Reference: Judges, The Book Of
Fausets
The time comprised extends from Joshua to Eli. Divisions:
(1) Introduction (Judges 1 - 3:6). Judges 1, Israel's relations to Canaan, geographical and political, what the several tribes and houses achieved, or otherwise, in conquering the land; Judges 2 - 3:6, Israel's relations religiously to the Lord, this second portion tells us the reason of Israel's failure to drive out the Canaanite remnant and of their falling under oppressors, namely, apostasy; Jehovah leaving those nations in order to prove Israel whether they would obey Him. Hengstenberg suggests that Judges 1 presents the events before Joshua's death, Judges 2 the death itself and the events following it. The general lessons of the book are summed up in Jg 2:11 ff, namely, Israel's high calling and yet apostasy, Jehovah's chastening, and then raising up of judges because of His own pity for their groanings; then Israel's relapse into idolatry upon each judge's death.
(2) Jg 3:7-16. The opening formula (Jg 3:7) is resumed from Jg 2:11, "the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord," etc. Political events are subordinated to spiritual. Of the 13 judges, the account of six (Ehud, Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Abimelech, Jephthah, Samson) is full, that of the remaining seven very brief. In Gideon's case alone his sons' history is detailed, because it illustrates the great lesson of the book. His sin in making the ephod issued in his family's slaughter by Abimelech with the men of Shechem's aid, these in turn mutually punishing one another. Abimelech's was the first effort to substitute an earthly king for the Lord of the theocracy, Samson's history illustrates Israel's, whom he represents, strength and weakness, strength in separation to Jehovah, utter weakness when the consecration became severed, as Samson's locks, by lust. Othniel is the only representative of Judah; the greater number of judges belonged to northern and eastern Israel.
(3) Judges 17-21. The appendix. It records:
(1) Micah's idolatry in Mount Ephraim, and the Danite adoption of it in Laish, the conquest of which is narrated. A time "when there was no king in Israel" (Jg 19:1), before Samson's days (compare Jg 13:25 margin with Jg 18:12); also before Jabin, 150 years after Joshua, had established a strong Canaanite kingdom in the N., when Dan could not have taken Laish; perhaps shortly after Joshua's death (Jg 18:30). A comparison of Jg 18:1 with Jg 1:34; Jos 19:47, implies that this history occurred at the earliest part of the judges' period. The Danites set up Micah's graven image, and Jonathan's sons were its "priests until the day of the captivity of the land," i.e. the removal of the ark by the Philistines (compare Ps 78:59-64; Jer 7:12-14; 1Ch 16:34-35). Jehovah's giving up His glory (the ark) into captivity was a virtual giving over of Israel to captivity, i.e. to their enemy's power; for the sanctuary was the land's "kernel and essence" (Hengstenberg), and the completeness of Israel's prostration under the Philistines appears in 1Sa 13:19-23. No mention of the judges occurs in this appendix. The appendix records
(2) Gibeah's awful wickedness and Benjamin's countenancing it, and Israel's unitedly punishing almost to extermination the sinning tribe. The unanimity of the tribes implies an early date; also the mention of Aaron's grandson Phinehas (compare Jg 20:28 with Jos 22:13; 24:33). These two histories appended depict the spirit of the age morally and religiously.
HISTORIC TRUTH. The comparison with the heroic age of Greece is unwarrantable. Though the judges were heroes, it was an age preceded by the Mosaic legislation and the due settlement of the people by Joshua in their inheritance; not an age of lawless semi barbarism. Jahn (Hebrew Commonwealth) truly says the Book of Judges is a record of the exceptional diseases of the body politic, while the years of health are passed over in silence. The ability to write a description of the Succoth elders, 77 men, on the part of a young man taken at random implies it was no age of ignorance; contrast the Homeric age, in which only dubious traces of the existence of writing occur (Jg 8:14, margin). Israel's servitudes occupy 111 years, the time of peaceful independence 319 years (i.e. taking the whole period as 430). Hence, the oft recurring phrase, "the land had rest ... years" (Jg 3:11,30; 5:31; 8:28). Hence too in the millennial future restoration of Israel Isaiah (Isa 1:26) announces from God, "I will restore thy judges as at the first," as in Israel's most peaceable days: Joshua, the judges, and Samuel (compare Isa 32:1; Mt 19:28).
