Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Armies » Refusal to obey the summons, instance of
And the children of Israel asked, "Who are they among all the tribes of Israel that came not with the congregation unto the LORD?" For they had made a great oath concerning them that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying that they should surely die. And the children of Israel had pity on Benjamin their brethren, and said, "There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day: what shall we do unto the remnant of them, for to get them wives, forasmuch as we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?" read more.
Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men."
Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men."
the Armies of israel » Refusing to join, often punished
And took a yoke of oxen and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, "Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall his oxen be served." Then the fear of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out as it had been but one man.
And the children of Israel asked, "Who are they among all the tribes of Israel that came not with the congregation unto the LORD?" For they had made a great oath concerning them that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying that they should surely die.
Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. read more.
And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men."
And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men."
tribe of Benjamin » Remnant of, provided with wives to preserve the tribe
And the men of Israel sware in Mizpeh saying, "There shall none of us give his daughter unto any of Benjamin to wife." And the people came to Bethel and abode there till evening, before God, and lifted up their voices and wept sore, and said, "O LORD God of Israel, why is this chanced in Israel, that there should be this day one tribe lacking in Israel?" read more.
And on the morrow the people rose up betimes and made there an altar and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the children of Israel asked, "Who are they among all the tribes of Israel that came not with the congregation unto the LORD?" For they had made a great oath concerning them that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying that they should surely die. And the children of Israel had pity on Benjamin their brethren, and said, "There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day: what shall we do unto the remnant of them, for to get them wives, forasmuch as we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?" Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men." And they found among the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead four hundred damsels; virgins that had known no man by lying with any male. And they brought them unto the host to Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan. And the whole congregation sent and spake with the children of Benjamin that were in the rock of pomegranates, and called peaceably unto them, and Benjamin came again at that time, and they gave them the women which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead. But they so sufficed them not. And the people had compassion on Benjamin, because that God had made a gap in the tribes of Israel. And then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do to the remnant of them, to get them wives; seeing all the wives of Benjamin are destroyed?" And they said, "There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel: howbeit, we may not give them wives of our daughters." For the children of Israel had made an adjuration saying, 'Accursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.' Then they said, "Behold, there is a feast of the LORD yearly in Shiloh which is on the north side of Bethel, and on the east side of the way that goeth from Bethel to Shechem and south from Lebanon." And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, "Go and lie in wait in the vineyards. And when ye see that the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in a row, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man a wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and get you unto the land of Benjamin." And if their fathers or brethren come to us to complain, we will say unto them, "Have pity on them, because we reserved not to each man his wife in time of war, and thereto because that ye gave them none in due time, ye were to blame." And the children of Benjamin did even so: and took them wives according to the number of them of the dancers which they caught. And then they went and returned unto their inheritance, and built their cities and dwelt in them.
And on the morrow the people rose up betimes and made there an altar and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the children of Israel asked, "Who are they among all the tribes of Israel that came not with the congregation unto the LORD?" For they had made a great oath concerning them that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying that they should surely die. And the children of Israel had pity on Benjamin their brethren, and said, "There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day: what shall we do unto the remnant of them, for to get them wives, forasmuch as we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?" Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men." And they found among the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead four hundred damsels; virgins that had known no man by lying with any male. And they brought them unto the host to Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan. And the whole congregation sent and spake with the children of Benjamin that were in the rock of pomegranates, and called peaceably unto them, and Benjamin came again at that time, and they gave them the women which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead. But they so sufficed them not. And the people had compassion on Benjamin, because that God had made a gap in the tribes of Israel. And then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do to the remnant of them, to get them wives; seeing all the wives of Benjamin are destroyed?" And they said, "There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel: howbeit, we may not give them wives of our daughters." For the children of Israel had made an adjuration saying, 'Accursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.' Then they said, "Behold, there is a feast of the LORD yearly in Shiloh which is on the north side of Bethel, and on the east side of the way that goeth from Bethel to Shechem and south from Lebanon." And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, "Go and lie in wait in the vineyards. And when ye see that the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in a row, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man a wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and get you unto the land of Benjamin." And if their fathers or brethren come to us to complain, we will say unto them, "Have pity on them, because we reserved not to each man his wife in time of war, and thereto because that ye gave them none in due time, ye were to blame." And the children of Benjamin did even so: and took them wives according to the number of them of the dancers which they caught. And then they went and returned unto their inheritance, and built their cities and dwelt in them.
