\v 25  \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w waited|strong="H2342"\w* \w so|strong="H3947"\w* \w long|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w were|strong="H2009"\w* embarrassed, \w but|strong="H2009"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w still|strong="H5704"\w* \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 upper|strong="H5944"\w* \w room|strong="H5944"\w*. \w Finally|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w key|strong="H4668"\w* \w and|strong="H3947"\w* \w opened|strong="H6605"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w*. \w Right|strong="H2009"\w* \w before|strong="H5704"\w* \w their|strong="H3947"\w* eyes was \w their|strong="H3947"\w* master, \w sprawled|strong="H5307"\w* \w out|strong="H3947"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w on|strong="H5307"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* floor!  
\v 26  Now Ehud \w had|strong="H1931"\w* \w escaped|strong="H4422"\w* \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* were \w delaying|strong="H4102"\w*. \w When|strong="H5704"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w passed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w carved|strong="H6456"\w* \w images|strong="H6456"\w*, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w escaped|strong="H4422"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Seirah|strong="H8167"\w*.   
\p
\v 27  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w reached|strong="H1961"\w* Seirah, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w trumpet|strong="H7782"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Ephraimite \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w*. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w*, \w with|strong="H5973"\w* Ehud \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* lead.  
\v 28  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w Follow|strong="H7291"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w about|strong="H3027"\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 Moabites|strong="H4124"\w*!” \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w followed|strong="H7291"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w fords|strong="H4569"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w River|strong="H3588"\w* \w opposite|strong="H3383"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3588"\w* \w cross|strong="H5674"\w*.  
\v 29  \w That|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H6256"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w about|strong="H5221"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand \w Moabites|strong="H4124"\w* – \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w strong|strong="H2428"\w*, \w capable|strong="H2428"\w* \w warriors|strong="H2428"\w*; \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w escaped|strong="H4422"\w*.  
\v 30  \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w humiliated|strong="H3665"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* land \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w rest|strong="H8252"\w* \w for|strong="H8478"\w* \w eighty|strong="H8084"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\p
\v 31  \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ehud|strong="H8044"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w Shamgar|strong="H8044"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Anath|strong="H6067"\w*; \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w with|strong="H3478"\w* \w an|strong="H1961"\w* \w oxgoad|strong="H4451"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w*, \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ehud|strong="H8044"\w*, \w delivered|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\c 4  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w* after Ehud’s \w death|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w turned|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w over|strong="H4427"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3667"\w*, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w ruled|strong="H4427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Hazor|strong="H2674"\w*. \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \w general|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* \w Harosheth|strong="H2800"\w* Haggoyim.  
\v 3  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried|strong="H6817"\w* \w out|strong="H6817"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* help \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H8672"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w nine|strong="H8672"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* iron-rimmed wheels, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* cruelly \w oppressed|strong="H3905"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w Now|strong="H6256"\w* \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w prophetess|strong="H5031"\w*, wife \w of|strong="H6256"\w* \w Lappidoth|strong="H3941"\w*, \w was|strong="H3478"\w* leading \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*.  
\v 5  \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w the|strong="H8478"\w* Date \w Palm|strong="H8560"\w* \w Tree|strong="H8560"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\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* Ephraimite \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w*. \w The|strong="H8478"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w her|strong="H1931"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H8478"\w* disputes \w settled|strong="H3427"\w*.   
\p
\v 6  \w She|strong="H7121"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abinoam \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Kedesh|strong="H6943"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w*. \w She|strong="H7121"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Is|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w true|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w commanding|strong="H6680"\w* \w you|strong="H6680"\w*? \w Go|strong="H3212"\w*, \w march|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w*! \w Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H6680"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w*!  
\v 7  \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H6635"\w* \w bring|strong="H5414"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*, \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w general|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w*’s \w army|strong="H6635"\w*, \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w at|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Kishon|strong="H7028"\w* \w River|strong="H5158"\w*, \w along|strong="H3027"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w huge|strong="H1995"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w*. \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H6635"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*.”  
\v 8  \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w her|strong="H1980"\w*, “If \w you|strong="H5973"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H5973"\w*, \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* if \w you|strong="H5973"\w* do \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H5973"\w*, \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w*.”  
\v 9  \w She|strong="H3588"\w* said, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w indeed|strong="H3588"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* gain fame \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* expedition \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H3027"\w* undertaking, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w turn|strong="H1961"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* woman.” \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w Kedesh|strong="H6943"\w*.  
\v 10  \w Barak|strong="H1301"\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 to|strong="H5927"\w* \w Kedesh|strong="H6943"\w*. \w Ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand men \w followed|strong="H7272"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w*; \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w* \w as|strong="H5927"\w* \w well|strong="H5973"\w*.  
\v 11  Now \w Heber|strong="H2268"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w Kenite|strong="H7017"\w* \w had|strong="H4872"\w* moved \w away|strong="H5186"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w Kenites|strong="H7017"\w*, \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hobab|strong="H2246"\w*, \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w*’ \w father-in-law|strong="H2859"\w*. \w He|strong="H5704"\w* lived \w near|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* great tree \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zaanannim|strong="H6815"\w* \w near|strong="H5704"\w* \w Kedesh|strong="H6943"\w*.   
\p
\v 12  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w heard|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abinoam \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w gone|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w*,  
\v 13  \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w ordered|strong="H2199"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w chariotry|strong="H7393"\w* – \w nine|strong="H8672"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* iron-rimmed wheels – \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w troops|strong="H5971"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H5971"\w* \w go|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H1471"\w* Harosheth-Haggoyim \w to|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w River|strong="H5158"\w* \w Kishon|strong="H7028"\w*.  
\v 14  \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*, “\w Spring|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H3381"\w* action, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w handing|strong="H3027"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*! \w Has|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w taken|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w lead|strong="H3318"\w*?” \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* quickly \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand men following \w him|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 15  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w routed|strong="H2000"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w chariotry|strong="H7393"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w edge|strong="H6310"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w*. \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* jumped \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\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* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w foot|strong="H7272"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Now|strong="H7604"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w and|strong="H7393"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Harosheth|strong="H2800"\w* Haggoyim. \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*’s \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w died|strong="H5307"\w* \w by|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w edge|strong="H6310"\w* \w of|strong="H6310"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w*; \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w survived|strong="H7604"\w*!   
\p
\v 17  \w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w away|strong="H5127"\w* \w on|strong="H1004"\w* \w foot|strong="H7272"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* tent \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w*, wife \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Heber|strong="H2268"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Kenite|strong="H7017"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hazor|strong="H2674"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Heber|strong="H2268"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Kenite|strong="H7017"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* made \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w* treaty.  
\v 18  \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* welcome \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*. She \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w Stop|strong="H5493"\w* \w and|strong="H3318"\w* rest, \w my|strong="H3318"\w* lord. \w Stop|strong="H5493"\w* \w and|strong="H3318"\w* rest \w with|strong="H3318"\w* \w me|strong="H3318"\w*. Don’t \w be|strong="H3372"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w*.” \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5493"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* rest \w in|strong="H5493"\w* \w her|strong="H5493"\w* tent, \w and|strong="H3318"\w* she \w put|strong="H5493"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* blanket \w over|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H3318"\w*.  
\v 19  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H4325"\w* \w her|strong="H3680"\w*, “\w Give|strong="H8248"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w little|strong="H4592"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w to|strong="H4325"\w* \w drink|strong="H8248"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w*’m \w thirsty|strong="H6770"\w*.” \w She|strong="H3588"\w* \w opened|strong="H6605"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* goatskin 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 some|strong="H4592"\w* \w milk|strong="H2461"\w* \w to|strong="H4325"\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* up again.  
\v 20  \w He|strong="H3426"\w* said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H7592"\w*, “\w Stand|strong="H5975"\w* watch \w at|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* tent. \w If|strong="H1961"\w* anyone \w comes|strong="H1961"\w* along \w and|strong="H5975"\w* \w asks|strong="H7592"\w* \w you|strong="H7592"\w*, ‘\w Is|strong="H3426"\w* \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* man \w here|strong="H6311"\w*?’ say ‘\w No|strong="H5975"\w*.’”  
\v 21  \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w* wife \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Heber|strong="H2268"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w tent|strong="H3489"\w* \w peg|strong="H3489"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hammer|strong="H4718"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* other. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* crept \w up|strong="H7760"\w* \w on|strong="H7760"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w*, \w drove|strong="H8628"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w tent|strong="H3489"\w* \w peg|strong="H3489"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H7760"\w* \w temple|strong="H7541"\w* \w into|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* ground \w while|strong="H1931"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w asleep|strong="H7290"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* exhaustion, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 22  \w Now|strong="H2009"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w was|strong="H5516"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7291"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*. \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* welcome \w him|strong="H7200"\w*. She \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H3318"\w* \w here|strong="H2009"\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="H7291"\w* \w searching|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H4191"\w*.” \w He|strong="H3318"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H3318"\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 there|strong="H2009"\w* \w he|strong="H3318"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w sprawled|strong="H5307"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\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 in|strong="H4191"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w temple|strong="H7541"\w*.   
\p
\v 23  \w That|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* God \w humiliated|strong="H3665"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3667"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 24  \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*’s \w power|strong="H3027"\w* \w continued|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* overwhelm \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabin|strong="H2985"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3667"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w away|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\c 5  
\p
\v 1  \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abinoam \w sang|strong="H7891"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* victory \w song|strong="H7891"\w*:   
\q1
\v 2 “\w When|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w leaders|strong="H6546"\w* \w took|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* lead \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*,  
\q1 \w When|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w answered|strong="H5068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* call \w to|strong="H3478"\w* war –  
\q1 \w Praise|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*!   
\q1
\v 3  \w Hear|strong="H8085"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w*!  
\q1 \w Pay|strong="H8085"\w* \w attention|strong="H8085"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w rulers|strong="H7336"\w*!  
\q1 \w I|strong="H8085"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w sing|strong="H7891"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*!  
\q1 \w I|strong="H8085"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w sing|strong="H7891"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*!   
\q1
\v 4  \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w when|strong="H3318"\w* \w you|strong="H1571"\w* \w departed|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Seir|strong="H8165"\w*,  
\q1 \w when|strong="H3318"\w* \w you|strong="H1571"\w* \w marched|strong="H6805"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* Edom’s \w plains|strong="H7704"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w earth|strong="H8064"\w* \w shook|strong="H7493"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w heavens|strong="H8064"\w* \w poured|strong="H5197"\w* \w down|strong="H5197"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w clouds|strong="H5645"\w* \w poured|strong="H5197"\w* \w down|strong="H5197"\w* \w rain|strong="H4325"\w*.   
\q1
\v 5  \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w mountains|strong="H2022"\w* \w trembled|strong="H5140"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Sinai|strong="H5514"\w*;  
\q1 \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\q1
\v 6  \w In|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shamgar|strong="H8044"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Anath|strong="H6067"\w*,  
\q1 \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w* caravans disappeared;  
\q1 \w travelers|strong="H1980"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* winding side roads.   
\q1
\v 7  \w Warriors|strong="H6520"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* scarce,  
\q1 \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* scarce \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*,  
\q1 \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H5704"\w* \w arose|strong="H6965"\w*, \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w*,  
\q1 \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H5704"\w* \w arose|strong="H6965"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* motherly \w protector|strong="H3478"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\q1
\v 8  God chose \w new|strong="H2319"\w* leaders,  
\q1 \w then|strong="H7200"\w* \w fighters|strong="H3901"\w* \w appeared|strong="H7200"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w city|strong="H8179"\w* \w gates|strong="H8179"\w*;  
\q1 \w but|strong="H7200"\w*, \w I|strong="H7200"\w* swear, \w not|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w shield|strong="H4043"\w* \w or|strong="H7200"\w* \w spear|strong="H7420"\w* could \w be|strong="H3478"\w* found,  
\q1 \w among|strong="H7200"\w* forty military units \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\q1
\v 9  \w My|strong="H3068"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w went|strong="H3478"\w* \w out|strong="H2710"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*’s \w leaders|strong="H5068"\w*,  
\q1 \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w answered|strong="H5068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* call \w to|strong="H3478"\w* war.  
\q1 \w Praise|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*!   
\q1
\v 10  \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w ride|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* light-colored female donkeys,  
\q1 \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w saddle|strong="H3427"\w* blankets,  
\q1 \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w walk|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w*, pay \w attention|strong="H1870"\w*!   
\q1
\v 11  \w Hear|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w sound|strong="H6963"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* those \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w divide|strong="H2686"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* sheep \w among|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w watering|strong="H4857"\w* \w places|strong="H4857"\w*;  
\q1 \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* tell \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*’s victorious \w deeds|strong="H6666"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3068"\w* victorious \w deeds|strong="H6666"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w warriors|strong="H6520"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\q1 \w Then|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w city|strong="H8179"\w* \w gates|strong="H8179"\w* –   
\q1
\v 12  \w Wake|strong="H5782"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w wake|strong="H5782"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w*!  
\q1 \w Wake|strong="H5782"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w wake|strong="H5782"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w sing|strong="H1696"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w song|strong="H7892"\w*!  
\q1 \w Get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*!  
\q1 \w Capture|strong="H7617"\w* \w your|strong="H6965"\w* \w prisoners|strong="H7628"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* war, \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abinoam!   
\q1
\v 13  \w Then|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w survivors|strong="H8300"\w* \w came|strong="H3068"\w* down \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w mighty|strong="H1368"\w* \w ones|strong="H1368"\w*;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w came|strong="H3068"\w* down \w to|strong="H3068"\w* me \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w*.   
\q1
\v 14  \w They|strong="H5971"\w* \w came|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* Ephraim, \w who|strong="H5971"\w* uprooted \w Amalek|strong="H6002"\w*,  
\q1 \w they|strong="H5971"\w* \w follow|strong="H4900"\w* \w after|strong="H4480"\w* \w you|strong="H4480"\w*, \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w with|strong="H3381"\w* \w your|strong="H4480"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w*.  
\q1 \w From|strong="H4480"\w* \w Makir|strong="H4353"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2710"\w* \w came|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w*,  
\q1 \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* \w came|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* ones \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w march|strong="H4900"\w* carrying \w an|strong="H4480"\w* officer’s \w staff|strong="H7626"\w*.   
\q1
\v 15  \w Issachar|strong="H3485"\w*’s \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w were|strong="H7272"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Deborah|strong="H1683"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w men|strong="H1419"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w Issachar|strong="H3485"\w* \w supported|strong="H3651"\w* \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*;  
\q1 into \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w valley|strong="H6010"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w were|strong="H7272"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* under \w Barak|strong="H1301"\w*’s command.  
\q1 \w Among|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* clans \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w Reuben|strong="H7205"\w* there \w was|strong="H3820"\w* \w intense|strong="H1419"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w searching|strong="H2711"\w*.   
\q1
\v 16  \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* \w remain|strong="H3427"\w* \w among|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w sheepfolds|strong="H4942"\w*,  
\q1 \w listening|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* shepherds playing \w their|strong="H8085"\w* pipes \w for|strong="H3427"\w* \w their|strong="H8085"\w* \w flocks|strong="H5739"\w*?  
\q1 \w As|strong="H3427"\w* \w for|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* clans \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Reuben|strong="H7205"\w* – \w there|strong="H3427"\w* \w was|strong="H3820"\w* \w intense|strong="H1419"\w* \w searching|strong="H2714"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*.   
\q1
\v 17  \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* put \w beyond|strong="H5676"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* River.  
\q1 \w As|strong="H3427"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* – \w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* seek temporary employment \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* shipyards?  
\q1 Asher \w remained|strong="H3427"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w seacoast|strong="H3220"\w*,  
\q1 \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* harbors.   
\q1
\v 18  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H4191"\w* concerned \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w lives|strong="H5315"\w*;  
\q1 \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w* charged \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* battlefields.   
\q1
\v 19  \w Kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w came|strong="H4325"\w*, \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w*;  
\q1 \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*,  
\q1 \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Taanach|strong="H8590"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w waters|strong="H4325"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Megiddo|strong="H4023"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w as|strong="H4325"\w* \w plunder|strong="H1215"\w*.   
\q1
\v 20  \w From|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w sky|strong="H8064"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w stars|strong="H3556"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w*,  
\q1 \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w their|strong="H8064"\w* \w paths|strong="H4546"\w* \w in|strong="H8064"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w heavens|strong="H8064"\w* \w they|strong="H4546"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*.   
\q1
\v 21  \w The|strong="H1869"\w* \w Kishon|strong="H7028"\w* \w River|strong="H5158"\w* \w carried|strong="H1640"\w* \w them|strong="H1640"\w* off;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H1869"\w* \w river|strong="H5158"\w* \w confronted|strong="H6917"\w* \w them|strong="H1640"\w* – \w the|strong="H1869"\w* \w Kishon|strong="H7028"\w* \w River|strong="H5158"\w*.  
\q1 Step \w on|strong="H1869"\w* \w the|strong="H1869"\w* necks \w of|strong="H5158"\w* \w the|strong="H1869"\w* \w strong|strong="H5797"\w*!   
\q1
\v 22  \w The|strong="H1986"\w* \w horses|strong="H5483"\w*’ \w hooves|strong="H6119"\w* \w pounded|strong="H1986"\w* \w the|strong="H1986"\w* ground;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H1986"\w* \w stallions|strong="H5483"\w* galloped madly.   
\q1
\v 23 ‘Call judgment \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w on|strong="H3427"\w* \w Meroz|strong="H4789"\w*,’ says \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w angelic|strong="H4397"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*;  
\q1 ‘\w Be|strong="H3808"\w* sure \w to|strong="H3068"\w* call judgment \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w on|strong="H3427"\w* \w those|strong="H3427"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w*,  
\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 in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s battle,  
\q1 \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w help|strong="H5833"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s battle \w against|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w*.’   
\q1
\v 24  \w The|strong="H1288"\w* most \w rewarded|strong="H1288"\w* \w of|strong="H1288"\w* women should \w be|strong="H1288"\w* \w Jael|strong="H3278"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H1288"\w* wife \w of|strong="H1288"\w* \w Heber|strong="H2268"\w* \w the|strong="H1288"\w* \w Kenite|strong="H7017"\w*!  
\q1 She should \w be|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H1288"\w* most \w rewarded|strong="H1288"\w* \w of|strong="H1288"\w* women \w who|strong="H7017"\w* live \w in|strong="H1288"\w* tents.   
\q1
\v 25  \w He|strong="H5414"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w for|strong="H4325"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H2461"\w* \w she|strong="H5602"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w milk|strong="H2461"\w*;  
\q1 \w in|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w bowl|strong="H5602"\w* fit \w for|strong="H4325"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* king,  
\q1 \w she|strong="H5602"\w* served \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w curds|strong="H2529"\w*.   
\q1
\v 26  \w Her|strong="H7971"\w* \w left|strong="H7971"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w reached|strong="H7971"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w tent|strong="H3489"\w* \w peg|strong="H3489"\w*,  
\q1 \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* workmen’s \w hammer|strong="H1989"\w*.  
\q1 She “hammered” \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*,  
\q1 she \w shattered|strong="H4272"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* skull,  
\q1 she \w smashed|strong="H4277"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*,  
\q1 she drove \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w tent|strong="H3489"\w* \w peg|strong="H3489"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w temple|strong="H7541"\w*.   