The chequered history of Israel at this period is too modest to be the work of a forger to glorify Israel. The mention of the Canaanite chariots accords with the Egyptian accounts which make the Cheta chariots their main strength. A hieroglyphic inscription of Rameses II mentions Astert as the Cheta or Hittite divinity, so Jg 2:11-13. The Shasous in Egyptian monuments resemble in habits the Midianites and Amalekites (Judges 6-8). Philistine power increases in Judges and 1 Samuel parallel with Egypt's decline in the monuments. The usages, mutilation (Jg 1:6-7), blood feuds (Jg 8:19), the intermixture of ruling people and subject tribes (Jg 1:19-36), the hiding of the oppressed in caves (Jg 6:2), earrings worn by men (Jg 8:24-26), women peeping through the lattice (Jg 5:28), fables (Jg 9:7), riddles (Jg 14:12) to be solved at a forfeit, all accord with oriental usage, and occur so naturally and incidentally as to exclude suspicion of design.
DESIGN. The aim is not to give a continuous history of the period between Joshua and Samuel, but to illustrate in striking particular deliverances the divine principle of dealing with Israel laid down in Jg 2:16-19. The judges imperfectly realize the ideal. Each only delivered one part of Israel: Shamgar the region toward Philistia; Deborah and Barak northern Israel (Jg 4:10); so Gideon (Jg 6:35), Jephthah, eastern Israel; Samson, Judah, Dan and the region adjoining Philistia. Gideon corrupted the worship of God, Samson yielded to lust, Jephthah made a rash vow and took revenge upon Ephraim. The possession of inspired gifts did not always ensure the right use of them, just as the miraculous gifts at Corinth were abused (1 Corinthians 14). This is analogous to God's mode of dealing as to natural gifts; we are not judges of what God does, but learners from what He has done when He was pleased to create free agents. The time was one of transition before the kingly era.
As yet Israel developed itself freely under the Mosaic law and theocracy, which are taken for granted; each did what was "right in his own eyes" (Jg 17:6), thus giving scope, as a common central government could less do, to the operation of that particular providence which gave prosperity or adversity according to the obedience or disobedience, not only of the nation but of each tribe and family (Jg 1:1-19,21-33). The judges were God's vice-gerents in carrying out part of that particular providence which distinguished Israel's God from the idols of the pagan around. Historical facts not subserving the Spirit's design are passed by, as Ephraim's victory over Oreb and Zeeb (Jg 8:3; Isa 10:26). Eli and Samuel are not included, because Eli was high priest, and as such was officially judge, not, as the rest, especially called to be judges. Samuel was the Lord's prophet, delivering Israel, not by the sword, but by the word and by prayer (1Sa 7:3-10). Samson was the last extraordinary judge.
Samson was born during Eli's high priesthood, for before his birth the Philistines ruled Israel (Jg 13:5); "he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." Samuel completed Israel's deliverance from them which Samson began. Throughout the inspired writer views Israel's history in the light of God's law. Israel's unfaithfulness punished by the foe's oppression, and Jehovah's faithfulness in raising up judges to deliver them at their cry, are the two hinges upon which the history turns (Keil). Only the tribes oppressed at a particular time are noticed; the rest walking according to the law, and therefore at peace, do not come under considera
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Moses kept the sheep of Jethro his father-in-law, priest of Midian, and he drove the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of a bush. And he perceived that the bush burned with fire, and consumed not. read more. Then Moses said, "I will go hence and see this great sight, how it cometh that the bush burneth not." And when the LORD saw that he came for to see, he called unto him out of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses." And he answered, "Here am I." And he said, "Come not hither, but put thy shoes off thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way: and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light: that they might go both by day and night.
And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them the towns of Jair.
Ye shall do after nothing that we do here this day - every man what seemeth him good in his own eyes -
About forty thousand, trimmed for war, went before the LORD unto battle; even unto the wild fields of Jericho.
And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh was there a part given among the children of Judah, by the mouth of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Kiriatharba father of Anak which city is called Hebron. And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the sons begotten of Anak. read more. And he went up thence, to the inhabiters of Debir, whose name in the old time was Kiriathsepher. And Caleb said, "He that smiteth Kiriathsepher and taketh it: to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel, the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb took it. And he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. And as she went, she moved him to ask of her father a field. And she alighted off her ass. And Caleb said unto her, "What aileth thee?" And she said, "Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a southward and dry land: give me also springs of water." Then he gave her springs of water, both above and beneath.
But the Jebusites that were the inhabiters of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not cast out. Wherefore the Jebusites dwell among the children of Judah unto this day.
