Judah T akes the Lead
1:1 After Joshua died, the Israelites asked1 the LORD, "Who should lead the invasion against the Canaanites and launch the attack?"2 1:2 The LORD said, "The men of Judah should take the lead.3 Be sure of this! I am handing the land over to them."4 1:3 The men of Judah said to their brothers, the men of Simeon,5 "Invade our allotted land with us and help us attack the Canaanites.6 Then we7 will go with you into your allotted land." So the men of Simeon went with them.
1:4 The men of Judah attacked,8 and the LORD handed the Canaanites and Perizzites over to them. They killed ten thousand men at Bezek. 1:5 They met9 Adoni-Bezek at Bezek and fought him. They defeated the Canaanites and Perizzites. 1:6 When Adoni-Bezek ran away, they chased him and captured him. Then they cut off his thumbs and big toes. 1:7 Adoni-Bezek said, "Seventy kings, with thumbs and big toes cut off, used to lick up10 food scraps11 under my table. God has repaid me for what I did to them."12 They brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. 1:8 The men of Judah attacked Jerusalem and captured it. They put the sword to it and set the city on fire.
1:9 Later the men of Judah went down to attack the Canaanites living in the hill country, the Negev, and the lowlands.13 1:10 The men of Judah attacked the Canaanites living in Hebron. (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba.) They killed Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. 1:11 From there they attacked the people of Debir.14 (Debir used to be called Kiriath Sepher.) 1:12 Caleb said, "To the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher I will give my daughter Acsah as a wife." 1:13 When Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother,15 captured it, Caleb16 gave him his daughter Acsah as a wife.
1:14 One time Acsah17 came and charmed her father18 so she could ask him for some land. When she got down from her donkey, Caleb said to her, "What would you like?" 1:15 She answered, "Please give me a special present.19 Since you have given me land in the Negev, now give me springs of water." So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.20
1:16 Now the descendants of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up with the people of Judah from the City of Date Palm Trees to Arad in the desert of Judah,21 located in the Negev.22 They went and lived with the people of Judah.23
1:17 The men of Judah went with their brothers the men of Simeon24 and defeated the Canaanites living in Zephath. They wiped out Zephath.25 So people now call the city Hormah.26 1:18 The men of Judah captured Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron, and the territory surrounding each of these cities.27
1:19 The LORD was with the men of Judah. They conquered28 the hill country, but they could not29 conquer the people living in the coastal plain, because they had chariots with iron-rimmed wheels.30 1:20 Caleb received31 Hebron, just as Moses had promised. He drove out the three Anakites. 1:21 The men of Benjamin, however, did not conquer the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. The Jebusites live with the people of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this very day.32
Partial Success
1:22 When the men33 of Joseph attacked34 Bethel, the LORD was with them. 1:23 When the men of Joseph spied out Bethel (it used to be called Luz), 1:24 the spies spotted35 a man leaving the city. They said to him, "If you show us a secret entrance into the city, we will reward you." 1:25 He showed them a secret entrance into the city, and they put the city to the sword. But they let the man and his extended family leave safely. 1:26 He36 moved to Hittite country and built a city. He named it Luz, and it has kept that name to this very day.
1:27 The men of Manasseh did not conquer Beth Shan, Taanach, or their surrounding towns. Nor did they conquer the people living in Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo or their surrounding towns.37 The Canaanites managed38 to remain in those areas.39 1:28 Whenever Israel was strong militarily, they forced the Canaanites to do hard labor, but they never totally conquered them.
1:29 The men of Ephraim did not conquer the Canaanites living in Gezer. The Canaanites lived among them in Gezer.
1:30 The men of Zebulun did not conquer the people living in Kitron and Nahalol.40 The Canaanites lived among them and were forced to do hard labor.
1:31 The men of Asher did not conquer the people living in Acco or Sidon. Nor did they conquer Ahlab, Aczib, Helbah, Aphek, or Rehob.41 1:32 The people of Asher live among the Canaanites residing in the land because they did not conquer them.
1:33 The men of Naphtali did not conquer the people living in Beth Shemesh or Beth Anath.42 They live among the Canaanites residing in the land. The Canaanites43 living in Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath were forced to do hard labor for them.
1:34 The Amorites forced the people of Dan to live in the hill country. They did not allow them to live in44 the coastal plain. 1:35 The Amorites managed45 to remain in Har Heres,46 Aijalon, and Shaalbim. Whenever the tribe of Joseph was strong militarily,47 the Amorites were forced to do hard labor. 1:36 The border of Amorite territory ran from the Pass of the Scorpions48 to Sela and on up.49
A Tearful Encounter at Bokim
2:1 The LORD's angelic messenger1 went up from Gilgal to Bokim. He said, "I brought you up from Egypt and led you into the land I had solemnly promised to give to your ancestors.2 I said, `I will never break my agreement3 with you, 2:2 but you must not make an agreement with the people who live in this land. You should tear down the altars where they worship.'4 But you have disobeyed me.5 Why would you do such a thing?6 2:3 At that time I also warned you,7 `If you disobey,8 I will not drive out the Canaanites9 before you. They will ensnare you10 and their gods will lure you away.'"11
2:4 When the LORD's messenger finished speaking these words to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly.12 2:5 They named that place Bokim13 and offered sacrifices to the LORD there.
The End of an Era
2:6 When Joshua dismissed14 the people, the Israelites went to their allotted portions of property,15 intending to take possession of the land. 2:7 The people worshiped16 the LORD throughout Joshua's lifetime and as long as the elderly men17 who outlived him remained alive. These men had witnessed18 all the great things the LORD had done for Israel.19 2:8 Joshua son of Nun, the LORD's servant, died at the age of one hundred and ten. 2:9 The people20 buried him in his allotted land21 in Timnath Heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 2:10 That entire generation passed away;22 a new generation came along23 that had not personally experienced the LORD's presence or seen what he had done for Israel.24
A Monotonous Cycle
2:11 The Israelites did evil before25 the LORD by worshiping26 the Baals. 2:12 They abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors27 who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They followed other gods--the gods of the nations who lived around them. They worshiped28 them and made the LORD angry. 2:13 They abandoned the LORD and worshiped Baal and the Ashtars.29
2:14 The LORD was furious with Israel30 and handed them over to robbers who plundered them.31 He turned them over to32 their enemies who lived around them. They could not withstand their enemies' attacks.33 2:15 Whenever they went out to fight,34 the LORD did them harm,35 just as he had warned and solemnly vowed he would do.36 They suffered greatly.37
2:16 The LORD raised up leaders38 who delivered them from these robbers.39 2:17 But they did not obey40 their leaders. Instead they prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped41 them. They quickly turned aside from the path42 their ancestors43 had walked. Their ancestors had obeyed the LORD's commands, but they did not.44 2:18 When the LORD raised up leaders for them, the LORD was with each leader and delivered the people45 from their enemies while the leader remained alive. The LORD felt sorry for them46 when they cried out in agony because of what their harsh oppressors did to them.47 2:19 When a leader died, the next generation48 would again49 act more wickedly than the previous one.50 They would follow after other gods, worshiping them51 and bowing down to them. They did not give up52 their practices or their stubborn ways.
A Divine Decision
2:20 The LORD was furious with Israel.53 He said, "This nation54 has violated the terms of the agreement I made with their ancestors55 by disobeying me.56 2:21 So I will no longer remove before them any of the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died. 2:22 Joshua left those nations57 to test58 Israel. I wanted to see59 whether or not the people60 would carefully walk in the path61 marked out by62 the LORD, as their ancestors63 were careful to do." 2:23 This is why64 the LORD permitted these nations to remain and did not conquer them immediately;65 he did not hand them over to Joshua.
3:1 These were the nations the LORD permitted to remain so he could use them to test Israel--he wanted to test all those who had not experienced battle against the Canaanites.1 3:2 He left those nations simply because he wanted to teach the subsequent generations of Israelites, who had not experienced the earlier battles, how to conduct holy war.2 3:3 These were the nations:3 the five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo-Hamath.4 3:4 They were left to test Israel, so the LORD would know if his people would obey the commands he gave their ancestors through Moses.5
3:5 The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 3:6 They took the Canaanites' daughters as wives and gave their daughters to the Canaanites;6 they worshiped7 their gods as well.
Othniel: A Model Leader
3:7 The Israelites did evil in the LORD's sight.8 They forgot the LORD their God and worshiped the Baals and the Asherahs.9 3:8 The LORD was furious with Israel10 and turned them over to11 King Cushan-Rishathaim12 of Aram-Naharaim. They were Cushan-Rishathaim's subjects13 for eight years. 3:9 When the Israelites cried out for help to the LORD, he14 raised up a deliverer for the Israelites who rescued15 them. His name was Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.16 3:10 The LORD's personal spirit empowered him17 and he led Israel. When he went to do battle, the LORD handed over to him King Cushan-Rishathaim of Aram and he overpowered him.18 3:11 The land had rest for forty years; then Othniel son of Kenaz died.
Deceit, Assassination, and Deliverance
3:12 The Israelites again did evil in the LORD's sight.19 The LORD gave King Eglon of Moab control over Israel20 because they had done evil in the LORD's sight. 3:13 Eglon allied with21 the Ammonites and Amalekites. He came and defeated Israel, and they seized the City of Date Palm Trees. 3:14 The Israelites were subject to22 King Eglon of Moab for eighteen years.
3:15 When the Israelites cried out for help to the LORD, he23 raised up a deliverer for them. His name was Ehud son of Gera the Benjaminite, a left-handed man.24 The Israelites sent him to King Eglon of Moab with their tribute payment.25 3:16 Ehud made himself a sword--it had two edges and was eighteen inches long.26 He strapped it under his coat on his right thigh. 3:17 He brought the tribute payment to King Eglon of Moab. (Now Eglon was a very fat man.)
