[Mickmrly]

Going straight into Judges might be a good idea. Joshua wraps up with the people of Israel further establishing their covenant with God ("we are witnesses"). It's amazing how many times in the Bible God saves the Jews and then they immediately forget about it or even disregard it as it happens. I think it's interesting because we could see divine acts occurring today (they could be occurring right now, to be honest) and people would dismiss it. It's a repeated pattern within the Bible.

It is strange to think that the Israelites were so prone to sinning, even when they had God personally intervening to help them and protect them. I guess God was telling them not to intermix with other faiths for a reason, they had a bad habit of being very easily influenced.

I do sometimes wonder if I would be the same kind of person without my family raising me to be Christian. Without being born into it, I would probably be a lot more influenced by the wokeism and nihilism of today's world.

 

[Franky Family]

It is strange to think that the Israelites were so prone to sinning, even when they had God personally intervening to help them and protect them. I guess God was telling them not to intermix with other faiths for a reason, they had a bad habit of being very easily influenced.

I do sometimes wonder if I would be the same kind of person without my family raising me to be Christian. Without being born into it, I would probably be a lot more influenced by the wokeism and nihilism of today's world.

I believe that no matter what, it was going to be difficult. Even today with the help of countless people sacrificing their time, effort, and even their lives to advance the understanding of God and the Bible and all these other things to make life easier and better suited to live and learn I find it very difficult to try to reach the perfection that God hopes for us to reach. It's human nature to be fallible, and make mistakes constantly. It just comes with being human no matter what.

Even if God was talking to me like He did the Israelites and gave me the same kind of attention and guidance and help I'm sure I would still make some very dumb mistakes and troubling mistakes; sin despite the unfathomable advantage of the Lord speaking audibly to me, leaving zero doubt that I need to do as He says. It would be a lot tougher to sin in that case, but I would still find a way to sin being a fallible human being capable of many mistakes and transgressions. I would still manage to mess a lot of things up, even if the Lord worked as closely with me as He did Moses, or Joshua, to name a couple of people.

Like for example, even though my faith is strong and growing stronger gradually, I still am having trouble changing my ways. I am reluctant to give up some, and even many, of my habits and ways despite me knowing that God exists. In my life, there have been too many instances. There is no doubt in my mind that God exists, personally. As a teenager, and not being raised with Christian teachings all of my life up until that point, there were doubts then. But as soon as Jesus Christ introduced Himself to me in the way that He did, and I put two and two together, it became very clear very quickly that God exists. If only I was intelligent enough back then to hold steadfast to my Lord and Savior and keep His Word constantly in mind so as to apply it to my life every day. I would have prevented so much pain and suffering for not only myself, but countless others in this life. It all reminds me of the fact that we have all fallen short of the glory of God.

 

[Arkam]

I was visiting my parents this weekend and attend a Catholic mass with my mum. It's been at least 5 years since I had been to one.

The sermon was good and gave you something to think about. But damn, was there a lot of BAD singing. Words that barely went along with the music.

All in all I felt better after, but don't think I'll be making it a habit anytime soon.

 

[Mickmrly]

Like for example, even though my faith is strong and growing stronger gradually, I still am having trouble changing my ways. I am reluctant to give up some, and even many, of my habits and ways despite me knowing that God exists. In my life, there have been too many instances. There is no doubt in my mind that God exists, personally. As a teenager, and not being raised with Christian teachings all of my life up until that point, there were doubts then. But as soon as Jesus Christ introduced Himself to me in the way that He did, and I put two and two together, it became very clear very quickly that God exists. If only I was intelligent enough back then to hold steadfast to my Lord and Savior and keep His Word constantly in mind so as to apply it to my life every day. I would have prevented so much pain and suffering for not only myself, but countless others in this life. It all reminds me of the fact that we have all fallen short of the glory of God.

I also wish that I could have had the wisdom to have behaved better when I was younger. Hopefully by trying your best you can eventually beat your worst habits.

I hope that I can too, so then I will be more ready for marriage and potentially starting a family someday.

 

[Mickmrly]

I was visiting my parents this weekend and attend a Catholic mass with my mum. It's been at least 5 years since I had been to one.

The sermon was good and gave you something to think about. But damn, was there a lot of BAD singing. Words that barely went along with the music.

All in all I felt better after, but don't think I'll be making it a habit anytime soon.

I can understand that. The choir's at the churches I have been to often change the tempo of songs, or have chosen hard songs to sing along to.

I'm glad the sermon gave you something to think about though. That and praying together are the things I most appreciate about going to mass.

 

[Franky Family]

‭Judges 2:20-23 NKJV‬

[20] Then the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and He said, "Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not heeded My voice, [21] I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, [22] so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the Lord, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not." [23] Therefore the Lord left those nations, without driving them out immediately; nor did He deliver them into the hand of Joshua.

Spoiler: Discussion

This is interesting to me, because it shows and proves God's immaculate foresight. He knew that there would be a betrayal or breach of His covenenent and that the Israelites would worship false gods and go against the Lord's laws for them to live by. This isn't the first time that God has tested human beings in the Bible. And what does a test do? It presents a challenge and an opportunity to learn something. To prove something as well. That you know a lesson well and remember what is right or true...

 

[Mickmrly]

‭Judges 2:20-23 NKJV‬

[20] Then the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and He said, "Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not heeded My voice, [21] I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, [22] so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the Lord, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not." [23] Therefore the Lord left those nations, without driving them out immediately; nor did He deliver them into the hand of Joshua.

Spoiler: Discussion

This is interesting to me, because it shows and proves God's immaculate foresight. He knew that there would be a betrayal or breach of His covenenent and that the Israelites would worship false gods and go against the Lord's laws for them to live by. This isn't the first time that God has tested human beings in the Bible. And what does a test do? It presents a challenge and an opportunity to learn something. To prove something as well. That you know a lesson well and remember what is right or true...

It is puzzling to me why the Israelites continue to be so unruly and rebellious against the will of God. They have a bad habit of worshipping other gods despite receiving all the blessings they need. Maybe they just needed to clear out the more rebellious members of their community? There seems to be something they are not doing which is giving them bad results.

 

[Franky Family]

It is puzzling to me why the Israelites continue to be so unruly and rebellious against the will of God. They have a bad habit of worshipping other gods despite receiving all the blessings they need. Maybe they just needed to clear out the more rebellious members of their community? There seems to be something they are not doing which is giving them bad results.

Spoiler: Discussion

The Bible does not tell us everything and I'm not a historical scholar so my answers would merely be guesses. My guess is that, from experience, it's difficult to squelch bad habits and old ways. The Israelites were entrenched in the ways of the Egyptians and their world. You can imagine the slave owners living according to the customs and culture of Egypt, worshipping their false gods as they did, and maybe they were even practicing occult ways and sorcery back then... But a slave is forced into all the ways. Their vision is even more narrow than the free, because the free decide their lives and what they ought to do with them. It was difficult to see why they would turn their backs on God after all these miracles and unfathomable feats. But if I try to see how their lives must have been for those (400?) years as slaves then it's not difficult to see why they would be so engrained in their ways and having such difficulty changing how they lived.

In a modern example, imagine God appears to you, @Mickmrly. Let's say that at this point things are going well, you and all your family members have a handful of houses owned, a couple of cars each, plenty of great things stored up in your houses. For the sake of this example, you all live on the same street, a fine neighborhood and place to live where everything is going well. And let's just say you all have a bunch of great paintings, vases, and several video game consoles with a ton of games for each of those favored video games systems. One day, God appears to you and your family members and you see Him, and God tells each one of you, "Sell your paintings and all your video games and use that money to take care of the lives of the poor, the maimed, the neglected. It would be amazing that you were blessed enough to see God and receive His instruction definitively. But, having free will, it would also be a tearing moment having to give up such nice things that you enjoy having around. Knowing you, I believe you would sell whatever God commanded you in that example. But would your other family members do the same? What would all your friends do in the same situation? What would an entire nation do? Would 100% of the nation's people yield their possessions and live according to how God commands?

That's the way I see it. The world has strong pleasures in it, very strong.

I have so many questions about this topic still. And some that relate to the NT as well. But as far as the Israelites being disobedient towards God, it was probably bound to happen. In chapter 2 of Judges, God spared some of the enemies of Israel that Joshua left alone or did not kill. God had anticipated the Israelites rebelling and therefore spared enemies to be thorns in their side and to test them, and I'm sure God had foreseen them rebelling, so He allowed such resources for the testing.

Take my discussion points not too seriously though, I am just beginning in my growing of the faith and my knowledge of the scripture is elementary still at this stage. I'm only offering some insights that kind of helped me to take a deeper look into the questions that arise when reading the Bible. There are probably many inaccuracies in my attempts to explain these things and why they happened. We'll have to learn the truth in time

 

[Rock And Roll]

I was visiting my parents this weekend and attend a Catholic mass with my mum. It's been at least 5 years since I had been to one.

The sermon was good and gave you something to think about. But damn, was there a lot of BAD singing. Words that barely went along with the music.

All in all I felt better after, but don't think I'll be making it a habit anytime soon.

I've played a lot of church gigs over the years and yeah, the singing is not the best. But realistically that's all you can expect from a room of people with no musical training. And the people there are really into the music and songs, I play a gig at a bar/club and there's no way to tell if it's a good audience or not. When I play at a church, it's always a good crowd, which is what you want as a performer anyway.