Notwithstanding, they drave not out the Cananites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Cananites dwelt among the Ephraimites unto this day, and pay tribute.
yet the children of Manasseh could not overcome those cities, but the Cananites began to dwell in the same land.
And the coasts of the children of Dan went out from beyond them. For the children of Dan went up and fought against Leshem and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and conquered it, and dwelt therein and called it Dan, after the name of Dan their father.
And the coasts of the children of Dan went out from beyond them. For the children of Dan went up and fought against Leshem and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and conquered it, and dwelt therein and called it Dan, after the name of Dan their father.
And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Ruben, to the children of Gad and unto the half tribe of Manasseh into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
And so Joshua let the people depart every man unto his inheritance. And after these things, the time came that Joshua the son of Nun and the servant of the LORD died being a hundredth and ten years old. read more. Whom they buried in the country of his inheritance, even in Timnathserah which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash. And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had seen all the works of the LORD that he had done to Israel.
And Eleazar the son of Aaron died, whom they buried in Gibeah that pertained to Phinehas his son and was given him in Mount Ephraim.
After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, "Who shall go up first unto the Cananites to fight against them?"
After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, "Who shall go up first unto the Cananites to fight against them?" And the LORD said, "Judah shall go up: behold I have delivered the land into his hands." read more. Then Judah said unto Simeon his brother, "Come with me into my lot, and let us fight against the Cananites: And I likewise will go with thee into thy lot." And so Simeon went with him. And Judah went up, and the LORD delivered the Cananites and Perezites into their hands. And they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men. And they found Adonibezek in Bezek. And they fought against him, and slew the Cananites and Perezites. But Adonibezek fled, and they followed after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.
But Adonibezek fled, and they followed after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. Then Adonibezek said, "Three score and ten kings having their thumbs and great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table wherefore as I have done so God hath done to me again." And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
Then Adonibezek said, "Three score and ten kings having their thumbs and great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table wherefore as I have done so God hath done to me again." And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died. The children of Judah fought against Jerusalem and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire. read more. And after that, the children of Judah went even to fight against the Cananites that dwelt in the mountain, in the south, and in the low country. And Judah went unto the Cananites that dwelt in Hebron, which before time was called Kiriatharba. And slew Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai.
And Judah went unto the Cananites that dwelt in Hebron, which before time was called Kiriatharba. And slew Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai. And from thence they went to the inhabiters of Debir, whose name in old time was called Kiriathsepher.
And from thence they went to the inhabiters of Debir, whose name in old time was called Kiriathsepher. And Caleb said, "He that smiteth Kiriathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife."
And Caleb said, "He that smiteth Kiriathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife." And Othniel the son of Kenaz Caleb's younger brother took it: to whom he gave Achsah his daughter to wife,
And Othniel the son of Kenaz Caleb's younger brother took it: to whom he gave Achsah his daughter to wife, and as they went she counseled him to ask of her father a field. And then she lighted off her ass, and Caleb said unto her, "What aileth thee?"
and as they went she counseled him to ask of her father a field. And then she lighted off her ass, and Caleb said unto her, "What aileth thee?" She said unto him, "Give me a blessing, for thou hast given me a southward and a dry land. Give me also springs of water." And Caleb gave her springs both above and beneath.
She said unto him, "Give me a blessing, for thou hast given me a southward and a dry land. Give me also springs of water." And Caleb gave her springs both above and beneath. And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up out of the city of palm trees, with the children of Judah, into the wilderness of Judah that lieth in the South of Arad, and dwelt among the people.
And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up out of the city of palm trees, with the children of Judah, into the wilderness of Judah that lieth in the South of Arad, and dwelt among the people. And Judah went and Simeon with him, and they slew the Cananites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it, and called the name of the city Hormah. read more. And Judah took Gaza with the coasts thereof, and Ashkelon with the coasts thereof, and Ekron with the coasts thereof. And the LORD was with Judah that he conquered the mountains, but they could not drive out the inhabiters of the valleys, because they had chariots of iron.
And the LORD was with Judah that he conquered the mountains, but they could not drive out the inhabiters of the valleys, because they had chariots of iron. And they gave Hebron unto Caleb as Moses said. And he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.
And they gave Hebron unto Caleb as Moses said. And he expelled thence the three sons of Anak. And the children of Benjamin did not cast out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem, but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.
And the children of Benjamin did not cast out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem, but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.
And the children of Benjamin did not cast out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem, but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.