3:18 After Ehud brought the tribute payment, he dismissed the people who had carried it.27 3:19 But he went back28 once he reached29 the carved images30 at Gilgal. He said to Eglon,31 "I have a secret message for you, O king." Eglon32 said, "Be quiet!"33 All his attendants left. 3:20 When Ehud approached him, he was sitting in his well-ventilated34 upper room all by himself. Ehud said, "I have a divine message35 for you." When Eglon rose up from his seat,36 3:21 Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled the sword from his right thigh, and drove it into Eglon's37 belly. 3:22 The handle went in after the blade, and the fat closed around the blade, for Ehud38 did not pull the sword out of his belly.39 3:23 As Ehud went out into the vestibule,40 he closed the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them.
3:24 When Ehud had left, Eglon's41 servants came and saw the locked doors of the upper room. They said, "He must be relieving himself42 in the well-ventilated inner room."43 3:25 They waited so long they were embarrassed, but he still did not open the doors of the upper room. Finally they took the key and opened the doors.44 Right before their eyes was their master, sprawled out dead on the floor!45 3:26 Now Ehud had escaped while they were delaying. When he passed the carved images, he escaped to Seirah.
3:27 When he reached Seirah,46 he blew a trumpet47 in the Ephraimite hill country. The Israelites went down with him from the hill country, with Ehud in the lead.48 3:28 He said to them, "Follow me, for the LORD is about to defeat your enemies, the Moabites!"49 They followed him, captured the fords of the Jordan River50 opposite Moab,51 and did not let anyone cross. 3:29 That day they killed about ten thousand Moabites52--all strong, capable warriors; not one escaped. 3:30 Israel humiliated Moab that day, and the land had rest for eighty years.
3:31 After Ehud53 came54 Shamgar son of Anath; he killed six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad and, like Ehud,55 delivered Israel.
A Hesitant General and an Heroic Woman
4:1 The Israelites again did evil in the LORD's sight1 after Ehud's death. 4:2 The LORD turned them over to2 King Jabin of Canaan, who ruled in Hazor.3 The general of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth Haggoyim.4 4:3 The Israelites cried out for help to the LORD, for Sisera5 had nine hundred chariots with iron-rimmed wheels,6 and he cruelly7 oppressed the Israelites for twenty years.
4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess,8 wife of Lappidoth, was9 leading10 Israel at that time. 4:5 She would sit11 under the Date Palm Tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the Ephraimite hill country. The Israelites would come up to her to have their disputes settled.12
4:6 She summoned13 Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali. She said to him, "Is it not true that the LORD God of Israel is commanding you? Go, march to Mount Tabor! Take with you ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun! 4:7 I will bring Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to you at the Kishon River, along with his chariots and huge army.14 I will hand him over to you." 4:8 Barak said to her, "If you go with me, I will go. But if you do not go with me, I will not go." 4:9 She said, "I will indeed go with you. But you will not gain fame15 on the expedition you are taking,16 for the LORD will turn Sisera over to a woman."17 Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh. 4:10 Barak summoned men from Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him;18 Deborah went up with him as well. 4:11 Now Heber the Kenite had moved away19 from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses' father-in-law. He lived20 near the tree in Zaanannim near Kedesh.
4:12 When Sisera heard21 that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, 4:13 he22 ordered23 all his chariotry--nine hundred chariots with iron-rimmed wheels--and all the troops he had with him to go from Harosheth-Haggoyim to the River Kishon. 4:14 Deborah said to Barak, "Spring into action,24 for this is the day the LORD is handing Sisera over to you!25 Has the LORD not taken the lead?"26 Barak quickly went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. 4:15 The LORD routed27 Sisera, all his chariotry, and all his army with the edge of the sword.28 Sisera jumped out of29 his chariot and ran away on foot. 4:16 Now Barak chased the chariots and the army all the way to Harosheth Haggoyim. Sisera's whole army died30 by the edge of the sword; not even one survived.31
4:17 Now Sisera ran away on foot to the tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, for King Jabin of Hazor and the family of Heber the Kenite had made a peace treaty.32 4:18 Jael came out to welcome Sisera. She said to him, "Stop and rest,33 my lord. Stop and rest with me. Don't be afraid." So Sisera34 stopped to rest in her tent, and she put a blanket over him. 4:19 He said to her, "Give me a little water to drink, because I'm thirsty." She opened a goatskin container of milk and gave him some milk to drink. Then she covered him up again. 4:20 He said to her, "Stand watch at the entrance to the tent. If anyone comes along and asks you, `Is there a man here?' say `No.'" 4:21 Then Jael wife of Heber took a tent peg in one hand and a hammer in the other.35 She crept up on him, drove the tent peg through his temple into the ground36 while he was asleep from exhaustion,37 and he died. 4:22 Now Barak was chasing Sisera. Jael went out to welcome him. She said to him, "Come here and I will show you the man you are searching for." He went with her into the tent,38 and there he saw Sisera sprawled out dead39 with the tent peg in his temple.
4:23 That day God humiliated King Jabin of Canaan, before the Israelites. 4:24 Israel's power continued to overwhelm40 King Jabin of Canaan until they did away with41 him.42
Celebrating the Victory in Song
5:1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this victory song:1
And the land had rest for forty years.
Oppression and Confrontation
6:1 The Israelites did evil in the LORD's sight,1 so the LORD turned them over to2 Midian for seven years. 6:2 The Midianites3 overwhelmed Israel.4 Because of Midian the Israelites made shelters5 for themselves in the hills, as well as caves and strongholds. 6:3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops,6 the Midianites, Amalekites, and people from the east would attack them.7 6:4 They invaded the land8 and devoured9 its crops10 all the way to Gaza. They left nothing for the Israelites to eat,11 and they took away12 the sheep, oxen, and donkeys. 6:5 When they invaded13 with their cattle and tents, they were as thick14 as locusts. Neither they nor their camels could be counted.15 They came to devour16 the land. 6:6 Israel was so severely weakened by Midian that the Israelites cried out to the LORD for help.
6:7 When the Israelites cried out to the LORD for help because of Midian, 6:8 he17 sent a prophet18 to the Israelites. He said to them, "This is what the LORD God of Israel says: `I brought you up from Egypt19 and took you out of that place of slavery.20 6:9 I rescued you from Egypt's power21 and from the power of all who oppressed you. I drove them out before you and gave their land to you. 6:10 I said to you, "I am the LORD your God! Do not worship22 the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living!" But you have disobeyed me.'"23
Gideon Meets Some Visitors
6:11 The LORD's angelic messenger24 came and sat down under the oak tree in Ophrah owned by Joash the Abiezrite. He arrived while Joash's son Gideon25 was threshing26 wheat in a winepress27 so he could hide it from the Midianites.28 6:12 The LORD's messenger appeared and said to him, "The LORD is with you, courageous warrior!" 6:13 Gideon said to him, "Pardon me,29 but if the LORD is with us, why has such disaster30 overtaken us? Where are all his miraculous deeds our ancestors told us about? They said,31 `Did the LORD not bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian." 6:14 Then the LORD himself32 turned to him and said, "You have the strength.33 Deliver Israel from the power of the Midianites!34 Have I not sent you?" 6:15 Gideon35 said to him, "But Lord,36 how37 can I deliver Israel? Just look! My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my family."38 6:16 The LORD said to him, "Ah, but39 I will be with you! You will strike down the whole Midianite army."40 6:17 Gideon41 said to him, "If you really are pleased with me,42 then give me43 a sign as proof that it is really you speaking with me. 6:18 Do not leave this place until I come back44 with a gift45 and present it to you." The LORD said, "I will stay here until you come back."
6:19 Gideon went and prepared a young goat,46 along with unleavened bread made from an ephah of flour. He put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot. He brought the food47 to him under the oak tree and presented it to him. 6:20 God's messenger said to him, "Put the meat and unleavened bread on this rock,48 and pour out the broth." Gideon did as instructed.49 6:21 The LORD's messenger touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of his staff.50 Fire flared up from the rock and consumed the meat and unleavened bread. The LORD's messenger then disappeared.51
6:22 When Gideon realized52 that it was the LORD's messenger, he53 said, "Oh no!54 Master, LORD!55 I have seen the LORD's messenger face to face!" 6:23 The LORD said to him, "You are safe!56 Do not be afraid! You are not going to die!" 6:24 Gideon built an altar for the LORD there, and named it "The LORD is on friendly terms with me."57 To this day it is still there in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
Gideon Destroys the Altar
6:25 That night the LORD said to him, "Take the bull from your father's herd, as well as a second bull, one that is seven years old.58 Pull down your father's Baal altar and cut down the nearby Asherah pole. 6:26 Then build an altar for the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold according to the proper pattern.59 Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt sacrifice on the wood from the Asherah pole that you cut down." 6:27 So Gideon took ten of his servants60 and did just as the LORD had told him. He was too afraid of his father's family61 and the men of the city to do it in broad daylight, so he waited until nighttime.62
6:28 When the men of the city got up the next morning, they saw63 the Baal altar pulled down, the nearby Asherah pole cut down, and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar. 6:29 They said to one another,64 "Who did this?"65 They investigated the matter thoroughly66 and concluded67 that Gideon son of Joash had done it. 6:30 The men of the city said to Joash, "Bring out your son, so we can execute him!68 He pulled down the Baal altar and cut down the nearby Asherah pole." 6:31 But Joash said to all those who confronted him,69 "Must you fight Baal's battles?70 Must you rescue him? Whoever takes up his cause71 will die by morning!72 If he really is a god, let him fight his own battles!73 After all, it was his altar that was pulled down."74 6:32 That very day Gideon's father named him Jerub-Baal,75 because he had said, "Let Baal fight with him, for it was his altar that was pulled down."