\q1
\v 27  Between \w her|strong="H7901"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w collapsed|strong="H5307"\w*,  
\q1 \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* limp \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H8033"\w* lifeless;  
\q1 between \w her|strong="H7901"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w collapsed|strong="H5307"\w* \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* limp,  
\q1 \w in|strong="H7901"\w* \w the|strong="H8033"\w* spot \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w collapsed|strong="H5307"\w*,  
\q1 \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* limp – violently murdered!   
\q1
\v 28  \w Through|strong="H1157"\w* \w the|strong="H1157"\w* \w window|strong="H2474"\w* \w she|strong="H2474"\w* \w looked|strong="H8259"\w*;  
\q1 \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*’s mother \w cried|strong="H2980"\w* \w out|strong="H8259"\w* \w through|strong="H1157"\w* \w the|strong="H1157"\w* lattice:  
\q1 ‘\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* is \w his|strong="H1157"\w* \w chariot|strong="H7393"\w* so slow \w to|strong="H4818"\w* return?  
\q1 \w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w are|strong="H4069"\w* \w the|strong="H1157"\w* \w hoofbeats|strong="H6471"\w* \w of|strong="H7393"\w* \w his|strong="H1157"\w* chariot-horses delayed?’   
\q1
\v 29  \w The|strong="H7725"\w* \w wisest|strong="H2450"\w* \w of|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w* \w ladies|strong="H8282"\w* \w answer|strong="H6030"\w*;  
\q1 \w indeed|strong="H7725"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* even thinks \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w herself|strong="H1931"\w*,   
\q1
\v 30 ‘\w No|strong="H3808"\w* doubt \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H7356"\w* gathering \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w dividing|strong="H2505"\w* \w the|strong="H4672"\w* \w plunder|strong="H7998"\w* –  
\q1 \w a|strong="H3068"\w* girl \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w two|strong="H7361"\w* \w for|strong="H3808"\w* each \w man|strong="H1397"\w* \w to|strong="H3808"\w* rape!  
\q1 \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w* \w is|strong="H7218"\w* grabbing up \w colorful|strong="H6648"\w* \w cloth|strong="H6648"\w*,  
\q1 \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H7218"\w* grabbing up \w colorful|strong="H6648"\w* \w embroidered|strong="H7553"\w* \w cloth|strong="H6648"\w*,  
\q1 \w two|strong="H7361"\w* pieces \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w colorful|strong="H6648"\w* \w embroidered|strong="H7553"\w* \w cloth|strong="H6648"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H4672"\w* \w neck|strong="H6677"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H4672"\w* plunderer!’   
\q1
\v 31  \w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* enemies perish \w like|strong="H3651"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*!  
\q1 \w But|strong="H3651"\w* \w may|strong="H3068"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* love \w you|strong="H3605"\w* shine  
\q1 \w like|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w rising|strong="H3318"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* brightest!”  
\p \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w rest|strong="H8252"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* forty \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\c 6  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w turned|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w* \w overwhelmed|strong="H5810"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w Because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w shelters|strong="H4492"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w*, \w as|strong="H6213"\w* well \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w caves|strong="H4631"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w strongholds|strong="H4679"\w*.  
\v 3  \w Whenever|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w planted|strong="H2232"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* crops, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*, \w Amalekites|strong="H6002"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w east|strong="H6924"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w attack|strong="H5927"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 4  \w They|strong="H3808"\w* invaded \w the|strong="H5921"\w* land \w and|strong="H3478"\w* devoured \w its|strong="H5921"\w* \w crops|strong="H2981"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w way|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Gaza|strong="H5804"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w left|strong="H7604"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* eat, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w took|strong="H3478"\w* away \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sheep|strong="H7716"\w*, \w oxen|strong="H7794"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*.  
\v 5  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w invaded|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H5927"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w cattle|strong="H4735"\w* \w and|strong="H5927"\w* tents, \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1992"\w* \w as|strong="H7230"\w* thick \w as|strong="H7230"\w* locusts. Neither \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w nor|strong="H3588"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w camels|strong="H1581"\w* could \w be|strong="H3588"\w* \w counted|strong="H4557"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* devour \w the|strong="H3588"\w* land.  
\v 6  \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w so|strong="H3966"\w* \w severely|strong="H3966"\w* weakened \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried|strong="H2199"\w* \w out|strong="H2199"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w for|strong="H6440"\w* help.   
\p
\v 7  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried|strong="H2199"\w* \w out|strong="H2199"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w help|strong="H1961"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*,  
\v 8  \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3541"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*, “\w This|strong="H3541"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H3541"\w* \w the|strong="H3541"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w says|strong="H3541"\w*: ‘\w I|strong="H3541"\w* \w brought|strong="H3318"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w took|strong="H3318"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w place|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w slavery|strong="H5650"\w*.  
\v 9  \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w rescued|strong="H5337"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4713"\w*’s \w power|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w power|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w oppressed|strong="H3905"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w drove|strong="H1644"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|strong="H1644"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 10  \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w said|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*! \w Do|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w worship|strong="H3372"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* gods \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Amorites, \w in|strong="H3427"\w* whose land \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w now|strong="H8085"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w*!” \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w disobeyed|strong="H6963"\w* \w me|strong="H6963"\w*.’”   
\s1 Gideon Meets Some Visitors  
\p
\v 11  \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w angelic|strong="H4397"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w came|strong="H3068"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* oak tree \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w* owned \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Abiezrite. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* arrived \w while|strong="H8478"\w* \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 a|strong="H3068"\w* \w winepress|strong="H1660"\w* \w so|strong="H3427"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* could \w hide|strong="H5127"\w* \w it|strong="H6440"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*.  
\v 12  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w appeared|strong="H7200"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w*, “\w The|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w*, courageous \w warrior|strong="H1368"\w*!”  
\v 13  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, “Pardon \w me|strong="H5414"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w if|strong="H3426"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*, \w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w such|strong="H2063"\w* disaster \w overtaken|strong="H4672"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*? \w Where|strong="H4100"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w miraculous|strong="H6381"\w* \w deeds|strong="H6381"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* ancestors \w told|strong="H5608"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w about|strong="H3605"\w*? \w They|strong="H3068"\w* said, ‘\w Did|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w bring|strong="H5927"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*?’ \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w abandoned|strong="H5203"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w handed|strong="H4672"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w himself|strong="H3068"\w* \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* said, “\w You|strong="H7971"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w strength|strong="H3581"\w*. \w Deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w power|strong="H3581"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*! \w Have|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w*?”  
\v 15  Gideon said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* him, “\w But|strong="H2009"\w* Lord, \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*? Just \w look|strong="H2009"\w*! \w My|strong="H3467"\w* clan \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H2009"\w* weakest \w in|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 youngest|strong="H6810"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w my|strong="H3467"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*.”  
\v 16  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w*, “Ah, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*! \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* whole \w Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* army.”  
\v 17  Gideon \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “If \w you|strong="H6213"\w* really \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w pleased|strong="H5869"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*, \w then|strong="H1696"\w* \w give|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* sign \w as|strong="H6213"\w* proof \w that|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H5869"\w* really \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*.  
\v 18  \w Do|strong="H3318"\w* \w not|strong="H2088"\w* \w leave|strong="H3240"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w place|strong="H3240"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w gift|strong="H4503"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w present|strong="H4503"\w* \w it|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*.” \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \nd Lord\nd* \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, “\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 come|strong="H3318"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w*.”   
\p
\v 19  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H1423"\w* \w goat|strong="H5795"\w*, along \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w unleavened|strong="H4682"\w* \w bread|strong="H4682"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* ephah \w of|strong="H8478"\w* \w flour|strong="H7058"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \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 the|strong="H6213"\w* \w broth|strong="H4839"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w pot|strong="H6517"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w brought|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* food \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* oak tree \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w presented|strong="H5066"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 20  God’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\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 unleavened|strong="H4682"\w* \w bread|strong="H4682"\w* \w on|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w rock|strong="H5553"\w*, \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w pour|strong="H8210"\w* \w out|strong="H8210"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w broth|strong="H4839"\w*.” \w Gideon|strong="H8210"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* instructed.  
\v 21  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w touched|strong="H5060"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w meat|strong="H1320"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w unleavened|strong="H4682"\w* \w bread|strong="H4682"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w tip|strong="H7097"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w staff|strong="H4938"\w*. Fire flared \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* consumed \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w meat|strong="H1320"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w unleavened|strong="H4682"\w* \w bread|strong="H4682"\w*. \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w then|strong="H1980"\w* \w disappeared|strong="H5869"\w*.   
\p
\v 22  \w When|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* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w*, “Oh \w no|strong="H7200"\w*! Master, \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*! \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w*!”  
\v 23  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H4191"\w*, “\w You|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w safe|strong="H7965"\w*! \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 are|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* going \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*!”  
\v 24  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w an|strong="H1129"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* “\w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w friendly|strong="H7965"\w* \w terms|strong="H7965"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H7121"\w*.” \w To|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\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* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Abiezrites.   
\s1 Gideon Destroys the Altar  
\p
\v 25  \w That|strong="H1931"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w bull|strong="H6499"\w* \w from|strong="H3772"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* father’s \w herd|strong="H7794"\w*, \w as|strong="H1961"\w* well \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w bull|strong="H6499"\w*, \w one|strong="H1931"\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*. \w Pull|strong="H2040"\w* \w down|strong="H2040"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* father’s \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w down|strong="H2040"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* nearby Asherah pole.  
\v 26  \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w an|strong="H1129"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w top|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w stronghold|strong="H4581"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* proper pattern. \w Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w bull|strong="H6499"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w offer|strong="H5927"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H5930"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wood|strong="H6086"\w* \w from|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Asherah pole \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w down|strong="H3772"\w*.”  
\v 27  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w just|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w told|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w too|strong="H1961"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* father’s \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w men|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* broad daylight, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w waited|strong="H1961"\w* \w until|strong="H3068"\w* nighttime.   
\p
\v 28  \w When|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H3772"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w got|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w next|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w pulled|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* nearby Asherah pole \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w*, \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w bull|strong="H6499"\w* \w sacrificed|strong="H5927"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* newly \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w*.  
\v 29  \w They|strong="H6213"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*?” \w They|strong="H6213"\w* \w investigated|strong="H1245"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w thoroughly|strong="H1875"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* concluded \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 30  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w*, “\w Bring|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w so|strong="H3318"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H1121"\w* \w execute|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*! \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w pulled|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \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* nearby Asherah pole.”  
\v 31  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w confronted|strong="H5975"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w Must|strong="H4191"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w fight|strong="H7378"\w* \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w*’s \w battles|strong="H7378"\w*? \w Must|strong="H4191"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*? \w Whoever|strong="H3605"\w* \w takes|strong="H5975"\w* \w up|strong="H5975"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* cause \w will|strong="H1931"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*! \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* really \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* god, let \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w fight|strong="H7378"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* own \w battles|strong="H7378"\w*! \w After|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w*, \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w pulled|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w*.”  
\v 32  \w That|strong="H3588"\w* very \w day|strong="H3117"\w* Gideon’s father \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “Let \w Baal|strong="H1168"\w* \w fight|strong="H7378"\w* \w with|strong="H3117"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w pulled|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w*.”   
\s1 Gideon Summons an Army and Seeks Confirmation  
\p
\v 33  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*, \w Amalekites|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* \w assembled|strong="H3605"\w*. \w They|strong="H3605"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jordan River \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in|strong="H2583"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jezreel|strong="H3157"\w* \w Valley|strong="H6010"\w*.  
\v 34  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’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* \w trumpet|strong="H7782"\w*, \w summoning|strong="H2199"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Abiezrites \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w follow|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H8628"\w*.  
\v 35  \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w summoned|strong="H2199"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* follow \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w well|strong="H1571"\w*. \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* Asher, \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w they|strong="H1931"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w meet|strong="H7125"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*.   
\p
\v 36  \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="H3027"\w* really intend \w to|strong="H1696"\w* use \w me|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w as|strong="H1696"\w* \w you|strong="H3027"\w* \w promised|strong="H1696"\w*, \w then|strong="H1696"\w* \w give|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H1696"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* sign \w as|strong="H1696"\w* proof.  
\v 37  \w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* \w putting|strong="H3322"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wool|strong="H6785"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w*. \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H2009"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w dew|strong="H2919"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ground \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \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 be|strong="H1961"\w* \w sure|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w use|strong="H1961"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w promised|strong="H1696"\w*.”  
\v 38  \w The|strong="H4480"\w* \nd Lord\nd* \w did|strong="H3651"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3651"\w* asked. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3651"\w* \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* \w squeezed|strong="H2115"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w*, \w and|strong="H7925"\w* \w enough|strong="H3651"\w* \w dew|strong="H2919"\w* \w dripped|strong="H4680"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w it|strong="H4393"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w fill|strong="H4393"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w bowl|strong="H5602"\w*.  
\v 39  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* God, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w do|strong="H4994"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* get \w angry|strong="H2734"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*, \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* ask \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w more|strong="H6471"\w* sign. \w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w allow|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w more|strong="H6471"\w* \w test|strong="H5254"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w*. \w This|strong="H1696"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w* \w make|strong="H5254"\w* \w only|strong="H7535"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w* \w dry|strong="H2721"\w*, \w while|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ground \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* covered \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w dew|strong="H2919"\w*.”  
\v 40  \w That|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* God \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* asked. \w Only|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fleece|strong="H1492"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w dry|strong="H2721"\w* \w and|strong="H3915"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ground \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* covered \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w dew|strong="H2919"\w*.   
\c 7  
\p
\v 1  \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* (\w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\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 the|strong="H3605"\w* \w next|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H7925"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* spring \w of|strong="H6010"\w* \w Harod|strong="H5878"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w north|strong="H6828"\w* \w of|strong="H6010"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hill|strong="H1389"\w* \w of|strong="H6010"\w* \w Moreh|strong="H4176"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w valley|strong="H6010"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* 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 men|strong="H5971"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w might|strong="H6435"\w* \w brag|strong="H6286"\w*, ‘\w Our|strong="H3068"\w* \w own|strong="H5971"\w* \w strength|strong="H3027"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w delivered|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*.’  
\v 3  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w announce|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w*, ‘\w Whoever|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* shaking \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w fear|strong="H3373"\w* \w may|strong="H4994"\w* \w turn|strong="H7725"\w* \w around|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H6242"\w* \w leave|strong="H7604"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*.’” \w Twenty-two|strong="H6242"\w* thousand \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w went|strong="H5971"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w*; \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand \w remained|strong="H7604"\w*.  
\v 4  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* spoke \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\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 Bring|strong="H3381"\w* \w them|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* thin \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ranks \w some|strong="H8033"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* say, ‘\w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*,’ pick \w him|strong="H5973"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w*; \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* say, ‘\w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*,’ \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w take|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w*.”  
\v 5  \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w brought|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 water|strong="H4325"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, “Separate \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w lap|strong="H1290"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w dog|strong="H3611"\w* \w laps|strong="H3952"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w kneel|strong="H3766"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*.”  
\v 6  \w Three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w lapped|strong="H3952"\w*; \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w rest|strong="H3499"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w kneeled|strong="H3766"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*.  
\v 7  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, “\w With|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w lapped|strong="H3952"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w deliver|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* rest \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w home|strong="H4725"\w*.”  
\v 8  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w chosen|strong="H3947"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w supplies|strong="H6720"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H7782"\w*. \w Gideon|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w back|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* homes; \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w kept|strong="H1961"\w* \w only|strong="H3605"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w*. \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* camped \w down|strong="H7971"\w* \w below|strong="H8478"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w valley|strong="H6010"\w*.   
\s1 Gideon Reassured of Victory  
\p
\v 9  \w That|strong="H3588"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* Gideon, “\w Get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*! \w Attack|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* \w handing|strong="H3027"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\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 go|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3373"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w with|strong="H3381"\w* \w Purah|strong="H6513"\w* \w your|strong="H3381"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w*  
\v 11  \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w they|strong="H4100"\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* brave \w and|strong="H3027"\w* attack \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*.” \w So|strong="H1696"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w Purah|strong="H6513"\w* \w his|strong="H8085"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w where|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* sentries \w were|strong="H3027"\w* guarding \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*.  
\v 12  \w Now|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*, \w Amalekites|strong="H6002"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w east|strong="H6924"\w* \w covered|strong="H5307"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w valley|strong="H6010"\w* \w like|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* swarm \w of|strong="H1121"\w* locusts. \w Their|strong="H3605"\w* \w camels|strong="H1581"\w* \w could|strong="H8193"\w* \w not|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w counted|strong="H4557"\w*; \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w as|strong="H7230"\w* \w innumerable|strong="H4557"\w* \w as|strong="H7230"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sand|strong="H2344"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w seashore|strong="H3220"\w*.  
\v 13  \w When|strong="H5704"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* arrived, \w he|strong="H5704"\w* heard \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H5307"\w* \w telling|strong="H5608"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w* \w man|strong="H5307"\w* \w about|strong="H5221"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w dream|strong="H2472"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w had|strong="H2492"\w*. \w The|strong="H5221"\w* \w man|strong="H5307"\w* said, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*! \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w had|strong="H2492"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w dream|strong="H2472"\w*. \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* stale \w cake|strong="H6742"\w* \w of|strong="H4264"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* rolling \w into|strong="H2015"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w It|strong="H5221"\w* \w hit|strong="H5221"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* tent \w so|strong="H5704"\w* hard \w it|strong="H5221"\w* knocked \w it|strong="H5221"\w* \w over|strong="H4605"\w* \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w turned|strong="H2015"\w* \w it|strong="H5221"\w* \w upside|strong="H4605"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w*. \w The|strong="H5221"\w* tent just \w collapsed|strong="H5307"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H7453"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w said|strong="H6030"\w*, “\w Without|strong="H1115"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* doubt \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w symbolizes|strong="H2719"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w*. \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w handing|strong="H3027"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*.”   
\s1 Gideon Routs the Enemy  
\p
\v 15  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* report \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w dream|strong="H2472"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w its|strong="H5414"\w* \w interpretation|strong="H7667"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* praised \w God|strong="H3068"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H3478"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w said|strong="H8085"\w*, “\w Get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w handing|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*!”  
\v 16  \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w divided|strong="H2673"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w into|strong="H8432"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w units|strong="H7218"\w*. \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H7782"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w empty|strong="H7386"\w* \w jars|strong="H3537"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w torches|strong="H3940"\w* \w inside|strong="H8432"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 17  \w He|strong="H3651"\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 and|strong="H7200"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*. \w Watch|strong="H7200"\w* closely! \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* going \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w edge|strong="H7097"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*!  
\v 18  \w When|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H1571"\w* \w blow|strong="H8628"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H7782"\w*, \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w blow|strong="H8628"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H7782"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1571"\w* say, ‘\w For|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*!’”   
\p
\v 19  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w took|strong="H3027"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w to|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w edge|strong="H7097"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w at|strong="H4264"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w beginning|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w middle|strong="H8484"\w* \w watch|strong="H8104"\w*, just \w after|strong="H7097"\w* \w they|strong="H3027"\w* \w had|strong="H3027"\w* changed \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w guards|strong="H8104"\w*. \w They|strong="H3027"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w their|strong="H8104"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H7782"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* broke \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w jars|strong="H3537"\w* \w they|strong="H3027"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* carrying.  
