{
"book": "judges",
"book_title": null,
"hebrew_title": null,
"chapters": [
{
"chapter": 1,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "After the death of Josue the children of Israel (a) consulted our Lord, saying: Who shall go up before us against the Chananite, & shall be captain of the war?",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "The manner of consulting our Lord was by the High-Priest praying in the tabernacle. Exod. 29. v. 42."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "And our Lord said: (b) Judas shall go up: behold I have delivered the Land into his hands.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "The first general captain after Josue, and diverse of the Judges, were of the tribe of Juda, but not all, as appeareth in this book."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "And Judas said to Simeon his brother: Come up with me into my lot, and fight against the Chananite, that I also may go forward with thee into thy lot. And Simeon went with him."
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "And Judas went up and our Lord delivered the Chananite, and the Pherezite into their hands: and they struck in Bezec ten thousand men."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "And they found Adonibezec in Bezec, and fought against him, and struck the Chananite and the Pherezite."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "And Adonibezec fled: whom pursuing they took, cutting off the extreme parts of his hands and feet."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "And Adonibezec said: Seventy kings having the extreme parts of their hands and feet cut off, gathered up the relics of meats under my table: as I have done, so hath God repayed me. And they brought him into Jerusalem, and there he died."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "Therefore the children of Judas assaulting Jerusalem, took it, and struck it in the edge of the sword, setting the whole city on fire."
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "And afterward going down they fought against the Chananite, which dwelled in the mountains, and southward, & in the champion countries."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "And Judas going forward, against the Chananite, that dwelled in Hebron (the name whereof was before time Cariatharbe) struck Sesai, and Ahiman, and Tholmai:"
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "and departing thence went to the inhabitants of Dabir, the old name whereof was Cariath Sepher, that is a city of letters."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "And Caleb said: He that shall strike Cariath Sepher, and spoil it, I will give him Axa my daughter to wife."
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "And when Othoniel the son of Cenez, the younger brother of Caleb had taken it, he gave him Axa his daughter to wife."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "Whom going on her way her husband admonished to ask a field of her father. To whom, when she had sighed sitting on her ass, Caleb said: What aileth thee?"
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "But she answered. Give me a blessing, for a dry land thou hast given me: give me also a watery. Caleb therefore gave her a watery ground above, and watery beneath."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "And the children of the Cineite the cousin of Moyses went up from the city of palms, with the children of Judas into the desert of his lot, which is at the south side of Arad, & dwelt with him."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "But Judas went with Simeon his brother, & together they struck the Chananite that dwelt in Sephaath, and slew him. And the name of the city was called, Horma, that is, Anathema."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "And Judas took Gaza with the coasts thereof, & Ascalon, & Accaron with their bounds."
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "And our Lord was with Judas, & he possessed the mountains: neither could he destroy the inhabitants of the valley, because they had many (a) hooked chariots.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Strong weapons crooked like sickles, made fast to the chariots which cut in pieces, men, horses, and other chariots that came in their way."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "And they gave to Caleb Hebron, as Moyses had said, who destroyed out of it the three sons of Enac."
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "But the Jebusite the inhabiter of Jerusalem the children of Benjamin destroyed not: and the Jebusite dwelt with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem until this present day."
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "The house also of Joseph went up into Bethel, and our Lord was with them."
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "For when they besieged the city, which before was called Luza,"
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "they saw a man coming out of the city, and said to him: Shew us the entrance of the city, and we will shew thee mercy."
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "Who when he had shewed them, they struck the city in the edge of the sword: but that man, & all his kindred they dismissed."
},
{
"verse": 26,
"text": "Who being dismissed, went into the Land of the Hetthims, & built there a city, & called it Luza: which is so called until this present day."
},
{
"verse": 27,
"text": "Manasses also destroyed not Bethsan, and Thanac with their little towns, and the inhabitants of Dor, and Jeblaam, and Mageddo with their little towns. And the Chananeite began to dwell with them."
},
{
"verse": 28,
"text": "But after that Israel was waxen strong he made them tributaries, and would not destroy them."