Captive » Cruelty to » Putting to death
Then said Samuel, "Bring ye hither to me, Agag the king of the Amalekites." And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, "Truly the bitterness of death cometh on." And Samuel said, "As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among other women." And so Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
And the king of Ai he hanged on tree, until evening. And as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded and they took the carcass down off the tree, and cast it in the entering of the gate of the city, and cast thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, "Rise thou and fall upon us; for as the man is, so is his strength." And Gideon arose and slew them: and he took away the chains that were on their camels' necks.
And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian prisoners, and their children; and spoiled all their cattle, their substance and their goods. And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their castles, with fire. And they took all the spoil and all they could catch, both of men and beasts. read more.
And they brought the captives, and that which they had taken, and all the spoil, unto Moses and Eleazar the priest; and unto the company of the children of Israel, even unto the host in the fields of Moab by Jordan nigh to Jericho. And Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the lords of the congregation went out of the host against them. And Moses was angry with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands and over hundreds, which came from war and battle, and said unto them, "Have ye saved the women alive? Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD by the reason of Peor: and there followed a plague among the congregation of the LORD. Now, therefore, slay all the men-children and the women that have lain with men, fleshly. But all the women-children that have not lain with men, keep alive for yourselves. And lodge without the host seven days, all that have killed any person and all that have touched any dead body, and purify both yourselves and your prisoners; the third day and the seventh. And sprinkle all your raiments and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood."
And they brought the captives, and that which they had taken, and all the spoil, unto Moses and Eleazar the priest; and unto the company of the children of Israel, even unto the host in the fields of Moab by Jordan nigh to Jericho. And Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the lords of the congregation went out of the host against them. And Moses was angry with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands and over hundreds, which came from war and battle, and said unto them, "Have ye saved the women alive? Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD by the reason of Peor: and there followed a plague among the congregation of the LORD. Now, therefore, slay all the men-children and the women that have lain with men, fleshly. But all the women-children that have not lain with men, keep alive for yourselves. And lodge without the host seven days, all that have killed any person and all that have touched any dead body, and purify both yourselves and your prisoners; the third day and the seventh. And sprinkle all your raiments and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood."
And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, smite all the males thereof with the edge of the sword,
When thou goest to war against thine enemies and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands and thou hast taken them captive,
And Joshua returned and all Israel with him, unto the host to Gilgal: but the five kings fled and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. And it was told Joshua, saying, "The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah." read more.
And Joshua said, roll great stones unto the mouth of the cave and appoint men thereto, for to keep them. And stand ye not still, but follow after your enemies and smite the hindmost of them. And suffer them not to enter into their cities, for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hands. And when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a great slaughter till they were wasted, yet there remained a certain of them, which entered into walled cities. And all the people returned to the host, to Joshua at Makkedah in peace, so that no man durst move his tongue against the children of Israel. Then said Joshua, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out these five kings unto me out of the cave." And they did so, and brought those five kings unto him, out of the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. And when they had brought out those kings unto Joshua: Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war, which came with him, "Come near and put your feet upon the necks of these kings." And they came near and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, "Fear not, nor dread: But be strong and pluck up your hearts, for so shall the LORD serve all your enemies against which ye fight." And then Joshua smote them and slew them and hanged them on five trees till evening. And at the going down of the sun, Joshua gave commandment, and they took them down off the trees and cast them into the cave, where they hid themselves, and laid great stones on the cave's mouth, which remain unto this day. And that same day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof also, and utterly destroyed them and all the souls that were therein, and let nought remain. And he did to the king of Makkedah, as he did to the king of Jericho. Then Joshua went from Makkedah, and all Israel with him unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah. And the LORD delivered it also into their hands, with the king also, and smote it with the edge of the sword and all the souls that were therein, and let nought remain in it, and did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho. After that, Joshua departed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and besieged it, and assaulted it. And the LORD delivered, into the hands of Israel, Lachish; that they took it the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, according to all that he did to Libnah. Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish: But Joshua smote him and his people, until he left him nought remaining. And from Lachish, Joshua departed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him, and there besieged it, and assaulted it, and took it the same day, and smote it with the edge of the sword and all the souls that were therein: and utterly destroyed them the same day, according to all that he did to Lachish. Then Joshua departed up from Eglon and all Israel with him, unto Hebron. And they fought against it, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the towns that pertained to it, and all the souls that were therein, so that they left nought remaining: but in all things as they did to Eglon, so they destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein. Then Joshua returned and all Israel with him to Debir, and they fought against it, and took it, and the king thereof and all the towns that pertained thereto. And smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein, and let nought remain. And as he did to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and the king thereof, and as he did to Libnah and her king. And Joshua smote all the hill countries and the south countries, and the valleys, and the springs of water, with all their kings and let nought remain, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
And Joshua said, roll great stones unto the mouth of the cave and appoint men thereto, for to keep them. And stand ye not still, but follow after your enemies and smite the hindmost of them. And suffer them not to enter into their cities, for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hands. And when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a great slaughter till they were wasted, yet there remained a certain of them, which entered into walled cities. And all the people returned to the host, to Joshua at Makkedah in peace, so that no man durst move his tongue against the children of Israel. Then said Joshua, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out these five kings unto me out of the cave." And they did so, and brought those five kings unto him, out of the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. And when they had brought out those kings unto Joshua: Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war, which came with him, "Come near and put your feet upon the necks of these kings." And they came near and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, "Fear not, nor dread: But be strong and pluck up your hearts, for so shall the LORD serve all your enemies against which ye fight." And then Joshua smote them and slew them and hanged them on five trees till evening. And at the going down of the sun, Joshua gave commandment, and they took them down off the trees and cast them into the cave, where they hid themselves, and laid great stones on the cave's mouth, which remain unto this day. And that same day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof also, and utterly destroyed them and all the souls that were therein, and let nought remain. And he did to the king of Makkedah, as he did to the king of Jericho. Then Joshua went from Makkedah, and all Israel with him unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah. And the LORD delivered it also into their hands, with the king also, and smote it with the edge of the sword and all the souls that were therein, and let nought remain in it, and did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho. After that, Joshua departed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and besieged it, and assaulted it. And the LORD delivered, into the hands of Israel, Lachish; that they took it the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, according to all that he did to Libnah. Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish: But Joshua smote him and his people, until he left him nought remaining. And from Lachish, Joshua departed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him, and there besieged it, and assaulted it, and took it the same day, and smote it with the edge of the sword and all the souls that were therein: and utterly destroyed them the same day, according to all that he did to Lachish. Then Joshua departed up from Eglon and all Israel with him, unto Hebron. And they fought against it, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the towns that pertained to it, and all the souls that were therein, so that they left nought remaining: but in all things as they did to Eglon, so they destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein. Then Joshua returned and all Israel with him to Debir, and they fought against it, and took it, and the king thereof and all the towns that pertained thereto. And smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein, and let nought remain. And as he did to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and the king thereof, and as he did to Libnah and her king. And Joshua smote all the hill countries and the south countries, and the valleys, and the springs of water, with all their kings and let nought remain, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them, that no breath was let remain. And burnt Hazor with fire,
And they took two captains of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb, and slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb at the press Zeeb and followed after Midian. And brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.
And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men."
And he beat the Moabites and measured them with a line, making them lie along the earth; so that he brought two parts of them to death, and let one part live. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and paid tribute.
And Hazael said, "Why weepeth my lord?" And he answered, "For I know that thou shalt do evil unto the children of Israel: their strong cities thou shalt set on fire, and their young men thou shalt slay with the sword, and shalt dash out the brains of their sucking children: and all to tear their women with child."
So the king of Babylon caused the children of Zedekiah and all the nobles of Judah be slain before his face at Riblah.
Discipline » Of armies, for disobedience of orders
And the LORD said unto Joshua, "Get thee up, wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned and also transgressed my covenant, which I commanded them, and have taken of the excommunicate things, and have stolen and hid them, and also put them unto their own stuff: And therefore the children of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They shall turn their backs before their enemies, because they be excommunicate. Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the excommunicate from among you. read more.