Gideon Summons an Army and Seeks Confirmation
6:33 All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east76 assembled. They crossed the Jordan River77 and camped in the Jezreel Valley. 6:34 The LORD's Spirit took control of78 Gideon. He blew a trumpet,79 summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.80 6:35 He sent messengers throughout Manasseh and summoned them to follow him as well.81 He also sent messengers throughout Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet him.
6:36 Gideon said to God, "If you really intend to use me to deliver Israel,82 as you promised, then give me a sign as proof.83 6:37 Look, I am putting a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew on just the fleece, and the ground around it84 is dry, then I will be sure85 that you will use me to deliver Israel,86 as you promised." 6:38 The LORD did as he asked.87 When he got up the next morning, he squeezed the fleece, and enough dew dripped from it to fill a bowl.88 6:39 Gideon said to God, "Please do not get mad at me, when I ask for just one more sign.89 Please allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make just the fleece dry, while the ground around it is covered with dew.90 6:40 That night God did as he asked.91 Just the fleece was dry and the ground around it was covered with dew.
Gideon Reduces the Ranks
7:1 Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and his men1 got up the next morning and camped near the spring of Harod.2 The Midianites3 were camped north of them near the hill of Moreh in the valley. 7:2 The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to hand Midian over to you.4 Israel might brag,5 `Our own strength has delivered us.'6 7:3 Now, announce to the men,7 `Whoever is shaking with fear8 may turn around and leave Mount Gilead.'"9 Twenty-two thousand men10 went home;11 ten thousand remained. 7:4 The LORD spoke to Gideon again, "There are still too many men.12 Bring them down to the water and I will thin the ranks some more.13 When I say, `This one should go with you,' pick him to go;14 when I say,15 `This one should not go with you,' do not take him."16 7:5 So he brought the men17 down to the water. Then the LORD said to Gideon, "Separate those who lap the water as a dog laps from those kneel to drink."18 7:6 Three hundred men lapped;19 the rest of the men20 kneeled to drink water. 7:7 The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men who lapped I will deliver the whole army21 and I will hand Midian over to you.22 The rest of the men should go home."23 7:8 The men24 who were chosen25 took supplies26 and their trumpets. Gideon27 sent all the men of Israel back to their homes;28 he kept only three hundred men. Now the Midianites29 were camped down below30 in the valley.
Gideon Reassured of Victory
7:9 That night the LORD said to Gideon,31 "Get up! Attack32 the camp, for I am handing it over to you.33 7:10 But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with Purah your servant 7:11 and listen to what they are saying. Then you will be brave34 and attack the camp." So he went down with Purah his servant to where the sentries were guarding the camp.35 7:12 Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and people from the east covered the valley like a swarm of locusts.36 Their camels could not be counted; they were as innumerable as the sand on the seashore. 7:13 When Gideon arrived, he heard a man telling another man about a dream he had.37 The man38 said, "Look! I had a dream. I saw39 a stale cake of barley bread rolling into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent so hard it knocked it over and turned it upside down. The tent just collapsed."40 7:14 The other man said,41 "Without a doubt this symbolizes42 the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God is handing Midian and all the army over to him."
Gideon Routs the Enemy
7:15 When Gideon heard the report of the dream and its interpretation, he praised God.43 Then he went back to the Israelite camp and said, "Get up, for the LORD is handing the Midianite army over to you!" 7:16 He divided the three hundred men into three units.44 He gave them all trumpets and empty jars with torches inside them.45 7:17 He said to them, "Watch me and do as I do. Watch closely!46 I am going to the edge of the camp. Do as I do! 7:18 When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, you also blow your trumpets all around the camp. Then say, `For the LORD and for Gideon!'"
7:19 Gideon took a hundred men to the edge of the camp47 at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guards. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars they were carrying.48 7:20 All three units blew their trumpets and broke their jars. They held the torches in their left hand and the trumpets in their right.49 Then they yelled, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" 7:21 They stood in order50 all around the camp. The whole army ran away; they shouted as they scrambled away.51 7:22 When the three hundred men blew their trumpets, the LORD caused the Midianites to attack one another with their swords52 throughout53 the camp. The army fled to Beth Shittah on the way to Zererah. They went54 to the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. 7:23 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh answered the call and chased the Midianites.55
Gideon Appeases the Ephraimites
7:24 Now Gideon sent messengers throughout the Ephraimite hill country who announced, "Go down and head off the Midianites.56 Take control of the fords of the streams57 all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River."58 When all the Ephraimites had assembled,59 they took control of the fords60 all the way to Beth Barah and the Jordan River. 7:25 They captured the two Midianite generals, Oreb and Zeeb.61 They executed Oreb on the rock of Oreb and Zeeb62 in the winepress of Zeeb. They chased the Midianites63 and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was now on the other side of the Jordan River.64
8:1 The Ephraimites said to him, "Why have you done such a thing to us?" You did not summon us1 when you went to fight the Midianites!" They argued vehemently with him. 8:2 He said to them, "Now what have I accomplished compared to you? Even Ephraim's leftover grapes2 are better quality than Abiezer's harvest!3 8:3 It was to you that God handed over the Midianite generals, Oreb and Zeeb! What did I accomplish to rival that?"4 When he said this, they calmed down.5
Gideon Tracks Down the Midianite Kings
8:4 Now Gideon and his three hundred men had crossed over the Jordan River and, though exhausted, were still chasing the Midianites.6 8:5 He said to the men of Succoth, "Give7 some loaves of bread to the men8 who are following me,9 because they are exhausted. I am chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian." 8:6 The officials of Succoth said, "You have not yet overpowered Zebah and Zalmunna. So why should we give10 bread to your army?"11 8:7 Gideon said, "Since you will not help,12 after the LORD hands Zebah and Zalmunna over to me, I will thresh13 your skin14 with15 desert thorns and briers." 8:8 He went up from there to Penuel and made the same request.16 The men of Penuel responded the same way the men of Succoth had.17 8:9 He also threatened18 the men of Penuel, warning,19 "When I return victoriously,20 I will tear down this tower."
8:10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their armies. There were about fifteen thousand survivors from the army of the eastern peoples; a hundred and twenty thousand sword-wielding soldiers had been killed.21 8:11 Gideon went up the road of the nomads22 east of Nobah and Jogbehah and ambushed the surprised army.23 8:12 When Zebah and Zalmunna ran away, Gideon24 chased them and captured the two Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. He had surprised25 their entire army.
8:13 Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle by the pass26 of Heres. 8:14 He captured a young man from Succoth27 and interrogated him. The young man wrote down for him the names of Succoth's officials and city leaders--seventy-seven men in all.28 8:15 He approached the men of Succoth and said, "Look what I have!29 Zebah and Zalmunna! You insulted me, saying, `You have not yet overpowered Zebah and Zalmunna. So why should we give bread to your exhausted men?'"30 8:16 He grabbed the leaders31 of the city, along with some desert thorns and briers; he then "threshed" the men of Succoth with them.32 8:17 He also tore down the tower of Penuel and executed the city's men.
8:18 He said to Zebah and Zalmunna, "Describe for me33 the men you killed at Tabor." They said, "They were like you. Each one looked like a king's son."34 8:19 He said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. I swear,35 as surely as the LORD is alive, if you had let them live, I would not kill you." 8:20 He ordered Jether his firstborn son, "Come on!36 Kill them!" But Jether was too afraid to draw his sword,37 because he was still young. 8:21 Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon,38 "Come on,39 you strike us, for a man is judged by his strength."40 So Gideon killed41 Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent-shaped ornaments which were on the necks of their camels.
Gideon Rejects a Crown but Makes an Ephod
8:22 The men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us--you, your son, and your grandson. For you have delivered us from Midian's power."42 8:23 Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you." 8:24 Gideon continued,43 "I would like to make one request. Each of you give me an earring from the plunder you have taken."44 (The Midianites45 had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.) 8:25 They said, "We are happy to give you earrings."46 So they47 spread out a garment, and each one threw an earring from his plunder onto it. 8:26 The total weight of the gold earrings he requested came to seventeen hundred gold shekels.48 This was in addition to the crescent-shaped ornaments, jewelry,49 purple clothing worn by the Midianite kings, and the necklaces on the camels.50 8:27 Gideon used all this to make51 an ephod,52 which he put in his hometown of Ophrah. All the Israelites53 prostituted themselves to it there. It became a snare to Gideon and his family.
Gideon's Story Ends
8:28 The Israelites humiliated Midian; the Midianites' fighting spirit was broken.54 The land had rest for forty years during Gideon's time.55 8:29 Then Jerub-Baal son of Joash went home and settled down.56 8:30 Gideon fathered seventy sons through his many wives.57 8:31 His concubine,58 who lived in Shechem, also gave him a son, whom he named Abimelech.59 8:32 Gideon son of Joash died at a very60 old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash located in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
Israel Returns to Baal-Worship
8:33 After Gideon died, the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They made Baal-Berith61 their god. 8:34 The Israelites did not remain true62 to the LORD their God, who had delivered them from all the enemies who lived around them. 8:35 They did not treat63 the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) fairly in return for all the good he had done for Israel.
Abimelech Murders His Brothers
9:1 Now Abimelech son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem to see his mother's relatives.1 He said to them and to his mother's entire extended family,2 9:2 "Tell3 all the leaders of Shechem this: `Why would you want4 to have seventy men, all Jerub-Baal's sons, ruling over you, when you can have just one ruler? Recall that I am your own flesh and blood.'"5 9:3 His mother's relatives6 spoke on his behalf to7 all the leaders of Shechem and reported his proposal.8 The leaders were drawn to Abimelech;9 they said, "He is our close relative."10 9:4 They paid him seventy silver shekels out of the temple of Baal-Berith. Abimelech then used the silver to hire some lawless, dangerous11 men as his followers.12 9:5 He went to his father's home in Ophrah and murdered his half-brothers,13 the seventy legitimate14 sons of Jerub-Baal, on one stone. Only Jotham, Jerub-Baal's youngest son, escaped,15 because he hid. 9:6 All the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo assembled and then went and made Abimelech king by the oak near the pillar16 in Shechem.