In regards to this week's reading, I wonder if we are going through a same situation currently. We as a society have ignored God's words and are letting some undesirables dwell amongst ourselves. I don't know if we've provoked his wrath yet, but it sure feels like He is on the verge of leaving us again

 

[Mickmrly]

Spoiler: Discussion

The Bible does not tell us everything and I'm not a historical scholar so my answers would merely be guesses. My guess is that, from experience, it's difficult to squelch bad habits and old ways. The Israelites were entrenched in the ways of the Egyptians and their world. You can imagine the slave owners living according to the customs and culture of Egypt, worshipping their false gods as they did, and maybe they were even practicing occult ways and sorcery back then... But a slave is forced into all the ways. Their vision is even more narrow than the free, because the free decide their lives and what they ought to do with them. It was difficult to see why they would turn their backs on God after all these miracles and unfathomable feats. But if I try to see how their lives must have been for those (400?) years as slaves then it's not difficult to see why they would be so engrained in their ways and having such difficulty changing how they lived.

In a modern example, imagine God appears to you, @Mickmrly. Let's say that at this point things are going well, you and all your family members have a handful of houses owned, a couple of cars each, plenty of great things stored up in your houses. For the sake of this example, you all live on the same street, a fine neighborhood and place to live where everything is going well. And let's just say you all have a bunch of great paintings, vases, and several video game consoles with a ton of games for each of those favored video games systems. One day, God appears to you and your family members and you see Him, and God tells each one of you, "Sell your paintings and all your video games and use that money to take care of the lives of the poor, the maimed, the neglected. It would be amazing that you were blessed enough to see God and receive His instruction definitively. But, having free will, it would also be a tearing moment having to give up such nice things that you enjoy having around. Knowing you, I believe you would sell whatever God commanded you in that example. But would your other family members do the same? What would all your friends do in the same situation? What would an entire nation do? Would 100% of the nation's people yield their possessions and live according to how God commands?

That's the way I see it. The world has strong pleasures in it, very strong.

I have so many questions about this topic still. And some that relate to the NT as well. But as far as the Israelites being disobedient towards God, it was probably bound to happen. In chapter 2 of Judges, God spared some of the enemies of Israel that Joshua left alone or did not kill. God had anticipated the Israelites rebelling and therefore spared enemies to be thorns in their side and to test them, and I'm sure God had foreseen them rebelling, so He allowed such resources for the testing.

Take my discussion points not too seriously though, I am just beginning in my growing of the faith and my knowledge of the scripture is elementary still at this stage. I'm only offering some insights that kind of helped me to take a deeper look into the questions that arise when reading the Bible. There are probably many inaccuracies in my attempts to explain these things and why they happened. We'll have to learn the truth in time

I guess I forgot about how long the Israelites were under the control of the Egyptians. That would be a huge impediment to following God's commands.

That was also an interesting example, selling things to help the needy. I do try and help the needy but I can only hope God doesn't command me to sell all of my video games and paintings. The marginal benefit of selling my most favourite possessions would be pretty slim. I think I'd feel more punished than anything if I got a command like that.

 

[Mickmrly]

In regards to this week's reading, I wonder if we are going through a same situation currently. We as a society have ignored God's words and are letting some undesirables dwell amongst ourselves. I don't know if we've provoked his wrath yet, but it sure feels like He is on the verge of leaving us again

God does seem to be less active in the modern western world, in my opinion anyway. Keeping company with fellow Christians and others with good values seems to be the best way to navigate our time on earth, keeping ourselves as focused on maintaining our values as possible.

 

[Franky Family]

I guess I forgot about how long the Israelites were under the control of the Egyptians. That would be a huge impediment to following God's commands.

That was also an interesting example, selling things to help the needy. I do try and help the needy but I can only hope God doesn't command me to sell all of my video games and paintings. The marginal benefit of selling my most favourite possessions would be pretty slim. I think I'd feel more punished than anything if I got a command like that.

Spoiler: Discussion

It was an extreme example that I kind of wanted to explore. We both love video games, so that was the example I chose to really see it clearly. When I contemplate the teachings of Jesus, the intent is to understand fully if I can. But sometimes I wander off in thought... Other times, I get distracted, as this world is filled with distractions.

Consider when Jesus tells us to sell everything and then use that money from the sold possessions to then give to the needy; support the poor, the maimed, the blind, those suffering and going without. Then I think I recall Him saying to then put down everything and to follow Him. Was that a call to His chosen disciples, or does Jesus want all of humanity to sell everything and become nomadic preachers? Just momentarily ago, I thought in my head, "Well if the Jews were all to do that, as in every single Jew, then wouldn't Israel be deserted and left with no inhabitants? Wouldn't the land of Israel, which God fought for to give to the Israelites, be deserted with nobody to look after it and keep it safe from invasions and neighboring territories looking to annex their God-given land?"

But then I think back to another piece of the puzzle in which I just found out about and learned about today. Apparently an angel of God once killed 185,000 soldiers in one blow; that's 185,000 humans dead instantly in one singular attack from one of God's angels. So it then dawned on me, that Jesus's teachings to sell in order to support those in need, to walk in the faith boldly and teach others is morally right, and the correct thing to do. With God, anything is possible. So why wouldn't the Lord protect Israel in the event that all His people left the land to reach others and preach the good news of Jesus Christ, salvation, and the way to live one's life? If a single angel can destroy an army of those looking to invade and take from the righteous, then there would be no reason at all to worry, right? I suppose it all boils down to faith... I'll have to consider this topic and come back to it in the future as I still have some questions

Questions like these:

1) Why were we born into a life on this planet, Earth, if God says that the world is to be wholly rejected?

2) Why are there possessions to have, and so many of them at that, if God wants us to deny them completely and live according to the Spirit and to deny the flesh? Is it all a test? These worldy items which provide entertainment, do they not help us learn and grow up in the world, for a time? Do they not shave off the stress that comes from work, paying bills, managing one's health, caring for others in the family, etc.? Should a man sell all his baby's toys that came from a baby shower, for example, and such other things that would help said baby to understand the world around him, so that the man could give to the poor and then travel to spread the Word of God? The answer would be no in that situation, right? I have to imagine that Jesus' message to sell and give and uproot oneself from their life as they know it to preach the gospel is for those who are completely able to, right? Because how can a mother and father of three toddlers and two babies, for example, possibly live according to that specific teaching of Jesus if in fact, it was intended for everyone to follow? I have to assume he was speaking to His disciples only right? Or possibly it was meant for the disciples of Christ and everyone else in the world also? It's difficult to come to a conclusion. What do you think @Mickmrly?

 

[Mickmrly]

This week's reading will be Judges 3-5:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+3-5&version=NIV

Spoiler: Verses

3 These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan 2 (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience): 3 the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath. 4 They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord's commands, which he had given their ancestors through Moses.

5 The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 6 They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

Othniel
7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. 8 The anger of the Lord burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim,[a] to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years. 9 But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them. 10 The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel's judge[b] and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. 11 So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.

Ehud
12 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. 13 Getting the Ammonitesand Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms.[c] 14 The Israelites were subject to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years.

15 Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. 16 Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a cubit[d] long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. 17 He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man. 18 After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way those who had carried it. 19 But on reaching the stone images near Gilgal he himself went back to Eglon and said, "Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you."

The king said to his attendants, "Leave us!" And they all left.

20 Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his palace[e] and said, "I have a message from God for you." As the king rose from his seat, 21 Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king's belly. 22 Even the handle sank in after the blade, and his bowels discharged. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it. 23 Then Ehud went out to the porch[f]; he shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them.

24 After he had gone, the servants came and found the doors of the upper room locked. They said, "He must be relieving himself in the inner room of the palace."25 They waited to the point of embarrassment, but when he did not open the doors of the room, they took a key and unlocked them. There they saw their lord fallen to the floor, dead.

26 While they waited, Ehud got away. He passed by the stone images and escaped to Seirah. 27 When he arrived there, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went down with him from the hills, with him leading them.

28 "Follow me," he ordered, "for the Lord has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands." So they followed him down and took possession of the fords of the Jordanthat led to Moab; they allowed no one to cross over. 29 At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not one escaped. 30 That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years.

Shamgar
31 After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel.

Deborah
4 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead. 2 So the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in Harosheth Haggoyim. 3 Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for help.

4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading[g] Israel at that time. 5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. 6 She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, "The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: 'Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. 7 I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.'"

8 Barak said to her, "If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go."

9 "Certainly I will go with you," said Deborah. "But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman." So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 There Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali, and ten thousand men went up under his command. Deborah also went up with him.

11 Now Heber the Kenite had left the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses' brother-in-law,[h] and pitched his tent by the great tree in Zaanannim near Kedesh.

12 When they told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, 13 Sisera summoned from Harosheth Haggoyim to the Kishon River all his men and his nine hundred chariots fitted with iron.

14 Then Deborah said to Barak, "Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?" So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him. 15 At Barak's advance, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot.

16 Barak pursued the chariots and army as far as Harosheth Haggoyim, and all Sisera's troops fell by the sword; not a man was left. 17 Sisera, meanwhile, fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was an alliance between Jabin king of Hazor and the family of Heber the Kenite.