Up, and sanctify the people and bid them to sanctify themselves against the morrow: for so sayeth the LORD God of Israel, 'The excommunication is among you Israel, and therefore ye cannot stand before your enemies, until ye have put the excommunication from among you. Tomorrow morning ye shall come by your tribes. And the tribe which the LORD shall find guilty, shall come by kindreds. And the kindred which the LORD shall find guilty, shall come by households. And the household which the LORD shall find faulty, shall come man by man. And he that is found in the excommunication shall be burnt with fire, both he and all that pertaineth unto him, because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.'" And so Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel by their tribes: and the tribe of Judah was caught. Then he brought the kindreds of Judah, and found the kindred of the Zerahites guilty. And he brought the kindred of the Zerahites by householders, and Zabdi was caught. And he brought his household man by man, and Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah in the tribe of Judah was caught. And Joshua said unto Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and give him praise, and show me what thou hast done, and hide it not from me." And Achan answered Joshua, and said, "Of a truth I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and so and so have I done. I saw among the spoil a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundredth sicles of silver, and a tongue of gold of fifty sicles weight: and I coveted them, and I took them. And behold they lie hid in the earth in my tent and the silver thereunder." And then Joshua sent messengers which ran unto the tent. And behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver thereunder. And they took them out of the midst of his tent and brought them unto Joshua and unto all the children of Israel, and poured them out before the LORD. And Joshua took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the tongue of gold, and his sons and his daughters, his oxen, asses, sheep, his tent and all that he had, and all Israel with him, and brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, "Inasmuch as thou hast troubled us: the LORD shall trouble thee this day." And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burnt them with fire, and overwhelmed them with stones. And they cast upon him a great heap of stones that remaineth unto this day. And so the LORD turned from his fierce wrath. Wherefore the name of the place is called the valley of Achor unto this day.
Up, and sanctify the people and bid them to sanctify themselves against the morrow: for so sayeth the LORD God of Israel, 'The excommunication is among you Israel, and therefore ye cannot stand before your enemies, until ye have put the excommunication from among you. Tomorrow morning ye shall come by your tribes. And the tribe which the LORD shall find guilty, shall come by kindreds. And the kindred which the LORD shall find guilty, shall come by households. And the household which the LORD shall find faulty, shall come man by man. And he that is found in the excommunication shall be burnt with fire, both he and all that pertaineth unto him, because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.'" And so Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel by their tribes: and the tribe of Judah was caught. Then he brought the kindreds of Judah, and found the kindred of the Zerahites guilty. And he brought the kindred of the Zerahites by householders, and Zabdi was caught. And he brought his household man by man, and Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah in the tribe of Judah was caught. And Joshua said unto Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and give him praise, and show me what thou hast done, and hide it not from me." And Achan answered Joshua, and said, "Of a truth I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and so and so have I done. I saw among the spoil a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundredth sicles of silver, and a tongue of gold of fifty sicles weight: and I coveted them, and I took them. And behold they lie hid in the earth in my tent and the silver thereunder." And then Joshua sent messengers which ran unto the tent. And behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver thereunder. And they took them out of the midst of his tent and brought them unto Joshua and unto all the children of Israel, and poured them out before the LORD. And Joshua took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the tongue of gold, and his sons and his daughters, his oxen, asses, sheep, his tent and all that he had, and all Israel with him, and brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, "Inasmuch as thou hast troubled us: the LORD shall trouble thee this day." And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burnt them with fire, and overwhelmed them with stones. And they cast upon him a great heap of stones that remaineth unto this day. And so the LORD turned from his fierce wrath. Wherefore the name of the place is called the valley of Achor unto this day.
And the children of Israel asked, "Who are they among all the tribes of Israel that came not with the congregation unto the LORD?" For they had made a great oath concerning them that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying that they should surely die. And the children of Israel had pity on Benjamin their brethren, and said, "There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day: what shall we do unto the remnant of them, for to get them wives, forasmuch as we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?" read more.
Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men." And they found among the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead four hundred damsels; virgins that had known no man by lying with any male. And they brought them unto the host to Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan.
Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men." And they found among the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead four hundred damsels; virgins that had known no man by lying with any male. And they brought them unto the host to Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan.
Jabesh-gilead » A city » East » Jordon
Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. read more.
And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men." And they found among the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead four hundred damsels; virgins that had known no man by lying with any male. And they brought them unto the host to Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan. And the whole congregation sent and spake with the children of Benjamin that were in the rock of pomegranates, and called peaceably unto them, and Benjamin came again at that time, and they gave them the women which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead. But they so sufficed them not. And the people had compassion on Benjamin, because that God had made a gap in the tribes of Israel.