},
{
"verse": 29,
"text": "Ephraim also killed not the Chananite, that dwelt in Gazer, but dwelt with him."
},
{
"verse": 30,
"text": "Zabulon destroyed not the inhabitants of Cetron, and Naalol: but the Chananite dwelt in the midst of him, & was made tributary to him."
},
{
"verse": 31,
"text": "Aser also destroyed not the inhabitants of Accho, & of Sidon, of Ahalab, and Achazib, & Helba, & Aphec, & Rohob:"
},
{
"verse": 32,
"text": "and he dwelt in the midst of the Chananite the inhabiter of that Land, neither did he kill them."
},
{
"verse": 33,
"text": "Nephthali also destroyed not the inhabitants of Bethsames, & Bethanath: and he dwelt in the midst of the Chananite the inhabiter of the Land, and the Bethsamites & Bethanites were tributaries to him."
},
{
"verse": 34,
"text": "And the Amorrhite straitened the children of Dan in the mountain, and gave them not place to go down to the plain:"
},
{
"verse": 35,
"text": "and he dwelt in the mount Hares which is interpreted shells, in Aialon and Salebim. And the hand of the house of Joseph was aggravated, and he became tributary to him."
},
{
"verse": 36,
"text": "And the border of the Amorrhite was from the Ascent of the Scorpion, the rock, and the higher places."
}
],
"summary": "Under a general captain of the tribe of Juda, assisted by the tribe of Simeon, Israel subdueth diverse cities of the gentiles. (12. Othoniel taking Cariath Sepher possesseth it, and marrieth Caleb's daughter, obtaining also addition of her dowry.) 21. Jebuseites yet dwell in Hierusalem with Benjamin, 27. and the Chananeites with diverse of the tribes. [1]",
"summary_notes": [
{
"marker": 1,
"text": "The first part. A general recapitulation of the people's state."
}
]
},
{
"chapter": 2,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "And the (a) Angel of our Lord went up from Galgal to the place of weepers, and said: I brought you out of Aegypt, and have brought you into the Land, for the which I sware to your fathers: and I promised that I would not make frustrate my covenant with you for ever:",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "An Angel taking the form of a man, as before to Josue (c. 5.) so now appearing to the people, spake to them in the name of God, whose messenger he was."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "only so that you should not make a league with the inhabitants of this Land, but should overthrow their altars: and you would not hear my voice. Why have you done this?"
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "For the which cause I would not destroy them from before your face: that you may have enemies, and their gods may be a ruin unto you."
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "And when the Angel of our Lord spake these words to all the children of Israel, they lifted up their voice, and wept."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "And the name of that place was called, the place of weepers, or of tears: and (b) there they immolated hosts to our Lord.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "By special dispensation sacrifice was sometimes lawfully offered in other places, though the Tabernacle (and afterward the Temple) was the only place commanded. Deut. 12. Iosue. 22. S. Aug. q. 36. in. Iudic."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "Josue therefore dismissed the people, and the children of Israel went every one into his possession, to obtain it:"
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "and they served our Lord all his days, and the days of the ancients, of them that lived a long time after him, and knew all the works of our Lord, which he had done with Israel."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And Josue the son of Nun, the servant of our Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old,"
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "and they buried him in the borders of his possession in Thamnathsare in the mount of Ephraim, on the North side of mount Gaas."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "And all that generation was gathered to their fathers: and there rose others, that knew not our Lord, and the works which he had done with Israel."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of our Lord, and served Baalim."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "And they left our Lord the God of their fathers, that had brought them out of the Land of Aegypt: and followed strange gods, and the gods of the peoples, that dwelt round about them, and adored them: and they provoked our Lord to anger,"
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "leaving him, and serving Baal and Astaroth."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "And our Lord being wrath against Israel, delivered them into the hands of ransackers: who took them and sold them to the enemies, that dwelt round about: neither could they resist their adversaries:"
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "but whither soever they had meant to go, the hand of our Lord was upon them, as he spake, and sware to them: and they were vehemently afflicted."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "And our Lord (c) raised up Judges, that should deliver them from the hands of the wasters: but neither would they hear them,",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "These Judges were extraordinarily raised up to deliver the people repenting, when they were fallen into afflictions for their sins."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "fornicating with strange gods, and adoring them. They did quickly forsake the way, in the which their fathers had gone: and hearing the commandments of our Lord, they did all things contrary."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "And when our Lord raised up Judges, in their days he was moved with mercy, and heard the groanings of the afflicted, and delivered them from the slaughter of the wasters."