Jotham's Parable
9:7 When Jotham heard the news,17 he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. He spoke loudly to the people below,18 "Listen to me, leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you!
9:8 "The trees were determined to go out19 and choose a king for themselves.20 They said to the olive tree, `Be our king!'21 9:9 But the olive tree said to them, `I am not going to stop producing my oil, which is used to honor gods and men, just to sway above the other trees!'22
9:10 "So the trees said to the fig tree, `You come and be our king!'23 9:11 But the fig tree said to them, `I am not going to stop producing my sweet figs, my excellent fruit, just to sway above the other trees!'24
9:12 "So the trees said to the grapevine, `You come and be our king!'25 9:13 But the grapevine said to them, `I am not going to stop producing my wine, which makes gods and men so happy, just to sway above the other trees!'26
9:14 "So all the trees said to the thornbush, `You come and be our king!'27 9:15 The thornbush said to the trees, `If you really want to choose28 me as your king, then come along, find safety under my branches!29 Otherwise30 may fire blaze from the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'
9:16 "Now, if you have shown loyalty and integrity when you made Abimelech king, if you have done right to Jerub-Baal and his family,31 if you have properly repaid him32-- 9:17 my father fought for you; he risked his life33 and delivered you from Midian's power.34 9:18 But you have attacked35 my father's family36 today. You murdered his seventy legitimate37 sons on one stone and made Abimelech, the son of his female slave, king over the leaders of Shechem, just because he is your close relative.38 9:19 So if you have shown loyalty and integrity to Jerub-Baal and his family39 today, then may Abimelech bring you happiness and may you bring him happiness!40 9:20 But if not, may fire blaze from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo! May fire also blaze from the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo and consume Abimelech!" 9:21 The Jotham ran away41 to Beer and lived there to escape from42 Abimelech his half-brother.43
God Fulfills Jotham's Curse
9:22 Abimelech commanded44 Israel for three years. 9:23 God sent a spirit to stir up hostility45 between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. He made the leaders of Shechem disloyal46 to Abimelech. 9:24 He did this so the violent deaths of Jerub-Baal's seventy sons might be avenged and Abimelech, their half-brother47 who murdered them, might have to pay for their spilled blood, along with the leaders of Shechem who helped him murder them.48 9:25 The leaders of Shechem rebelled against Abimelech by putting49 bandits in50 the hills, who robbed everyone who traveled by on the road. But Abimelech found out about it.51
9:26 Gaal son of Ebed52 came through Shechem with his brothers. The leaders of Shechem transferred their loyalty to him.53 9:27 They went out to the field, harvested their grapes,54 squeezed out the juice,55 and celebrated. They came to the temple56 of their god and ate, drank, and cursed Abimelech. 9:28 Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub-Baal, and is not Zebul the deputy he appointed?57 Serve the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem! But why should we serve Abimelech?58 9:29 If only these men59 were under my command,60 I would get rid of Abimelech!" He challenged Abimelech,61 "Muster62 your army and come out for battle!"63
9:30 When Zebul, the city commissioner, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he was furious.64 9:31 He sent messengers to Abimelech, who was in Arumah,65 reporting, "Beware!66 Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers are coming67 to Shechem and inciting the city to rebel against you.68 9:32 Now, come up69 at night with your men70 and set an ambush in the field outside the city.71 9:33 In the morning at sunrise quickly attack the city. When he and his men come out to fight you, do what you can to him."72
9:34 So Abimelech and all his men came up73 at night and set an ambush outside Shechem--they divided into74 four units. 9:35 When Gaal son of Ebed came out and stood at the entrance to the city's gate, Abimelech and his men got up from their hiding places. 9:36 Gaal saw the men75 and said to Zebul, "Look, men are coming down from the tops of the hills." But Zebul said to him, "You are seeing the shadows on the hills--it just looks like men."76 9:37 Gaal again said, "Look, men are coming down from the very center77 of the land. A unit78 is coming by way of the Oak Tree of the Diviners.79 9:38 Zebul said to him, "Where now are your bragging words,80 `Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Are these not the men81 you insulted?82 Go out now and fight them!" 9:39 So Gaal led the leaders of Shechem out83 and fought Abimelech. 9:40 Abimelech chased him, and Gaal84 ran from him. Many Shechemites85 fell wounded at the opening of the gate. 9:41 Abimelech went back86 to Arumah; Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.87
9:42 The next day the Shechemites88 came out to the field. When Abimelech heard about it,89 9:43 he took his men90 and divided them into three units and set an ambush in the field. When he saw the people coming out of the city,91 he attacked and struck them down.92 9:44 Abimelech and his units93 attacked and blocked94 the entrance to the city's gate. Two units then attacked all the people in the field and struck them down. 9:45 Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and killed all the people in it. Then he leveled95 the city and spread salt over it.96
9:46 When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem97 heard the news, they went to the stronghold98 of the temple of El-Berith.99 9:47 Abimelech heard100 that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem were in one place.101 9:48 He and all his men102 went up on Mount Zalmon. He103 took an ax104 in his hand and cut off a tree branch. He put it105 on his shoulder and said to his men, "Quickly, do what you have just seen me do!"106 9:49 So each of his men also cut off a branch and followed Abimelech. They put the branches107 against the stronghold and set fire to it.108 All the people109 of the Tower of Shechem died--about a thousand men and women.
9:50 Abimelech moved on110 to Thebez; he besieged and captured it.111 9:51 There was a fortified112 tower113 in the center of the city, so all the men and women, as well as the city's leaders, ran into it and locked the entrance. Then they went up to the roof of the tower. 9:52 Abimelech came and attacked the tower. When he approached the entrance of the tower to set it on fire, 9:53 a woman threw an upper millstone114 down on his115 head and shattered his skull. 9:54 He quickly called to the young man who carried his weapons,116 "Draw your sword and kill me, so they will not say,117 `A woman killed him.' So the young man stabbed him and he died. 9:55 When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home.118
9:56 God repaid Abimelech for the evil he did to his father by murdering his seventy half-brothers.119 9:57 God also repaid the men of Shechem for their evil deeds. The curse spoken by Jotham son of Jerub-Baal fell120 on them.
Stability Restored
10:1 After Abimelech's death,1 Tola son of Puah, grandson2 of Dodo, from the tribe of Issachar,3 rose up to deliver Israel. He lived in Shamir in the Ephraimite hill country. 10:2 He led4 Israel for twenty-three years, then died and was buried in Shamir.
10:3 Jair the Gileadite rose up after him; he led Israel for twenty-two years. 10:4 He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys and possessed thirty cities. To this day these towns are called Havvoth Jair5--they are in the land of Gilead.6 10:5 Jair died and was buried in Kamon.
The Lord's Patience Runs Short
10:6 The Israelites again did evil in the LORD's sight.7 They worshiped8 the Baals and the Ashtars,9 as well as the gods of Syria, Sidon, Moab, the Ammonites, and the Philistines.10 They abandoned the LORD and did not worship11 him. 10:7 The LORD was furious with Israel12 and turned them over to13 the Philistines and Ammonites. 10:8 They ruthlessly oppressed14 the Israelites that eighteenth year15--that is, all the Israelites living east of the Jordan in Amorite country in Gilead. 10:9 The Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight with Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim.16 Israel suffered greatly.17
10:10 The Israelites cried out for help to the LORD: "We have sinned against you. We abandoned our God and worshiped18 the Baals." 10:11 The LORD said to the Israelites, "Did I not deliver you from Egypt, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, 10:12 the Sidonians, Amalek, and Midian19 when they oppressed you?20 You cried out for help to me, and I delivered you from their power.21 10:13 But since you abandoned me and worshiped22 other gods, I will not deliver you again. 10:14 Go and cry for help to the gods you have chosen! Let them deliver you from trouble!"23 10:15 But the Israelites said to the LORD, "We have sinned. You do to us as you see fit,24 but deliver us today!"25 10:16 They threw away the foreign gods they owned26 and worshiped27 the LORD. Finally the LORD became tired of seeing Israel suffer so much.28
An Outcast Becomes a General
10:17 The Ammonites assembled29 and camped in Gilead; the Israelites gathered together and camped in Mizpah. 10:18 The leaders30 of Gilead said to one another, "Who is willing to lead the charge31 against the Ammonites? He will become the leader of all who live in Gilead!"
11:1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a brave warrior. His mother was a prostitute, but Gilead was his father.1 11:2 Gilead's wife also gave2 him sons. When his wife's sons grew up, they made Jephthah leave and said to him, "You are not going to inherit any of our father's wealth,3 because you are another woman's son." 11:3 So Jephthah left4 his half-brothers5 and lived in the land of Tob. Lawless men joined Jephthah's gang and traveled with him.6
11:4 It was some time after this when the Ammonites fought with Israel. 11:5 When the Ammonites attacked,7 the leaders8 of Gilead asked Jephthah to come back9 from the land of Tob. 11:6 They said,10 "Come, be our commander, so we can fight with the Ammonites." 11:7 Jephthah said to the leaders of Gilead, "But you hated me and made me leave11 my father's house. Why do you come to me now, when you are in trouble?" 11:8 The leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "That may be true,12 but now we pledge to you our loyalty.13 Come with us and fight with the Ammonites. Then you will become the leader14 of all who live in Gilead."15 11:9 Jephthah said to the leaders of Gilead, "All right!16 If you take me back to fight with the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me,17 I will be your leader."18 11:10 The leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "The LORD will judge any grievance you have against us,19 if we do not do as you say."20 11:11 So Jephthah went with the leaders of Gilead. The people made him their leader and commander. Jephthah repeated the terms of the agreement21 before the LORD in Mizpah.