18 Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, "Come, my lord, come right in. Don't be afraid." So he entered her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.

19 "I'm thirsty," he said. "Please give me some water." She opened a skin of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him up.

20 "Stand in the doorway of the tent," he told her. "If someone comes by and asks you, 'Is anyone in there?' say 'No.'"

21 But Jael, Heber's wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.

22 Just then Barak came by in pursuit of Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him. "Come," she said, "I will show you the man you're looking for." So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera with the tent peg through his temple—dead.

23 On that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites. 24 And the hand of the Israelites pressed harder and harder against Jabin king of Canaan until they destroyed him.

The Song of Deborah
5 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:

2 "When the princes in Israel take the lead,
when the people willingly offer themselves—
praise the Lord!
3 "Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers!
I, even I, will sing to[i] the Lord;
I will praise the Lord, the God of Israel, in song.
4 "When you, Lord, went out from Seir,
when you marched from the land of Edom,
the earth shook, the heavens poured,
the clouds poured down water.
5 The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai,
before the Lord, the God of Israel.
6 "In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,
in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned;
travelers took to winding paths.
7 Villagers in Israel would not fight;
they held back until I, Deborah, arose,
until I arose, a mother in Israel.
8 God chose new leaders
when war came to the city gates,
but not a shield or spear was seen
among forty thousand in Israel.
9 My heart is with Israel's princes,
with the willing volunteers among the people.
Praise the Lord!
10 "You who ride on white donkeys,
sitting on your saddle blankets,
and you who walk along the road,
consider 11 the voice of the singers[j] at the watering places.
They recite the victories of the Lord,
the victories of his villagers in Israel.
"Then the people of the Lord
went down to the city gates.
12 'Wake up, wake up, Deborah!
Wake up, wake up, break out in song!
Arise, Barak!
Take captive your captives, son of Abinoam.'
13 "The remnant of the nobles came down;
the people of the Lord came down to me against the mighty.
14 Some came from Ephraim, whose roots were in Amalek;
Benjamin was with the people who followed you.
From Makir captains came down,
from Zebulun those who bear a commander's[k] staff.
15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah;
yes, Issachar was with Barak,
sent under his command into the valley.
In the districts of Reuben
there was much searching of heart.
16 Why did you stay among the sheep pens[l]
to hear the whistling for the flocks?
In the districts of Reuben
there was much searching of heart.
17 Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan.
And Dan, why did he linger by the ships?
Asher remained on the coast
and stayed in his coves.
18 The people of Zebulun risked their very lives;
so did Naphtali on the terraced fields.
19 "Kings came, they fought,
the kings of Canaan fought.
At Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo,
they took no plunder of silver.
20 From the heavens the stars fought,
from their courses they fought against Sisera.
21 The river Kishon swept them away,
the age-old river, the river Kishon.
March on, my soul; be strong!
22 Then thundered the horses' hooves—
galloping, galloping go his mighty steeds.
23 'Curse Meroz,' said the angel of the Lord.
'Curse its people bitterly,
because they did not come to help the Lord,
to help the Lord against the mighty.'
24 "Most blessed of women be Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite,
most blessed of tent-dwelling women.
25 He asked for water, and she gave him milk;
in a bowl fit for nobles she brought him curdled milk.
26 Her hand reached for the tent peg,
her right hand for the workman's hammer.
She struck Sisera, she crushed his head,
she shattered and pierced his temple.
27 At her feet he sank,
he fell; there he lay.
At her feet he sank, he fell;
where he sank, there he fell—dead.
28 "Through the window peered Sisera's mother;
behind the lattice she cried out,
'Why is his chariot so long in coming?
Why is the clatter of his chariots delayed?'
29 The wisest of her ladies answer her;
indeed, she keeps saying to herself,
30 'Are they not finding and dividing the spoils:
a woman or two for each man,
colorful garments as plunder for Sisera,
colorful garments embroidered,
highly embroidered garments for my neck—
all this as plunder?'
31 "So may all your enemies perish, Lord!
But may all who love you be like the sun
when it rises in its strength."
Then the land had peace forty years.

Audio:

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[Mickmrly]

So in this weeks reading, after a series of men continued to save Israel from its bondange, the Israelite women Deborah and Jael take leading roles. I don't really understand what was going on with Barak, especially in Judges 3:8 where he refused to go to battle without Deborah.

I'm not sure if this is meant to imply Israelite men at the time were weaker than normal, or if Israelite women at this time were more assertive than normal. Whatever the case, it was very lucky that those women were taking action at that time.

 

[O-N-E]

So in this weeks reading, after a series of men continued to save Israel from its bondange, the Israelite women Deborah and Jael take leading roles. I don't really understand what was going on with Barak, especially in Judges 3:8 where he refused to go to battle without Deborah.

I'm not sure if this is meant to imply Israelite men at the time were weaker than normal, or if Israelite women at this time were more assertive than normal. Whatever the case, it was very lucky that those women were taking action at that time.

Barak didn't want Deborah to come with them due to her physical strength. There's no implication of that kind. She was a prophetess. Why do you think he wanted her around?

Of course, her answer to him showed that her presence was unnecessary and would cause the glory of his defeat of the enemy to move to a woman (Jael). Barak didn't complain about that though. He didn't have a problem waging a war either.

 

[MrPickles]

Came across this scripture in my one year bible and thought it was really good.

Proverbs 8:12-21

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth.[a]
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.

The bit I found most challenging is 'To fear the lord is to hate evil'. I find evil can be alluring (pornography, stand up comedy with very bad language and dark humour, telling rude jokes ('perverse speech'). I need to work on hating evil and shunning it from my life.

My sisters response was: Its hard trying to hate something you like, but focusing on Jesus, who He is, His holiness and loving & enjoying Gods presence, whilst choosing not to be entertained by what you sense offends God is easier. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit, that you feel holy xx

 

[Mickmrly]

Barak didn't want Deborah to come with them due to her physical strength. There's no implication of that kind. She was a prophetess. Why do you think he wanted her around?

Of course, her answer to him showed that her presence was unnecessary and would cause the glory of his defeat of the enemy to move to a woman (Jael). Barak didn't complain about that though. He didn't have a problem waging a war either.

I didn't mean she was physically strong, but more mentally strong/strong willed/taking the lead sort of strong.

I was wondering why a general would need a prophetess to go with him, but then reading again it doesn't actually say he was a general, so in that case it would have been better for him to have some spiritual authority to back him up when trying to order people around.

 

[Rock And Roll]

Came across this scripture in my one year bible and thought it was really good.

Proverbs 8:12-21

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth.[a]
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.

The bit I found most challenging is 'To fear the lord is to hate evil'. I find evil can be alluring (pornography, stand up comedy with very bad language and dark humour, telling rude jokes ('perverse speech'). I need to work on hating evil and shunning it from my life.

My sisters response was: Its hard trying to hate something you like, but focusing on Jesus, who He is, His holiness and loving & enjoying Gods presence, whilst choosing not to be entertained by what you sense offends God is easier. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit, that you feel holy xx

I'm reading Proverbs now and yeah, there's a lot of stuff in there that's hard to break away from.

I think Proverbs is kind of like the self help portion of the Bible. A lot of it is direct instructions on how to conduct/improve yourself and what to avoid.

 

[Mickmrly]

Came across this scripture in my one year bible and thought it was really good.

Proverbs 8:12-21

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth.[a]
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.

The bit I found most challenging is 'To fear the lord is to hate evil'. I find evil can be alluring (pornography, stand up comedy with very bad language and dark humour, telling rude jokes ('perverse speech'). I need to work on hating evil and shunning it from my life.

My sisters response was: Its hard trying to hate something you like, but focusing on Jesus, who He is, His holiness and loving & enjoying Gods presence, whilst choosing not to be entertained by what you sense offends God is easier. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit, that you feel holy xx

I think a way to more easily hate evil, is to think about what evil actions or situations have led to the evil being committed. So with blasphemous/very bad language, they have probably had bad experiences with Christian people, or they are angry that God didn't help them when they needed him and try to hide this hurt with angry speech.

Similarly to what your sister was saying, I think an easy way to align with God's values is to try and focus on the good things in life and then work against those things that are trying to take those good and happy things away from people. Working with others to make the world a better place is a good way to live our lives.

 

[Mickmrly]

This week's reading is Judges 6-8, which is about Gideon and his actions to save the Israelites from their oppressors:

Bible Gateway passage: Judges 6-8 - New International Version

Gideon - The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. Whenever the Israelites planted...

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Spoiler: Verses

Gideon
6 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.2 Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. 4 They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. 5 They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 6 Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lordfor help.

7 When the Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, 8 he sent them a prophet, who said, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 9 I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. 10 I said to you, 'I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.' But you have not listened to me."

11 The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the Lordappeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."

13 "Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, 'Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian."

14 The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"

15 "Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

16 The Lord answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive."

17 Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18 Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you."

And the Lord said, "I will wait until you return."

19 Gideon went inside, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah[a] of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak.

20 The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And Gideon did so. 21 Then the angel of the Lordtouched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the Lord disappeared. 22 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, "Alas, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!"

23 But the Lord said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die."

24 So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

25 That same night the Lord said to him, "Take the second bull from your father's herd, the one seven years old.[b] Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole[c] beside it. 26 Then build a proper kind of[d] altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second[e] bull as a burnt offering."