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "But after the Judge was dead, they returned, and did much worse things than their fathers had done, following strange gods, serving them, and adoring them. They left not their inventions, and the very hard way, by which they were accustomed to walk."
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "And the fury of our Lord was angry against Israel, & said: Because this nation hath made my covenant frustrate, which I had made with their fathers, and hath contemned my voice:"
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "I also will not destroy the nations which Josue did let alone, and died:"
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "that in them I may try Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord, and walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or not."
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "Our Lord therefore left all these nations, and would not quickly overthrow them, neither delivered them into the hands of Josue."
}
],
"summary": "An Angel reciting many benefits of God towards Israel, and their ingratitude, 4. they weep for their faults. 10. After the death of Josue and other ancients of his time, the people often fall, and repenting are delivered from afflictions: 19. but still fall again worse and worse."
},
{
"chapter": 3,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "These [1] are the Nations, which our Lord left, that in them he might instruct Israel, and all that had not known the wars of the Chananites:",
"notes": [
{
"label": "1",
"text": "The second part. Of the common people's often falling to idolatry, their repentance, & delivery."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "that afterward their children might learn to fight with their enemies, and to be accustomed to war:"
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "the five Princes of the Philisthiims, and the Chananite, and Sidonian, and Heveite, that dwelt in mount Libanus, from mount Baal Hermon to the entering into Emath."
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "And he left them, that in them he might try Israel, whether they would hear the commandments of our Lord, which he had commanded their fathers by the hand of Moyses, or not."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "Therefore the children of Israel dwelt in the midst of the Chananite, and Hetheite, and Amorrhite, and Pherezite, and Heveite, and Jebusite:"
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "and they took their daughters to wives, and themselves gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "And they did evil in the sight of our Lord, and forgot their God, serving Baalim and Astaroth."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And our Lord being wrath against Israel, delivered them into the hands of Chusan Rasathaim the king of Mesopotamia, and they served him eight years."
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "And they cried to our Lord: who raised them up (a) a saviour, & delivered them, to wit, Othoniel the son of Cenez, the younger brother of Caleb:",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "In many places we see the word saviour, and like titles given to men, as the servants & officers of God, who is the proper and principal Saviour of all. S. Aug. q. 18. in Iudic."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "and the Spirit of our Lord was in him, and he judged Israel. And he went forth to fight, and our Lord delivered into his hands Chusan Rasathaim the king of Syria, and oppressed him."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "And the land rested (b) forty years, and Othoniel the son of Cenez died.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "In these 40. years are included the eight years of their servitude, v. 8. & so in the rest of this history, otherwise the number of years agreeth not with the count 3. Reg. 6. v. 1."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "And the children of Israel added to do evil in the sight of our Lord: who strengthened against them Eglon the king of Moab: because they did evil in his sight."
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "And he joined to him the children of Ammon, and Amalec: and he went and struck Israel, and possessed the city of palms."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "And the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years:"
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "and afterward they cried to our Lord: who raised up unto them a saviour called Aod, the son of Gera, the son of Jemini, who used both hands for the right. And the children of Israel sent by him presents to Eglon the king of Moab."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "Who made himself a two edged sword, having in the midst a haft in length the palm of a hand, and was girded therewith under his cassock on the right thigh."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "And he presented the gifts to Eglon the king of Moab. And Eglon was exceeding gross."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "And when he had presented the gifts unto him, he brought his fellows on the way that came with him."