\v 20  \w All|strong="H7121"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w units|strong="H7218"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H7782"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w broke|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 in|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w left|strong="H8040"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H7782"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w*. \w Then|strong="H7121"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* yelled, “\w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*!”  
\v 21  \w They|strong="H7323"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H5975"\w* order \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w ran|strong="H7323"\w* \w away|strong="H5127"\w*; \w they|strong="H7323"\w* \w shouted|strong="H7321"\w* \w as|strong="H8478"\w* \w they|strong="H7323"\w* scrambled \w away|strong="H5127"\w*.  
\v 22  \w When|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H7782"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* caused \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Midianites \w to|strong="H5704"\w* attack \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Beth Shittah \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Zererah|strong="H6888"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w went|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w border|strong="H8193"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Abel Meholah \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w Tabbath|strong="H2888"\w*.  
\v 23  \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Naphtali|strong="H5321"\w*, Asher, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w* answered \w the|strong="H3605"\w* call \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*.   
\s1 Gideon Appeases the Ephraimites  
\p
\v 24  \w Now|strong="H7971"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Ephraimite \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* announced, “\w Go|strong="H7971"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* head \w off|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*. \w Take|strong="H3920"\w* control \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* fords \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* streams \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Beth Barah \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w River|strong="H5704"\w*.” \w When|strong="H5704"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Ephraimites \w had|strong="H4325"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6817"\w*, \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w took|strong="H3920"\w* control \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* fords \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Beth Barah \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w River|strong="H5704"\w*.  
\v 25  \w They|strong="H3920"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H5676"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w generals|strong="H8269"\w*, \w Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w*. \w They|strong="H3920"\w* executed \w Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w on|strong="H5676"\w* \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 Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w* \w in|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H5676"\w* \w winepress|strong="H3342"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w*. \w They|strong="H3920"\w* \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w the|strong="H5676"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* brought \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 to|strong="H3383"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, \w who|strong="H8269"\w* \w was|strong="H7218"\w* now \w on|strong="H5676"\w* \w the|strong="H5676"\w* \w other|strong="H5676"\w* \w side|strong="H5676"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w the|strong="H5676"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* River.   
\c 8  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* Ephraimites \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w such|strong="H2088"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w us|strong="H6213"\w*? \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H1115"\w* \w summon|strong="H7121"\w* \w us|strong="H6213"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*!” \w They|strong="H3588"\w* argued \w vehemently|strong="H2394"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w*.  
\v 2  \w He|strong="H6213"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H6258"\w* \w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w accomplished|strong="H6213"\w* compared \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w*? \w Even|strong="H3808"\w* Ephraim’s leftover \w grapes|strong="H5955"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* quality \w than|strong="H2896"\w* Abiezer’s \w harvest|strong="H1210"\w*!  
\v 3  \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w generals|strong="H8269"\w*, \w Oreb|strong="H6159"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zeeb|strong="H2062"\w*! \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w accomplish|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* rival \w that|strong="H1697"\w*?” \w When|strong="H1696"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*, \w they|strong="H5921"\w* calmed \w down|strong="H7503"\w*.   
\s1 Gideon Tracks Down the Midianite Kings  
\p
\v 4  Now \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w his|strong="H5674"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* men \w had|strong="H1931"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* River, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* even \w though|strong="H1931"\w* \w they|strong="H1931"\w* \w were|strong="H7291"\w* \w exhausted|strong="H5889"\w*, \w they|strong="H1931"\w* \w were|strong="H7291"\w* still \w chasing|strong="H7291"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* Midianites.  
\v 5  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Succoth|strong="H5523"\w*, “\w Give|strong="H5414"\w* \w some|strong="H1992"\w* \w loaves|strong="H3899"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w following|strong="H7272"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w exhausted|strong="H5889"\w*. \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w chasing|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*.”  
\v 6  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* said, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w not|strong="H5414"\w* \w yet|strong="H3588"\w* \w overpowered|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\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 bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w*?”  
\v 7  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w*, “\w Since|strong="H3651"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H5414"\w* help, after \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w thresh|strong="H1758"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w skin|strong="H1320"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w thorns|strong="H6975"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w briers|strong="H1303"\w*.”  
\v 8  \w He|strong="H8033"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Penuel|strong="H6439"\w* \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w made|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w same|strong="H2063"\w* request. \w The|strong="H5927"\w* men \w of|strong="H1696"\w* \w Penuel|strong="H6439"\w* \w responded|strong="H6030"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w same|strong="H2063"\w* \w way|strong="H2063"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* men \w of|strong="H1696"\w* \w Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* \w had|strong="H5523"\w*.  
\v 9  \w He|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* threatened \w the|strong="H7725"\w* men \w of|strong="H4026"\w* \w Penuel|strong="H6439"\w*, warning, “\w When|strong="H7725"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w victoriously|strong="H7965"\w*, \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w tear|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w*.”   
\p
\v 10  Now \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w Karkor|strong="H7174"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w armies|strong="H4264"\w*. \w There|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w about|strong="H3605"\w* \w fifteen|strong="H2568"\w* thousand \w survivors|strong="H3498"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w eastern|strong="H6924"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5307"\w*; \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w twenty|strong="H6242"\w* thousand \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w been|strong="H3605"\w* \w killed|strong="H2719"\w*.  
\v 11  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w* \w of|strong="H1870"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* nomads \w east|strong="H6924"\w* \w of|strong="H1870"\w* \w Nobah|strong="H5025"\w* \w and|strong="H1870"\w* \w Jogbehah|strong="H3011"\w* \w and|strong="H1870"\w* ambushed \w the|strong="H5221"\w* surprised \w army|strong="H4264"\w*.  
\v 12  \w When|strong="H5127"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w away|strong="H5127"\w*, Gideon \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w them|strong="H8147"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w*, \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*. \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* surprised \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w by|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w pass|strong="H7725"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Heres.  
\v 14  \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* interrogated \w him|strong="H7592"\w*. \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 for|strong="H7592"\w* \w him|strong="H7592"\w* \w the|strong="H3920"\w* names \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w Succoth|strong="H5523"\w*’s \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H5288"\w* city \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* – \w seventy-seven|strong="H7657"\w* \w men|strong="H5288"\w* \w in|strong="H3789"\w* \w all|strong="H3920"\w*.  
\v 15  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* approached \w the|strong="H3588"\w* men \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* said, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w* \w what|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w*! \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*! \w You|strong="H3588"\w* insulted \w me|strong="H5414"\w*, saying, ‘\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w not|strong="H5414"\w* \w yet|strong="H3588"\w* \w overpowered|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\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 bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w exhausted|strong="H3286"\w* men?’”  
\v 16  \w He|strong="H5892"\w* \w seized|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, along \w with|strong="H3045"\w* some \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w thorns|strong="H6975"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w briers|strong="H1303"\w*; \w he|strong="H5892"\w* \w then|strong="H3947"\w* “threshed” \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w men|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w Succoth|strong="H5523"\w* \w with|strong="H3045"\w* \w them|strong="H3947"\w*.  
\v 17  \w He|strong="H5422"\w* also \w tore|strong="H5422"\w* \w down|strong="H5422"\w* \w the|strong="H2026"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w Penuel|strong="H6439"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* executed \w the|strong="H2026"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*’s men.   
\p
\v 18  \w He|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*, “Describe \w for|strong="H1121"\w* \w me|strong="H2026"\w* \w the|strong="H2026"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3644"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w Tabor|strong="H8396"\w*.” \w They|strong="H4428"\w* said, “\w They|strong="H4428"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w you|strong="H3644"\w*. Each \w one|strong="H1121"\w* looked \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w*.”  
\v 19  \w He|strong="H3068"\w* said, “\w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* mother. \w I|strong="H3808"\w* swear, \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w surely|strong="H2421"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w alive|strong="H2416"\w*, \w if|strong="H3863"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w let|strong="H3808"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w live|strong="H2421"\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*.”  
\v 20  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* ordered \w Jether|strong="H3500"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w firstborn|strong="H1060"\w* \w son|strong="H1060"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H6965"\w* \w on|strong="H6965"\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 too|strong="H5750"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w to|strong="H6965"\w* \w draw|strong="H8025"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H5288"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w*.  
\v 21  \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*, “\w Come|strong="H6965"\w* \w on|strong="H6965"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w strike|strong="H6293"\w* \w us|strong="H3588"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* man \w is|strong="H3588"\w* judged \w by|strong="H6965"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w strength|strong="H1369"\w*.” \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w Zebah|strong="H2078"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w Zalmunna|strong="H6759"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* crescent-shaped \w ornaments|strong="H7720"\w* \w which|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1581"\w* \w on|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 Rejects a Crown but Makes an Ephod  
\p
\v 22  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*, “\w Rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w us|strong="H3588"\w* – \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w grandson|strong="H1121"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w delivered|strong="H3467"\w* \w us|strong="H3588"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*’s \w power|strong="H3027"\w*.”  
\v 23  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H1121"\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 nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H4910"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*. \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H4910"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*.”  
\v 24  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* continued, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* would \w like|strong="H1992"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w make|strong="H5414"\w* \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w request|strong="H7596"\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 an|strong="H5414"\w* \w earring|strong="H5141"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w plunder|strong="H7998"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H5414"\w* \w taken|strong="H5414"\w*.” (\w The|strong="H3588"\w* Midianites \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w earrings|strong="H5141"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1992"\w* \w Ishmaelites|strong="H3459"\w*.)  
\v 25  \w They|strong="H8033"\w* said, “\w We|strong="H8033"\w* \w are|strong="H8033"\w* happy \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w earrings|strong="H5141"\w*.” \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w spread|strong="H6566"\w* \w out|strong="H7993"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w garment|strong="H8071"\w*, \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w each|strong="H5414"\w* one \w threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w an|strong="H5414"\w* \w earring|strong="H5141"\w* \w from|strong="H5414"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w plunder|strong="H7998"\w* onto \w it|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 26  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* total \w weight|strong="H4948"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w earrings|strong="H5141"\w* \w he|strong="H4480"\w* \w requested|strong="H7592"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w seventeen|strong="H7651"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w shekels|strong="H4948"\w*. \w This|strong="H7592"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w addition|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* crescent-shaped \w ornaments|strong="H7720"\w*, \w jewelry|strong="H5188"\w*, purple clothing worn \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Midianite|strong="H4080"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* necklaces \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w camels|strong="H1581"\w*.  
\v 27  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w used|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* ephod, \w which|strong="H1004"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w put|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* hometown \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w prostituted|strong="H2181"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w by|strong="H3478"\w* worshiping \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. \w It|strong="H6213"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w snare|strong="H4170"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\s1 Gideon’s Story Ends  
\p
\v 28  \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w humiliated|strong="H3665"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*; \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Midianites|strong="H4080"\w*’ fighting \w spirit|strong="H3665"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* broken. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w rest|strong="H8252"\w* \w for|strong="H6440"\w* forty \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*’s \w time|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 29  \w Then|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 30  \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w fathered|strong="H3409"\w* \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w through|strong="H3318"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* wives.  
\v 31  \w His|strong="H7760"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w*, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* lived \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w gave|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 son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w at|strong="H4191"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H2896"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w age|strong="H7872"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* \w tomb|strong="H6913"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H6912"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joash|strong="H3101"\w* located \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* Abiezrites.   
\s1 Israel Returns to Baal-Worship  
\p
\v 33  \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w prostituted|strong="H2181"\w* \w themselves|strong="H7760"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w Baals|strong="H1168"\w*. \w They|strong="H3478"\w* \w made|strong="H7760"\w* \w Baal-Berith|strong="H1170"\w* \w their|strong="H7760"\w* god.  
\v 34  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w remain|strong="H3808"\w* \w true|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*, \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w delivered|strong="H5337"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* lived \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 35  \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w treat|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* (\w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H2617"\w*, \w Gideon|strong="H1439"\w*) fairly \w in|strong="H3478"\w* return \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\c 9  
\p
\v 1  \w Now|strong="H3212"\w* Abimelech \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* see \w his|strong="H3605"\w* mother’s \w relatives|strong="H4940"\w*. \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 his|strong="H3605"\w* mother’s \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* extended \w family|strong="H4940"\w*,  
\v 2 “\w Tell|strong="H1696"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w this|strong="H1696"\w*: ‘\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w would|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* want \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w ruling|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H4910"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w ruler|strong="H4910"\w*? \w Recall|strong="H2142"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w your|strong="H3605"\w* own \w flesh|strong="H1320"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* blood.’”  
\v 3  \w His|strong="H3605"\w* mother’s relatives \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w behalf|strong="H5921"\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 and|strong="H1697"\w* reported \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w proposal|strong="H1697"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* drawn \w to|strong="H1696"\w* Abimelech; \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* close \w relative|strong="H1167"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w They|strong="H5414"\w* \w paid|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w shekels|strong="H3701"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Baal-Berith|strong="H1170"\w*. Abimelech \w then|strong="H5414"\w* \w used|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w hire|strong="H7936"\w* some \w lawless|strong="H7386"\w*, \w dangerous|strong="H6348"\w* men \w as|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* followers.  
\v 5  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w*’s \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Ophrah|strong="H6084"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w murdered|strong="H2026"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* half-brothers, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w legitimate|strong="H1121"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w*, \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H1121"\w* stone. \w Only|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jotham|strong="H3147"\w*, \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w*’s \w youngest|strong="H6996"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w escaped|strong="H3498"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w hid|strong="H2244"\w*.  
\v 6  \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* \w Beth|strong="H1004"\w* \w Millo|strong="H4407"\w* \w assembled|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w then|strong="H4428"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w made|strong="H4427"\w* Abimelech \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w by|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* oak \w near|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w pillar|strong="H5324"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*.   
\s1 Jotham’s Parable  
\p
\v 7  \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w Jotham|strong="H3147"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w news|strong="H6963"\w*, \w he|strong="H7121"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w on|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w top|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Gerizim|strong="H1630"\w*. \w He|strong="H7121"\w* spoke \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w people|strong="H8085"\w* below, “\w Listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w*, \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, \w so|strong="H7121"\w* \w that|strong="H8085"\w* God \w may|strong="H8085"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w*!   
\p
\v 8 “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w* \w were|strong="H4428"\w* determined \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* choose \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5921"\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 Be|strong="H6086"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*!’  
\v 9  \w But|strong="H3513"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w olive|strong="H2132"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w* said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, ‘\w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w am|strong="H1980"\w* \w not|strong="H2308"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w stop|strong="H2308"\w* producing \w my|strong="H5921"\w* oil, \w which|strong="H6086"\w* \w is|strong="H6086"\w* used \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w honor|strong="H3513"\w* \w gods|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w*, just \w to|strong="H1980"\w* sway \w above|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* other \w trees|strong="H6086"\w*!’   
\p
\v 10 “\w So|strong="H5921"\w* \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*!’  
\v 11  \w But|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fig|strong="H8384"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w* said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, ‘\w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w am|strong="H1980"\w* \w not|strong="H2308"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w stop|strong="H2308"\w* producing \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w sweet|strong="H2896"\w* \w figs|strong="H8384"\w*, \w my|strong="H5921"\w* excellent \w fruit|strong="H8570"\w*, just \w to|strong="H1980"\w* sway \w above|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* other \w trees|strong="H6086"\w*!’   
\p
\v 12 “\w So|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* grapevine, ‘\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*!’  
\v 13  \w But|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* grapevine said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, ‘\w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w am|strong="H1980"\w* \w not|strong="H2308"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w stop|strong="H2308"\w* producing \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w wine|strong="H8492"\w*, \w which|strong="H6086"\w* \w makes|strong="H8055"\w* \w gods|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w so|strong="H1980"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w*, just \w to|strong="H1980"\w* sway \w above|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* other \w trees|strong="H6086"\w*!’   
\p
\v 14 “\w So|strong="H5921"\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 You|strong="H3605"\w* \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*!’  
\v 15  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* thornbush \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w*, ‘If \w you|strong="H5921"\w* really want \w to|strong="H3318"\w* choose \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w as|strong="H3318"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w then|strong="H3318"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w along|strong="H5921"\w*, find safety \w under|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w branches|strong="H6086"\w*! Otherwise \w may|strong="H4428"\w* fire \w blaze|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* thornbush \w and|strong="H4428"\w* consume \w the|strong="H5921"\w* cedars \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Lebanon|strong="H3844"\w*!’   
\p
\v 16 “\w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, if \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w shown|strong="H6213"\w* loyalty \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w integrity|strong="H8549"\w* \w when|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* Abimelech \w king|strong="H4427"\w*, if \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w right|strong="H2895"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*, if \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* properly repaid \w him|strong="H3027"\w* –  
\v 17  \w my|strong="H5921"\w* father \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*; \w he|strong="H3027"\w* \w risked|strong="H7993"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w delivered|strong="H5337"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w Midian|strong="H4080"\w*’s \w power|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 18  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w attacked|strong="H6965"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w*’s \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w murdered|strong="H2026"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w legitimate|strong="H1121"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* stone \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w made|strong="H4427"\w* Abimelech, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* female slave, \w king|strong="H4427"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, just \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* close \w relative|strong="H1167"\w*.  
\v 19  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w if|strong="H1931"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w shown|strong="H6213"\w* loyalty \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w integrity|strong="H8549"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*, \w then|strong="H2088"\w* \w may|strong="H6213"\w* Abimelech \w bring|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w happiness|strong="H8055"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w may|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w bring|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w* \w happiness|strong="H8055"\w*!  
\v 20  But if \w not|strong="H3318"\w*, \w may|strong="H1004"\w* fire \w blaze|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* Abimelech \w and|strong="H1004"\w* consume \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* \w Beth|strong="H1004"\w* \w Millo|strong="H4407"\w*! \w May|strong="H1004"\w* fire \w also|strong="H3318"\w* \w blaze|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\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* \w Beth|strong="H1004"\w* \w Millo|strong="H4407"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* consume Abimelech!”  
\v 21  Then \w Jotham|strong="H3147"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w away|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* Beer \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w escape|strong="H5127"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* Abimelech \w his|strong="H6440"\w* half-brother.   
\s1 God Fulfills Jotham’s Curse  
\p
\v 22  Abimelech \w commanded|strong="H7786"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 23  \w God|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* stir \w up|strong="H7971"\w* hostility \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 He|strong="H7971"\w* \w made|strong="H7307"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H7307"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* disloyal \w to|strong="H7971"\w* Abimelech.  
\v 24  \w He|strong="H3027"\w* \w did|strong="H7927"\w* \w this|strong="H7760"\w* \w so|strong="H7760"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w violent|strong="H2555"\w* deaths \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w*’s \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w might|strong="H3378"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* avenged \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Abimelech, \w their|strong="H7760"\w* half-brother \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w murdered|strong="H2026"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w might|strong="H3378"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w pay|strong="H7760"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H7760"\w* spilled \w blood|strong="H1818"\w*, \w along|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w helped|strong="H2388"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w murder|strong="H2026"\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* rebelled \w against|strong="H5921"\w* Abimelech \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w putting|strong="H7760"\w* bandits \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w*, \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w robbed|strong="H1497"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w traveled|strong="H5674"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w*. \w But|strong="H1870"\w* Abimelech found \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w*.   