27 So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lordtold him. But because he was afraid of his family and the townspeople, he did it at night rather than in the daytime.

28 In the morning when the people of the town got up, there was Baal's altar, demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar!

29 They asked each other, "Who did this?"

When they carefully investigated, they were told, "Gideon son of Joash did it."

30 The people of the town demanded of Joash, "Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal's altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it."

31 But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, "Are you going to plead Baal's cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar." 32 So because Gideon broke down Baal's altar, they gave him the name Jerub-Baal[f] that day, saying, "Let Baal contend with him."

33 Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. 34 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. 35 He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them.

36 Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— 37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said." 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.

39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew." 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.

Gideon Defeats the Midianites
7 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midianwas north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, 'My own strength has saved me.' 3 Now announce to the army, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.'" So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

4 But the Lord said to Gideon, "There are still too manymen. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go."

5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink."6 Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

7 The Lord said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home." 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.

Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 9 During that night the Lord said to Gideon, "Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10 If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp." So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12 The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts.Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.

13 Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. "I had a dream," he was saying. "A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed."

14 His friend responded, "This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands."

15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, "Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands." 16 Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.

17 "Watch me," he told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. 18 When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the Lord and for Gideon.'"

19 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. 20 The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!" 21 While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.

22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lordcaused the men throughout the camp to turn on each otherwith their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath.23 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. 24 Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah."

So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they seized the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah. 25 They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.

Zebah and Zalmunna
8 Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, "Why have you treated us like this? Why didn't you call us when you went to fight Midian?" And they challenged him vigorously.

2 But he answered them, "What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren't the gleanings of Ephraim's grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? 3 God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?" At this, their resentment against him subsided.

4 Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it. 5 He said to the men of Sukkoth, "Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna,the kings of Midian."

6 But the officials of Sukkoth said, "Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your troops?"

7 Then Gideon replied, "Just for that, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with desert thorns and briers."

8 From there he went up to Peniel[g] and made the same request of them, but they answered as the men of Sukkoth had. 9 So he said to the men of Peniel, "When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower."

10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with a force of about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of the armies of the eastern peoples; a hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had fallen. 11 Gideon went up by the route of the nomads east of Nobah and Jogbehah and attacked the unsuspecting army. 12 Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian, fled, but he pursued them and captured them, routing their entire army.

13 Gideon son of Joash then returned from the battle by the Pass of Heres. 14 He caught a young man of Sukkoth and questioned him, and the young man wrote down for him the names of the seventy-seven officials of Sukkoth, the eldersof the town. 15 Then Gideon came and said to the men of Sukkoth, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me by saying, 'Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your exhausted men?'" 16 He took the elders of the town and taught the men of Sukkoth a lesson by punishing them with desert thorns and briers. 17 He also pulled down the tower of Peniel and killed the men of the town.

18 Then he asked Zebah and Zalmunna, "What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?"

"Men like you," they answered, "each one with the bearing of a prince."

19 Gideon replied, "Those were my brothers, the sons of my own mother. As surely as the Lord lives, if you had spared their lives, I would not kill you." 20 Turning to Jether, his oldest son, he said, "Kill them!" But Jether did not draw his sword, because he was only a boy and was afraid.

21 Zebah and Zalmunna said, "Come, do it yourself. 'As is the man, so is his strength.'" So Gideon stepped forward and killed them, and took the ornaments off their camels' necks.

Gideon's Ephod
22 The Israelites said to Gideon, "Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian."

23 But Gideon told them, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you." 24 And he said, "I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder." (It was the custom of the Ishmaelites to wear gold earrings.)

25 They answered, "We'll be glad to give them." So they spread out a garment, and each of them threw a ring from his plunder onto it. 26 The weight of the gold rings he asked for came to seventeen hundred shekels,[h] not counting the ornaments, the pendants and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian or the chains that were on their camels' necks. 27 Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.

[H3]Gideon's Death[/H3]
28 Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon's lifetime, the land had peace forty years.

29 Jerub-Baal son of Joash went back home to live. 30 He had seventy sons of his own, for he had many wives. 31 His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelek. 32 Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

33 No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berithas their god 34 and did not remember the Lord their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. 35 They also failed to show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) in spite of all the good things he had done for them.

Audio:

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[Rock And Roll]

Bit late with last week's reading (3-5). It's an interesting reading because I think this is the first time we see a woman in an elevated position in the Bible? Sisera's end is leaves an impression too.

I think the most interesting thing is once again we see Israel turn away from God and you can see, each time it doesn't take too long. Sometimes it's 40 years, sometimes 80. But it seems all it takes is a generation who never witnessed the events to doubt it.

 

[Mickmrly]

Bit late with last week's reading (3-5). It's an interesting reading because I think this is the first time we see a woman in an elevated position in the Bible? Sisera's end is leaves an impression too.

I think the most interesting thing is once again we see Israel turn away from God and you can see, each time it doesn't take too long. Sometimes it's 40 years, sometimes 80. But it seems all it takes is a generation who never witnessed the events to doubt it.

I do wonder why they keep turning away so frequently. If they were settling down and chilling out with their families while experiencing peace, I don't see why they would need to rebel against God. If I got settled on some tribal land and was married to a nice lady, I would be fine until I die.

Maybe their land wasn't very productive, so they went on sinful binges to distract themselves? Whatever the reason, they are really stuck in the being saved/falling into sin cycle.

 

[Rock And Roll]

Another reading where the Israelites disobey God and suffer the consequences, only to turn back to God in times of trouble, ending with them once again turning away from God a generation later. Starting to sense a pattern here

One thing I like when reading the Old Testament is how God let's the Israelites (and us, the reader) know that He will take care of us in times of trouble or war. Something to keep in mind if things continue getting crazy for us. I also like near the end in Judges 8

22 The Israelites said to Gideon, "Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian."

23 But Gideon told them, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you."

Gideon didn't let the power go to his head. He stayed humble and let the Israelites know once again, that God ultimately will rule over us; not any man, despite the great things he might accomplish.

 

[Mickmrly]

Today's reading is Judges 9-10. In chapter 9 Abimelek, one of the sons of Gideon, seizes power. Later on, the Israelites turn their backs on God again.

Bible Gateway passage: Judges 9-10 - New International Version

Abimelek - Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to his mother’s brothers in Shechem and said to them and to all his mother’s clan, “Ask all the citizens of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal’s sons rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember, I am your flesh and...

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Spoiler: Verses

Abimelek
9 Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to his mother's brothers in Shechem and said to them and to all his mother's clan, 2 "Ask all the citizens of Shechem, 'Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal's sons rule over you, or just one man?' Remember, I am your flesh and blood."
3 When the brothers repeated all this to the citizens of Shechem, they were inclined to follow Abimelek, for they said, "He is related to us."4 They gave him seventy shekels[a] of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, and Abimelek used it to hire reckless scoundrels, who became his followers. 5 He went to his father's home in Ophrah and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, escaped by hiding. 6 Then all the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo gathered beside the great tree at the pillar in Shechem to crown Abimelek king.
7 When Jotham was told about this, he climbed up on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted to them, "Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. 8 One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.'
9 "But the olive tree answered, 'Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?'
10 "Next, the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and be our king.'
11 "But the fig tree replied, 'Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?'
12 "Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.'
13 "But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?'
14 "Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'
15 "The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'
16 "Have you acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelek king? Have you been fair to Jerub-Baal and his family? Have you treated him as he deserves? 17 Remember that my father fought for you and risked his life to rescue you from the hand of Midian. 18 But today you have revolted against my father's family. You have murdered his seventy sons on a single stone and have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is related to you. 19 So have you acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today? If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too! 20 But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!"
21 Then Jotham fled, escaping to Beer, and he lived there because he was afraid of his brother Abimelek.
22 After Abimelek had governed Israel three years, 23 God stirred up animosity between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem so that they acted treacherously against Abimelek. 24 God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal's seventy sons, the shedding of their blood, might be avenged on their brother Abimelek and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers. 25 In opposition to him these citizens of Shechem set men on the hilltops to ambush and rob everyone who passed by, and this was reported to Abimelek.
26 Now Gaal son of Ebed moved with his clan into Shechem, and its citizens put their confidence in him. 27 After they had gone out into the fields and gathered the grapes and trodden them, they held a festival in the temple of their god. While they were eating and drinking, they cursed Abimelek. 28 Then Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelek, and why should we Shechemites be subject to him? Isn't he Jerub-Baal's son, and isn't Zebul his deputy? Serve the family of Hamor, Shechem's father! Why should we serve Abimelek? 29 If only this people were under my command! Then I would get rid of him. I would say to Abimelek, 'Call out your whole army!'"[b]
30 When Zebul the governor of the city heard what Gaal son of Ebed said, he was very angry. 31 Under cover he sent messengers to Abimelek, saying, "Gaal son of Ebed and his clan have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you. 32 Now then, during the night you and your men should come and lie in wait in the fields. 33 In the morning at sunrise, advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, seize the opportunity to attack them."
34 So Abimelek and all his troops set out by night and took up concealed positions near Shechem in four companies. 35 Now Gaal son of Ebed had gone out and was standing at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelek and his troops came out from their hiding place.
36 When Gaal saw them, he said to Zebul, "Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains!"
Zebul replied, "You mistake the shadows of the mountains for men."
37 But Gaal spoke up again: "Look, people are coming down from the central hill,[c] and a company is coming from the direction of the diviners' tree."
38 Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your big talk now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelek that we should be subject to him?' Aren't these the men you ridiculed? Go out and fight them!"
39 So Gaal led out[d] the citizens of Shechem and fought Abimelek. 40 Abimelek chased him all the way to the entrance of the gate, and many were killed as they fled. 41 Then Abimelek stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his clan out of Shechem.
42 The next day the people of Shechem went out to the fields, and this was reported to Abimelek. 43 So he took his men, divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose to attack them. 44 Abimelek and the companies with him rushed forward to a position at the entrance of the city gate. Then two companies attacked those in the fields and struck them down. 45 All that day Abimelek pressed his attack against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he destroyed the city and scattered salt over it.
46 On hearing this, the citizens in the tower of Shechem went into the stronghold of the temple of El-Berith. 47 When Abimelek heard that they had assembled there, 48 he and all his men went up Mount Zalmon. He took an ax and cut off some branches, which he lifted to his shoulders. He ordered the men with him, "Quick! Do what you have seen me do!" 49 So all the men cut branches and followed Abimelek. They piled them against the stronghold and set it on fire with the people still inside. So all the people in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women, also died.
50 Next Abimelek went to Thebez and besieged it and captured it. 51 Inside the city, however, was a strong tower, to which all the men and women—all the people of the city—had fled. They had locked themselves in and climbed up on the tower roof. 52 Abimelek went to the tower and attacked it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire, 53 a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull.
54 Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and kill me, so that they can't say, 'A woman killed him.'" So his servant ran him through, and he died. 55 When the Israelites saw that Abimelek was dead, they went home.
56 Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelek had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. 57 God also made the people of Shechem pay for all their wickedness. The curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came on them.