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "And returning from Galgal, where the idols were, he said to the king: I have a secret message to thee, o king. And he commanded silence: & all being gone forth that were about him,"
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "Aod went in to him: and he sat in a summer chamber alone, and he said: (a) A word from God I have to thee. Who forthwith rose out of his throne.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "And having special inspiration from God to do this fact (as S. Augustine noteth upon these words q. 20. in Iudic. ) is not to be imitated by private men. See. Num 25. v. 11."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "And Aod put forth his left hand, & took the dagger from his right thigh, and fastened it into his belly"
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "so mightily that the haft followed the blade in the wound, and was closed up fast with the most fat grease. Neither did he pluck out the dagger, but as he had strucken so left it in the body: and forthwith by the secret parts of nature the ordure of the belly came forth."
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "But Aod shutting the doors of the chamber very diligently, & locking them sure,"
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "went out by a postern door. And the king's servants going in, saw the doors of the chamber shut, and they said: Peradventure he purgeth his belly in the summer chamber."
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "And expecting long till they were ashamed, & seeing that no man did open, they took a key: and opening they found their Lord on the earth lying dead."
},
{
"verse": 26,
"text": "But Aod, whiles they were troubled, escaped, and passed by the Place of idols, whence he had returned. And he came into Seirath:"
},
{
"verse": 27,
"text": "and forthwith the trumpet sounded in the mount of Ephraim: and the children of Israel went down with him, himself going in the front."
},
{
"verse": 28,
"text": "Who said to them: Follow me: for our Lord hath delivered our enemies the Moabites into our hands. And they went down after him, and occupied the fords of Jordan, which bring over into Moab: & they suffered no man to pass:"
},
{
"verse": 29,
"text": "but they struck the Moabites at that time, about ten thousand, all stout and strong men, none of them could escape."
},
{
"verse": 30,
"text": "And Moab was humbled that day under the hand of Israel: and the Land rested eighty years."
},
{
"verse": 31,
"text": "After him was Samgar the son of Anath, who struck of the Philisthimes six hundred men with the coulter of a plough: and he also defended Israel."
}
],
"summary": "The people associating themselves with Gentiles, against whom they ought to fight, 8. are invaded by foreign kings: 9. but repenting are delivered by Othoniel 12. Falling again, afflicted, and repenting, 15. are delivered by Aod, 21. secretly killing Eglon their enemy. 31. After him Samgar defendeth Israel against the Philisthims."
},
{
"chapter": 4,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "And the children of Israel added to do evil in the sight of our Lord after the death of Aod,"
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "and our Lord delivered them into the hands of Jabin the king of Chanaan, which reigned in Asor: and he had a captain of his army named Sisara, and he dwelt in Haroseth of the gentiles."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "And the children of Israel cried to our Lord, for he had nine hundred iron hooked chariots, and for twenty years had vehemently oppressed them."
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "And there was one Debbora a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, which (a) judged the people at that time.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Being a Prophetess she resolved hard and obscure things, but exercised no jurisdiction in any causes, for that belonged to the Councel of Priests and of seventy ancients, where the high-Priest was the chief Judge. Num. 11. Deut. 17. Spiritually Debbora signified the Church, & Barac Christian Princes, who are directed in their wars, & other actions by spiritual superiors, as Origen, and other ancient writers expound this history."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "And she sat under a palm tree, which was called by her name, between Rama and Bethel in the mount of Ephraim: and the children of Israel went up to her for all judgment."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "Who sent, and called Barac the son of Abinoem of Cedes in Nephthali, and she said to him: Our Lord God of Israel hath commanded thee: Go, and lead an army into mount Thabor, and thou shalt take with thee ten thousand fighting men of the children of Nephthali, & of the children of Zabulon:"
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "and I will bring unto thee in the place of the Torrent Cison, Sisara the Prince of the host of Jabin, and his chariots, and all the multitude, and will deliver them in thy hand."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And Barac said to her: If thou come with me, I will go: If thou wilt not come with me, I will not go."