\p
\v 26  \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ebed|strong="H5651"\w* \w came|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w with|strong="H5674"\w* \w his|strong="H5674"\w* \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w*. \w The|strong="H5674"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* transferred their loyalty \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w him|strong="H5674"\w*.  
\v 27  \w They|strong="H6213"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*, \w harvested|strong="H1219"\w* \w their|strong="H6213"\w* grapes, squeezed \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* juice, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w celebrated|strong="H6213"\w*. \w They|strong="H6213"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\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* ate, \w drank|strong="H8354"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w cursed|strong="H7043"\w* Abimelech.  
\v 28  \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ebed|strong="H5651"\w* said, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* Abimelech \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*, \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w serve|strong="H5647"\w* \w him|strong="H5647"\w*? \w Is|strong="H4310"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* deputy \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w appointed|strong="H1121"\w*? \w Serve|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hamor|strong="H2544"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w*! \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w why|strong="H4069"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w serve|strong="H5647"\w* Abimelech?  
\v 29  If \w only|strong="H7235"\w* \w these|strong="H2088"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w command|strong="H3027"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w get|strong="H3318"\w* rid \w of|strong="H3027"\w* Abimelech!” \w He|strong="H5414"\w* challenged Abimelech, “\w Muster|strong="H7235"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w battle|strong="H6635"\w*!”   
\p
\v 30  \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w*, \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w commissioner|strong="H8269"\w*, \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ebed|strong="H5651"\w*, \w he|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w furious|strong="H2734"\w*.  
\v 31  \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* Abimelech, \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* Arumah, reporting, “\w Beware|strong="H2009"\w*! \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ebed|strong="H5651"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w coming|strong="H2009"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* inciting \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 Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w come|strong="H5971"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w at|strong="H6965"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w your|strong="H6965"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w set|strong="H6965"\w* \w an|strong="H6965"\w* ambush \w in|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* outside \w the|strong="H6965"\w* city.  
\v 33  \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* sunrise \w quickly|strong="H7925"\w* \w attack|strong="H6584"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \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 you|strong="H5921"\w*, \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.”   
\p
\v 34  \w So|strong="H6965"\w* Abimelech \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w came|strong="H5971"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w set|strong="H6965"\w* \w an|strong="H6965"\w* ambush \w outside|strong="H5921"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* – \w they|strong="H5921"\w* divided \w into|strong="H5921"\w* four \w units|strong="H7218"\w*.  
\v 35  \w When|strong="H3318"\w* \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ebed|strong="H5651"\w* \w came|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*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, Abimelech \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w their|strong="H5975"\w* hiding \w places|strong="H3993"\w*.  
\v 36  \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H7200"\w*, \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w coming|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w tops|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w*.” \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w* said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w*, “\w You|strong="H7200"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w seeing|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w shadows|strong="H6738"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w* – \w it|strong="H7200"\w* just \w looks|strong="H7200"\w* \w like|strong="H3381"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w*.”  
\v 37  \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w coming|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H1870"\w* very \w center|strong="H2872"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H1870"\w* land. \w A|strong="H3068"\w* unit \w is|strong="H1870"\w* \w coming|strong="H3381"\w* \w by|strong="H1870"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H1870"\w* Oak Tree \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H1870"\w* Diviners.”  
\v 38  \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w Where|strong="H2088"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* bragging \w words|strong="H6310"\w*, ‘\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* Abimelech \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w serve|strong="H5647"\w* \w him|strong="H3318"\w*?’ \w Are|strong="H5971"\w* \w these|strong="H2088"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* insulted? \w Go|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w them|strong="H3318"\w*!”  
\v 39  \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w led|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* Abimelech.  
\v 40  Abimelech \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, \w and|strong="H6440"\w* Gaal \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*. \w Many|strong="H7227"\w* \w Shechemites|strong="H5307"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w wounded|strong="H2491"\w* \w at|strong="H5307"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 41  Abimelech \w went|strong="H7927"\w* back \w to|strong="H3427"\w* Arumah; \w Zebul|strong="H2083"\w* \w drove|strong="H1644"\w* \w Gaal|strong="H1603"\w* \w and|strong="H3427"\w* \w his|strong="H3427"\w* brothers \w out|strong="H1644"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \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* Shechemites \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* Abimelech \w heard|strong="H5046"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w it|strong="H1961"\w*,  
\v 43  \w he|strong="H4480"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w divided|strong="H2673"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w units|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w set|strong="H6965"\w* \w an|strong="H3947"\w* ambush \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H4480"\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 he|strong="H4480"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w*.  
\v 44  Abimelech \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w units|strong="H7218"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* blocked \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w Two|strong="H8147"\w* \w units|strong="H7218"\w* \w then|strong="H5975"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w*.  
\v 45  Abimelech \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\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 in|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* leveled \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* spread \w salt|strong="H4417"\w* \w over|strong="H3605"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*.   
\p
\v 46  \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* news, \w they|strong="H3605"\w* \w went|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* stronghold \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* El-Berith.  
\v 47  Abimelech \w heard|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1167"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of|strong="H1167"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w were|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H7927"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 48  \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Zalmon|strong="H6756"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* ax \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w off|strong="H3772"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w* \w branch|strong="H6086"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w shoulder|strong="H7926"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* said \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w*, “\w Quickly|strong="H4116"\w*, \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*!”  
\v 49  \w So|strong="H1571"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H5971"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w off|strong="H3772"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w branch|strong="H7754"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w followed|strong="H3212"\w* Abimelech. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* branches \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* stronghold \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w set|strong="H7760"\w* \w fire|strong="H3341"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of|strong="H5971"\w* \w Shechem|strong="H7927"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* – \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* thousand \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* women.   
\p
\v 50  Abimelech moved \w on|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Thebez|strong="H8405"\w*; \w he|strong="H3212"\w* \w besieged|strong="H2583"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w it|strong="H3920"\w*.  
\v 51  \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* fortified \w tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w center|strong="H8432"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\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* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* women, \w as|strong="H1961"\w* well \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*’s \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w*, \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w into|strong="H5927"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w locked|strong="H5462"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* entrance. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w went|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 came|strong="H5066"\w* \w and|strong="H5066"\w* \w attacked|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w*. \w When|strong="H5704"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w approached|strong="H5066"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w of|strong="H4026"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w set|strong="H5066"\w* \w it|strong="H5704"\w* on fire,  
\v 53  \w a|strong="H3068"\w* woman \w threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w an|strong="H7993"\w* \w upper|strong="H7393"\w* \w millstone|strong="H7393"\w* \w down|strong="H7993"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* shattered \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w skull|strong="H1538"\w*.  
\v 54  \w He|strong="H7121"\w* \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* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w weapons|strong="H3627"\w*, “\w Draw|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 so|strong="H6435"\w* \w they|strong="H5375"\w* \w will|strong="H2719"\w* \w not|strong="H6435"\w* say, ‘\w A|strong="H3068"\w* woman \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w*.’” \w So|strong="H6435"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w stabbed|strong="H1856"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w* \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w he|strong="H7121"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 55  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \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 went|strong="H3212"\w* \w home|strong="H4725"\w*.   
\p
\v 56  God \w repaid|strong="H7725"\w* Abimelech \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* father \w by|strong="H7451"\w* murdering \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* half-brothers.  
\v 57  God \w also|strong="H1121"\w* \w repaid|strong="H7725"\w* \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 their|strong="H3605"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w deeds|strong="H7218"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w curse|strong="H7045"\w* spoken \w by|strong="H7451"\w* \w Jotham|strong="H3147"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerub-Baal|strong="H3378"\w* fell \w on|strong="H7451"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w*.   
\c 10  
\p
\v 1  \w After|strong="H6965"\w* Abimelech’s death, \w Tola|strong="H8439"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Puah|strong="H6312"\w*, \w grandson|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dodo|strong="H1734"\w*, \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Issachar|strong="H3485"\w*, \w rose|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Shamir|strong="H8069"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* Ephraimite \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w*.  
\v 2  \w He|strong="H8141"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for|strong="H4191"\w* \w twenty-three|strong="H6242"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*, \w then|strong="H3478"\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*.   
\p
\v 3  \w Jair|strong="H2971"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* \w Gileadite|strong="H1569"\w* \w rose|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w after|strong="H6965"\w* him; \w he|strong="H8147"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for|strong="H3478"\w* \w twenty-two|strong="H6242"\w* \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 who|strong="H1121"\w* \w rode|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H5895"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w possessed|strong="H1961"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w cities|strong="H5895"\w*. \w To|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w these|strong="H2088"\w* towns \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* Havvoth Jair – \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* land \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*.  
\v 5  \w Jair|strong="H2971"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H4191"\w* was \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w Kamon|strong="H7056"\w*.   
\s1 The Lord’s Patience Runs Short  
\p
\v 6  \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Baals|strong="H1168"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Ashtars|strong="H6252"\w*, \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w well|strong="H5869"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* gods \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Syria, \w Sidon|strong="H6721"\w*, \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w worship|strong="H5647"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 7  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w furious|strong="H2734"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w turned|strong="H3478"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 8  \w They|strong="H8141"\w* ruthlessly \w oppressed|strong="H7533"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w eighteenth|strong="H8083"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* – \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w living|strong="H3605"\w* \w east|strong="H5676"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* Amorite country \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*.  
\v 9  \w The|strong="H5674"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Ephraim. \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w suffered|strong="H3334"\w* \w greatly|strong="H3966"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w cried|strong="H2199"\w* \w out|strong="H2199"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w help|strong="H5800"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*: “\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 abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Baals|strong="H1168"\w*.”  
\v 11  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, “\w Did|strong="H3478"\w* \w I|strong="H4714"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* deliver \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Amorites, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*,  
\v 12  \w the|strong="H3027"\w* \w Sidonians|strong="H6722"\w*, \w Amalek|strong="H6002"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* Midian \w when|strong="H3027"\w* \w they|strong="H3027"\w* \w oppressed|strong="H3905"\w* \w you|strong="H3467"\w*? \w You|strong="H3467"\w* \w cried|strong="H6817"\w* \w out|strong="H6817"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w me|strong="H3467"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w I|strong="H3027"\w* \w delivered|strong="H3467"\w* \w you|strong="H3467"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w their|strong="H3027"\w* \w power|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 13  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w since|strong="H3651"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w me|strong="H3254"\w* \w and|strong="H3254"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* other gods, \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w*.  
\v 14  \w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w cry|strong="H2199"\w* \w for|strong="H6256"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3467"\w* gods \w you|strong="H3467"\w* \w have|strong="H6256"\w* chosen! \w Let|strong="H3212"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w you|strong="H3467"\w* \w from|strong="H3212"\w* \w trouble|strong="H6869"\w*!”  
\v 15  \w But|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, “\w We|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2398"\w*. \w You|strong="H3605"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w see|strong="H5869"\w* \w fit|strong="H6213"\w*, \w but|strong="H3605"\w* \w deliver|strong="H5337"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*!”  
\v 16  \w They|strong="H3068"\w* threw \w away|strong="H5493"\w* \w the|strong="H5647"\w* \w foreign|strong="H5236"\w* gods \w they|strong="H3068"\w* owned \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H5647"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*. Finally \w the|strong="H5647"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* grew tired \w of|strong="H3068"\w* seeing \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w suffer|strong="H5999"\w* \w so|strong="H5493"\w* much.   
\s1 An Outcast Becomes a General  
\p
\v 17  \w The|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6817"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in|strong="H2583"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*; \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6817"\w* \w together|strong="H6817"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in|strong="H2583"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*.  
\v 18  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* willing \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w lead|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w charge|strong="H8269"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*? \w He|strong="H3605"\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 who|strong="H4310"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*!”   
\c 11  
\p
\v 1  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w Gileadite|strong="H1569"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w brave|strong="H2428"\w* \w warrior|strong="H1368"\w*. \w His|strong="H1961"\w* mother \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w prostitute|strong="H2181"\w*, \w but|strong="H1961"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w*.  
\v 2  \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*’s wife \w also|strong="H1121"\w* \w gave|strong="H3205"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*. \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* wife’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w grew|strong="H1431"\w* \w up|strong="H1431"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* made \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* leave \w and|strong="H1121"\w* said \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w*, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* going \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w inherit|strong="H5157"\w* \w any|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w our|strong="H3588"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w*’s \w wealth|strong="H3808"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w another|strong="H3808"\w* \w woman|strong="H3205"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w*.”  
\v 3  \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* half-brothers \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Tob|strong="H2897"\w*. \w Lawless|strong="H7386"\w* men \w joined|strong="H3950"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*’s gang \w and|strong="H6440"\w* traveled \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w It|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w some|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w after|strong="H1961"\w* \w this|strong="H3478"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 5  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w attacked|strong="H3898"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* asked \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w back|strong="H3947"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* land \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Tob|strong="H2897"\w*.  
\v 6  \w They|strong="H5983"\w* said, “\w Come|strong="H1961"\w*, \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w our|strong="H1961"\w* \w commander|strong="H7101"\w*, \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H1121"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*.”  
\v 7  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* said \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3808"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*, “\w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* \w me|strong="H8130"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* made \w me|strong="H8130"\w* leave \w my|strong="H6258"\w* father’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Why|strong="H4069"\w* do \w you|strong="H3808"\w* come \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w me|strong="H8130"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w*, when \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w trouble|strong="H6862"\w*?”  
\v 8  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*, “\w That|strong="H3605"\w* \w may|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w true|strong="H3651"\w*, \w but|strong="H1961"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* pledge \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* loyalty. \w Come|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\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 who|strong="H3605"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*.”  
\v 9  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* said \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*, “\w All|strong="H5414"\w* \w right|strong="H3068"\w*! \w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w take|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w leader|strong="H7218"\w*.”  
\v 10  \w The|strong="H8085"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*, “\w The|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w judge|strong="H6213"\w* \w any|strong="H6213"\w* grievance \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w against|strong="H1697"\w* \w us|strong="H6213"\w*, \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* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w say|strong="H1697"\w*.”  
\v 11  \w So|strong="H7760"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w made|strong="H7760"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w leader|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w commander|strong="H7101"\w*. \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w repeated|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w terms|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1697"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*.   
\s1 Jephthah Gives a History Lesson  
\p
\v 12  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ammonite|strong="H5983"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, saying, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w come|strong="H7971"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w attack|strong="H3898"\w* \w my|strong="H7971"\w* land?”  
\v 13  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ammonite|strong="H5983"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*’s \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w*, “\w Because|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w stole|strong="H3947"\w* \w my|strong="H3947"\w* land \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* – \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Arnon \w River|strong="H5704"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* south \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jabbok|strong="H2999"\w* \w River|strong="H5704"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* north, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w far|strong="H5704"\w* west \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w*. \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w peaceably|strong="H7965"\w*!”   
\p
\v 14  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w back|strong="H5750"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w Ammonite|strong="H5983"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*  
\v 15  \w and|strong="H1121"\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 Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w steal|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* land \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* land \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 16  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w left|strong="H3478"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*, \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* traveled \w through|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as|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* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Kadesh|strong="H6946"\w*.  
\v 17  \w Israel|strong="H3478"\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* Edom, saying, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w allow|strong="H4994"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w pass|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|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* Edom rejected \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w request|strong="H7971"\w*. \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* same \w request|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w unwilling|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* cooperate. \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w Kadesh|strong="H6946"\w*.  
\v 18  \w Then|strong="H3588"\w* Israel \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w through|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* bypassed \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w land|strong="H1366"\w* \w of|strong="H1366"\w* Edom \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w land|strong="H1366"\w* \w of|strong="H1366"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* traveled \w east|strong="H4217"\w* \w of|strong="H1366"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w land|strong="H1366"\w* \w of|strong="H1366"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w on|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w other|strong="H5676"\w* \w side|strong="H5676"\w* \w of|strong="H1366"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Arnon \w River|strong="H3588"\w*; \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w through|strong="H3212"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4124"\w* \w territory|strong="H1366"\w* (\w the|strong="H3588"\w* Arnon \w was|strong="H1366"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*’s \w border|strong="H1366"\w*).  
\v 19  \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Sihon|strong="H5511"\w*, \w the|strong="H5704"\w* Amorite \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w ruled|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Heshbon|strong="H2809"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w allow|strong="H4994"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w pass|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w your|strong="H7971"\w* \w land|strong="H4725"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w our|strong="H7971"\w* \w land|strong="H4725"\w*.”  
\v 20  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w Sihon|strong="H5511"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* trust \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w pass|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w territory|strong="H1366"\w*. \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w assembled|strong="H3478"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*, \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in|strong="H2583"\w* \w Jahaz|strong="H3096"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 21  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w Sihon|strong="H5511"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w took|strong="H3423"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Amorites \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* land.  
\v 22  \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w took|strong="H3423"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Amorite \w territory|strong="H1366"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Arnon \w River|strong="H5704"\w* \w on|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w south|strong="H4057"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jabbok|strong="H2999"\w* \w River|strong="H5704"\w* \w on|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* north, \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w in|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* east \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w in|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* west.  
\v 23  \w Since|strong="H6258"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w driven|strong="H3423"\w* \w out|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Amorites \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* think \w you|strong="H6440"\w* can \w just|strong="H6258"\w* \w take|strong="H3423"\w* \w it|strong="H6440"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*?  
\v 24  \w You|strong="H6440"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w right|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w take|strong="H3423"\w* what \w Chemosh|strong="H3645"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w god|strong="H3068"\w* \w gives|strong="H3423"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w take|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w driven|strong="H3423"\w* \w out|strong="H3423"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w us|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 25  \w Are|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w* really \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w Balak|strong="H1111"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zippor|strong="H6834"\w*, \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*? \w Did|strong="H3478"\w* \w he|strong="H3478"\w* dare \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w quarrel|strong="H7378"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*? \w Did|strong="H3478"\w* \w he|strong="H3478"\w* dare \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H1121"\w*?  
\v 26  \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w has|strong="H3478"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Heshbon|strong="H2809"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* nearby \w towns|strong="H1323"\w*, \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Aroer|strong="H6177"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* nearby \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 \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*! \w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* reclaim \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w during|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*?  
\v 27  \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w wrong|strong="H7451"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w wrong|strong="H7451"\w* \w by|strong="H3117"\w* attacking \w me|strong="H6213"\w*. \w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Judge|strong="H8199"\w*, \w judge|strong="H8199"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w between|strong="H8199"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*!’”  
\v 28  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w Ammonite|strong="H5983"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w disregarded|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w message|strong="H1697"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w by|strong="H7971"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*.   
\s1 A Foolish Vow Spells Death for a Daughter  
\p
\v 29  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w empowered|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w passed|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w went|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4708"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*. \w From|strong="H5921"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w approached|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 30  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w made|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w vow|strong="H5088"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, saying, “\w If|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* really \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*,  
\v 31  \w then|strong="H1961"\w* whoever \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w first|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w through|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w meet|strong="H7125"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H1121"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w safely|strong="H7965"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* fighting \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* – \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w belong|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H1121"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w offer|strong="H5927"\w* \w him|strong="H7725"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H5930"\w*.”  