And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men." And they found among the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead four hundred damsels; virgins that had known no man by lying with any male. And they brought them unto the host to Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan. And the whole congregation sent and spake with the children of Benjamin that were in the rock of pomegranates, and called peaceably unto them, and Benjamin came again at that time, and they gave them the women which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead. But they so sufficed them not. And the people had compassion on Benjamin, because that God had made a gap in the tribes of Israel.
Rashness » Instances of » Israel's vow to destroy the benjamites
And the men of Israel sware in Mizpeh saying, "There shall none of us give his daughter unto any of Benjamin to wife." And the people came to Bethel and abode there till evening, before God, and lifted up their voices and wept sore, and said, "O LORD God of Israel, why is this chanced in Israel, that there should be this day one tribe lacking in Israel?" read more.
And on the morrow the people rose up betimes and made there an altar and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the children of Israel asked, "Who are they among all the tribes of Israel that came not with the congregation unto the LORD?" For they had made a great oath concerning them that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying that they should surely die. And the children of Israel had pity on Benjamin their brethren, and said, "There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day: what shall we do unto the remnant of them, for to get them wives, forasmuch as we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?" Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men." And they found among the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead four hundred damsels; virgins that had known no man by lying with any male. And they brought them unto the host to Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan. And the whole congregation sent and spake with the children of Benjamin that were in the rock of pomegranates, and called peaceably unto them, and Benjamin came again at that time, and they gave them the women which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead. But they so sufficed them not. And the people had compassion on Benjamin, because that God had made a gap in the tribes of Israel. And then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do to the remnant of them, to get them wives; seeing all the wives of Benjamin are destroyed?" And they said, "There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel: howbeit, we may not give them wives of our daughters." For the children of Israel had made an adjuration saying, 'Accursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.' Then they said, "Behold, there is a feast of the LORD yearly in Shiloh which is on the north side of Bethel, and on the east side of the way that goeth from Bethel to Shechem and south from Lebanon." And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, "Go and lie in wait in the vineyards. And when ye see that the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in a row, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man a wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and get you unto the land of Benjamin." And if their fathers or brethren come to us to complain, we will say unto them, "Have pity on them, because we reserved not to each man his wife in time of war, and thereto because that ye gave them none in due time, ye were to blame." And the children of Benjamin did even so: and took them wives according to the number of them of the dancers which they caught. And then they went and returned unto their inheritance, and built their cities and dwelt in them.
And on the morrow the people rose up betimes and made there an altar and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the children of Israel asked, "Who are they among all the tribes of Israel that came not with the congregation unto the LORD?" For they had made a great oath concerning them that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying that they should surely die. And the children of Israel had pity on Benjamin their brethren, and said, "There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day: what shall we do unto the remnant of them, for to get them wives, forasmuch as we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?" Then they said, "What are they of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD?" And behold there came none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead unto the congregation. And when the people were viewed, behold, there were none of the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead there. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the strongest of them, and commanded them saying, "Go and smite the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, both women and children. And this is that ye shall do: utterly destroy all the males and the women that have lain by men." And they found among the inhabiters of Jabeshgilead four hundred damsels; virgins that had known no man by lying with any male. And they brought them unto the host to Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan. And the whole congregation sent and spake with the children of Benjamin that were in the rock of pomegranates, and called peaceably unto them, and Benjamin came again at that time, and they gave them the women which they had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead. But they so sufficed them not. And the people had compassion on Benjamin, because that God had made a gap in the tribes of Israel. And then the elders of the congregation said, "What shall we do to the remnant of them, to get them wives; seeing all the wives of Benjamin are destroyed?" And they said, "There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel: howbeit, we may not give them wives of our daughters." For the children of Israel had made an adjuration saying, 'Accursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.' Then they said, "Behold, there is a feast of the LORD yearly in Shiloh which is on the north side of Bethel, and on the east side of the way that goeth from Bethel to Shechem and south from Lebanon." And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, "Go and lie in wait in the vineyards. And when ye see that the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in a row, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man a wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and get you unto the land of Benjamin." And if their fathers or brethren come to us to complain, we will say unto them, "Have pity on them, because we reserved not to each man his wife in time of war, and thereto because that ye gave them none in due time, ye were to blame." And the children of Benjamin did even so: and took them wives according to the number of them of the dancers which they caught. And then they went and returned unto their inheritance, and built their cities and dwelt in them.