Jephthah Gives a History Lesson
11:12 Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king, saying, "Why have22 you come against me to attack my land?" 11:13 The Ammonite king said to Jephthah's messengers, "Because Israel stole23 my land when they24 came up from Egypt--from the Arnon River in the south to the Jabbok River in the north, and as far west as the Jordan.25 Now return it26 peaceably!"
11:14 Jephthah sent messengers back to the Ammonite king 11:15 and said to him, "This is what Jephthah says, `Israel did not steal27 the land of Moab and the land of the Ammonites. 11:16 When they left28 Egypt, Israel traveled29 through the desert as far as the Red Sea and then came to Kadesh. 11:17 Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, "Please allow us30 to pass through your land." But the king of Edom rejected the request.31 Israel sent the same request to the king of Moab, but he was unwilling to cooperate.32 So Israel stayed at Kadesh. 11:18 Then Israel33 went through the desert and bypassed the land of Edom and the land of Moab. They32 traveled28 east of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon River;34 they did not go through Moabite territory (the Arnon was Moab's border). 11:19 Israel sent messengers to King Sihon, the Amorite king who ruled in Heshbon, and said to him, "Please allow us to pass through your land to our land."35 11:20 But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. He36 assembled his whole army,37 camped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel. 11:21 The LORD God of Israel handed Sihon and his whole army over to Israel and they defeated them. Israel took38 all the land of the Amorites who lived in that land. 11:22 They took all the Amorite territory from the Arnon River on the south to the Jabbok River on the north, from the desert in the east to the Jordan in the west.39 11:23 Since40 the LORD God of Israel has driven out41 the Amorites before his people Israel, do you think you can just take it from them?42 11:24 You have the right to take what Chemosh your god gives you, but we will take the land of all whom the LORD our God has driven out before us.43 11:25 Are you really better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he dare to quarrel with Israel? Did he dare to fight with them?44 11:26 Israel has been living in Heshbon and its nearby towns, in Aroer and its nearby towns, and in all the cities along the Arnon for three hundred years! Why did you not reclaim them during that time? 11:27 I have not done you wrong,45 but you are doing wrong46 by attacking me. May the LORD, the Judge, judge this day between the Israelites and the Ammonites!'" 11:28 But the Ammonite king disregarded47 the message sent by Jephthah.48
A Foolish Vow Spells Death for a Daughter
11:29 The LORD's personal spirit empowered49 Jephthah. He passed through Gilead and Manasseh and went50 to Mizpah in Gilead. From there he approached the Ammonites.51 11:30 Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, saying, "If you really do hand the Ammonites over to me, 11:31 then whoever is the first to come through52 the doors of my house to meet me when I return safely from fighting the Ammonites--he53 will belong to the LORD and54 I will offer him up as a burnt sacrifice." 11:32 Jephthah approached55 the Ammonites to fight with them, and the LORD handed them over to him. 11:33 He defeated them from Aroer all the way to Minnith--twenty cities in all, even as far as Abel Keramim! He wiped them out!56 The Israelites humiliated the Ammonites.57
11:34 When Jephthah came home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out58 to meet him, dancing to the rhythm of tambourines.59 She was his only child; except for her he had no son or daughter. 11:35 When he saw her, he ripped his clothes and said, "Oh no! My daughter! You have completely ruined me!60 You have brought me disaster!61 I made an oath to the LORD, and I cannot break it."62 11:36 She said to him, "My father, since63 you made an oath to the LORD, do to me as you promised.64 After all, the LORD vindicated you before65 your enemies, the Ammonites." 11:37 She then said to her father, "Please grant me this one wish.66 For two months allow me to walk through the hills with my friends and mourn my virginity."67 11:38 He said, "You may go." He permitted her to leave68 for two months. She went with her friends and mourned her virginity as she walked through the hills.69 11:39 After two months she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed. She died a virgin.70 Her tragic death gave rise to a custom in Israel.71 11:40 Every year72 Israelite women commemorate73 the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite for four days.74
Civil Strife Mars the Victory
12:1 The Ephraimites assembled1 and crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, "Why did you go and fight2 with the Ammonites without asking3 us to go with you? We will burn your house down right over you."4 12:2 Jephthah said to them, "My people and I were entangled in controversy with the Ammonites.5 I asked for your help, but you did not deliver me from their power.6 12:3 When I saw that you were not going to help,7 I risked my life8 and advanced against9 the Ammonites, and the LORD handed them over to me. Why have you come up10 to fight with me today?" 12:4 Jephthah assembled all the men of Gilead and they fought with Ephraim. The men of Gilead defeated Ephraim, because the Ephraimites insulted them, saying,11 "You Gileadites are refugees in Ephraim, living within Ephraim's and Manasseh's territory."12 12:5 The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan River13 opposite Ephraim.14 Whenever an Ephraimite fugitive15 said, "Let me cross over," the men of Gilead asked16 him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No," 12:6 then they said to him, "Say `Shibboleth.'"17 If he said, "Sibboleth," and could not pronounce the word18 correctly, they grabbed him and executed him right there at the fords of the Jordan. On that day forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell dead. 12:7 Jephthah led19 Israel for six years; then he20 died and was buried in his city in Gilead.21
Order Restored
12:8 After him Ibzan of Bethlehem led22 Israel. 12:9 He had thirty sons. He arranged for thirty of his daughters to be married outside his extended family,23 and he arranged for thirty young women to be brought from outside as wives for his sons.24 Ibzan25 led26 Israel for seven years; 12:10 then he27 died and was buried in Bethlehem.
12:11 After him Elon the Zebulunite led28 Israel for ten years.29 12:12 Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
12:13 After him Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite led30 Israel. 12:14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode on seventy donkeys. He led Israel for eight years. 12:15 Then Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.
Samson's Birth
13:1 The Israelites again did evil in the LORD's sight,1 so the LORD handed them over to the Philistines for forty years.
13:2 There was a man named Manoah from Zorah, from the Danite tribe. His wife was infertile and childless.2 13:3 The LORD's angelic3 messenger appeared to the woman and said to her, "You4 are infertile and childless,5 but you will conceive and have a son. 13:4 Now be careful! Do not drink wine or beer, and do not eat any food that will make you ritually unclean.6 13:5 Look, you will conceive and have a son.7 You should not cut his hair,8 for the child will be dedicated to God9 from birth. He will begin to deliver Israel from the power10 of the Philistines."
13:6 The woman went and said to her husband, "A man sent from God11 came to me! He looked like God's angelic messenger--he was very awesome.12 I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name. 13:7 He said to me, `Look, you will conceive and have a son.13 So now, do not drink wine or beer and do not eat any food that will make you ritually unclean.14 For the child will be dedicated15 to God from birth till the day he dies.'"
13:8 Manoah prayed to the LORD,16 "Excuse me, Lord. Please allow the man sent from God17 to visit18 us again, so he can teach19 us how we should raise20 the child who will be born." 13:9 God answered Manoah's prayer.21 God's angelic messenger visited22 the woman again while she was sitting in the field. But her husband Manoah was not with her. 13:10 The woman ran quickly and told her husband,23 "Come quickly,24 the man who visited25 me the other day has appeared to me!" 13:11 So Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he met26 the man, he said to him, "Are you the man who spoke to this woman?"27 He said, "Yes."28 13:12 Manoah said, "Now, when your announcement comes true,29 how should the child be raised and what should he do?"30 13:13 The LORD's messenger told31 Manoah, "Your wife should pay attention to everything I told her.32 13:14 She should not drink33 anything that the grapevine produces. She must not drink wine or beer, and she must not eat any food that will make her ritually unclean.34 She should obey everything I commanded her to do." 13:15 Manoah said to the LORD's messenger, "Please stay here awhile,35 so we can prepare a young goat for you to eat."36 13:16 The LORD's messenger said to Manoah, "If I stay,37 I will not eat your food. But if you want to make a burnt sacrifice to the LORD, you should offer it." (He said this because Manoah did not know that he was the LORD's messenger.)38 13:17 Manoah said to the LORD's messenger, "Tell us your name, so we can honor you when your announcement comes true."39 13:18 The LORD's messenger said to him, "You should not ask me my name, because you cannot comprehend it."40 13:19 Manoah took a young goat and a grain offering and offered them on a rock to the LORD. The LORD's messenger did an amazing thing as Manoah and his wife watched.41 13:20 As the flame went up from the altar toward the sky, the LORD's messenger went up in it42 while Manoah and his wife watched. They fell facedown43 to the ground.
13:21 The LORD's messenger did not appear again to Manoah and his wife. After all this happened Manoah realized that the visitor had been the LORD's messenger.44 13:22 Manoah said to his wife, "We will certainly die, because we have seen a supernatural being!"45 13:23 But his wife said to him, "If the LORD wanted to kill us, he would not have accepted the burnt offering and the grain offering from us.46 He would not have shown us all these things, or just now have spoken to us like this."
13:24 Manoah's wife47 gave birth to a son and named him Samson.48 The child grew and the LORD empowered49 him. 13:25 The LORD's personal spirit began to control him50 in Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Samson's Unconsummated Marriage
14:1 Samson went down to Timnah, where a Philistine girl caught his eye.1 14:2 When he got home,2 he told his father and mother, "A Philistine girl in Timnah has caught my eye.3 Now get her for my wife." 14:3 But his father and mother said to him, "Certainly you can find a wife among your relatives or among all our4 people! You should not have to go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines."5 But Samson said to his father, "Get her for me,6 because she is the right one for me."7 14:4 Now his father and mother did not realize this was the LORD's doing.8 He was looking for an opportunity to stir up trouble with the Philistines,9 for at that time the Philistines were ruling Israel.