\v 32  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w approached|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 33  \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w Aroer|strong="H6177"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w way|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Minnith|strong="H4511"\w* – \w twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w*, \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* Abel Keramim! \w He|strong="H5704"\w* wiped \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w out|strong="H6440"\w*! \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w humiliated|strong="H3665"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*.   
\p
\v 34  \w When|strong="H3318"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*, \w there|strong="H2009"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w his|strong="H4480"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* hurrying \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w meet|strong="H7125"\w* \w him|strong="H3318"\w*, \w dancing|strong="H4246"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* rhythm \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w tambourines|strong="H8596"\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 except|strong="H7535"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w her|strong="H3318"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w no|strong="H4480"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w or|strong="H1121"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*.  
\v 35  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w*, \w he|strong="H3068"\w* ripped \w his|strong="H3068"\w* clothes \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H6310"\w*, “Oh \w no|strong="H3808"\w*! \w My|strong="H3068"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*! \w You|strong="H7725"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* completely ruined \w me|strong="H7725"\w*! \w You|strong="H7725"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w brought|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* disaster! \w I|strong="H3201"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* \w an|strong="H1961"\w* oath \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3201"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w break|strong="H7725"\w* \w it|strong="H7725"\w*.”  
\v 36  She \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w My|strong="H3068"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w*, \w since|strong="H6310"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* oath \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w promised|strong="H3318"\w*. \w After|strong="H3318"\w* \w all|strong="H6213"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w vindicated|strong="H5360"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* before \w your|strong="H3068"\w* enemies, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*.”  
\v 37  \w She|strong="H5921"\w* \w then|strong="H2088"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* father, “Please \w grant|strong="H6213"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w wish|strong="H1697"\w*. \w For|strong="H5921"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* allow \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w walk|strong="H3212"\w* \w through|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* friends \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w mourn|strong="H1058"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w virginity|strong="H1331"\w*.”  
\v 38  \w He|strong="H1931"\w* said, “\w You|strong="H7971"\w* \w may|strong="H1931"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w*.” \w He|strong="H1931"\w* permitted \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* leave \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* friends \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w mourned|strong="H1058"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w virginity|strong="H1331"\w* \w as|strong="H2022"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w walked|strong="H3212"\w* \w through|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w hills|strong="H2022"\w*.  
\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, \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 as|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w vowed|strong="H5087"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* died \w a|strong="H3068"\w* virgin. \w Her|strong="H7725"\w* tragic death \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* rise \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w custom|strong="H2706"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 40  \w Every|strong="H3212"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w women|strong="H1323"\w* \w commemorate|strong="H8567"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w Gileadite|strong="H1569"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* four \w days|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\c 12  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* Ephraimites \w assembled|strong="H6817"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* Zaphon. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w without|strong="H3808"\w* \w asking|strong="H7121"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*? We \w will|strong="H1121"\w* \w burn|strong="H8313"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w down|strong="H8313"\w* right \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*!”   
\p
\v 2  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w*, “\w My|strong="H1961"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* entangled \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w controversy|strong="H7379"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*. \w I|strong="H3808"\w* asked \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w your|strong="H3808"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w me|strong="H3467"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w their|strong="H1961"\w* \w power|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 were|strong="H1121"\w* \w not|strong="H5414"\w* \w going|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* risked \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* advanced \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*. \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*?”  
\v 4  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6908"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H8432"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w and|strong="H1568"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H3898"\w* Ephraim. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H8432"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* Ephraim, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Ephraimites insulted \w them|strong="H5221"\w*, saying, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w Gileadites|strong="H1568"\w* are \w refugees|strong="H6412"\w* \w in|strong="H8432"\w* Ephraim, \w living|strong="H3605"\w* \w within|strong="H8432"\w* Ephraim’s \w and|strong="H1568"\w* \w Manasseh|strong="H4519"\w*’s \w territory|strong="H8432"\w*.”  
\v 5  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w Gileadites|strong="H1568"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w fords|strong="H4569"\w* \w of|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w River|strong="H3588"\w* \w opposite|strong="H3383"\w* Ephraim. \w Whenever|strong="H1961"\w* \w an|strong="H1961"\w* Ephraimite \w fugitive|strong="H6412"\w* said, “\w Let|strong="H3808"\w* \w me|strong="H5674"\w* \w cross|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w*,” \w the|strong="H3588"\w* men \w of|strong="H3808"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* asked \w him|strong="H3588"\w*, “\w Are|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w an|strong="H1961"\w* Ephraimite?” \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* said, “\w No|strong="H3808"\w*,”  
\v 6  \w then|strong="H1696"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H1931"\w*, “\w Say|strong="H1696"\w* ‘\w Shibboleth|strong="H7641"\w*!’” \w If|strong="H3651"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Sibboleth|strong="H5451"\w*” (\w and|strong="H8147"\w* \w could|strong="H3559"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pronounce|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H7819"\w* \w word|strong="H1696"\w* \w correctly|strong="H3651"\w*), \w they|strong="H3651"\w* grabbed \w him|strong="H1931"\w* \w and|strong="H8147"\w* executed \w him|strong="H1931"\w* \w right|strong="H3559"\w* there \w at|strong="H3383"\w* \w the|strong="H7819"\w* \w fords|strong="H4569"\w* \w of|strong="H6256"\w* \w the|strong="H7819"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w*. \w On|strong="H5307"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w day|strong="H6256"\w* \w forty-two|strong="H8147"\w* thousand Ephraimites \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w dead|strong="H4994"\w*.  
\v 7  \w Jephthah|strong="H3316"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \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 his|strong="H3478"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*.   
\s1 Order Restored  
\p
\v 8  After him \w Ibzan|strong="H8199"\w* \w of|strong="H8199"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 9  \w He|strong="H4480"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*. \w He|strong="H4480"\w* arranged \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* married \w outside|strong="H2351"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w extended|strong="H7971"\w* family, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H4480"\w* arranged \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w young|strong="H1121"\w* \w women|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w brought|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w outside|strong="H2351"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* wives \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*. \w Ibzan|strong="H8199"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*;  
\v 10  \w then|strong="H4191"\w* \w he|strong="H6912"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H4191"\w* was \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*.   
\p
\v 11  \w After|strong="H8141"\w* him Elon \w the|strong="H8199"\w* \w Zebulunite|strong="H2075"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for|strong="H3478"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 12  \w Then|strong="H4191"\w* Elon \w the|strong="H4191"\w* \w Zebulunite|strong="H2075"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H4191"\w* was \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* Aijalon \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* land \w of|strong="H4191"\w* \w Zebulun|strong="H2074"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  After \w him|strong="H1121"\w* \w Abdon|strong="H5658"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hillel|strong="H1985"\w* \w the|strong="H8199"\w* \w Pirathonite|strong="H6553"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 14  \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* forty \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w grandsons|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w rode|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w seventy|strong="H7657"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H5895"\w*. \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w eight|strong="H8083"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 15  \w Then|strong="H1121"\w* \w Abdon|strong="H5658"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hillel|strong="H1985"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* \w Pirathonite|strong="H6553"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|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* land \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ephraim, \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* \w Amalekites|strong="H6003"\w*.   
\c 13  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* forty \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 Zorah|strong="H6881"\w*, \w from|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* Danite \w tribe|strong="H4940"\w*. \w His|strong="H1961"\w* wife \w was|strong="H8034"\w* infertile \w and|strong="H6881"\w* \w childless|strong="H6135"\w*.  
\v 3  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w angelic|strong="H4397"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w appeared|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w woman|strong="H6135"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w*, “\w You|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* infertile \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w childless|strong="H6135"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w conceive|strong="H2029"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 4  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w be|strong="H4994"\w* \w careful|strong="H8104"\w*! \w Do|strong="H8104"\w* \w not|strong="H8354"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w or|strong="H3196"\w* \w beer|strong="H7941"\w*, \w and|strong="H8354"\w* \w do|strong="H8104"\w* \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* ritually \w unclean|strong="H2931"\w*.  
\v 5  \w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w conceive|strong="H2029"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w must|strong="H1121"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w cut|strong="H3478"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w hair|strong="H7218"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w child|strong="H5288"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\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 birth|strong="H3205"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w begin|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w power|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*.”   
\p
\v 6  \w The|strong="H3372"\w* \w woman|strong="H2088"\w* \w went|strong="H8034"\w* \w and|strong="H3372"\w* said \w to|strong="H4397"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* husband, “\w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H2088"\w* sent \w from|strong="H5046"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \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 like|strong="H4758"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w*’s \w angelic|strong="H4397"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* – \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w awesome|strong="H3372"\w*. \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w* \w where|strong="H2088"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w came|strong="H4397"\w* \w from|strong="H5046"\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 He|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w*, ‘\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w conceive|strong="H2029"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*. \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w or|strong="H5704"\w* \w beer|strong="H7941"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* eat \w any|strong="H3605"\w* food \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w make|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* ritually \w unclean|strong="H2932"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w child|strong="H5288"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w dedicated|strong="H5139"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* God \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w till|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 Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w prayed|strong="H6279"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w*, \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w allow|strong="H4994"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w from|strong="H7971"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* visit \w us|strong="H4994"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\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 child|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H5750"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w*.”  
\v 9  God \w answered|strong="H8085"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w*’s prayer. God’s \w angelic|strong="H4397"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* visited \w the|strong="H8085"\w* woman \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w while|strong="H5750"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w But|strong="H8085"\w* \w her|strong="H1931"\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="H1931"\w*.  
\v 10  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* woman \w ran|strong="H7323"\w* \w at|strong="H3117"\w* \w once|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* husband, “Come \w quickly|strong="H4116"\w*, \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w man|strong="H7200"\w* \w who|strong="H7323"\w* visited \w me|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* other \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w has|strong="H3117"\w* \w appeared|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w*!”  
\v 11  \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w followed|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w wife|strong="H1696"\w*. \w When|strong="H1696"\w* \w he|strong="H1696"\w* met \w the|strong="H6965"\w* man, \w he|strong="H1696"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H1696"\w*, “Are \w you|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* man who \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w my|strong="H6965"\w* \w wife|strong="H1696"\w*?” \w He|strong="H1696"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “Yes.”  
\v 12  \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H1961"\w* announcement \w comes|strong="H1961"\w* true, \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w child|strong="H5288"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* raised \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H1697"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w*?”  
\v 13  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* told \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w*, “\w Your|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w pay|strong="H8104"\w* \w attention|strong="H8104"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H3068"\w* told \w her|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 14  \w She|strong="H3808"\w* \w should|strong="H8104"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* grapevine \w produces|strong="H3318"\w*. \w She|strong="H3808"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w beer|strong="H7941"\w*, \w and|strong="H3318"\w* \w she|strong="H3808"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* eat \w any|strong="H3605"\w* food \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* make \w her|strong="H3605"\w* ritually \w unclean|strong="H2932"\w*. \w She|strong="H3808"\w* \w should|strong="H8104"\w* \w obey|strong="H8104"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H6680"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w do|strong="H6680"\w*.”  
\v 15  \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* stay here awhile, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* \w prepare|strong="H6213"\w* \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* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* eat.”  
\v 16  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w*, “\w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* stay, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w eat|strong="H3899"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w want|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H5930"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w offer|strong="H5927"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*.” (\w He|strong="H1931"\w* said \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*.)  
\v 17  \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*, “Tell \w us|strong="H3588"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*, \w so|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w honor|strong="H3513"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w announcement|strong="H3068"\w* comes \w true|strong="H3068"\w*.”  
\v 18  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H1931"\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*, \w because|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* cannot comprehend \w it|strong="H1931"\w*.”  
\v 19  \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H1423"\w* \w goat|strong="H5795"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* grain \w offering|strong="H4503"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w offered|strong="H5927"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w rock|strong="H6697"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s messenger \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* \w amazing|strong="H6381"\w* thing \w as|strong="H6213"\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 As|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w flame|strong="H3851"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w toward|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w sky|strong="H8064"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w while|strong="H1961"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w watched|strong="H7200"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w facedown|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w ground|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\p
\v 21  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w appear|strong="H7200"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* wife. \w After|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H7200"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* happened \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w realized|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* visitor \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*.  
\v 22  \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* said \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* wife, “\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4191"\w* \w certainly|strong="H3588"\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* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* supernatural being!”  
\v 23  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* wife \w said|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w*, “\w If|strong="H3863"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w wanted|strong="H2654"\w* \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* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \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 from|strong="H3027"\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 shown|strong="H7200"\w* \w us|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H2063"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w*, \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w spoken|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w us|strong="H7200"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w now|strong="H6256"\w*.”   
\p
\v 24  Manoah’s wife \w gave|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*. \w The|strong="H3205"\w* \w child|strong="H5288"\w* \w grew|strong="H1431"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w empowered|strong="H1288"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w*.  
\v 25  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w began|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* control \w him|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* Mahaneh \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w between|strong="H7307"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* Eshtaol.   
\c 14  
\p
\v 1  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w Timnah|strong="H8553"\w*, where \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w girl|strong="H1323"\w* \w caught|strong="H7200"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w eye|strong="H1323"\w*.  
\v 2  \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H3947"\w* \w got|strong="H3947"\w* home, \w he|strong="H3947"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* father \w and|strong="H7200"\w* mother, “\w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w girl|strong="H1323"\w* \w in|strong="H5927"\w* \w Timnah|strong="H8553"\w* \w has|strong="H3947"\w* \w caught|strong="H3947"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w eye|strong="H1323"\w*. \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w get|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w for|strong="H3947"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* wife.”  
\v 3  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* father \w and|strong="H1980"\w* mother said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H3947"\w*, “\w Certainly|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H3947"\w* \w find|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w among|strong="H5971"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* relatives \w or|strong="H1980"\w* \w among|strong="H5971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*! \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H1980"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w get|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w uncircumcised|strong="H6189"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*.” \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \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 because|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w right|strong="H3474"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H3947"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* father \w and|strong="H3478"\w* mother \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s doing, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w looking|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* opportunity \w to|strong="H3478"\w* stir up trouble \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* (\w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w ruling|strong="H4910"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*).   
\p
\v 5  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Timnah|strong="H8553"\w*. \w When|strong="H5704"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w approached|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w vineyards|strong="H3754"\w* \w of|strong="H3754"\w* \w Timnah|strong="H8553"\w*, \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w roaring|strong="H7580"\w* \w young|strong="H3715"\w* \w lion|strong="H3715"\w* \w attacking|strong="H7125"\w* \w him|strong="H3381"\w*.  
\v 6  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w empowered|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w tore|strong="H8156"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* lion \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w two|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* bare \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* easily \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w tear|strong="H8156"\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* father \w or|strong="H3808"\w* mother \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\p
\v 7  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* continued \w on|strong="H1696"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* Timnah \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H1696"\w* girl. \w In|strong="H1696"\w* \w his|strong="H3381"\w* \w opinion|strong="H5869"\w*, she \w was|strong="H1696"\w* \w just|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H1696"\w* \w right|strong="H3474"\w* one.  
\v 8  \w Some|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* later, \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w went|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w marry|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w*, \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w turned|strong="H7725"\w* \w aside|strong="H5493"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* lion’s \w remains|strong="H4658"\w*. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w swarm|strong="H5712"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w bees|strong="H1682"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* lion’s \w carcass|strong="H1472"\w*, \w as|strong="H3117"\w* well \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w some|strong="H3117"\w* \w honey|strong="H1706"\w*.  
\v 9  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w scooped|strong="H7287"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w up|strong="H5414"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w hands|strong="H3709"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* ate \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w walked|strong="H1980"\w* \w along|strong="H1980"\w*. \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w returned|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* father \w and|strong="H1980"\w* mother, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w offered|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* some \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* ate \w it|strong="H5414"\w*. \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 he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w scooped|strong="H7287"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w honey|strong="H1706"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H3709"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* lion’s \w carcass|strong="H1472"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w Then|strong="H3651"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*’s father accompanied \w him|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* Timnah \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* marriage. \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w hosted|strong="H8033"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* party \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w was|strong="H6213"\w* customary \w for|strong="H3588"\w* bridegrooms \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 11  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* Philistines \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H7200"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H3947"\w* attendants, \w they|strong="H7200"\w* \w gave|strong="H3947"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w groomsmen|strong="H4828"\w* who \w kept|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w* company.  
\v 12  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*. If \w you|strong="H5414"\w* really \w can|strong="H4994"\w* \w solve|strong="H5046"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* party \w lasts|strong="H4672"\w*, \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w linen|strong="H5466"\w* robes \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w sets|strong="H2487"\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 solve|strong="H3201"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w*, \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w linen|strong="H5466"\w* robes \w and|strong="H7970"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w sets|strong="H2487"\w* \w of|strong="H2487"\w* clothes.” \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w said|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H3318"\w*,  
\q1 “\w Out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w who|strong="H3808"\w* eats \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w something|strong="H3978"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w eat|strong="H3978"\w*;  
\q1 \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w strong|strong="H5794"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w something|strong="H3978"\w* \w sweet|strong="H4966"\w*.”  
\pi1 \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w could|strong="H3201"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w solve|strong="H3201"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\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, “Trick \w your|strong="H1961"\w* husband \w into|strong="H1961"\w* giving \w the|strong="H3117"\w* solution \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*. \w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w refuse|strong="H3808"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w burn|strong="H8313"\w* \w up|strong="H8313"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H1961"\w* father’s \w family|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Did|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w invite|strong="H7121"\w* \w us|strong="H5046"\w* here \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w make|strong="H5046"\w* \w us|strong="H5046"\w* \w poor|strong="H3423"\w*?”  
\v 16  \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*’s bride \w cried|strong="H1058"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* shoulder \w and|strong="H1121"\w* said, “\w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w must|strong="H1121"\w* \w hate|strong="H8130"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w*; \w you|strong="H5921"\w* do \w not|strong="H3808"\w* love \w me|strong="H5046"\w*! \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w young|strong="H1121"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*, \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* solution.” \w He|strong="H3808"\w* said \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w even|strong="H3808"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* mother. Do \w you|strong="H5921"\w* really expect \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*?”  
\v 17  \w She|strong="H3588"\w* \w cried|strong="H1058"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* shoulder \w until|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* party \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w almost|strong="H3117"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w*. Finally, \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* nagged \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w much|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w young|strong="H1121"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* solution \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*.  
\v 18  \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w before|strong="H2962"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w sun|strong="H2775"\w* set, \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w men|strong="H5794"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w said|strong="H2790"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w him|strong="H4672"\w*,  
\q1 “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w sweeter|strong="H4966"\w* \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w honey|strong="H1706"\w*?  
\q1 \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w stronger|strong="H5794"\w* \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* lion?”  
\pi1 \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w said|strong="H2790"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w them|strong="H4672"\w*,  
\q1 “\w If|strong="H3884"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H4672"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w plowed|strong="H2790"\w* \w with|strong="H3117"\w* \w my|strong="H4672"\w* \w heifer|strong="H5697"\w*,  
\q1 \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w would|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H4672"\w* solved \w my|strong="H4672"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*!”   