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "Who said to him: I will go indeed with thee, but at this time the victory shall not be imputed to thee, because Sisara shall be delivered into the hand of a woman. Debbora therefore arose, and went with Barac into Cedes."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "Who calling unto him Zabulon and Nephthali, went up with ten thousand fighting men, having Debbora in his company."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "And Haber the Cineite was in time past departed from the rest of the Cineites his brethren of Hobab, the cousin of Moyses: and had pitched his tents unto the valley, which is called Sennim, and was near Cedes."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "And it was told Sisara, that Barac the son of Abinoem was gone up into mount Thabor:"
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "and he gathered nine hundred iron hooked chariots, and all his army from Haroseth of the gentiles to the torrent Cison."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "And Debbora said to Barac: Arise, for this is the day wherein our Lord hath delivered Sisara into thy hands: behold he is thy leader. And Barac went down from mount Thabor, and ten thousand fighting men with him."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "And our Lord terrified Sisara and all his chariots, & all the multitude in the edge of the sword at the sight of Barac: in so much, that Sisara leaping down from his chariot, fled a-foot,"
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "& Barac pursued the chariots flying, and the army unto Haroseth of the gentiles, and all the multitude of the enemies was utterly destroyed."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "But Sisara flying came to the tent of Jahel the wife of Haber the Cineite, for there was peace betwixt Jabin the king of Asor, and the house of Haber the Cineite."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "Jahel therefore going forth to meet Sisara, said to him: Come in to me, my lord, come in, fear not. Who being entered into her tabernacle, and covered of her with a cloak,"
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "said to her, Give me, I beseech thee, a little water, for I am very thirsty. Who opened a bottle of milk, and gave him to drink, and covered him."
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "And Sisara said to her: Stand before the door of the tabernacle, and when any shall come asking thee, and saying: Is there any man here? Thou shalt say: There is none."
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "(b) Jahel therefore the wife of Haber took a nail of the tabernacle, taking withal a hammer also: and going in secretly, and with silence she put the nail upon the temple of his head, and striking it with the hammer, fastened it into his brain even to the ground: who joining deep sleep & death together, fainted, and died.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "Who is this woman full of confidence, piercing the enemy's head with a nail, but the faith of the Church, destroying the devil's kingdoms with the Cross of Christ? S. Aug. li. 12. c. 32. cont. Faust. Manich. Jahel also prefigured our B. Lady who crushed the serpent's head."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "And behold Barac following Sisara came: and Jahel going forth to meet him, said to him: Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. Who when he was entered in unto her, saw Sisara lying dead, and the nail fastened in his temples."
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "Therefore God that day humbled Jabin the king of Chanaan before the children of Israel:"
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "which increased daily, and with strong hand oppressed Jabin the king of Chanaan, till they destroyed him."
}
],
"summary": "Again the people sinning are oppressed, and crying to God, 4. by direction of Debbora a Prophetess, Barac fighteth against Sisara their enemy. 15. Who strucken with fear, and flying away, 17. Jahel pretending his safety killeth him in her house."
},
{
"chapter": 5,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "And Debbora and Barac the son of Abinoem sang in that day, saying:"
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "You that of Israel have voluntarily offered your lives to peril, (a) bless our Lord.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "The greater bless the less by imparting spiritual benefits, so God & superiors bless their subjects. Men bless God, & the less their betters, by giving thanks, & praises."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "Hear you kings, and give ear ye Princes: I am, (b) I am she, that will sing to our Lord, I will chant to our Lord the God of Israel.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "She inculcateth that she must so much more praise God for this victory, because he foreshewed it by her, & by her directed the general captain Barac, lest it might be ascribed either to wisdom or valor of any man."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "Lord when thou wentest out of Seir, and didst pass by the countries of Edom, the earth was moved, and the heavens and clouds distilled waters."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "The mountains melted before the face of our Lord, and Sinai before the face of our Lord God of Israel."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "In the days of Samgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jahel the paths rested: and they that went by them, walked by by-ways."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "The valiants in Israel ceased, and rested: until Debbora arose, a mother rose in Israel."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "Our Lord chose new wars, and the gates of the enemies himself subverted: shield and spear if there appeared among forty thousand of Israel."