14:5 Samson went down to Timnah. When he approached10 the vineyards of Timnah, he saw a roaring young lion attacking him.11 14:6 The LORD's personal spirit empowered12 him and he tore the lion13 in two with his bare hands14 as easily as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.
14:7 Samson continued on down to Timnah15 and spoke to the girl. In his opinion, she was just the right one.16 14:8 Some time later, when he went back to marry17 her, he turned aside to see the lion's remains. He saw18 a swarm of bees in the lion's carcass, as well as some honey. 14:9 He scooped it up with his hands and ate it as he walked along. When he returned19 to his father and mother, he offered them some and they ate it. But he did not tell them he had scooped the honey out of the lion's carcass.20
14:10 Then Samson's father accompanied him to Timnah for the marriage.21 Samson hosted a party22 there, for this was customary for bridegrooms23 to do. 14:11 When the Philistines saw he had no attendants, they gave him thirty groomsmen who kept him company.24 14:12 Samson said to them, "I will give you a riddle. If you really can solve it during the seven days the party lasts,25 I will give you thirty linen robes and thirty sets26 of clothes. 14:13 But if you cannot solve it,27 you will give me thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes." They said to him, "Let us hear your riddle."28 14:14 He said to them,
They could not solve the riddle for three days.
14:15 On the fourth29 day they said to Samson's bride, "Trick your husband into giving the solution to the riddle.30 If you refuse,31 we will burn up32 you and your father's family.33 Did you invite us here34 to make us poor?"35 14:16 So Samson's bride cried on his shoulder36 and said, "You must37 hate me; you do not love me! You told the young men38 a riddle, but you have not told me the solution." He said to her, "Look, I have not even told my father or mother. Do you really expect me to tell you?"39 14:17 She cried on his shoulder40 until the party was almost over.41 Finally, on the seventh day, he told her because she had nagged him so much.42 Then she told the young men the solution to the riddle.43 14:18 On the seventh day, before the sun set, the men of the city said to him,
He said to them,
14:19 The LORD's personal spirit empowered him. He went down to Ashkelon and murdered thirty men. He took their clothes45 and gave them46 to the men who had solved the riddle. He was furious as he went back home.47 14:20 Samson's bride was then given to his best man.48
Samson Versus the Philistines
15:1 Sometime later, during the wheat harvest,1 Samson took a young goat as a gift and went to visit his bride.2 He said to her father,3 "I want to have sex with my bride in her bedroom!"4 But her father would not let him enter. 15:2 Her father said, "I really thought5 you absolutely despised6 her, so I gave her to your best man. Her younger sister is more attractive than she is. Take her instead!"7 15:3 Samson said to them,8 "This time I am justified in doing the Philistines harm!"9 15:4 Samson went and captured three hundred jackals10 and got some torches. He tied the jackals in pairs by their tails and then tied a torch to each pair.11 15:5 He lit the torches12 and set the jackals loose in the Philistines' standing grain. He burned up the grain heaps and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves. 15:6 The Philistines asked,13 "Who did this?" They were told,14 "Samson, the Timnite's son-in-law, because the Timnite15 took Samson's16 bride and gave her to his best man." So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father.17 15:7 Samson said to them, "Because you did this,18 I will get revenge against you before I quit fighting."19 15:8 He struck them down and defeated them.20 Then he went down and lived for a time in the cave in the cliff of Etam.
15:9 The Philistines went up and invaded21 Judah. They arrayed themselves for battle22 in Lehi. 15:10 The men of Judah said, "Why are you attacking23 us?" The Philistines24 said, "We have come up to take Samson prisoner so we can do to him what he has done to us." 15:11 Three thousand men of Judah went down to the cave in the cliff of Etam and said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? Why have you done this to us?" He said to them, "I have only done to them what they have done to me." 15:12 They said to him, "We have come down to take you prisoner so we can hand you over to the Philistines." Samson said to them, "Promise me25 you will not kill26 me." 15:13 They said to him, "We promise!27 We will only take you prisoner and hand you over to them. We promise not to kill you." They tied him up with two brand new ropes and led him up from the cliff. 15:14 When he arrived in Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they approached him. But the LORD's personal spirit empowered28 him. The ropes around his arms were like flax dissolving in29 fire, and they30 melted away from his hands. 15:15 He happened to see31 a solid32 jawbone of a donkey. He grabbed it33 and struck down34 a thousand men. 15:16 Samson then said,
15:17 When he finished speaking, he threw the jawbone down36 and named that place Ramath Lehi.37
15:18 He was very thirsty, so he cried out to the LORD and said, "You have given your servant38 this great victory. But now must I die of thirst and fall into hands of the Philistines?"39 15:19 So God split open the basin40 at Lehi and water flowed out from it. When he took a drink, his strength41 was restored and he revived. For this reason he named the spring42 En Hakkore.43 It remains in Lehi to this very day. 15:20 Samson led44 Israel for twenty years during the days of Philistine prominence.45
Samson's Downfall
16:1 Samson went to Gaza. There he saw a prostitute and went in to have sex with her.1 16:2 The Gazites were told,2 "Samson has come here!" So they surrounded the town3 and hid all night at the city gate, waiting for him to leave.4 They relaxed5 all night, thinking,6 "He will not leave7 until morning comes;8 then we will kill him!" 16:3 Samson spent half the night with the prostitute; then he got up in the middle of the night and left.9 He grabbed the doors of the city gate, as well as the two posts, and pulled them right off, bar and all.10 He put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of a hill east of Hebron.11
16:4 After this Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in the Sorek Valley. 16:5 The rulers of the Philistines went up to visit her and said to her, "Trick him! Find out what makes him so strong and how we can subdue him and humiliate12 him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred silver pieces."
16:6 So Delilah said to Samson, "Tell me what makes you so strong and how you can be subdued and humiliated."13 16:7 Samson said to her, "If they tie me up with seven fresh14 bowstrings15 that have not been dried, I will become weak and be just like any other man." 16:8 So the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings which had not been dried and they tied him up with them. 16:9 They hid16 in the bedroom and then she said to him, "The Philistines are here,17 Samson!" He snapped the bowstrings as easily as a thread of yarn snaps when it is put close to fire.18 The secret of his strength was not discovered.19
16:10 Delilah said to Samson, "Look, you deceived20 me and told me lies. Now tell me how you can be subdued." 16:11 He said to her, "If they tie me tightly with brand new ropes that have never been used,21 I will become weak and be just like any other man." 16:12 So Delilah took new ropes and tied him with them and said to him, "The Philistines are here,22 Samson!" (The Philistines were hiding in the bedroom.)23 But he tore the ropes24 from his arms as if they were a piece of thread.
16:13 Delilah said to Samson, "Up to now you have deceived me and told me lies. Tell me how you can be subdued." He said to her, "If you weave the seven braids of my hair25 into the fabric on the loom26 and secure it with the pin, I will become weak and be like any other man." 16:14 So she made him go to sleep, wove the seven braids of his hair into the fabric on the loom, fastened it with the pin, and said to him, "The Philistines are here,27 Samson!"28 He woke up29 and tore away the pin of the loom and the fabric.
16:15 She said to him, "How can you say, `I love you,' when you will not share your secret with me?30 Three times you have deceived me and have not told me what makes you so strong." 16:16 She nagged him31 every day and pressured him until he was sick to death of it.32 16:17 Finally he told her his secret.33 He said to her, "My hair has never been cut,34 for I have been dedicated to God35 from the time I was conceived.36 If my head37 were shaved, my strength would leave me; I would become weak, and be just like all other men." 16:18 When Delilah saw that he had told her his secret,38 she sent for39 the rulers of the Philistines, saying, "Come up here again, for he has told me40 his secret.41 So the rulers of the Philistines went up to visit her, bringing the silver in their hands. 16:19 She made him go to sleep on her lap42 and then called a man in to shave off43 the seven braids of his hair.44 She made him vulnerable45 and his strength left him. 16:20 She said, "The Philistines are here,46 Samson!" He woke up47 and thought,48 "I will do as I did before49 and shake myself free." But he did not realize that the LORD had left him. 16:21 The Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him in bronze chains. He became a grinder in the prison. 16:22 His hair50 began to grow back after it had been shaved off.
Samson's Death and Burial
16:23 The rulers of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate. They said, "Our god has handed Samson, our enemy, over to us." 16:24 When the people saw him,51 they praised their god, saying, "Our god has handed our enemy over to us, the one who ruined our land and killed so many of us!"52
16:25 When they really started celebrating,53 they said, "Call for Samson so he can entertain us!" So they summoned Samson from the prison and he entertained them.54 They made him stand between two pillars. 16:26 Samson said to the young man who held his hand, "Position me so I can touch the pillars that support the temple.55 Then I can lean on them." 16:27 Now the temple56 was filled with men and women, and all the rulers of the Philistines were there. There were three thousand men and women on the roof watching Samson entertain. 16:28 Samson called to the LORD, "O Master, LORD,57 remember me! Strengthen me just one more time, O God, so I can get swift revenge58 against the Philistines for my two eyes!" 16:29 Samson took hold of the two middle pillars that supported the temple59 and he leaned against them, with his right hand on one and his left hand on the other. 16:30 Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He pushed hard60 and the temple collapsed on the rulers and all the people in it. He killed many more people in his death than he had killed during his life.61 16:31 His brothers and all his family62 went down and brought him back.63 They buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led64 Israel for twenty years.