\p
\v 19  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w empowered|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* Ashkelon \w and|strong="H3068"\w* murdered \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w men|strong="H1992"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* clothes \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="H1992"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* solved \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w riddle|strong="H2420"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w furious|strong="H2734"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w back|strong="H5927"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 20  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*’s bride \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w* given \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* best man.   
\c 15  
\p
\v 1  Sometime \w later|strong="H1961"\w*, \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w wheat|strong="H2406"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\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 as|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w gift|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w went|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w visit|strong="H6485"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* bride. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* father, “\w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w want|strong="H6485"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* sex \w with|strong="H3117"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* bride \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w bedroom|strong="H2315"\w*!” \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* enter.  
\v 2  \w Her|strong="H5414"\w* father said, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* really thought \w you|strong="H3588"\w* absolutely \w despised|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 your|strong="H5414"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w man|strong="H2896"\w*. \w Her|strong="H5414"\w* \w younger|strong="H6996"\w* sister \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w more|strong="H4480"\w* attractive \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w*. \w Take|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w instead|strong="H8478"\w*!”  
\v 3  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w This|strong="H6213"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w justified|strong="H5352"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w harm|strong="H7451"\w*!”  
\v 4  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w jackals|strong="H7776"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w got|strong="H3947"\w* some \w torches|strong="H3940"\w*. \w He|strong="H8147"\w* tied \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w jackals|strong="H7776"\w* \w in|strong="H8432"\w* \w pairs|strong="H8147"\w* \w by|strong="H3212"\w* \w their|strong="H3947"\w* \w tails|strong="H2180"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w then|strong="H3947"\w* tied \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w torch|strong="H3940"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w each|strong="H3947"\w* \w pair|strong="H8147"\w*.  
\v 5  \w He|strong="H5704"\w* lit \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w torches|strong="H3940"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w set|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* jackals \w loose|strong="H7971"\w* \w in|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*’ \w standing|strong="H7054"\w* \w grain|strong="H7054"\w*. \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w burned|strong="H1197"\w* \w up|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w grain|strong="H7054"\w* heaps \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w standing|strong="H7054"\w* \w grain|strong="H7054"\w*, \w as|strong="H5704"\w* well \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w vineyards|strong="H3754"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w olive|strong="H2132"\w* \w groves|strong="H2132"\w*.  
\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 They|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H6430"\w* \w told|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Timnite|strong="H8554"\w*’s \w son-in-law|strong="H2860"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Timnite|strong="H8554"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*’s bride \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* best man.” \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w burned|strong="H8313"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* father.  
\v 7  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w Because|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H6213"\w* \w get|strong="H6213"\w* \w revenge|strong="H5358"\w* \w against|strong="H2063"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w before|strong="H2308"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w quit|strong="H2308"\w* fighting.”  
\v 8  \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3381"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* cave \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w cliff|strong="H5553"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Etam|strong="H5862"\w*.   
\p
\v 9  \w The|strong="H5927"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w invaded|strong="H5927"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w They|strong="H5927"\w* arrayed themselves \w for|strong="H3063"\w* battle \w in|strong="H2583"\w* \w Lehi|strong="H3896"\w*.  
\v 10  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* said, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* attacking \w us|strong="H5921"\w*?” \w The|strong="H5921"\w* Philistines said, “\w We|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3063"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w take|strong="H6213"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* prisoner \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w has|strong="H3063"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*.”  
\v 11  \w Three|strong="H7969"\w* thousand \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H6213"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* cave \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w cliff|strong="H5553"\w* \w of|strong="H6213"\w* \w Etam|strong="H5862"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\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 know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over|strong="H4910"\w* \w us|strong="H6213"\w*? \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w us|strong="H6213"\w*?” \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w*.”  
\v 12  \w They|strong="H3027"\w* 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 down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w take|strong="H7650"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* prisoner \w so|strong="H6435"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* can \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*.” \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w Promise|strong="H7650"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w not|strong="H5414"\w* \w kill|strong="H6293"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*.”  
\v 13  \w They|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w We|strong="H3588"\w* promise! \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w take|strong="H5927"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* prisoner \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w We|strong="H3588"\w* promise \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w kill|strong="H4191"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.” \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w tied|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* brand \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* led \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w cliff|strong="H5553"\w*.  
\v 14  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* arrived \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lehi|strong="H3896"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w shouted|strong="H7321"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* approached \w him|strong="H5921"\w*. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w empowered|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w arms|strong="H2220"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w flax|strong="H6593"\w* \w dissolving|strong="H1197"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* fire, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w melted|strong="H4549"\w* \w away|strong="H1197"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 15  \w He|strong="H3027"\w* \w happened|strong="H4672"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* see \w a|strong="H3068"\w* solid \w jawbone|strong="H3895"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w donkey|strong="H2543"\w*. \w He|strong="H3027"\w* grabbed \w it|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* thousand \w men|strong="H3947"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w then|strong="H8123"\w* said,  
\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*  
\q1 I have left \w them|strong="H5221"\w* \w in|strong="H5221"\w* \w heaps|strong="H2565"\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*  
\q1 I have \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* thousand men!”   
\p
\v 17  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w finished|strong="H3615"\w* \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w*, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w the|strong="H7121"\w* \w jawbone|strong="H3895"\w* \w down|strong="H7993"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w Ramath|strong="H7437"\w* Lehi.   
\p
\v 18  \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \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 cried|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w You|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w victory|strong="H8668"\w*. \w But|strong="H6258"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w thirst|strong="H6772"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w into|strong="H5307"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Philistines?”  
\v 19  \w So|strong="H3651"\w* God \w split|strong="H1234"\w* \w open|strong="H1234"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w basin|strong="H4388"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lehi|strong="H3896"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w flowed|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w*. \w When|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w took|strong="H3318"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w strength|strong="H7307"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w restored|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w revived|strong="H2421"\w*. \w For|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w reason|strong="H5921"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w spring|strong="H3318"\w* En Hakkore. \w It|strong="H7121"\w* remains \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lehi|strong="H3896"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 20  Samson \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* prominence.   
\c 16  
\p
\v 1  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Gaza|strong="H5804"\w*. \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w prostitute|strong="H2181"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w have|strong="H7200"\w* sex \w with|strong="H3212"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Gazites|strong="H5841"\w* \w were|strong="H5892"\w* told, “\w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w has|strong="H3605"\w* \w come|strong="H5437"\w* \w here|strong="H2008"\w*!” \w So|strong="H5437"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w surrounded|strong="H5437"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* hid \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w at|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w waiting|strong="H5704"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* leave. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* relaxed \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*, thinking, “\w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H5892"\w* \w not|strong="H2790"\w* leave \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* comes; \w then|strong="H3605"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H5892"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w*!”  
\v 3  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w spent|strong="H7901"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* prostitute; \w then|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w middle|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w left|strong="H5265"\w*. \w He|strong="H5704"\w* grabbed \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w well|strong="H7760"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w posts|strong="H4201"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w pulled|strong="H5265"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* right \w off|strong="H5921"\w*, \w bar|strong="H1280"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w*. \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\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 them|strong="H5921"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w top|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w east|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\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*, who \w lived|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Sorek|strong="H7796"\w* \w Valley|strong="H5158"\w*.  
\v 5  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* rulers \w of|strong="H3701"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w visit|strong="H7200"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* said \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*, “Trick \w him|strong="H5414"\w*! \w Find|strong="H3201"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \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 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* \w humiliate|strong="H6031"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*. \w Each|strong="H5414"\w* \w one|strong="H7200"\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* eleven \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* pieces.”   
\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 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 how|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w be|strong="H4994"\w* subdued \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w humiliated|strong="H6031"\w*.”  
\v 7  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H1961"\w*, “\w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* tie \w me|strong="H1961"\w* \w up|strong="H2717"\w* \w with|strong="H1961"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w fresh|strong="H3892"\w* \w bowstrings|strong="H3499"\w* \w that|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w dried|strong="H2717"\w*, \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w weak|strong="H2470"\w* \w and|strong="H7651"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* just \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w any|strong="H1961"\w* other man.”  
\v 8  \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* rulers \w of|strong="H3499"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w her|strong="H2717"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w fresh|strong="H3892"\w* \w bowstrings|strong="H3499"\w* which \w had|strong="H6430"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w dried|strong="H2717"\w* \w and|strong="H5927"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* tied \w him|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H5927"\w* \w them|strong="H5927"\w*.  
\v 9  \w They|strong="H3808"\w* hid \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w bedroom|strong="H2315"\w* \w and|strong="H3045"\w* \w then|strong="H3045"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* said \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w are|strong="H6430"\w* \w here|strong="H5921"\w*, \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*!” \w He|strong="H3808"\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* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w thread|strong="H6616"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* yarn \w snaps|strong="H5423"\w* \w when|strong="H3427"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H3581"\w* \w put|strong="H5423"\w* close \w to|strong="H5921"\w* fire. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* secret \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w strength|strong="H3581"\w* \w was|strong="H6430"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w discovered|strong="H3045"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w deceived|strong="H2048"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w and|strong="H1696"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w lies|strong="H3576"\w*! \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w be|strong="H4994"\w* subdued.”  
\v 11  \w He|strong="H6213"\w* said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* tie \w me|strong="H6213"\w* tightly \w with|strong="H6213"\w* brand \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \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 become|strong="H1961"\w* \w weak|strong="H2470"\w* \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w just|strong="H6213"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w any|strong="H6213"\w* other man.”  
\v 12  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w and|strong="H6430"\w* tied \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H6430"\w* said \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w are|strong="H6430"\w* \w here|strong="H5921"\w*, \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*!” (\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w were|strong="H6430"\w* hiding \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w bedroom|strong="H2315"\w*.) \w But|strong="H3947"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w tore|strong="H5423"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w ropes|strong="H5688"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w arms|strong="H2220"\w* \w as|strong="H3427"\w* if \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H6430"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* piece \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w thread|strong="H2339"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, “\w Up|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w now|strong="H2008"\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 told|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w lies|strong="H3576"\w*. \w Tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5704"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* be subdued.” \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\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* \w fabric|strong="H4545"\w* \w on|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* loom \w and|strong="H7218"\w* secure \w it|strong="H5704"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* pin, \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H4100"\w* become weak \w and|strong="H7218"\w* be \w like|strong="H5973"\w* \w any|strong="H1696"\w* \w other|strong="H2008"\w* \w man|strong="H7218"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w So|strong="H5921"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w made|strong="H8123"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w go|strong="H5265"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w sleep|strong="H8142"\w*, wove \w the|strong="H5921"\w* seven braids \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* hair \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fabric|strong="H4545"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* loom, \w fastened|strong="H8628"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pin|strong="H3489"\w*, \w and|strong="H6430"\w* said \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w are|strong="H6430"\w* \w here|strong="H5921"\w*, \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*!” \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w woke|strong="H3364"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H6430"\w* tore \w away|strong="H5265"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pin|strong="H3489"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* loom \w and|strong="H6430"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fabric|strong="H4545"\w*.   
\p
\v 15  \w She|strong="H3820"\w* 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 I|strong="H2088"\w* love \w you|strong="H5046"\w*,’ when \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w will|strong="H3820"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* share \w your|strong="H3808"\w* secret \w with|strong="H3820"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w*? \w Three|strong="H7969"\w* \w times|strong="H6471"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w have|strong="H3808"\w* \w deceived|strong="H2048"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \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 makes|strong="H3581"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w strong|strong="H3581"\w*.”  
\v 16  \w She|strong="H3588"\w* nagged \w him|strong="H4191"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* pressured \w him|strong="H4191"\w* \w until|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* sick \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*.  
\v 17  Finally \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* secret. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\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 for|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w dedicated|strong="H5139"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H3820"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* conceived. \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w shaved|strong="H1548"\w*, \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w strength|strong="H3581"\w* \w would|strong="H5493"\w* \w leave|strong="H4480"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w*; \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H5493"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w weak|strong="H2470"\w*, \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H7218"\w*.”  
\v 18  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w Delilah|strong="H1807"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H6430"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* secret, \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* rulers \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*, saying, “\w Come|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* here \w again|strong="H7971"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w has|strong="H3820"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* secret.” \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* rulers \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w visit|strong="H7200"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*, \w bringing|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w in|strong="H3027"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 19  \w She|strong="H7121"\w* \w made|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w* \w go|strong="H5493"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w sleep|strong="H3462"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5493"\w* \w lap|strong="H1290"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w then|strong="H7121"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H7218"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w shave|strong="H1548"\w* \w off|strong="H5493"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w braids|strong="H4253"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w hair|strong="H7218"\w*. \w She|strong="H7121"\w* \w made|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w* vulnerable \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w strength|strong="H3581"\w* \w left|strong="H5493"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w*.  
\v 20  \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w here|strong="H5921"\w*, \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*!” \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 and|strong="H3068"\w* \w shake|strong="H5287"\w* \w myself|strong="H3045"\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 the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 21  \w The|strong="H1961"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* captured \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 They|strong="H5178"\w* \w brought|strong="H3381"\w* \w him|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w Gaza|strong="H5804"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* bound \w him|strong="H3381"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w bronze|strong="H5178"\w* \w chains|strong="H5178"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w grinder|strong="H2912"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w prison|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 22  \w His|strong="H1548"\w* \w hair|strong="H8181"\w* \w began|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H2490"\w* \w grow|strong="H6779"\w* back \w after|strong="H6779"\w* \w it|strong="H7218"\w* \w had|strong="H8181"\w* been \w shaved|strong="H1548"\w* \w off|strong="H1548"\w*.   
\s1 Samson’s Death and Burial  
\p
\v 23  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* rulers \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6430"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w offer|strong="H2076"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H2077"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w Dagon|strong="H1712"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w god|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* celebrate. \w They|strong="H3027"\w* said, “\w Our|strong="H5414"\w* \w god|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H3027"\w* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w*, \w our|strong="H5414"\w* enemy, \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*.”  
\v 24  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w praised|strong="H1984"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w god|strong="H5414"\w*, saying, “\w Our|strong="H5414"\w* \w god|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H3588"\w* \w handed|strong="H3027"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* enemy \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*, \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w one|strong="H2491"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w ruined|strong="H2717"\w* \w our|strong="H5414"\w* land \w and|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 When|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* really \w started|strong="H1961"\w* \w celebrating|strong="H7832"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Call|strong="H7121"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H1004"\w* \w entertain|strong="H7832"\w* \w us|strong="H6440"\w*!” \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\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 he|strong="H3588"\w* \w entertained|strong="H6711"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* between \w two|strong="H1004"\w* \w pillars|strong="H5982"\w*.  
\v 26  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H5288"\w* \w held|strong="H2388"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*, “\w Position|strong="H3559"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w so|strong="H3027"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w can|strong="H1004"\w* touch \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pillars|strong="H5982"\w* \w that|strong="H5288"\w* \w support|strong="H2388"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Then|strong="H8123"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w can|strong="H1004"\w* \w lean|strong="H8172"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.”  
\v 27  \w Now|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w filled|strong="H4390"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* women, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* rulers \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w were|strong="H6430"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w were|strong="H6430"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* thousand \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* women \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 entertain|strong="H7832"\w*.  
\v 28  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3069"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, “\w O|strong="H3068"\w* Master, \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*! \w Strengthen|strong="H2388"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w just|strong="H2088"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w more|strong="H6471"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*, \w so|strong="H7121"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w can|strong="H4994"\w* get \w swift|strong="H6471"\w* \w revenge|strong="H5358"\w* \w against|strong="H2388"\w* \w the|strong="H3069"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w*!”  
\v 29  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* \w took|strong="H8123"\w* \w hold|strong="H3943"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w middle|strong="H8432"\w* \w pillars|strong="H5982"\w* \w that|strong="H1004"\w* \w supported|strong="H3943"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w leaned|strong="H5564"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w with|strong="H1004"\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 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*.  
\v 30  \w Samson|strong="H8123"\w* said, “\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 He|strong="H3605"\w* pushed \w hard|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w collapsed|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* rulers \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w killed|strong="H4191"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w more|strong="H7227"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w death|strong="H4194"\w* \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w killed|strong="H4191"\w* \w during|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w*.  
\v 31  \w His|strong="H3605"\w* brothers \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w him|strong="H3381"\w* \w back|strong="H5927"\w*. \w They|strong="H8141"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w him|strong="H3381"\w* \w between|strong="H8199"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* Eshtaol \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tomb|strong="H6913"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Manoah|strong="H4495"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* father. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w led|strong="H8199"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\c 17  
\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* \w from|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* Ephraimite \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w*.  
\v 2  \w He|strong="H3068"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* mother, “\w You|strong="H3947"\w* know \w the|strong="H3947"\w* eleven \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* pieces \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w which|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* stolen \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3947"\w*, \w about|strong="H3947"\w* \w which|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* heard \w you|strong="H3947"\w* \w pronounce|strong="H1288"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w curse|strong="H1288"\w*? \w Look|strong="H2009"\w* \w here|strong="H2009"\w*, \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*. \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w stole|strong="H3947"\w* \w it|strong="H3947"\w*, \w but|strong="H2009"\w* \w now|strong="H2009"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* giving \w it|strong="H3947"\w* \w back|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3947"\w*.” \w His|strong="H3068"\w* mother said, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w reward|strong="H1288"\w* \w you|strong="H3947"\w*, \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*!”  
\v 3  \w When|strong="H7725"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* mother \w the|strong="H6213"\w* eleven \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* pieces \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w his|strong="H3068"\w* mother said, “\w I|strong="H6258"\w* solemnly \w dedicate|strong="H6942"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*. \w It|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*’s \w benefit|strong="H3027"\w*. \w We|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w use|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w carved|strong="H6213"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w metal|strong="H6213"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* mother, \w she|strong="H3967"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w two|strong="H3947"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* pieces \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w silversmith|strong="H6884"\w*, \w who|strong="H6884"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w into|strong="H7725"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w carved|strong="H6213"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w metal|strong="H6213"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w*. \w She|strong="H3967"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4319"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 5  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* owned \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w shrine|strong="H1004"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* ephod \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w some|strong="H3027"\w* personal \w idols|strong="H8655"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* hired \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 serve|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*.  
\v 6  \w In|strong="H3478"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w no|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w Each|strong="H3117"\w* man \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H3477"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* considered \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H3478"\w* \w right|strong="H3477"\w*.   
\s1 Micah Hires a Professional  
\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 from|strong="H3881"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in|strong="H1035"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* temporarily residing \w among|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w tribe|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H4940"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.  
\v 8  \w This|strong="H6213"\w* man \w left|strong="H4672"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\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*. \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* Ephraimite \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 9  \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H4672"\w*, “Where \w do|strong="H3063"\w* \w you|strong="H4672"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w*?” \w He|strong="H1980"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H1980"\w* \w am|strong="H1980"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w I|strong="H1980"\w* \w am|strong="H1980"\w* \w looking|strong="H4672"\w* \w for|strong="H3063"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* new place \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w live|strong="H1481"\w*.”  
\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 Become|strong="H1961"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* adviser \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*. \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* pieces \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* per \w year|strong="H3117"\w*, \w plus|strong="H4241"\w* clothes \w and|strong="H3701"\w* food.”  
\v 11  \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w agreed|strong="H2974"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w*; \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* Micah.  