And the children of Benjamin did not cast out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem, but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day. And in like manner the house of Joseph went up to Bethel and the LORD with them,
And in like manner the house of Joseph went up to Bethel and the LORD with them, and the house of Joseph searched out Bethel which before time was called Luz.
and the house of Joseph searched out Bethel which before time was called Luz. And the spies saw a man come out of the city and they said unto him, "Show us the way into the city, and we will show thee mercy."
And the spies saw a man come out of the city and they said unto him, "Show us the way into the city, and we will show thee mercy." And he showed them the way into the city, and they smote it with the edge of the sword, but let the man and all his household go free.
And he showed them the way into the city, and they smote it with the edge of the sword, but let the man and all his household go free. And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city and called the name thereof Luz, which is the name thereof unto this day.
And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city and called the name thereof Luz, which is the name thereof unto this day. Neither did Manasseh expel Bethshean with her towns, neither Taanach with her towns, neither the inhabiters of Dor with her towns, neither the inhabiters of Ibleam with her towns, neither the inhabiters of Megiddo with her towns, and so the Cananites went to and dwelt in the said land.
Neither did Manasseh expel Bethshean with her towns, neither Taanach with her towns, neither the inhabiters of Dor with her towns, neither the inhabiters of Ibleam with her towns, neither the inhabiters of Megiddo with her towns, and so the Cananites went to and dwelt in the said land.
Neither did Manasseh expel Bethshean with her towns, neither Taanach with her towns, neither the inhabiters of Dor with her towns, neither the inhabiters of Ibleam with her towns, neither the inhabiters of Megiddo with her towns, and so the Cananites went to and dwelt in the said land. But as soon as Israel was waxed mighty, they put the Cananites to tribute: but expelled them not.
But as soon as Israel was waxed mighty, they put the Cananites to tribute: but expelled them not.
But as soon as Israel was waxed mighty, they put the Cananites to tribute: but expelled them not. In like manner Ephraim expelled not the Cananites that dwelt in Gezer, but the Cananites dwelt still in Gezer among them.
In like manner Ephraim expelled not the Cananites that dwelt in Gezer, but the Cananites dwelt still in Gezer among them.
In like manner Ephraim expelled not the Cananites that dwelt in Gezer, but the Cananites dwelt still in Gezer among them. Neither did Zebulun expel the inhabiters of Kitron, neither the inhabiters of Nahalol; but the Cananites dwelt among them and became tributaries.
Neither did Zebulun expel the inhabiters of Kitron, neither the inhabiters of Nahalol; but the Cananites dwelt among them and became tributaries.
Neither did Zebulun expel the inhabiters of Kitron, neither the inhabiters of Nahalol; but the Cananites dwelt among them and became tributaries. Neither did Asher cast out the inhabiters of Acco, neither the inhabiters of Sidon, of Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, nor of Rehob,
Neither did Asher cast out the inhabiters of Acco, neither the inhabiters of Sidon, of Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, nor of Rehob, but the Asherites dwelt among the Cananites the inhabiters of the land, and drave them not out.
but the Asherites dwelt among the Cananites the inhabiters of the land, and drave them not out. Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabiters of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabiters of Bethanath, but dwelt amongst the Cananites the inhabiters of the land. Nevertheless the inhabiters of Bethshemesh, and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them.
Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabiters of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabiters of Bethanath, but dwelt amongst the Cananites the inhabiters of the land. Nevertheless the inhabiters of Bethshemesh, and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them.
Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabiters of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabiters of Bethanath, but dwelt amongst the Cananites the inhabiters of the land. Nevertheless the inhabiters of Bethshemesh, and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them. And the Amorites kept the children of Dan in the mountains, and suffered them not the come down to the valleys.
And the Amorites kept the children of Dan in the mountains, and suffered them not the come down to the valleys. And so the Amorites went and dwelled in mount Heres in Aijalon and in Shaalbim. Neverthelater, the hand of Joseph waxed heavy upon them, so that they became tributaries.
And so the Amorites went and dwelled in mount Heres in Aijalon and in Shaalbim. Neverthelater, the hand of Joseph waxed heavy upon them, so that they became tributaries. And the coasts of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, and from the rock upward.
And the angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, "I brought you out of Egypt and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers. And I said that I would never break my covenant with you,
And the angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, "I brought you out of Egypt and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers. And I said that I would never break my covenant with you, but ye should have made no covenant with the inhabiters of this land, ye should have broken down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice. Why have ye this done?
but ye should have made no covenant with the inhabiters of this land, ye should have broken down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice. Why have ye this done? Wherefore I have likewise determined that I will not cast them out before you: that they may be a fall unto you, and their gods shall be snares unto you."