Tola
10 After the time of Abimelek, a man of Issachar named Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, rose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim. 2 He led[e] Israel twenty-three years; then he died, and was buried in Shamir.

Jair
3 He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel twenty-two years. 4 He had thirty sons, who rode thirty donkeys. They controlled thirty towns in Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth Jair.[f] 5 When Jair died, he was buried in Kamon.

6 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord. They served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites and the gods of the Philistines. And because the Israelites forsook the Lord and no longer served him, 7 he became angry with them. He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites, 8 who that year shattered and crushed them. For eighteen years they oppressed all the Israelites on the east side of the Jordan in Gilead, the land of the Amorites. 9 The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin and Ephraim; Israel was in great distress. 10 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, "We have sinned against you, forsaking our God and serving the Baals."
11 The Lord replied, "When the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, 12 the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites[g]oppressed you and you cried to me for help, did I not save you from their hands? 13 But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. 14 Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!"
15 But the Israelites said to the Lord, "We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now." 16 Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord. And he could bear Israel's misery no longer.
17 When the Ammonites were called to arms and camped in Gilead, the Israelites assembled and camped at Mizpah. 18 The leaders of the people of Gilead said to each other, "Whoever will take the lead in attacking the Ammonites will be head over all who live in Gilead."

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[Mickmrly]

Judges 9: 52-53

52 Abimelek went to the tower and attacked it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire, 53 a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull.

BASED. That's the kind of woman I want to marry. Protecting her family and her people, and getting things done.

 

[Mickmrly]

After the turbulence of Abimelek, there were a couple of leaders who protected Israel for around 45 years. Then the Israelites fell into sin again by worshipping other Gods. I don't know whether this cycle is because of safety causing loose morals or if people are panicking whenever they are without a strong leader, and are turning towards other God's for protection.

God has a lot of patience towards the Israelites, that is for sure.

 

[Mickmrly]

This week's reading is Judges 11-13:

Bible Gateway passage: Judges 11-13 - New International Version

Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute. Gilead’s wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away. “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,” they said, “because you are the son of another...

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Spoiler: Verses

11 Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute. 2 Gilead's wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away. "You are not going to get any inheritance in our family," they said, "because you are the son of another woman." 3 So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a gang of scoundrels gathered around him and followed him.
4 Some time later, when the Ammonites were fighting against Israel, 5 the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. 6 "Come," they said, "be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites."
7 Jephthah said to them, "Didn't you hate me and drive me from my father's house? Why do you come to me now, when you're in trouble?"
8 The elders of Gilead said to him, "Nevertheless, we are turning to you now; come with us to fight the Ammonites, and you will be head over all of us who live in Gilead."
9 Jephthah answered, "Suppose you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the Lord gives them to me—will I really be your head?"
10 The elders of Gilead replied, "The Lord is our witness; we will certainly do as you say." 11 So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and commander over them. And he repeated all his words before the Lord in Mizpah.
12 Then Jephthah sent messengers to the Ammonite king with the question: "What do you have against me that you have attacked my country?"
13 The king of the Ammonites answered Jephthah's messengers, "When Israel came up out of Egypt, they took away my land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, all the way to the Jordan. Now give it back peaceably."
14 Jephthah sent back messengers to the Ammonite king, 15 saying:
"This is what Jephthah says: Israel did not take the land of Moab or the land of the Ammonites. 16 But when they came up out of Egypt, Israel went through the wilderness to the Red Sea[a] and on to Kadesh. 17 Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Give us permission to go through your country,' but the king of Edom would not listen. They sent also to the king of Moab, and he refused. So Israel stayed at Kadesh.
18 "Next they traveled through the wilderness, skirted the lands of Edom and Moab, passed along the eastern side of the country of Moab, and camped on the other side of the Arnon. They did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was its border.
19 "Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, and said to him, 'Let us pass through your country to our own place.' 20 Sihon, however, did not trust Israel[b] to pass through his territory. He mustered all his troops and encamped at Jahaz and fought with Israel.
21 "Then the Lord, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and his whole army into Israel's hands, and they defeated them. Israel took over all the land of the Amorites who lived in that country, 22 capturing all of it from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the desert to the Jordan.
23 "Now since the Lord, the God of Israel, has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel, what right have you to take it over? 24 Will you not take what your god Chemosh gives you? Likewise, whatever the Lord our God has given us, we will possess. 25 Are you any better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever quarrel with Israel or fight with them? 26 For three hundred years Israel occupied Heshbon, Aroer, the surrounding settlements and all the towns along the Arnon. Why didn't you retake them during that time? 27 I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me. Let the Lord, the Judge,decide the dispute this day between the Israelites and the Ammonites."
28 The king of Ammon, however, paid no attention to the message Jephthah sent him.
29 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites. 30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: "If you give the Ammonites into my hands, 31 whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering."
32 Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands. 33 He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.
34 When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels! She was an only child.Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. 35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, "Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break."
36 "My father," she replied, "you have given your word to the Lord. Do to me just as you promised, now that the Lord has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites. 37 But grant me this one request," she said. "Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends, because I will never marry."
38 "You may go," he said. And he let her go for two months. She and her friends went into the hills and wept because she would never marry. 39 After the two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed. And she was a virgin.
From this comes the Israelite tradition 40 that each year the young women of Israel go out for four days to commemorate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.

Jephthah and Ephraim
12 The Ephraimite forces were called out, and they crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, "Why did you go to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We're going to burn down your house over your head."
2 Jephthah answered, "I and my people were engaged in a great struggle with the Ammonites, and although I called, you didn't save me out of their hands. 3 When I saw that you wouldn't help, I took my life in my hands and crossed over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave me the victory over them. Now why have you come up today to fight me?"
4 Jephthah then called together the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. The Gileadites struck them down because the Ephraimites had said, "You Gileadites are renegades from Ephraim and Manasseh." 5 The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim, and whenever a survivor of Ephraim said, "Let me cross over," the men of Gilead asked him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he replied, "No," 6 they said, "All right, say 'Shibboleth.'" If he said, "Sibboleth," because he could not pronounce the word correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time.
7 Jephthah led[c] Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in a town in Gilead.

Ibzan, Elon and Abdon
8 After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem led Israel. 9 He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters away in marriage to those outside his clan, and for his sons he brought in thirty young women as wives from outside his clan. Ibzan led Israel seven years. 10 Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem.
11 After him, Elon the Zebulunite led Israel ten years. 12 Then Elon died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
13 After him, Abdon son of Hillel, from Pirathon, led Israel. 14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. He led Israel eight years. 15 Then Abdon son of Hillel died and was buried at Pirathon in Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.
The Birth of Samson
13 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.
2 A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. 3 The angel of the Lord appeared to herand said, "You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. 4 Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drinkand that you do not eat anything unclean. 5 You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines."
6 Then the woman went to her husband and told him, "A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn't ask him where he came from, and he didn't tell me his name. 7 But he said to me, 'You will become pregnant and have a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite of God from the womb until the day of his death.'"
8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: "Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."
9 God heard Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman while she was out in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her. 10 The woman hurried to tell her husband, "He's here! The man who appeared to me the other day!"
11 Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, "Are you the man who talked to my wife?"
"I am," he said.
12 So Manoah asked him, "When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule that governs the boy's life and work?"
13 The angel of the Lord answered, "Your wife must do all that I have told her. 14 She must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, nor drink any wine or other fermented drink nor eat anything unclean. She must do everything I have commanded her."
15 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, "We would like you to stay until we prepare a young goat for you."
16 The angel of the Lord replied, "Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord." (Manoah did not realize that it was the angel of the Lord.)
17 Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the Lord, "What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?"
18 He replied, "Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.[d]" 19 Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the Lord. And the Lord did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: 20 As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. 21 When the angel of the Lord did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the Lord.
22 "We are doomed to die!" he said to his wife. "We have seen God!"
23 But his wife answered, "If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this."
24 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, 25 and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

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[Mickmrly]

Judges 11 and the first half of Judges 12 deals with the story of Jephthah, an illegitimate son of Gilead. He defeats an enemy of Israel, but then also fights against another tribe of Israel afterwards. This period of troubles is a violent and wasteful time.