\v 12  \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w paid|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H4390"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w*; \w the|strong="H4390"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\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 Micah|strong="H4318"\w* said, “\w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w make|strong="H3045"\w* \w me|strong="H1961"\w* rich, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w this|strong="H6258"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*.”   
\c 18  
\p
\v 1  \w In|strong="H3427"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w And|strong="H3478"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Danite \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w looking|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w place|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w settle|strong="H3427"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w yet|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w place|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* call \w their|strong="H1245"\w* own \w among|strong="H8432"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H5704"\w* \w Danites|strong="H1835"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w out|strong="H7971"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H7971"\w* \w whole|strong="H7098"\w* \w tribe|strong="H4940"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w representatives|strong="H7098"\w*, \w capable|strong="H2428"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Eshtaol, \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w spy|strong="H7270"\w* \w out|strong="H7971"\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*. \w They|strong="H8033"\w* said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w*, \w explore|strong="H2713"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w land|strong="H4940"\w*.” \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* Ephraimite \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w spent|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 3  \w As|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w approached|strong="H5973"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w recognized|strong="H5234"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* accent \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5493"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\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 in|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w place|strong="H1004"\w*? \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w your|strong="H6213"\w* business \w here|strong="H6311"\w*?”  
\v 4  \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w told|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H2088"\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*, saying, “\w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w hired|strong="H7936"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*.”  
\v 5  \w They|strong="H5921"\w* said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “Seek \w a|strong="H3068"\w* divine \w oracle|strong="H4994"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w*, \w so|strong="H1980"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H3045"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* if \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H7592"\w* \w be|strong="H4994"\w* \w successful|strong="H6743"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* \w mission|strong="H1870"\w*.”  
\v 6  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H3068"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* confidence. \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3212"\w* \w on|strong="H1870"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w mission|strong="H1870"\w*.”   
\p
\v 7  \w So|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* journeyed \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w and|strong="H4941"\w* arrived \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Laish|strong="H3919"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w noticed|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* securely, \w like|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w Sidonians|strong="H6722"\w* \w do|strong="H1697"\w*, \w undisturbed|strong="H8252"\w* \w and|strong="H4941"\w* unsuspecting. \w No|strong="H7200"\w* \w conqueror|strong="H3423"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* troubling \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w any|strong="H7200"\w* \w way|strong="H3212"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w far|strong="H7350"\w* \w from|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w Sidonians|strong="H6722"\w* \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w had|strong="H5971"\w* \w no|strong="H7200"\w* \w dealings|strong="H1697"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w anyone|strong="H7200"\w*.  
\v 8  When \w the|strong="H4100"\w* Danites returned \w to|strong="H4100"\w* \w their|strong="H4100"\w* tribe in \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and|strong="H6881"\w* Eshtaol, \w their|strong="H4100"\w* kinsmen \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* them, “\w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H4100"\w* \w it|strong="H4100"\w* go?”  
\v 9  \w They|strong="H3588"\w* said, “\w Come|strong="H5927"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w*, \w let|strong="H3212"\w*’s \w attack|strong="H5927"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w their|strong="H7200"\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 You|strong="H3588"\w* seem lethargic, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* don’t hesitate \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w invade|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w conquer|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* land.  
\v 10  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* invade, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* encounter unsuspecting \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H4725"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w wide|strong="H7342"\w*! \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w handing|strong="H3027"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* – \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* lacks \w nothing|strong="H1697"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* earth!”   
\p
\v 11  \w So|strong="H2296"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w Danites|strong="H1839"\w*, \w fully|strong="H2296"\w* \w armed|strong="H4421"\w*, \w set|strong="H5265"\w* \w out|strong="H5265"\w* \w from|strong="H5265"\w* \w Zorah|strong="H6881"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* Eshtaol.  
\v 12  \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Kiriath|strong="H7157"\w* Jearim \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. (\w To|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w Camp|strong="H2583"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Dan. \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* west \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Kiriath|strong="H7157"\w* Jearim.)  
\v 13  \w From|strong="H5704"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w traveled|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* Ephraimite \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* arrived \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 14  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w who|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w gone|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w spy|strong="H7270"\w* \w out|strong="H7270"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* land \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Laish|strong="H3919"\w* \w said|strong="H6030"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* kinsmen, “\w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w inside|strong="H1004"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w houses|strong="H1004"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* ephod, some personal \w idols|strong="H8655"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w carved|strong="H6213"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w metal|strong="H6213"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w*? Decide \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* want \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*.”  
\v 15  \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5493"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, \w went|strong="H3881"\w* \w inside|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w* (\w which|strong="H1004"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*), \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w him|strong="H7592"\w* \w how|strong="H7965"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* doing.  
\v 16  Meanwhile \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w Danites|strong="H1835"\w*, \w fully|strong="H2296"\w* \w armed|strong="H4421"\w*, \w stood|strong="H5324"\w* \w at|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\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* \w gone|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w spy|strong="H7270"\w* \w out|strong="H7270"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* land broke \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w stole|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w carved|strong="H6456"\w* \w image|strong="H4541"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* ephod, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* personal \w idols|strong="H8655"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w metal|strong="H4541"\w* \w image|strong="H4541"\w*, while \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w was|strong="H4421"\w* \w standing|strong="H5324"\w* \w at|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w fully|strong="H2296"\w* \w armed|strong="H4421"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w*.  
\v 18  \w When|strong="H6213"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* broke \w into|strong="H6213"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w stole|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w carved|strong="H6213"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* ephod, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* personal \w idols|strong="H8655"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w metal|strong="H6213"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\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*?”  
\v 19  \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w said|strong="H2790"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “Shut \w up|strong="H7760"\w*! \w Put|strong="H7760"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w mouth|strong="H6310"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*! \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w can|strong="H1004"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* adviser \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*. Wouldn’t \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w better|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* whole \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w just|strong="H6310"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w* \w man|strong="H2896"\w*’s \w family|strong="H4940"\w*?”  
\v 20  \w The|strong="H3947"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w was|strong="H3820"\w* \w happy|strong="H3190"\w*. \w He|strong="H5971"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* ephod, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* personal \w idols|strong="H8655"\w*, \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w carved|strong="H6459"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w* \w and|strong="H3548"\w* joined \w the|strong="H3947"\w* group.   
\p
\v 21  \w They|strong="H6440"\w* \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w on|strong="H7760"\w* \w their|strong="H7760"\w* \w way|strong="H3212"\w*, \w but|strong="H6437"\w* \w they|strong="H6440"\w* \w walked|strong="H3212"\w* behind \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w children|strong="H2945"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w cattle|strong="H4735"\w*, \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w their|strong="H7760"\w* \w possessions|strong="H4735"\w*.  
\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* \w good|strong="H7368"\w* \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*’s \w neighbors|strong="H2199"\w* \w gathered|strong="H2199"\w* \w together|strong="H2199"\w* \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 Danites|strong="H1835"\w*.  
\v 23  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H2199"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Danites|strong="H1835"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Danites|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 Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w gathered|strong="H2199"\w* \w together|strong="H2199"\w*?”  
\v 24  \w He|strong="H6213"\w* said, “\w You|strong="H3947"\w* \w stole|strong="H3947"\w* \w my|strong="H3947"\w* gods \w that|strong="H3548"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w*, \w as|strong="H6213"\w* well \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*, \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w then|strong="H2088"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w away|strong="H3947"\w*. \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w have|strong="H3548"\w* \w left|strong="H3548"\w*? \w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3947"\w* \w have|strong="H3548"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* audacity \w to|strong="H3212"\w* say \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w*, ‘\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3947"\w* want?’”  
\v 25  \w The|strong="H8085"\w* \w Danites|strong="H1835"\w* \w said|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w*, “Don’t \w say|strong="H6963"\w* another word \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w us|strong="H6435"\w*, \w or|strong="H6435"\w* \w some|strong="H5315"\w* very \w angry|strong="H4751"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w will|strong="H5315"\w* \w attack|strong="H6293"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H8085"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w will|strong="H5315"\w* \w die|strong="H1121"\w*.”  
\v 26  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w Danites|strong="H1835"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w on|strong="H1870"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w*; \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w too|strong="H4480"\w* \w strong|strong="H2389"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* resist, \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 Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Danites|strong="H3947"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w*, \w as|strong="H1961"\w* well \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*, \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Laish|strong="H3919"\w*, \w where|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w undisturbed|strong="H8252"\w* \w and|strong="H3548"\w* unsuspecting. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w with|strong="H8313"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w burned|strong="H8313"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.  
\v 28  No \w one|strong="H1931"\w* \w came|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w rescue|strong="H5337"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w far|strong="H7350"\w* \w from|strong="H7350"\w* \w Sidon|strong="H6721"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* no \w dealings|strong="H1697"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3588"\w*. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \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* Beth Rehob. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* Danites \w rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w occupied|strong="H3427"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*.  
\v 29  \w They|strong="H3478"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w after|strong="H7121"\w* \w their|strong="H7121"\w* ancestor, \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w one|strong="H7223"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H3205"\w*. \w But|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*’s \w name|strong="H8034"\w* used \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H8034"\w* \w Laish|strong="H3919"\w*.  
\v 30  \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w Danites|strong="H1839"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w carved|strong="H6459"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w*. \w Jonathan|strong="H3129"\w*, \w descendant|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gershom|strong="H1647"\w*, \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Moses, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H1540"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w served|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w exile|strong="H1540"\w*.  
\v 31  \w They|strong="H3117"\w* worshiped \w Micah|strong="H4318"\w*’s \w carved|strong="H6213"\w* \w image|strong="H6459"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* God’s \w authorized|strong="H1961"\w* \w shrine|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w*.   
\c 19  
\p
\v 1  \w In|strong="H3478"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H3947"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w There|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w living|strong="H1481"\w* temporarily \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w remote|strong="H3411"\w* region \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* Ephraimite \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w*. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w acquired|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.  
\v 2  However, \w she|strong="H5921"\w* got angry \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \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 in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* four \w months|strong="H2320"\w*,  
\v 3  \w her|strong="H5921"\w* husband \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w after|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*, hoping \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w could|strong="H5288"\w* convince \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \w brought|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w pair|strong="H6776"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*. \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w she|strong="H3820"\w* \w brought|strong="H7725"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w into|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* father’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w girl|strong="H5291"\w*’s father \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w he|strong="H1004"\w* greeted \w him|strong="H5921"\w* warmly.  
\v 4  \w His|strong="H2388"\w* \w father-in-law|strong="H2859"\w*, \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w girl|strong="H5291"\w*’s father, \w persuaded|strong="H2388"\w* \w him|strong="H2388"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w him|strong="H2388"\w* \w for|strong="H3427"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* ate \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w drank|strong="H8354"\w* \w together|strong="H2388"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w spent|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.  
\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* woke \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w early|strong="H7925"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* Levite \w got|strong="H6965"\w* ready \w to|strong="H3212"\w* leave. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w girl|strong="H5291"\w*’s father said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w son-in-law|strong="H2860"\w*, “\w Have|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* bite \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w eat|strong="H3899"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w some|strong="H3117"\w* energy, \w then|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* can \w go|strong="H3212"\w*.”  
\v 6  \w So|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3885"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w them|strong="H8147"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w and|strong="H8147"\w* \w had|strong="H3820"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* meal \w together|strong="H3162"\w*. Then \w the|strong="H3885"\w* \w girl|strong="H5291"\w*’s father said \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w the|strong="H3885"\w* \w man|strong="H3820"\w*, “Why \w not|strong="H8354"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* another \w night|strong="H3885"\w* \w and|strong="H8147"\w* \w have|strong="H8147"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H3190"\w* \w time|strong="H3820"\w*!”  
\v 7  \w When|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* man \w got|strong="H6965"\w* ready \w to|strong="H7725"\w* leave, \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w father-in-law|strong="H2859"\w* \w convinced|strong="H6484"\w* \w him|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w stay|strong="H3885"\w* another \w night|strong="H3885"\w*.  
\v 8  \w He|strong="H3117"\w* woke \w up|strong="H7925"\w* \w early|strong="H7925"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w fifth|strong="H2549"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w so|strong="H5704"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w could|strong="H3824"\w* leave, \w but|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w girl|strong="H5291"\w*’s father said, “\w Get|strong="H3212"\w* \w some|strong="H3117"\w* energy. \w Wait|strong="H4102"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w later|strong="H5186"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* leave!” \w So|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* ate \w a|strong="H3068"\w* meal \w together|strong="H8147"\w*.  
\v 9  \w When|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* ready \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w leave|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w*, \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w father-in-law|strong="H2859"\w*, \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w girl|strong="H5291"\w*’s father, said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H1931"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*! \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w almost|strong="H3117"\w* \w over|strong="H1980"\w*! \w Stay|strong="H7503"\w* another \w night|strong="H3885"\w*! \w Since|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w over|strong="H1980"\w*, \w stay|strong="H7503"\w* another \w night|strong="H3885"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w have|strong="H5288"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H3190"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\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 tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w start|strong="H1870"\w* \w your|strong="H3190"\w* trip \w home|strong="H3212"\w*.”  
\v 10  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* man \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 another|strong="H3808"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w left|strong="H3885"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* traveled \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w Jebus|strong="H2982"\w* (\w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*). \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H3389"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w pair|strong="H6776"\w* \w of|strong="H6776"\w* \w saddled|strong="H2280"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w*.   
\p
\v 11  \w When|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* got \w near|strong="H5973"\w* \w Jebus|strong="H2982"\w*, \w it|strong="H2063"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* getting \w quite|strong="H3117"\w* \w late|strong="H3966"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H5493"\w* master, “\w Come|strong="H3212"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w*, \w let|strong="H4994"\w*’s \w stop|strong="H5493"\w* \w at|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w Jebusite|strong="H2983"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H2063"\w*.”  
\v 12  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w his|strong="H5493"\w* master said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w him|strong="H5704"\w*, “\w We|strong="H5704"\w* \w should|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w stop|strong="H5493"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w where|strong="H3808"\w* \w non-Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* live. \w We|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w travel|strong="H5674"\w* \w on|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.”  
\v 13  \w He|strong="H7126"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H7126"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H3212"\w* \w on|strong="H4725"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H5288"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w into|strong="H3212"\w* one \w of|strong="H4725"\w* \w the|strong="H7126"\w* other \w towns|strong="H3885"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H7126"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w* \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* or \w Ramah|strong="H7414"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w So|strong="H5674"\w* \w they|strong="H5674"\w* \w traveled|strong="H5674"\w* \w on|strong="H5674"\w*, \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w down|strong="H3212"\w* \w when|strong="H5674"\w* \w they|strong="H5674"\w* \w were|strong="H1144"\w* near \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* territory \w of|strong="H1390"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*.  
\v 15  \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5493"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* decided \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. \w They|strong="H8033"\w* came \w into|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w* \w square|strong="H7339"\w*, but no \w one|strong="H5892"\w* invited \w them|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H5493"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w*.   
\p
\v 16  \w But|strong="H2009"\w* \w then|strong="H2009"\w* \w an|strong="H4480"\w* \w old|strong="H2205"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w* passed \w by|strong="H7704"\w*, returning \w at|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* end \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* day \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w his|strong="H4480"\w* \w work|strong="H4639"\w* \w in|strong="H4725"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w The|strong="H4480"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* Ephraimite \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w*; \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w living|strong="H1481"\w* temporarily \w in|strong="H4725"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. (\w The|strong="H4480"\w* residents \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* town \w were|strong="H2022"\w* Benjaminites.)  
\v 17  \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H3212"\w* \w looked|strong="H7200"\w* \w up|strong="H5375"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* traveler \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w* \w square|strong="H7339"\w*, \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w old|strong="H2205"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w* said, “Where \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H7200"\w* heading? Where \w do|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H7200"\w* \w come|strong="H3212"\w* \w from|strong="H5869"\w*?”  
\v 18  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* Levite said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w him|strong="H1980"\w*, “\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 in|strong="H1980"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w remote|strong="H3411"\w* region \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Ephraimite \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w*. \w That|strong="H3068"\w*’s \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w*’m \w from|strong="H1980"\w*. \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* business \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w but|strong="H3068"\w* \w now|strong="H3212"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w*’m \w heading|strong="H1980"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*. \w But|strong="H3068"\w* \w no|strong="H1980"\w* \w one|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* invited \w me|strong="H5674"\w* \w into|strong="H1980"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 19  \w We|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w enough|strong="H1571"\w* \w straw|strong="H8401"\w* \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w grain|strong="H3605"\w* \w for|strong="H5650"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*, \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w enough|strong="H1571"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w for|strong="H5650"\w* \w me|strong="H5973"\w*, \w your|strong="H3605"\w* female \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*, \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*. \w We|strong="H3605"\w* \w lack|strong="H4270"\w* \w nothing|strong="H1697"\w*.”  
\v 20  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w old|strong="H2205"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w* said, “\w Everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w just|strong="H3605"\w* fine! \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H2205"\w* take \w care|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H2205"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w needs|strong="H4270"\w*. \w But|strong="H7535"\w* don’t \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w town|strong="H7339"\w* \w square|strong="H7339"\w*.”  
\v 21  So \w he|strong="H1004"\w* brought him \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H7364"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* fed \w the|strong="H8354"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*. \w They|strong="H7272"\w* \w washed|strong="H7364"\w* \w their|strong="H7364"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* had \w a|strong="H3068"\w* meal.   
\p
\v 22  \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 time|strong="H3820"\w*, \w when|strong="H3318"\w* \w suddenly|strong="H2009"\w* \w some|strong="H1992"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w some|strong="H1992"\w* good-for-nothings, \w surrounded|strong="H5437"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* kept beating \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w door|strong="H1817"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* owned \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, “\w Send|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w man|strong="H2205"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* visit \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w so|strong="H3318"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H3045"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* sex \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.”  
\v 23  \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w man|strong="H1167"\w* \w who|strong="H2088"\w* owned \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\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*, “\w No|strong="H6213"\w*, \w my|strong="H3318"\w* brothers! Don’t \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7489"\w* \w thing|strong="H2088"\w*! \w After|strong="H3318"\w* \w all|strong="H6213"\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="H6213"\w* \w my|strong="H3318"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. Don’t \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w such|strong="H2088"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w disgraceful|strong="H5039"\w* \w thing|strong="H2088"\w*!  
\v 24  \w Here|strong="H2009"\w* \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w my|strong="H3318"\w* \w virgin|strong="H1330"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w my|strong="H3318"\w* guest’s \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w*. \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* \w send|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* abuse \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\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 like|strong="H3318"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* don’t \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w such|strong="H2088"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w disgraceful|strong="H5039"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w man|strong="H2896"\w*!”  
\v 25  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, \w so|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Levite \w grabbed|strong="H2388"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w made|strong="H2388"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w outside|strong="H2351"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w raped|strong="H3045"\w* \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 long|strong="H5704"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w let|strong="H7971"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w at|strong="H3808"\w* \w dawn|strong="H7837"\w*.  
\v 26  \w The|strong="H5704"\w* \w woman|strong="H1004"\w* arrived \w back|strong="H6437"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w daybreak|strong="H1242"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w sprawled|strong="H5307"\w* \w out|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5307"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* doorstep \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w her|strong="H5704"\w* master \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w staying|strong="H8033"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w it|strong="H8033"\w* became light.  