Wherefore I have likewise determined that I will not cast them out before you: that they may be a fall unto you, and their gods shall be snares unto you." And when the angel of the LORD had spoken these words unto all the children of Israel, the people cried out and wept.
And when the angel of the LORD had spoken these words unto all the children of Israel, the people cried out and wept. And called the name of the said place, Bochim, and offered there unto the LORD. read more. And when Joshua had sent the people away, the children of Israel went every man into his inheritance to possess the land. And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, and had seen all the great works of the LORD that he did to Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun the servant of the LORD died when he was a hundred and ten years old: whom they buried in the coasts of his inheritance: even in Timnathserah in mount Ephraim on the north side of the hill Gaash.
And then the children of Israel did wickedly in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim,
And then the children of Israel did wickedly in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim,
And then the children of Israel did wickedly in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed strange gods, even of the gods of the nations that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and angered the LORD. read more. And so they forsook the LORD and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hands of their oppressors, and yet for all that they would not hearken unto their judges: But went a whoring after strange gods and bowed themselves unto them, and turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in obeying the commandments of the LORD, and did not so. read more. And when the LORD raised up judges unto them, the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hands of their enemies all the days of the judge: for the LORD had compassion over their sorrowings which they had by the reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. Yet for all that, as soon as the judge was dead they turned and did worse than their fathers in following strange gods, and in serving them, and ceased not from their inventions nor from their malicious ways.
And so the children of Israel did wickedly in the sight of the LORD and forgot the LORD their God and served Baalim and Asheroth.
And so the children of Israel did wickedly in the sight of the LORD and forgot the LORD their God and served Baalim and Asheroth. Therefore the LORD was angry with Israel and delivered them into the hands of Cushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia. So that the children of Israel served Cushanrishathaim eight years. read more. And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD. And the LORD stirred them up a saver and saved them: one Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. And the spirit of the LORD came upon him. And he judged Israel, and went out to war. And the LORD sold Cushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. So that his hand was mighty over Cushanrishathaim.
And the spirit of the LORD came upon him. And he judged Israel, and went out to war. And the LORD sold Cushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. So that his hand was mighty over Cushanrishathaim. And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died. And then the children of Israel went to again, and committed wickedness in the sight of the LORD. And then the LORD hardened Eglon the king of the Moabites, against the children of Israel, because they had committed wickedness before the LORD. read more. And this Eglon gathered unto him the children of Ammon, and the Amalekites, and went and smote the children of Israel, and conquered the city of palm trees. And the children of Israel served Eglon the king of the Moabites eighteen years. And then they cried unto the LORD. And the LORD stirred them up a saver, Ehud the son of Gera, the son of Jemini, a man that could do nothing handsomely with his right hand. And when the children of Israel sent a present by him unto Eglon the king of the Moabites, Ehud made him a two-edged dagger of a span long, and girded it under his garment upon his right thigh;
and so the Moabites were subdued that day, under the hands of Israel: and the land had rest eighty years.
And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; He oppressed the children of Israel with power twenty years.
And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kadesh. And he went up afoot with ten thousand men: and Deborah went with him.
"God chose new fashions of war, for when they had war at their gates: there was not seen, among forty thousand, either shield or spear in Israel.
The lords of Issachar were with Deborah. And as Barak, even so was Issachar sent into the valley afoot. But in the divisions of Reuben, were great imaginations of heart. Wherefore abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? In the divisions of Reuben, great were the imaginations of heart. read more. Gilead abode on the other side Jordan, and why tarried Dan in ships? And Asher sat in the havens of the sea, and abode still in his own coasts.
Through a window looked Sisera's mother and howled through a lattice, 'Why abideth his chariot so long, that it cometh not? Why tarry the wheels of his wagons?'
So, perish all thine enemies LORD: but they that love thee, let them be as the sun rising in his might!" And the land had rest forty years.
And when the hand of the Midianites was sore upon Israel, the children of Israel made them dens in the mountains and caves and strongholds.
And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites, the LORD sent a prophet unto them, and said unto them, "Thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel: I fetched you from Egypt and brought you out of the house of bondage read more. and I rid you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hands of all that oppressed you, and cast them out before you, and gave you their lands. And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God, and therefore fear not the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But you have not obeyed my voice." And the Angel of the LORD came and sat under an oak in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the father of the Abiezrites. And his son Gideon pressed out wheat out of the ears in a press, for to flee from the Midianites.
the spirit of the LORD entered into Gideon. And he blew a trumpet, and called Abiezer to follow him; and sent messengers throughout all Manasseh and called them up to follow him also. And he sent messengers unto Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, which came also to meet him.