One of the more troubling events in this reading is when Jephthah makes a pledge to God that he will offer whoever comes out to greet him home as a sacrifice. While things are very bad during this time, why he thought that it was a good idea to offer someone as a literal living sacrifice to God is beyond me. It turns out that his daughter comes out to greet him and he and she later agree that she will be sacrificed to fulfil his oath.

Some people have analysed this event and think that it actually refers to Jephthah sacrificing his daughter's future and turning her over to a life serving God, rather than sacrificing her life literally. The references in the verses referring to her lamenting her virginity and disappointment at missing marriage would be supporting the dedicating to serving God angle. I sure hope that is what happened as it would be a very cruel deed to sacrifice a caring daughter just for the sake of fulfilling an oath made in haste.

 

[Rock And Roll]

Judges 11 and the first half of Judges 12 deals with the story of Jephthah, an illegitimate son of Gilead. He defeats an enemy of Israel, but then also fights against another tribe of Israel afterwards. This period of troubles is a violent and wasteful time.

One of the more troubling events in this reading is when Jephthah makes a pledge to God that he will offer whoever comes out to greet him home as a sacrifice. While things are very bad during this time, why he thought that it was a good idea to offer someone as a literal living sacrifice to God is beyond me. It turns out that his daughter comes out to greet him and he and she later agree that she will be sacrificed to fulfil his oath.

Some people have analysed this event and think that it actually refers to Jephthah sacrificing his daughter's future and turning her over to a life serving God, rather than sacrificing her life literally. The references in the verses referring to her lamenting her virginity and disappointment at missing marriage would be supporting the dedicating to serving God angle. I sure hope that is what happened as it would be a very cruel deed to sacrifice a caring daughter just for the sake of fulfilling an oath made in haste.

It's definitely another oddity in the early parts of the old testament that make you wonder if you read it correctly. It's kind of interesting that they come to Jephthah when they need his help, much like how they forsake God and only turn back when they need His help in battle. Also makes me wonder if there's some sort of parallel between Jephthah giving up his daughter's life for the greater good and God giving up His only son to die for our sins.

Chapter 13 introduces us to Samson, one of the most famous stories in the old testament. I knew the story well before but didn't know the origin/precursor. Has a very similar setup to Mary and the birth of Jesus, both were barren women visited by an angel who told them they would be the mother to a very important figure.

 

[Mickmrly]

It's definitely another oddity in the early parts of the old testament that make you wonder if you read it correctly. It's kind of interesting that they come to Jephthah when they need his help, much like how they forsake God and only turn back when they need His help in battle. Also makes me wonder if there's some sort of parallel between Jephthah giving up his daughter's life for the greater good and God giving up His only son to die for our sins.

Chapter 13 introduces us to Samson, one of the most famous stories in the old testament. I knew the story well before but didn't know the origin/precursor. Has a very similar setup to Mary and the birth of Jesus, both were barren women visited by an angel who told them they would be the mother to a very important figure.

It is interesting how this area of Judges has those two references which allude to Jesus' arrival. I wouldn't expect to find those references in Judges of all places. I thought Judges would mainly be a bridge between the time of Moses and David, but it does have some interesting connections to the New Testament as well.

 

[Mickmrly]

This week's reading is Judges 14-16:

Bible Gateway passage: Judges 14-16 - New International Version

Samson’s Marriage - Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.” His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your...

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Spoiler: Verses

Samson's Marriage
14 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, "I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife."

3 His father and mother replied, "Isn't there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?"

But Samson said to his father, "Get her for me. She's the right one for me." 4 (His parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)

5 Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him.6 The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done. 7 Then he went down and talked with the woman, and he liked her.

8 Some time later, when he went back to marry her, he turned aside to look at the lion's carcass, and in it he saw a swarm of bees and some honey. 9 He scooped out the honey with his hands and ate as he went along. When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion's carcass.

10 Now his father went down to see the woman. And there Samson held a feast, as was customary for young men. 11 When the people saw him, they chose thirty men to be his companions.

12 "Let me tell you a riddle," Samson said to them. "If you can give me the answer within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. 13 If you can't tell me the answer, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes."

"Tell us your riddle," they said. "Let's hear it."

14 He replied,

"Out of the eater, something to eat;
out of the strong, something sweet."
For three days they could not give the answer.

15 On the fourth[a] day, they said to Samson's wife, "Coax your husband into explaining the riddle for us, or we will burn you and your father's household to death. Did you invite us here to steal our property?"

16 Then Samson's wife threw herself on him, sobbing, "You hate me! You don't really love me. You've given my people a riddle, but you haven't told me the answer."

"I haven't even explained it to my father or mother," he replied, "so why should I explain it to you?" 17 She cried the whole seven days of the feast. So on the seventh day he finally told her, because she continued to press him. She in turn explained the riddle to her people.

18 Before sunset on the seventh day the men of the town said to him,

"What is sweeter than honey?
What is stronger than a lion?"
Samson said to them,

"If you had not plowed with my heifer,
you would not have solved my riddle."
19 Then the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of everything and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he returned to his father's home. 20 And Samson's wife was given to one of his companions who had attended him at the feast.

Samson's Vengeance on the Philistines
15 Later on, at the time of wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. He said, "I'm going to my wife's room." But her father would not let him go in.

2 "I was so sure you hated her," he said, "that I gave her to your companion. Isn't her younger sister more attractive? Take her instead."

3 Samson said to them, "This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them." 4 So he went out and caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail in pairs. He then fastened a torch to every pair of tails, 5 lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.

6 When the Philistines asked, "Who did this?" they were told, "Samson, the Timnite's son-in-law, because his wife was given to his companion."

So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father to death. 7 Samson said to them, "Since you've acted like this, I swear that I won't stop until I get my revenge on you." 8 He attacked them viciously and slaughtered many of them. Then he went down and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam.

9 The Philistines went up and camped in Judah, spreading out near Lehi. 10 The people of Judah asked, "Why have you come to fight us?"

"We have come to take Samson prisoner," they answered, "to do to him as he did to us."

11 Then three thousand men from Judah went down to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, "Don't you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?"

He answered, "I merely did to them what they did to me."

12 They said to him, "We've come to tie you up and hand you over to the Philistines."

Samson said, "Swear to me that you won't kill me yourselves."

13 "Agreed," they answered. "We will only tie you up and hand you over to them. We will not kill you." So they bound him with two new ropes and led him up from the rock. 14 As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands. 15 Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.

16 Then Samson said,

"With a donkey's jawbone
I have made donkeys of them.[b]
With a donkey's jawbone
I have killed a thousand men."
17 When he finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone; and the place was called Ramath Lehi.[c]

18 Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the Lord, "You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?" 19 Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. So the springwas called En Hakkore,[d] and it is still there in Lehi.

20 Samson led[e] Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

Samson and Delilah
16 One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. 2 The people of Gaza were told, "Samson is here!" So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, "At dawn we'll kill him."

3 But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.

4 Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. 5 The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, "See if you can lurehim into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels[f] of silver."

6 So Delilah said to Samson, "Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued."

7 Samson answered her, "If anyone ties me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I'll become as weak as any other man."

8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. 9 With men hidden in the room, she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" But he snapped the bowstrings as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.

10 Then Delilah said to Samson, "You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied."

11 He said, "If anyone ties me securely with new ropes that have never been used, I'll become as weak as any other man."

12 So Delilah took new ropes and tied him with them. Then, with men hidden in the room, she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" But he snapped the ropes off his arms as if they were threads.

13 Delilah then said to Samson, "All this time you have been making a fool of me and lying to me. Tell me how you can be tied."

He replied, "If you weave the seven braids of my head into the fabric on the loom and tighten it with the pin, I'll become as weak as any other man." So while he was sleeping, Delilah took the seven braids of his head, wove them into the fabric 14 and[g] tightened it with the pin.

Again she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" He awoke from his sleep and pulled up the pin and the loom, with the fabric.

15 Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength." 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.

17 So he told her everything. "No razor has ever been used on my head," he said, "because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother's womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man."

18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, "Come back once more; he has told me everything." So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. 19 After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him.[h] And his strength left him.

20 Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!"

He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the Lord had left him.

21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison.22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

The Death of Samson
23 Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, "Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands."

24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying,

"Our god has delivered our enemy
into our hands,
the one who laid waste our land
and multiplied our slain."
25 While they were in high spirits, they shouted, "Bring out Samson to entertain us." So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.

When they stood him among the pillars, 26 Samson said to the servant who held his hand, "Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them." 27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. 28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, "Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

31 Then his brothers and his father's whole family went down to get him. They brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led[i] Israel twenty years.