Homemade Religion
17:1 There was a man named Micah from the Ephraimite hill country. 17:2 He said to his mother, "You know1 the eleven hundred pieces of silver which were stolen2 from you, about which I heard you pronounce a curse? Look here, I have the silver. I stole3 it, but now I am giving it back to you."4 His mother said, "May the LORD reward5 you, my son!" 17:3 When he gave back to his mother the eleven hundred pieces of silver, his mother said, "I solemnly dedicate6 this silver to the LORD. It will be for my son's benefit. We will use it to make a carved image and a metal image."7 17:4 When he gave the silver back to his mother, she8 took two hundred pieces of silver9 to a silversmith, who made them into a carved image and a metal image. She then put them in Micah's house.10 17:5 Now this man Micah owned a shrine.11 He made an ephod12 and some personal idols and hired one of his sons to serve as a priest.13 17:6 In those days Israel had no king. Each man did what he considered to be right.14
Micah Hires a Professional
17:7 There was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah. He was a Levite who had been temporarily residing among the tribe of Judah.15 17:8 This man left the town of Bethlehem in Judah to find another place to live. He came to the Ephraimite hill country and made his way to Micah's house.16 17:9 Micah said to him, "Where do you come from?" He replied, "I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah. I am looking for a new place to live."17 17:10 Micah said to him, "Stay with me. Become my adviser18 and priest. I will give you ten pieces of silver per year, plus clothes and food."19 17:11 So the Levite agreed to stay with the man; the young man was like a son to Micah.20 17:12 Micah paid21 the Levite; the young man became his priest and lived in Micah's house. 17:13 Micah said, "Now I know God will make me rich,22 because I have this Levite as my priest."
The Tribe of Dan Finally Finds an Inheritance
18:1 In those days Israel had no king. And in those days the Danite tribe was looking for a place1 to settle, because at that time they did not yet have a place to call their own among the tribes of Israel.2 18:2 The Danites sent out from their whole tribe five representatives,3 capable men4 from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and explore it. They said to them, "Go, explore the land." They came to the Ephraimite hill country and spent the night at Micah's house.5 18:3 As they approached6 Micah's house, they recognized the accent7 of the young Levite. So they stopped8 there and said to him, "Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is your business here?"9 18:4 He told them what Micah had done for him, saying,10 "He hired me and I became his priest." 18:5 They said to him, "Seek a divine oracle for us,11 so we can know if we will be successful on our mission."12 18:6 The priest said to them, "Go with confidence.13 The LORD will be with you on your mission."14
18:7 So the five men journeyed on15 and arrived in Laish. They noticed that the people there16 were living securely, like the Sidonians do,17 undisturbed and unsuspecting. No conqueror was troubling them in any way.18 They lived far from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone.19 18:8 When the Danites returned to their tribe20 in Zorah and Eshtaol, their kinsmen21 asked them, "How did it go?"22 18:9 They said, "Come on, let's attack them,23 for24 we saw their land and it is very good. You seem lethargic,25 but don't hesitate26 to invade and conquer27 the land." 18:10 When you invade,28 you will encounter29 unsuspecting people. The land is wide!30 God is handing it over to you--a place that lacks nothing on earth!"31
18:11 So six hundred Danites, fully armed, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol.32 18:12 They went up and camped in Kiriath Jearim in Judah. (To this day that place is called Camp of Dan.33 It is west34 of Kiriath Jearim.) 18:13 From there they traveled through the Ephraimite hill country and arrived at Micah's house. 18:14 The five men who had gone to spy out the land of Laish35 said to their kinsmen,36 "Do you realize that inside these houses are an ephod, some personal idols, a carved image, and a metal image? Decide now what you want to do." 18:15 They stopped37 there, went inside the young Levite's house (which belonged to Micah),38 and asked him how he was doing.39 18:16 Meanwhile the six hundred Danites, fully armed, stood at the entrance to the gate.40 18:17 The five men who had gone to spy out the land broke in and stole41 the carved image, the ephod, the personal idols, and the metal image, while the priest was standing at the entrance to the gate with the six hundred fully armed men.42 18:18 When these men broke into Micah's house and stole43 the carved image, the ephod, the personal idols, and the metal image, the priest said to them, "What are you doing?" 18:19 They said to him, "Shut up! Put your hand over your mouth and come with us! You can be our adviser44 and priest. Wouldn't it be better to be a priest for a whole Israelite tribe than for just one man's family?"45 18:20 The priest was happy. He took the ephod, the personal idols, and the carved image and joined the group.46
18:21 They turned and went on their way, but they walked behind the children, the cattle, and their possessions.47 18:22 After they had gone a good distance from Micah's house, Micah's neighbors48 gathered together and caught up with the Danites. 18:23 When they called out to the Danites, the Danites49 turned around and said to Micah, "Why have you gathered together?" 18:24 He said, "You stole my gods that I made, as well as this priest, and then went away. What do I have left? How can you have the audacity to say to me, `What do you want?'"50 18:25 The Danites said to him, "Don't say another word to us, or some very angry men51 will attack you, and you and your family will die."52 18:26 The Danites went on their way; when Micah realized53 they were too strong to resist,54 he turned around and went home.
18:27 Now the Danites55 took what Micah had made, as well as his priest, and came to Laish, where the people were undisturbed and unsuspecting. They struck them down with the sword and burned the city.56 18:28 No one came to the rescue because the city57 was far from Sidon and they had no dealings with anyone.58 The city59 was in a valley near Beth Rehob. The Danites60 rebuilt the city and occupied it. 18:29 They named it Dan after their ancestor, who was one of Israel's sons.61 But the city's name used to be Laish. 18:30 The Danites worshiped62 the carved image. Jonathan, descendant63 of Gershom, son of Moses,64 and his descendants65 served as priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the exile. 18:31 They worshiped66 Micah's carved image67 the whole time God's authorized shrine68 was in Shiloh.
Sodom and Gomorrah Revisited
19:1 In those days Israel had no king. There was a Levite1 living temporarily in the remote region of the Ephraimite hill country. He acquired a concubine2 from Bethlehem in Judah. 19:2 However, she3 got mad at him4 and went home5 to her father's house in Bethlehem in Judah. When she had been there four months, 19:3 her husband came6 after her, hoping he could convince her to return.7 He brought with him his servant8 and a pair of donkeys. When she brought him into her father's house and the girl's father saw him, he warmly greeted him.9 19:4 His father-in-law, the girl's father, persuaded him to stay with him for three days, and they partied together.10 19:5 On the fourth day they woke up early and the Levite got ready to leave.11 But the girl's father said to his son-in-law, "Have a bite to eat for some energy,12 then you can go." 19:6 So the two of them sat down and had a meal together.13 Then the girl's father said to the man, "Why not stay another night and have a good time!"14 19:7 When the man got ready to leave,15 his father-in-law convinced him to stay another night.16 19:8 He woke up early in the morning on the fifth day so he could leave, but the girl's father said, "Get some energy.17 Wait until later in the day to leave!"18 So they ate a meal together. 19:9 When the man got ready to leave19 with his concubine and his servant,20 his father-in-law, the girl's father, said to him, "Look! The day is almost over!21 Stay another night! Since the day is over,22 stay another night here and have a good time. You can get up early tomorrow and start your trip home."23 19:10 But the man did not want to stay another night. He left24 and traveled as far as25 Jebus (that is, Jerusalem). He had with him a pair of saddled donkeys and his concubine.26
19:11 When they got near Jebus, it was getting quite late27 and the servant28 said to his master, "Come on, let's stop at29 this Jebusite city and spend the night in it." 19:12 But his master said to him, "We should not stop at a foreign city where non-Israelites live.30 We will travel on to Gibeah." 19:13 He said to his servant,31 "Come on, we will go into one of the other towns32 and spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah." 19:14 So they traveled on,33 and the sun went down when they were near Gibeah in34 Benjamin. 19:15 They stopped there and decided to spend the night35 in Gibeah. They came into the city and sat down in the town square, but no one invited them to spend the night.36
19:16 But then an old man passed by, returning at the end of the day from his work in the field.37 The man was from the Ephraimite hill country; he was living temporarily in Gibeah. (The residents of the town were Benjaminites.)38 19:17 When he looked up and saw the traveler39 in the town square, the old man said, "Where are you heading? Where do you come from?" 19:18 The Levite40 said to him, "We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote region of the Ephraimite hill country. That's where I'm from. I had business in Bethlehem in Judah, but now I'm heading home.41 But no one has invited me into their home. 19:19 We have enough straw and grain for our donkeys, and there is enough food and wine for me, your female servant,42 and the young man who is with your servants.43 We lack nothing." 19:20 The old man said, "Everything is just fine!44 I will take care of all your needs. But don't spend the night in the town square." 19:21 So he brought him to his house and fed the donkeys. They washed their feet and had a meal.45
19:22 They were having a good time,46 when suddenly47 some men of the city, some good-for-nothings,48 surrounded the house and kept beating49 on the door. They said to the old man who owned the house, "Send out the man who came to visit you so we can have sex with him."50 19:23 The man who owned the house went outside and said to them, "No, my brothers! Don't do this wicked thing! After all, this man is a guest in my house. Don't do such a disgraceful thing! 19:24 Here are my virgin daughter and the visitor's51 concubine. I will send them out and you can abuse them and do to them whatever you like.52 But don't do such a disgraceful thing to this man!" 19:25 The men refused to listen to him, so the Levite53 grabbed his concubine and made her go outside.54 They raped55 her and abused her all night long until morning. They let her go at dawn. 19:26 The woman arrived back at daybreak and was sprawled out on the doorstep of the house where her master56 was staying until it became light.57 19:27 When her master58 got up in the morning, opened the doors of the house, and went outside to start on his journey, there was the woman, his concubine, sprawled out on the doorstep of the house with her hands on the threshold. 19:28 He said to her, "Get up, let's leave!" But there was no response. He put her on the donkey and went home.59 19:29 When he got home, he took a knife, grabbed his wife, and carved her up into twelve pieces.60 Then he sent them throughout Israel.61 19:30 Everyone who saw the sight62 said, "Nothing like this has happened or been witnessed during the entire time since63 the Israelites left the land of Egypt.64 Take careful note of it! Discuss it and speak!"