\v 27  \w When|strong="H3318"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* master \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w opened|strong="H6605"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w outside|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w start|strong="H1870"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w journey|strong="H1870"\w*, \w there|strong="H2009"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w woman|strong="H1004"\w*, \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w*, \w sprawled|strong="H5307"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* doorstep \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w threshold|strong="H5592"\w*.  
\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 leave!” \w But|strong="H6030"\w* \w there|strong="H6965"\w* \w was|strong="H4725"\w* \w no|strong="H3947"\w* \w response|strong="H6030"\w*. \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w put|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w donkey|strong="H2543"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w home|strong="H4725"\w*.  
\v 29  \w When|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w got|strong="H3947"\w* \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 grabbed|strong="H2388"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* carved \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w up|strong="H3947"\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 the|strong="H3605"\w* \w pieces|strong="H5409"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 30  \w Everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sight|strong="H7200"\w* \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 happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w witnessed|strong="H7200"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w since|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w left|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*! \w Take|strong="H7760"\w* careful \w note|strong="H7200"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w*! \w Discuss|strong="H1696"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w*!”   
\c 20  
\p
\v 1  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Beer Sheba \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* homes \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6950"\w* \w together|strong="H6950"\w* \w before|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* leaders \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w took|strong="H3320"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w places|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w assembly|strong="H6951"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* God’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w which|strong="H5971"\w* \w numbered|strong="H3967"\w* four \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* thousand \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w foot|strong="H7273"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H7273"\w*.  
\v 3  \w The|strong="H8085"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \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*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “Explain \w how|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7451"\w* \w thing|strong="H2063"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w*!”  
\v 4  \w The|strong="H3885"\w* \w Levite|strong="H3881"\w*, \w the|strong="H3885"\w* husband \w of|strong="H1390"\w* \w the|strong="H3885"\w* \w murdered|strong="H7523"\w* woman, \w spoke|strong="H6030"\w* \w up|strong="H6030"\w*, “I \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w my|strong="H1144"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w* stopped \w in|strong="H3885"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w in|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H3885"\w* territory \w of|strong="H1390"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w to|strong="H6030"\w* \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H3885"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w*.  
\v 5  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w attacked|strong="H6965"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w surrounded|strong="H5437"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w where|strong="H1004"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* staying. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*; \w instead|strong="H5921"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* abused \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w so|strong="H6965"\w* badly \w that|strong="H1004"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 6  \w I|strong="H3588"\w* grabbed \w hold|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w carved|strong="H6213"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w up|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w pieces|strong="H5408"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w territory|strong="H7704"\w* \w occupied|strong="H6213"\w* \w by|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w committed|strong="H6213"\w* \w such|strong="H6213"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* unthinkable \w atrocity|strong="H5039"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 7  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w make|strong="H3051"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* decision \w here|strong="H2009"\w*!”   
\p
\v 8  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H5971"\w* \w rose|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* unison \w and|strong="H6965"\w* said, “\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 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 Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H1697"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*: \w We|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H1697"\w* attack \w the|strong="H5921"\w* city \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w lot|strong="H1486"\w* dictates.  
\v 10  \w We|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w take|strong="H3947"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* group \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* (\w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* group \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w thousand|strong="H7233"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w thousand|strong="H7233"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* group \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w thousand|strong="H7233"\w*) \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w get|strong="H3947"\w* \w supplies|strong="H6720"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*. \w When|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* arrive \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1387"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w punish|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w atrocity|strong="H5039"\w* \w which|strong="H5971"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w committed|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.”  
\v 11  So \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3478"\w* \w together|strong="H2270"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w as|strong="H5892"\w* allies.   
\p
\v 12  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w men|strong="H7451"\w* \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*, saying, “\w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w could|strong="H4100"\w* \w such|strong="H2063"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7451"\w* \w thing|strong="H2063"\w* \w take|strong="H1961"\w* \w place|strong="H1961"\w*?  
\v 13  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w hand|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* good-for-nothings \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w so|strong="H5414"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H7451"\w* \w execute|strong="H4191"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w purge|strong="H1197"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w wickedness|strong="H7451"\w*.” \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 14  \w The|strong="H4480"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w their|strong="H3318"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w assembled|strong="H3478"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* make \w war|strong="H4421"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 15  \w That|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w mustered|strong="H6485"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H6485"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w twenty-six|strong="H8337"\w* thousand \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H1121"\w*, besides \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* well-trained \w soldiers|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Among|strong="H5971"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* specially-trained \w left-handed|strong="H3225"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w*. \w Each|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w could|strong="H2088"\w* \w sling|strong="H7049"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* stone \w and|strong="H3967"\w* hit \w even|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* smallest \w target|strong="H2398"\w*.  
\v 17  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* (\w not|strong="H2088"\w* counting \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*) \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w mustered|strong="H6485"\w* four \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* thousand \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H4421"\w*, \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w an|strong="H2088"\w* \w experienced|strong="H2088"\w* \w warrior|strong="H4421"\w*.   
\p
\v 18  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \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 Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w lead|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w charge|strong="H7592"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*?” \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said, “\w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w lead|strong="H5927"\w*.”  
\v 19  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w next|strong="H5921"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* moved \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 20  \w The|strong="H3318"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w* \w of|strong="H3318"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w marched|strong="H5973"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w fight|strong="H4421"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*; \w they|strong="H3478"\w* \w arranged|strong="H6186"\w* \w their|strong="H3318"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w lines|strong="H6186"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 21  \w The|strong="H4480"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w attacked|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w struck|strong="H7843"\w* \w down|strong="H7843"\w* \w twenty-two|strong="H6242"\w* thousand \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\p
\v 22  \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w took|strong="H2388"\w* heart \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w once|strong="H3254"\w* \w more|strong="H3254"\w* \w arranged|strong="H6186"\w* \w their|strong="H2388"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w lines|strong="H6186"\w*, \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* same \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w taken|strong="H2388"\w* \w their|strong="H2388"\w* positions \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w before|strong="H7223"\w*.  
\v 23  \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, “\w Should|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* march \w out|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w fight|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*, \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w*?” \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said, “\w Attack|strong="H5927"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*!”  
\v 24  \w So|strong="H7126"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w marched|strong="H8145"\w* toward \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w next|strong="H8145"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 25  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w attacked|strong="H7125"\w* \w them|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w struck|strong="H7843"\w* \w down|strong="H7843"\w* \w eighteen|strong="H8083"\w* thousand \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5750"\w*.   
\p
\v 26  \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*, \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*; \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H6440"\w* eat \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w offered|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H5930"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* tokens \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w peace|strong="H8002"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*.  
\v 27  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* (\w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* ark \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*’s \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*;  
\v 28  \w Phinehas|strong="H6372"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Eleazar, \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Aaron, \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w serving|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*), “\w Should|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w once|strong="H3254"\w* \w more|strong="H3254"\w* \w march|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w fight|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w brothers|strong="H1121"\w*, \w or|strong="H3117"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w quit|strong="H2308"\w*?” \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w Attack|strong="H5927"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.”   
\p
\v 29  \w So|strong="H7760"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w hid|strong="H7760"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* ambush \w outside|strong="H5439"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 30  \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* next \w day|strong="H3117"\w*; \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w took|strong="H5927"\w* \w their|strong="H3117"\w* positions \w against|strong="H5927"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* just \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w done|strong="H3478"\w* \w before|strong="H6471"\w*.  
\v 31  \w The|strong="H5221"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*, \w leaving|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w unguarded|strong="H5423"\w*. \w They|strong="H5971"\w* \w began|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w their|strong="H3318"\w* enemy just \w as|strong="H5927"\w* \w they|strong="H5971"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w done|strong="H3478"\w* \w before|strong="H4480"\w*. \w On|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* main roads (\w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w leads|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w*, \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w other|strong="H6471"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*) \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*, \w they|strong="H5971"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w about|strong="H4480"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 32  \w Then|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* said, “\w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5062"\w* just \w as|strong="H6440"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w*.” \w But|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* said, “Let’s \w retreat|strong="H5127"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* lure \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w away|strong="H5127"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w into|strong="H7223"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* main roads.”  
\v 33  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4725"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w places|strong="H4725"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w took|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* positions \w at|strong="H3478"\w* Baal Tamar, while \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* hiding \w in|strong="H3478"\w* ambush jumped \w out|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4725"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w places|strong="H4725"\w* west \w of|strong="H4725"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 34  \w Ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand \w men|strong="H7451"\w*, well-trained \w soldiers|strong="H4421"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w then|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H3045"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* frontal \w assault|strong="H5048"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* – \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w fierce|strong="H3513"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Benjaminites \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w disaster|strong="H7451"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* doorstep.  
\v 35  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w annihilated|strong="H5062"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*; \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w struck|strong="H5062"\w* \w down|strong="H5062"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* 25,100 \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*.  
\v 36  \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5062"\w*.  
\p \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* retreated \w before|strong="H7200"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* confidence \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w hid|strong="H7760"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* ambush outside \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*.  
\v 37  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* hiding \w in|strong="H5892"\w* ambush \w made|strong="H6584"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* mad \w dash|strong="H6584"\w* \w to|strong="H6310"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w*. \w They|strong="H6310"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w put|strong="H6584"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w to|strong="H6310"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.  
\v 38  \w The|strong="H4480"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w* hiding \w in|strong="H3478"\w* ambush \w had|strong="H1961"\w* arranged \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w signal|strong="H4864"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w* hiding \w in|strong="H3478"\w* ambush \w sent|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w smoke|strong="H6227"\w* \w signal|strong="H4864"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*,  
\v 39  \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w counterattacked|strong="H4421"\w*. \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w begun|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*; \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w about|strong="H5221"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* said, “\w There|strong="H6440"\w*’s \w no|strong="H6440"\w* doubt \w about|strong="H5221"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*! \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* totally \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w earlier|strong="H7223"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*.”  
\v 40  \w But|strong="H2009"\w* \w when|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w signal|strong="H4864"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w pillar|strong="H5982"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w smoke|strong="H6227"\w*, \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 Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w around|strong="H6437"\w* \w and|strong="H8064"\w* \w saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w whole|strong="H3632"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w going|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w in|strong="H5892"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w cloud|strong="H4864"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w smoke|strong="H6227"\w* \w that|strong="H5892"\w* \w rose|strong="H5927"\w* \w high|strong="H4480"\w* \w into|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w sky|strong="H8064"\w*.  
\v 41  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w turned|strong="H2015"\w* \w around|strong="H5921"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* panicked \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* could \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w disaster|strong="H7451"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H7200"\w* doorstep.  
\v 42  \w They|strong="H3478"\w* retreated \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, taking \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w wilderness|strong="H4057"\w*. \w But|strong="H6437"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w overtook|strong="H1692"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w as|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* surrounding \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w struck|strong="H7843"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w down|strong="H1870"\w*.  
\v 43  \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w surrounded|strong="H3803"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*, \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* \w them|strong="H7291"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* Nohah, \w and|strong="H1144"\w* annihilated \w them|strong="H7291"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w way|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* spot \w east|strong="H4217"\w* \w of|strong="H1390"\w* Geba.  
\v 44  \w Eighteen|strong="H8083"\w* thousand \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w them|strong="H5307"\w* \w capable|strong="H2428"\w* \w warriors|strong="H2428"\w*, \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* dead.  
\v 45  \w The|strong="H5221"\w* rest \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w and|strong="H2568"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w toward|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w wilderness|strong="H4057"\w*, heading \w toward|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w cliff|strong="H5553"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w*. \w But|strong="H6437"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* Israelites \w caught|strong="H5953"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* thousand \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w* \w on|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* main roads. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w stayed|strong="H1692"\w* \w right|strong="H6437"\w* \w on|strong="H4480"\w* \w their|strong="H5221"\w* heels \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w way|strong="H4546"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Gidom|strong="H1440"\w* \w and|strong="H2568"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w two|strong="H4480"\w* thousand \w more|strong="H4480"\w*.  
\v 46  \w That|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w twenty-five|strong="H6242"\w* thousand \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w battle|strong="H3117"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w them|strong="H1961"\w* \w capable|strong="H2428"\w* \w warriors|strong="H2428"\w*.  
\v 47  \w Six|strong="H8337"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* survivors \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w ran|strong="H5127"\w* \w away|strong="H5127"\w* \w to|strong="H5127"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* \w wilderness|strong="H4057"\w*, \w to|strong="H5127"\w* \w the|strong="H3427"\w* \w cliff|strong="H5553"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w*. \w They|strong="H2320"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w* four \w months|strong="H2320"\w*.  
\v 48  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Benjaminite \w towns|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w put|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w*. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* wiped \w out|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* animals, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w could|strong="H1571"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w*. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w set|strong="H7971"\w* fire \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* path.   
\c 21  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w taken|strong="H5414"\w* \w an|strong="H5414"\w* \w oath|strong="H7650"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*, saying, “\w Not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w marry|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* Benjaminite.”  
\v 2  \w So|strong="H5375"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w came|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w God|strong="H1008"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*, \w weeping|strong="H1065"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* uncontrollably.  
\v 3  \w They|strong="H3117"\w* said, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*?” \w An|strong="H1961"\w* \w entire|strong="H3117"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* disappeared \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*!”   
\p
\v 4  \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 got|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w early|strong="H7925"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w an|strong="H1129"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w offered|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H5930"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* token \w of|strong="H4196"\w* \w peace|strong="H8002"\w*.  
\v 5  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* asked, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6951"\w* \w before|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*?” \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w solemn|strong="H7621"\w* \w oath|strong="H7621"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w whoever|strong="H3605"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w assemble|strong="H5927"\w* \w before|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w certainly|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w executed|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 6  \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w regretted|strong="H5162"\w* what \w had|strong="H3478"\w* happened \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3117"\w* brother \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* said, “\w Today|strong="H3117"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w cut|strong="H1438"\w* \w off|strong="H1438"\w* \w an|strong="H3478"\w* \w entire|strong="H3117"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*!  
\v 7  \w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w find|strong="H5414"\w* wives \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w those|strong="H6213"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w left|strong="H3498"\w*? After \w all|strong="H6213"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w took|strong="H7650"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* \w oath|strong="H7650"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s name \w not|strong="H1115"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* wives.”  
\v 8  \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* asked, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w all|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w assemble|strong="H5927"\w* \w before|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*?” \w Now|strong="H2009"\w* \w it|strong="H5927"\w* just \w so|strong="H5927"\w* happened \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* gathering.  
\v 9  \w When|strong="H3427"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w took|strong="H6485"\w* roll \w call|strong="H6485"\w*, \w they|strong="H8033"\w* noticed none \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6485"\w* \w inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.  
\v 10  \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w assembly|strong="H5712"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* 12,000 \w capable|strong="H2428"\w* \w warriors|strong="H2428"\w* \w against|strong="H2719"\w* \w Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*. \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w kill|strong="H5221"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w your|strong="H6680"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*, \w including|strong="H6310"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* women \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w little|strong="H2945"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 11  \w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*: \w exterminate|strong="H2763"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w male|strong="H2145"\w*, \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w well|strong="H3045"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w woman|strong="H2088"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w has|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H3045"\w* sexual \w relations|strong="H3045"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w male|strong="H2145"\w*. \w But|strong="H3605"\w* spare \w the|strong="H3605"\w* lives \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* virgins.” \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w instructed|strong="H3045"\w*.  
\v 12  \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w among|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* four \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w girls|strong="H5291"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w were|strong="H4672"\w* \w virgins|strong="H1330"\w* – \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w had|strong="H3045"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w had|strong="H3045"\w* sexual \w relations|strong="H3045"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w male|strong="H2145"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* brought \w them|strong="H4672"\w* \w back|strong="H3045"\w* \w to|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* land \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Canaan|strong="H3667"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w assembly|strong="H5712"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w at|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w cliff|strong="H5553"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* assured \w them|strong="H7971"\w* \w they|strong="H3605"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H1696"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* harmed.  
\v 14  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w at|strong="H7725"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*, \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* Israelites \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* women \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w had|strong="H5414"\w* \w spared|strong="H2421"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w there|strong="H4672"\w* \w were|strong="H1144"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w enough|strong="H4672"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w around|strong="H7725"\w*.   
\p
\v 15  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w regretted|strong="H5162"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w happened|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* weakened \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w*.  
\v 16  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H2205"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w assembly|strong="H5712"\w* said, “\w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* find wives \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w those|strong="H6213"\w* \w who|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w left|strong="H3498"\w*? \w After|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H6213"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Benjaminite \w women|strong="H2205"\w* \w have|strong="H3588"\w* been wiped \w out|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 17  \w The|strong="H3808"\w* \w remnant|strong="H6413"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w must|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* preserved. \w An|strong="H3478"\w* entire \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w tribe|strong="H7626"\w* \w should|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w wiped|strong="H4229"\w* \w out|strong="H4229"\w*.  
\v 18  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H3201"\w*’t \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* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w took|strong="H7650"\w* \w an|strong="H5414"\w* \w oath|strong="H7650"\w*, saying, ‘Whoever \w gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w woman|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* Benjaminite \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* destroyed!’  
\v 19  However, \w there|strong="H2009"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w an|strong="H3068"\w* annual \w festival|strong="H2282"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w in|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 east|strong="H4217"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* main road \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w goes|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \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 south|strong="H5045"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Lebonah|strong="H3829"\w*.”  
\v 20  \w So|strong="H6680"\w* they \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w* hide \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* \w vineyards|strong="H3754"\w*,  
\v 21  \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w keep|strong="H7200"\w* \w your|strong="H7200"\w* eyes open. \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w you|strong="H4480"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w* \w coming|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w dance|strong="H4246"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* celebration, jump \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w vineyards|strong="H3754"\w*. Each \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w you|strong="H4480"\w*, \w catch|strong="H2414"\w* yourself \w a|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w among|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Shiloh|strong="H7887"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w then|strong="H1980"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* home \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* land \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*.  
\v 22  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* fathers \w or|strong="H3808"\w* brothers \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w and|strong="H3947"\w* protest \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w*’ll say \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, “Do \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w favor|strong="H2603"\w* \w and|strong="H3947"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* could \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w get|strong="H3947"\w* \w each|strong="H5414"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w through|strong="H3588"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*. Don’t worry \w about|strong="H1961"\w* breaking \w your|strong="H5414"\w* oath! \w You|strong="H3588"\w* would \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* guilty \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w voluntarily|strong="H2603"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* wives.’”   
\p
\v 23  \w The|strong="H5375"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* instructed. \w They|strong="H3651"\w* abducted \w two|strong="H4480"\w* hundred \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* dancing girls \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H5375"\w* wives. \w They|strong="H3651"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w their|strong="H5375"\w* own \w territory|strong="H5892"\w*, \w rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w their|strong="H5375"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 24  \w Then|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w dispersed|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w their|strong="H3318"\w* respective \w tribal|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w clan|strong="H4940"\w* \w territories|strong="H6256"\w*. Each \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H3478"\w* own \w property|strong="H5159"\w*.  
\v 25  \w In|strong="H3478"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w no|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w Each|strong="H3117"\w* man \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H3477"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* considered \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H3478"\w* \w right|strong="H3477"\w*.   