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[Mickmrly]

So it seems that Samson had a very misguided taste in women, with most of them betraying him. I don't know why he was like this and why he didn't just choose a nice, dependable lady to settle down with.
Even though he was able to defeat many enemies of Israel throughout his life, he could have accomplished much more if he just stabilised his home life.

 

[Rock And Roll]

That's one thing I have a hard time understanding about Samson and his downfall. Delilah repeatedly tries to do him in and eventually he just caves and tells her his secret? After the first time he should have figured out what was going to happen if he ever told her his secret. Was he the original simp? The whole thing seems pretty self destructive, which is literally how the story ends.



Always dug this song by the Pixies about the tale of Samson as well.

 

[Mickmrly]

That's one thing I have a hard time understanding about Samson and his downfall. Delilah repeatedly tries to do him in and eventually he just caves and tells her his secret? After the first time he should have figured out what was going to happen if he ever told her his secret. Was he the original simp? The whole thing seems pretty self destructive, which is literally how the story ends.

Samson does seem to be way too naive around women. He could be a simp, doing whatever women tell him to do, or he could just be terribly naive about things in general.

Seeing as he never seemed to find a good, loyal woman, but was with plenty of women in general, I think that he just preferred less moral women. Why he wanted to be with them, I just don't know. He was a strange man indeed.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

Samson is one of the most interesting guys in the Bible. Most people know his story, or at least the Delilah part, but he was a judge for 20 years. I'm sure he had dozens of other noteworthy things that happened in those 20 years. That also implies he was in his 50s or even 60s when he was finally overcome by the Philistines. Some old grey-haired Mack daddy picking up women in his 60s, still able to hold his own in a fight. lol

 

[Mickmrly]

This week's reading is Judges 17-18:

Bible Gateway passage: Judges 17-18 - New International Version

Micah’s Idols - Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim said to his mother, “The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have that silver with me; I took it.” Then his mother said, “The LORD bless you, my son!” When he...

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Spoiler: Verses

Micah's Idols
17 Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim 2 said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels[a] of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have that silver with me; I took it."
Then his mother said, "The Lord bless you, my son!"
3 When he returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, "I solemnly consecrate my silver to the Lord for my son to make an image overlaid with silver. I will give it back to you."
4 So after he returned the silver to his mother, she took two hundred shekels[b] of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who used them to make the idol. And it was put in Micah's house.
5 Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household gods and installed one of his sons as his priest. 6 In those days Israel had no king;everyone did as they saw fit.
7 A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who had been living within the clan of Judah, 8 left that town in search of some other place to stay. On his way[c] he came to Micah's house in the hill country of Ephraim.
9 Micah asked him, "Where are you from?"
"I'm a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah," he said, "and I'm looking for a place to stay."
10 Then Micah said to him, "Live with me and be my father and priest, and I'll give you ten shekels[d] of silver a year, your clothes and your food." 11 So the Levite agreed to live with him, and the young man became like one of his sons to him. 12 Then Micah installed the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house. 13 And Micah said, "Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest."

The Danites Settle in Laish
18 In those days Israel had no king.
And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking a place of their own where they might settle, because they had not yet come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. 2 So the Danites sent five of their leading men from Zorah and Eshtaol to spy out the land and explore it. These men represented all the Danites. They told them, "Go, explore the land."
So they entered the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah, where they spent the night. 3 When they were near Micah's house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they turned in there and asked him, "Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?"
4 He told them what Micah had done for him, and said, "He has hired me and I am his priest."
5 Then they said to him, "Please inquire of God to learn whether our journey will be successful."
6 The priest answered them, "Go in peace. Your journey has the Lord's approval."
7 So the five men left and came to Laish, where they saw that the people were living in safety, like the Sidonians, at peace and secure. And since their land lacked nothing, they were prosperous.[e] Also, they lived a long way from the Sidonians and had no relationship with anyone else.[f]
8 When they returned to Zorah and Eshtaol, their fellow Danites asked them, "How did you find things?"
9 They answered, "Come on, let's attack them! We have seen the land, and it is very good. Aren't you going to do something? Don't hesitate to go there and take it over. 10 When you get there, you will find an unsuspecting people and a spacious land that God has put into your hands, a land that lacks nothing whatever."
11 Then six hundred men of the Danites, armed for battle, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol. 12 On their way they set up camp near Kiriath Jearim in Judah. This is why the place west of Kiriath Jearim is called Mahaneh Dan[g] to this day. 13 From there they went on to the hill country of Ephraim and came to Micah's house.
14 Then the five men who had spied out the land of Laish said to their fellow Danites, "Do you know that one of these houses has an ephod, some household gods and an image overlaid with silver? Now you know what to do." 15 So they turned in there and went to the house of the young Levite at Micah's place and greeted him.16 The six hundred Danites, armed for battle, stood at the entrance of the gate. 17 The five men who had spied out the land went inside and took the idol, the ephod and the household gods while the priest and the six hundred armed men stood at the entrance of the gate.
18 When the five men went into Micah's house and took the idol, the ephod and the household gods, the priest said to them, "What are you doing?"
19 They answered him, "Be quiet! Don't say a word. Come with us, and be our father and priest. Isn't it better that you serve a tribe and clan in Israel as priest rather than just one man's household?" 20 The priest was very pleased. He took the ephod, the household gods and the idol and went along with the people. 21 Putting their little children, their livestock and their possessions in front of them, they turned away and left.
22 When they had gone some distance from Micah's house, the men who lived near Micah were called together and overtook the Danites. 23 As they shouted after them, the Danites turned and said to Micah, "What's the matter with you that you called out your men to fight?"
24 He replied, "You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, 'What's the matter with you?'"
25 The Danites answered, "Don't argue with us, or some of the men may get angry and attack you, and you and your family will lose your lives." 26 So the Danites went their way, and Micah, seeing that they were too strong for him, turned around and went back home.
27 Then they took what Micah had made, and his priest, and went on to Laish, against a people at peace and secure. They attacked them with the sword and burneddown their city. 28 There was no one to rescue them because they lived a long way from Sidon and had no relationship with anyone else. The city was in a valley near Beth Rehob.
The Danites rebuilt the city and settled there. 29 They named it Dan after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel—though the city used to be called Laish. 30 There the Danites set up for themselves the idol, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses,[h] and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land. 31 They continued to use the idol Micah had made, all the time the house of God was in Shiloh.

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[Mickmrly]

This week's reading is very strange. I'm not sure what the lesson is supposed to be, but the forces of the Dan tribe destroyed a town of innocent people which is pretty bad.

Why a tribe of Israel was without a land of their own is a mystery. There must have been some shenanigans going on to keep the tribe landless all this time.

The priest and idol were seen as important by Micah and the tribe of Dan, but I'm pretty sure that they were not fully legitimate. What a strange time in Jewish history.

 

[Rock And Roll]

It's an odd reading for sure and I couldn't figure out if there was something to be taken away from it. I do find it interesting however that these sections state "there was no king in Israel" during this period and the content almost seems to reflect that. It seems sort of aimless? It got written in the Bible for a reason, but I don't know what the purpose of these chapters were.

 

[Mickmrly]

It's an odd reading for sure and I couldn't figure out if there was something to be taken away from it. I do find it interesting however that these sections state "there was no king in Israel" during this period and the content almost seems to reflect that. It seems sort of aimless? It got written in the Bible for a reason, but I don't know what the purpose of these chapters were.

I was trying to do some research into what the point of the chapters were and the main takeaway I found was that it was trying to show what happens when there is a void of strong leadership. When the leaders of Israel were lacking or absent, the people went their own way and created their own rules. The spiritual and political health of the nation seemed to be very poor, despite the Israelites starting fresh with new land at the end of the book of Joshua. I'm guessing the spiritual and civil leaders at the time were spending too much time drinking wine and otherwise slouching on their responsibilities.

 

[Mickmrly]

This week's reading is Joshua 19-21:

Bible Gateway passage: Judges 19-21 - New International Version

A Levite and His Concubine - In those days Israel had no king. Now a Levite who lived in a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim took a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. But she was unfaithful to him. She left him and went back to her parents’ home in Bethlehem, Judah. After she had been...

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Spoiler: Verses

A Levite and His Concubine
19 In those days Israel had no king.

Now a Levite who lived in a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim took a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. 2 But she was unfaithful to him. She left him and went back to her parents' home in Bethlehem, Judah. After she had been there four months, 3 her husband went to her to persuade her to return. He had with him his servant and two donkeys. She took him into her parents' home, and when her father saw him, he gladly welcomed him. 4 His father-in-law, the woman's father, prevailed on him to stay; so he remained with him three days, eating and drinking, and sleeping there.

5 On the fourth day they got up early and he prepared to leave, but the woman's father said to his son-in-law, "Refresh yourself with something to eat; then you can go." 6 So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Afterward the woman's father said, "Please stay tonight and enjoy yourself." 7 And when the man got up to go, his father-in-law persuaded him, so he stayed there that night. 8 On the morning of the fifth day, when he rose to go, the woman's father said, "Refresh yourself. Wait till afternoon!" So the two of them ate together.

9 Then when the man, with his concubine and his servant, got up to leave, his father-in-law, the woman's father, said, "Now look, it's almost evening. Spend the night here; the day is nearly over. Stay and enjoy yourself. Early tomorrow morning you can get up and be on your way home." 10 But, unwilling to stay another night, the man left and went toward Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.