Civil War Breaks Out
20:1 All the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba1 and from the land of Gilead2 left their homes3 and assembled together4 before the LORD at Mizpah. 20:2 The leaders5 of all the people from all the tribes of Israel took their places in the assembly of God's people, which numbered6 four hundred thousand sword-wielding foot soldiers. 20:3 The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah. Then the Israelites said, "Explain how this wicked thing happened!" 20:4 The Levite,7 the husband of the murdered woman, spoke up, "I and my concubine stopped in8 Gibeah of Benjamin to spend the night. 20:5 The leaders of Gibeah attacked me and at nighttime surrounded the house where I was staying.9 They wanted to kill me; instead they abused my concubine so badly that she died. 20:6 I grabbed hold of my concubine and carved her up and sent the pieces10 throughout the territory occupied by Israel,11 because they committed such an unthinkable atrocity12 in Israel. 20:7 All you Israelites,13 make a decision here!"14
20:8 All Israel rose up in unison15 and said, "Not one of us will go home!16 Not one of us will return17 to his house! 20:9 Now this is what we will do to Gibeah: We will attack the city as the lot dictates.18 20:10 We will take ten of every group of a hundred men from all the tribes of Israel (and a hundred of every group of a thousand, and a thousand of every group of ten thousand) to get supplies for the army.19 When they arrive in Gibeah of Benjamin they will punish them for the atrocity which they committed in Israel.20 20:11 So all the men of Israel gathered together at the city as allies.21
20:12 The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe22 of Benjamin, saying, "How could such a wicked thing take place?23 20:13 Now, hand over the good-for-nothings24 in Gibeah so we can execute them and purge Israel of wickedness.25 But the Benjaminites refused to listen to their Israelite brothers. 20:14 The Benjaminites came from their cities and assembled at Gibeah26 to make war against the Israelites. 20:15 That day the Benjaminites mustered from their cities twenty-six thousand sword-wielding soldiers, besides seven hundred well-trained soldiers from Gibeah.27 20:16 Among this army28 were seven hundred specially-trained left-handed soldiers.29 Each one could sling a stone and hit even the smallest target.30 20:17 The men of Israel (not counting Benjamin) had mustered four hundred thousand sword-wielding soldiers, every one an experienced warrior.31
20:18 The Israelites went up to Bethel and asked God,32 "Who should lead the charge against the Benjaminites?"33 The LORD said, "Judah should lead." 20:19 The Israelites got up the next morning and moved34 against Gibeah. 20:20 The men of Israel marched out to fight Benjamin; they35 arranged their battle lines against Gibeah. 20:21 The Benjaminites attacked from Gibeah and struck down twenty-two thousand Israelites that day.36
20:22 The Israelite army37 took heart38 and once more arranged their battle lines, in the same place where they had taken their positions the day before. 20:23 The Israelites went up and wept before the LORD until evening. They asked the LORD, "Should we39 again march out to fight40 the Benjaminites, our brothers?"41 The LORD said, "Attack them!"42 20:24 So the Israelites marched toward43 the Benjaminites the next day. 20:25 The Benjaminites again attacked them from Gibeah and struck down eighteen thousand sword-wielding Israelite soldiers.44
20:26 So all the Israelites, the whole army,45 went up to46 Bethel. They wept and sat there before the LORD; they did not eat anything47 that day until evening. They offered up burnt sacrifices and tokens of peace48 to the LORD. 20:27 The Israelites asked the LORD (for the ark of God's covenant was there in those days; 20:28 Phinehas son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, was serving the LORD49 in those days), "Should we50 once more march out to fight the Benjaminites our brothers,51 or should we52 quit?" The LORD said, "Attack, for tomorrow I will hand them53 over to you."
20:29 So Israel hid men in ambush outside Gibeah. 20:30 The Israelites attacked the Benjaminites the next day;54 they took their positions against Gibeah just as they had done before. 20:31 The Benjaminites attacked55 the army, leaving the city unguarded.56 They began to strike down their enemy57 just as they had done before. On the main roads (one leads to Bethel, the other to Gibeah) and in the field, they struck down58 about thirty Israelites. 20:32 Then the Benjaminites said, "They are defeated just as before." But the Israelites said, "Let's retreat59 and lure them60 away from the city into the main roads." 20:3361 All the men of Israel got up from their places and took their positions at Baal Tamar, while the Israelites hiding in ambush jumped out of their places west of Gibeah. 20:34 Ten thousand men, well-trained soldiers from all Israel, then made a frontal assault against Gibeah--the battle was fierce.62 But the Benjaminites did not realize that disaster was at their doorstep.63 20:35 The LORD annihilated Benjamin before Israel; the Israelites struck down that day 25,100 sword-wielding Benjaminites.64 20:36 Then the Benjaminites saw they were defeated.
The Israelites retreated before65 Benjamin, because they had confidence in the men they had hid in ambush outside Gibeah. 20:37 The men hiding in ambush made a mad dash66 to Gibeah. They67 attacked68 and put the sword to the entire city. 20:38 The Israelites and the men hiding in ambush had arranged a signal. When the men hiding in ambush69 sent up a smoke signal from the city, 20:39 the Israelites counterattacked.70 Benjamin had begun to strike down the Israelites;71 they struck down72 about thirty men. They said, "There's no doubt about it! They are totally defeated as in the earlier battle." 20:40 But when the signal, a pillar of smoke, began to rise up from the city, the Benjaminites turned around and saw the whole city going up in a cloud of smoke that rose high into the sky.73 20:41 When the Israelites turned around, the Benjaminites panicked74 because they could see that disaster was on their doorstep.75 20:42 They retreated before the Israelites, taking the road to the wilderness. But the battle overtook76 them as men from the surrounding cities struck them down.77 20:43 They surrounded the Benjaminites, chased them from Nohah,78 and annihilated79 them all the way to a spot east of Geba.80 20:44 Eighteen thousand Benjaminites, all of them capable warriors, fell dead. 20:45 The rest81 turned and ran toward the wilderness, heading toward the cliff of Rimmon. But the Israelites82 caught83 five thousand of them on the main roads. They stayed right on their heels84 all the way to Gidom and struck down two thousand more. 20:46 That day twenty-five thousand85 sword-wielding Benjaminites fell in battle, all of them capable warriors.86 20:47 Six hundred survivors turned and ran away to the wilderness, to the cliff of Rimmon. They stayed there four months. 20:48 The Israelites returned to the Benjaminite towns87 and put the sword to them. They wiped out the cities,88 the animals, and everything they could find. They set fire to every city in their path.89
600 Brides for 600 Brothers
21:1 The Israelites had taken an oath in Mizpah, saying, "Not one of us will allow his daughter to marry a Benjaminite." 21:2 So the people came to Bethel and sat there before God until evening, weeping loudly and uncontrollably.1 21:3 They said, "Why, O LORD God of Israel, has this happened in Israel?" An entire2 tribe has disappeared from Israel today!"
21:4 The next morning the people got up early and built an altar there. They offered up burnt sacrifices and token of peace.3 21:5 The Israelites asked, "Who from all the Israelite tribes has not assembled before the LORD?" They had made a solemn oath that whoever did not assemble before the LORD at Mizpah must certainly be executed.4 21:6 The Israelites regretted what had happened to5 their brother Benjamin. They said, "Today we cut off an entire6 tribe from Israel! 21:7 How can we find wives for those who are left?7 After all, we took an oath in the LORD's name not to give them our daughters as wives." 21:8 So they asked, "Who from all the Israelite tribes did not assemble before the LORD at Mizpah?" Now it just so happened no one from Jabesh Gilead had come to the gathering.8 21:9 When they took roll call,9 they noticed10 none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead were there. 21:10 So the assembly sent 12,000 capable warriors11 against Jabesh Gilead.12 They commanded them, "Go and kill with your swords13 the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead, including the women and little children. 21:11 Do this:14 exterminate every male, as well as every woman who has had sexual relations with a male.15 But spare the lives of any virgins." So they did as instructed.16 21:12 They found among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead four hundred young girls who were virgins--they had never had sexual relations with a male.17 They brought them back to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan.
21:13 The entire assembly sent messengers to the Benjaminites at the cliff of Rimmon and assured them they would not be harmed.18 21:14 The Benjaminites returned at that time, and the Israelites19 gave to them the women they had spared from Jabesh Gilead. But there were not enough to go around.20
21:15 The people regretted what had happened to21 Benjamin because the LORD had weakened22 the Israelite tribes. 21:16 The leaders23 of the assembly said, "How can we find wives for those who are left?24 After all, the Benjaminite women have been wiped out. 21:17 The25 remnant of Benjamin must be preserved. An entire Israelite tribe should not be wiped out.26 21:18 But we can't allow our daughters to marry them,27 for the Israelites took an oath, saying, `Whoever gives a woman to a Benjaminite will be destroyed!'28 21:19 However, there is an annual festival to the LORD in Shiloh, which is north of Bethel (east of the main road that goes up from Bethel to Shechem) and south of Lebonah." 21:20 So they commanded the Benjaminites, "Go hide in the vineyards, 21:21 and keep your eyes open.29 When you see30 the daughters of Shiloh coming out to dance in the celebration,31 jump out from the vineyards. Each one of you, catch yourself a wife from among the daughters of Shiloh and then go home to the land of Benjamin. 21:22 When their fathers or brothers come and protest to us,32 we'll say to them, "Do us a favor and let them be,33 for we could not get each one a wife through battle.34 Don't worry about breaking your oath!35 You would only be guilty if you had voluntarily given them wives."36
21:23 The Benjaminites did as instructed.37 They abducted two hundred of the dancing girls to be their wives.38 They went home39 to their own territory,40 rebuilt their cities, and settled down.41 21:24 Then the Israelites dispersed from there to their respective tribal and clan territories. Each went from there to his own property.42 21:25 In those days Israel had no king. Each man did what he considered to be right.43