God hath delivered into your hands the lords of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. And what was I able to do like as you have done?" And then their spirits abated from off him, when he had said that.
And he said, "They were my brethren, even my mother's children. And as truly as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved their lives, I would not slay you."
Neverthelater, Gideon said unto them, "I would desire a certain request of you: even that you would give me, every man, the earrings of his prey." For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites. And they said, "We will do it." And they spread a mantle and did cast thereinto every man the earrings of his prey. read more. And the weight of the golden earrings was a thousand and seven hundred sicles of gold, beside brooches, ouches and garments of scarlet that were of the kings of Midian, and beside the chains, that were about their camels' necks.
Thus were the Midianites brought low before the children of Israel, so that they lift up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.
And when it was told Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lift up his voice and called, and said unto them, "Hearken unto me you citizens of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
But the olive tree said unto them, 'Should I leave my fatness which both God and man praiseth in me, and go to be promoted over the trees?'
And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and had thirty cities for them, which are called the towns of Jair unto this day, and are in the land of Gilead.
Moreover, the children of Ammon went over Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim: so that Israel was sore cumbered. Then the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, "We have sinned against thee: for we have forsaken our own God, and have served Baalim."
Then the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, "We have sinned against thee: for we have forsaken our own God, and have served Baalim." And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, "Did not the Egyptians, the Amorites, the children of Ammon, the Philistines,
And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, "Did not the Egyptians, the Amorites, the children of Ammon, the Philistines, the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites oppress you? And ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hands.
the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites oppress you? And ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hands.
the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites oppress you? And ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hands. And for all that, ye have forsaken me, and serve strange gods, wherefore I will help you no more.
And for all that, ye have forsaken me, and serve strange gods, wherefore I will help you no more. But go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen, and let them save you in the time of your tribulation."
But go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen, and let them save you in the time of your tribulation." But the children of Israel said unto the LORD, "We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever please thee, and deliver us only at this time." read more. And they put away the strange gods from them and served the LORD. And the misery of Israel grieved his soul.
all the while Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundredth years? Why didst thou not recover them in all that space?
Then the spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah. And he passed over Gilead and Manasseh, and came to Mizpeh that lieth in Gilead, and from thence unto the children of Ammon.
And the Angel of the LORD appeared unto his wife and said unto her, "Behold, thou art barren and bearest not: But thou shalt conceive and bear a son. And now beware, and drink no wine nor strong drink; neither eat any unclean thing. read more. For see, thou shalt conceive and bear a son. And there may no razor or shearers come on his head: for the lad shall be an abstainer unto God, even from the time of his birth. And he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines."
For see, thou shalt conceive and bear a son. And there may no razor or shearers come on his head: for the lad shall be an abstainer unto God, even from the time of his birth. And he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines."
For see, thou shalt conceive and bear a son. And there may no razor or shearers come on his head: for the lad shall be an abstainer unto God, even from the time of his birth. And he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines." Then the wife went and told her husband, saying, "A man of God came unto me, and the fashion of him was like the fashion of an Angel of God, exceeding fearful. But I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name. read more. And he said unto me, 'Behold, thou shalt be with child and bear a son, and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the lad shall be an abstainer to God even from his birth to the day of his death.'" Then Manoah made intercession to the LORD, and said, "I pray thee, my LORD, let the man of God which thou sentest come once more unto us and teach us what we shall do unto the lad when he is born." And God heard the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God came again unto the wife, as she sat in the fields: But Manoah her husband was not with her. Then the wife made haste and ran and showed her husband and said to him, "Behold, the man appeared unto me that came the other day unto me." And Manoah arose and went after his wife and came to the man and said unto him, "Art thou the man that spakest unto my wife?" And he said, "Yea." Then Manoah said, "Now when thy saying is come to pass: what shall be the manner of the child, and what shall he do?" And the Angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, "Thy wife must abstain from all that I said unto her: she may eat of nothing that cometh of the vine tree, nor drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: But must observe all that I bade her." Then said Manoah unto the Angel of the LORD, "Grant us to tarry until we have made ready a kid and have set it before thee." And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, "Though thou make me abide, I will not eat of thy meat. And moreover, if thou wilt prepare a burnt offering, that thou must offer unto the LORD." For Manoah wist not that it was an angel of the LORD. And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, "What is thy name, that when thy saying is come to pass, we may do thee some worship?" And the angel of the LORD said unto him, "Why askest thou after my