11 When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, "Come, let's stop at this city of the Jebusites and spend the night."

12 His master replied, "No. We won't go into any city whose people are not Israelites. We will go on to Gibeah." 13 He added, "Come, let's try to reach Gibeah or Ramahand spend the night in one of those places." 14 So they went on, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin. 15 There they stopped to spend the night. They went and sat in the city square, but no one took them in for the night.

16 That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was living in Gibeah (the inhabitants of the place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the fields. 17 When he looked and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, "Where are you going? Where did you come from?"

18 He answered, "We are on our way from Bethlehem in Judah to a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim where I live. I have been to Bethlehem in Judah and now I am going to the house of the Lord.[a] No one has taken me in for the night. 19 We have both straw and fodder for our donkeys and bread and wine for ourselves your servants—me, the woman and the young man with us. We don't need anything."

20 "You are welcome at my house," the old man said. "Let me supply whatever you need. Only don't spend the night in the square." 21 So he took him into his house and fed his donkeys. After they had washed their feet, they had something to eat and drink.

22 While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, "Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him."

23 The owner of the house went outside and said to them, "No, my friends, don't be so vile. Since this man is my guest, don't do this outrageous thing. 24 Look, here is my virgin daughter, and his concubine. I will bring them out to you now, and you can use them and do to them whatever you wish. But as for this man, don't do such an outrageous thing."

25 But the men would not listen to him. So the man took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go. 26 At daybreak the woman went back to the house where her master was staying, fell down at the door and lay there until daylight.

27 When her master got up in the morning and opened the door of the house and stepped out to continue on his way, there lay his concubine, fallen in the doorway of the house, with her hands on the threshold. 28 He said to her, "Get up; let's go." But there was no answer. Then the man put her on his donkey and set out for home.

29 When he reached home, he took a knife and cut up his concubine, limb by limb, into twelve parts and sent them into all the areas of Israel. 30 Everyone who saw it was saying to one another, "Such a thing has never been seen or done, not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt. Just imagine! We must do something! So speak up!"

The Israelites Punish the Benjamites
20 Then all Israel from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came together as one and assembled before the Lord in Mizpah. 2 The leaders of all the people of the tribes of Israel took their places in the assembly of God's people, four hundred thousand men armed with swords. 3 (The Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) Then the Israelites said, "Tell us how this awful thing happened."

4 So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, said, "I and my concubine came to Gibeah in Benjamin to spend the night. 5 During the night the men of Gibeah came after me and surrounded the house, intending to kill me. They raped my concubine, and she died. 6 I took my concubine, cut her into pieces and sent one piece to each region of Israel's inheritance, because they committed this lewd and outrageous act in Israel. 7 Now, all you Israelites, speak up and tell me what you have decided to do."

8 All the men rose up together as one, saying, "None of us will go home. No, not one of us will return to his house. 9 But now this is what we'll do to Gibeah: We'll go up against it in the order decided by casting lots. 10 We'll take ten men out of every hundred from all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred from a thousand, and a thousand from ten thousand, to get provisions for the army. Then, when the army arrives at Gibeah[b] in Benjamin, it can give them what they deserve for this outrageous act done in Israel." 11 So all the Israelites got together and united as one against the city.

12 The tribes of Israel sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "What about this awful crime that was committed among you? 13 Now turn those wicked men of Gibeah over to us so that we may put them to death and purge the evil from Israel."

But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites. 14 From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites. 15 At once the Benjamites mobilized twenty-six thousand swordsmen from their towns, in addition to seven hundred able young men from those living in Gibeah. 16 Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

17 Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered four hundred thousand swordsmen, all of them fit for battle.

18 The Israelites went up to Bethel[c] and inquired of God. They said, "Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Benjamites?"

The Lord replied, "Judah shall go first."

19 The next morning the Israelites got up and pitched camp near Gibeah. 20 The Israelites went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against them at Gibeah. 21 The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand Israelites on the battlefield that day. 22 But the Israelites encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day. 23 The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and they inquired of the Lord. They said, "Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?"

The Lord answered, "Go up against them."

24 Then the Israelites drew near to Benjamin the second day. 25 This time, when the Benjamites came out from Gibeah to oppose them, they cut down another eighteen thousand Israelites, all of them armed with swords.

26 Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. 27 And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, 28 with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, "Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?"

The Lord responded, "Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands."

29 Then Israel set an ambush around Gibeah. 30 They went up against the Benjamites on the third day and took up positions against Gibeah as they had done before.31 The Benjamites came out to meet them and were drawn away from the city. They began to inflict casualties on the Israelites as before, so that about thirty men fell in the open field and on the roads—the one leading to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. 32 While the Benjamites were saying, "We are defeating them as before," the Israelites were saying, "Let's retreat and draw them away from the city to the roads."

33 All the men of Israel moved from their places and took up positions at Baal Tamar, and the Israelite ambush charged out of its place on the west[d] of Gibeah.[e]34 Then ten thousand of Israel's able young men made a frontal attack on Gibeah. The fighting was so heavy that the Benjamites did not realize how near disaster was. 35 The Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel, and on that day the Israelites struck down 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords. 36 Then the Benjamites saw that they were beaten.

Now the men of Israel had given way before Benjamin, because they relied on the ambush they had set near Gibeah. 37 Those who had been in ambush made a sudden dash into Gibeah, spread out and put the whole city to the sword. 38 The Israelites had arranged with the ambush that they should send up a great cloud of smoke from the city, 39 and then the Israelites would counterattack.

The Benjamites had begun to inflict casualties on the Israelites (about thirty), and they said, "We are defeating them as in the first battle." 40 But when the column of smoke began to rise from the city, the Benjamites turned and saw the whole city going up in smoke. 41 Then the Israelites counterattacked, and the Benjamites were terrified, because they realized that disaster had come on them. 42 So they fled before the Israelites in the direction of the wilderness, but they could not escape the battle. And the Israelites who came out of the towns cut them down there. 43 They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them and easily[f] overran them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east. 44 Eighteen thousand Benjamites fell, all of them valiant fighters. 45 As they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, the Israelites cut down five thousand men along the roads. They kept pressing after the Benjamites as far as Gidom and struck down two thousand more.

46 On that day twenty-five thousand Benjamite swordsmen fell, all of them valiant fighters. 47 But six hundred of them turned and fled into the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, where they stayed four months. 48 The men of Israel went back to Benjamin and put all the towns to the sword, including the animals and everything else they found. All the towns they came across they set on fire.

Wives for the Benjamites
21 The men of Israel had taken an oath at Mizpah: "Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite."

2 The people went to Bethel,[g] where they sat before God until evening, raising their voices and weeping bitterly. 3 "Lord, God of Israel," they cried, "why has this happened to Israel? Why should one tribe be missing from Israel today?"

4 Early the next day the people built an altar and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.

5 Then the Israelites asked, "Who from all the tribes of Israel has failed to assemble before the Lord?" For they had taken a solemn oath that anyone who failed to assemble before the Lord at Mizpah was to be put to death.

6 Now the Israelites grieved for the tribe of Benjamin, their fellow Israelites. "Today one tribe is cut off from Israel," they said. 7 "How can we provide wives for those who are left, since we have taken an oath by the Lord not to give them any of our daughters in marriage?" 8 Then they asked, "Which one of the tribes of Israel failed to assemble before the Lord at Mizpah?" They discovered that no one from Jabesh Gilead had come to the camp for the assembly. 9 For when they counted the people, they found that none of the people of Jabesh Gilead were there.

10 So the assembly sent twelve thousand fighting men with instructions to go to Jabesh Gilead and put to the sword those living there, including the women and children. 11 "This is what you are to do," they said. "Kill every male and every woman who is not a virgin." 12 They found among the people living in Jabesh Gilead four hundred young women who had never slept with a man, and they took them to the camp at Shiloh in Canaan.

13 Then the whole assembly sent an offer of peace to the Benjamites at the rock of Rimmon. 14 So the Benjamites returned at that time and were given the women of Jabesh Gilead who had been spared. But there were not enough for all of them.

15 The people grieved for Benjamin, because the Lord had made a gap in the tribes of Israel. 16 And the elders of the assembly said, "With the women of Benjamin destroyed, how shall we provide wives for the men who are left? 17 The Benjamite survivors must have heirs," they said, "so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out.18 We can't give them our daughters as wives, since we Israelites have taken this oath: 'Cursed be anyone who gives a wife to a Benjamite.' 19 But look, there is the annual festival of the Lord in Shiloh, which lies north of Bethel, east of the road that goes from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah."

20 So they instructed the Benjamites, saying, "Go and hide in the vineyards 21 and watch. When the young women of Shiloh come out to join in the dancing, rush from the vineyards and each of you seize one of them to be your wife. Then return to the land of Benjamin. 22 When their fathers or brothers complain to us, we will say to them, 'Do us the favor of helping them, because we did not get wives for them during the war. You will not be guilty of breaking your oath because you did not giveyour daughters to them.'"

23 So that is what the Benjamites did. While the young women were dancing, each man caught one and carried her off to be his wife. Then they returned to their inheritance and rebuilt the towns and settled in them.

24 At that time the Israelites left that place and went home to their tribes and clans, each to his own inheritance.

25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

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