name, when it is wonderful?" And Manoah took a kid with a meat offering and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD. And the angel did wonderfully, Manoah and his wife looking upon. For when the flame came up out of the altar, the angel of the LORD ascended up in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked upon and fell flat on their faces unto the ground. But the angel of the LORD did no more appear unto Manoah and his wife. And then Manoah knew that it was an angel of the LORD, and said unto his wife, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God!" But his wife said unto him, "If the LORD would kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering of our hands; neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would have told us as he hath of things to come." And the wife bare a son, and called his name Samson. And the lad grew, and the LORD blessed him. And the spirit of the LORD began first to be with the house of Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
And the spirit of the LORD began first to be with the house of Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
And Samson said unto them, "I will put forth a riddle unto you. And if you can declare it within seven days of the feast and find it out, I will give you thirty shirts and thirty changes of garments:
Then the Philistines came up and pitched against Judah, and lay in Lehi. And the men of Judah said, "Why are ye come against us?" And they answered, "To bind Samson are we come, even to do him as he hath done to us." read more. Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cave of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, "Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? Wherefore then hast thou served us thus?" And he answered them, "As they served me, so have I served them." And they said unto him, "We are come to bind thee and to deliver thee into the hands of the Philistines." And Samson said unto them, "Sware unto me, that ye shall not hurt me yourselves." And they said, "We will not hurt thee, save only bind thee and deliver thee unto their hands: But we will not kill thee." And so they bound him with two new cords and brought him up from the rock. And when he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him. And the spirit of the LORD came upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire and the bands loosed from his hands.
For in those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did what thought him best.
For in those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did what thought him best.
In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of Dan sought them an inheritance to dwell in, for unto that time there fell none inheritance unto them among the tribes of Israel.
In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of Dan sought them an inheritance to dwell in, for unto that time there fell none inheritance unto them among the tribes of Israel.
In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of Dan sought them an inheritance to dwell in, for unto that time there fell none inheritance unto them among the tribes of Israel.
Then the five men departed and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, and after the manner of the Sidonians: still, and without casting of perils, and that no man made any trouble in the land or usurped any dominion, and how they were far from the Sidonians and had no business with any nation.
And they went and pitched in Kiriathjearim in Judah. Wherefore the place is called Mahanahdan unto this day, which is on the back side of Kiriathjearim.
And the children of Dan set them up the graven image. And Jonathan the son of Gershon, the son of Manasseh and his sons were the priests unto the tribe of the Danites, until they were carried away out of the land captive.
And the children of Dan set them up the graven image. And Jonathan the son of Gershon, the son of Manasseh and his sons were the priests unto the tribe of the Danites, until they were carried away out of the land captive.
And the children of Dan set them up the graven image. And Jonathan the son of Gershon, the son of Manasseh and his sons were the priests unto the tribe of the Danites, until they were carried away out of the land captive. And they set them up the carved image which Micah made, all the while that the house of God was in Shiloh.
And they set them up the carved image which Micah made, all the while that the house of God was in Shiloh.
It chanced in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that a certain Levite dwelling on the side of mount Ephraim, took to wife a concubine out of Bethlehem Judah:
It chanced in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that a certain Levite dwelling on the side of mount Ephraim, took to wife a concubine out of Bethlehem Judah:
and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron waiting upon it at that time - and they said, "Shall we go out any more to battle against the children of Benjamin our brethren, or shall we cease?" And the LORD said, "Go. For tomorrow I will deliver them into your hands."
And the said man went out of his city every feastful day, to pray and to offer unto the LORD of Hosts: where the two sons of Eli - Hophni and Phinehas - were the LORD's priests.
And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD opened himself to Samuel in Shiloh, through the word of the LORD.
And when the people were come into their tents, the elders of Israel said, "Wherefore hath the LORD beaten us this day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD, out of Shiloh unto us, and let it come among us and save us out of the hands of our enemies."
And Samuel spake unto all Israel, saying, "If ye be come again unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods from among you, and Ashtaroth, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD and serve him alone; and so shall he rid you out of the hands of the Philistines." And then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. read more. Then said Samuel, "Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, that I may pray for you unto the LORD." And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water and poured it out before the LORD and fasted the same day, and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged the causes of the children of Israel in Mizpeh. When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard that, they were afraid of the Philistines, and said to Samuel, "Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he may save us out of the hands of the Philistines." And Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it altogether for a burnt offering unto the LORD, and cried unto the LORD for Israel. And the LORD heard him.
And Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it altogether for a burnt offering unto the LORD, and cried unto the LORD for Israel. And the LORD heard him. And as Samuel offered the burnt offering, the Philistines came to fight against Israel. But the LORD thundered a great thunder the same day upon the Philistines, and turmoiled them, that they were beaten before Israel.
And as Samuel offered the burnt offering, the Philistines came to fight against Israel. But the LORD thundered a great thunder the same day upon the Philistines, and turmoiled them, that they were beaten before Israel. And the men of Israel issued out of Mizpeh and pursued the Philistines and slew them, until they came under Bethcar. read more. And then Samuel took a stone and pitched it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name thereof the stone of help, saying, "Thus far hath the LORD helped us." And so the Philistines were brought under, that they came no more into the coasts of Israel: for the hand of the LORD was upon the Philistines all the days of Samuel. Thereto, the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel came again to Israel, even from Ekron to Gath, with the coasts of the same, which Israel plucked out of the hands of the Philistines. For there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
But there was no smith throughout the land of Israel. For the Philistines thought that then the Hebrews might make them swords or spears. And therefore must all Israel go down to the Philistines, to mend every man his share, his mattock, his axe or his sickle: read more. as oft as the edges of the sickles, mattocks, dung forks, and axes were blunt, and also to mend their goods. And so in time of battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hands of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: save for Saul and Jonathan his son was there somewhat found.
And so in time of battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hands of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: save for Saul and Jonathan his son was there somewhat found. And the Garrison of the Philistines came out and stood on the other side before Michmash.
But Saul said unto the Kenites, "Go and depart and get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them, for ye showed mercy with Israel when they came out of Egypt." And the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
to them of Racal; to them of the cities of the Jerahmeelites; to them of the cities of the Kenites;
Then went the king and his men to Jerusalem, unto the Jebusites the inhabiters of the land. And they said unto David, "Except thou take away the blind and the lame thou shalt not come in hither" - meaning thereby that David should not have come in thither.
Who smote Abimelech son of Jerubbosheth? Did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from off the walls, that he died in Thebes? Why then went ye nigh the walls?" Then say thou, 'Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.'"
and Baalath and Tamar in the wilderness that is in the land; and all the store cities that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen and all that his lust was to build in Jerusalem and Lebanon and in all the land of his kingdom. read more. And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, the children of the said nations that were left in the land, because the children of Israel were not able to destroy them, did Solomon make tributaries unto this day. And of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen. But they were men of war and his servants and his lords and Captains and rulers of his chariots and of his Horsemen.
And Zadok the priest with his brethren the priests set he before the tabernacle of the LORD at the hill altar of Gibeon,
For the tabernacle of the LORD which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were that season in the hill at Gibeon.
When God heard this, he was wroth, and took sore displeasure at Israel, so that he forsook the Tabernacle in Shiloh, even the tent that he had pitched among men. read more. He delivered their power into captivity, and their beauty into the enemy's hand. He gave his people over unto the sword, for he was wroth with his inheritance. The fire consumed their young men, and their maidens were not given in marriage. Their priests were slain with the sword, and there were no widows to made lamentation.
and set thy judges again as they were sometime, and thy Senators as they were from the beginning. Then shalt thou be called the righteous city, the faithful city.
Moreover, the LORD of Hosts shall prepare a scourge for him, like as was the punishment of Midian upon the mount of Oreb. And he shall lift up his rod over the sea, as he did sometimes over the Egyptians.
Behold, a king shall govern after the rule of righteousness, and the princes shall rule according to the balance of equity.
For he said, "These no doubt will be my people, and no shrinking children," and so he was their Saviour. In their troubles he forsook them not, but the angel that went forth from his presence delivered them. Of very love and kindness that he had unto them, he redeemed them: He hath born them, and carried them up ever since the world began.
Go to my place in Shiloh, whereunto I gave my name afore time, and look well what I did to the same place for the wickedness of my people of Israel. And now, though ye have done all these deeds, sayeth the LORD, and I myself rose up ever betimes to warn you and to commune with you, yet would ye not hear me: I called, ye would not answer. read more. And therefore even as I have done to Shiloh, so will I do to this house that my name is given unto, and that ye put your trust in: yea, unto the place that I have given to you and your fathers.
Jesus said unto them, "Verily I say to you, When the son of man shall sit in the seat of his majesty, ye which follow me in the second generation shall sit also upon twelve seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.