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "My heart loveth the Princes of Israel: you that of your own good will offered yourselves to danger, bless our Lord."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "You that ride upon your (c) fair asses, and sit in judgment, and walk in the way, speak.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "Those that subdue their bodies to the spirit ride upon fair asses. Origen hom. 6. in c. 5. Iudic."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "Where the chariots were crushed together, and the army of the enemies was suffocated, there let the justices of our Lord be told, and his clemency toward the valiants of Israel: then did the people of Our Lord go down to the gates, and obtained the principality."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "Arise, arise Debbora, arise, arise, and speak a canticle: Arise Barac, and apprehend thy captives thou son of Abinoem."
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "The remnant of the people is saved, our Lord hath fought in the valiants."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "Out from Ephraim he destroyed them into Amalec, and after him out from Benjamin into thy peoples O Amalec: Out from Machir there descended Princes, and out from Zabulon they that led the army to fight."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "The Captains of Issachar were with Debbora, and followed the steps of Barac, who as it were into a headlong and bottomless pit gave himself to danger: Ruben being divided against it-self, there was found contention of courageous persons."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "Why dwellest thou between the two bounds, that thou mayest hear the whistlings of the flocks? Ruben being divided against itself, there was found contention of courageous men."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "Galaad rested beyond Jordan, and Dan gave himself to ships: Aser dwelt in the sea shore, and abode in havens."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "But Zabulon and Nephthali offered their lives to death in their country of Merome."
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "The kings came & fought, the kings of Chanaan fought in Thanac besides the waters of Mageddo, and yet going a preying they took nothing."
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "From heaven they fought against them: the stars remaining in their order and course, fought against Sisara."
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "The torrent of Cison drew their carcasses, the torrent of Cadumim, the torrent of Cison: my soul tread down the strong ones."
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "The hoof of the horses fell off, the strongest of the enemies flying violently, and falling down headlong."
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "Curse ye the land of Meroz, said the Angel of our Lord: Curse the inhabitants thereof, because they came not to help our Lord, to aid his most mighty ones."
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "(a) Blessed among women be Jahel the wife of Haber the Cineite, and blessed be she in her tabernacle.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Jahel the figure was blessed amongst women: much more the most Holy Virgin Mother of God is blessed above all women."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "To him that asked water she gave milk, and in the phial of Princes she offered butter."
},
{
"verse": 26,
"text": "Her left hand she put to the nail, and her right hand to the smiths' hammer, and struck Sisara, seeking in his head a place for the wound, and piercing valiantly through his temple."
},
{
"verse": 27,
"text": "Between her feet he fell: he failed, and died: he was rolled before her feet, and he lay without life and miserable."
},
{
"verse": 28,
"text": "Looking through a window, his mother howled: and she spake out of a higher chamber: Why lingereth his chariot to come back? Wherefore are the feet of his waggons slow?"
},
{
"verse": 29,
"text": "One wiser than the rest of his wives answered these words to her mother in law:"
},
{
"verse": 30,
"text": "Peradventure now he divideth the spoils, and the fairest of the women is chosen for him: garments of sundry colours are delivered to Sisara for a prey, and diverse furniture is laid together to adorn the necks."
},
{
"verse": 31,
"text": "So perish all thine enemies, O Lord: but they that love thee, as the Sun shineth in his rising, so let them glitter."
},
{
"verse": 32,
"text": "And the Land rested for forty years."
}
],
"summary": "The Canticle of Debbora and Barac giving thanks after their victory."
},
{
"chapter": 6,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of our Lord: who delivered them into the hand of Madian seven years,"
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "and they were sore oppressed of them. And they made themselves dens and caves in the mountains, and very well fenced places to resist."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "And when Israel had sown, Madian came up and Amalec, and the rest of the East nations:"
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "and pitching their tents by them wasted all things as they were in the blade unto the entering of Gaza: & they left nothing at all in Israel that pertained to man's life, not sheep, not oxen, not asses."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "For they and all their flocks came with their tabernacles, and like unto locusts filled all places, an innumerable multitude of men, & of camels, wasting whatsoever they touched."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "And Israel was sore humbled in the sight of Madian."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "And he cried to our Lord desiring help against the Madianites."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "Who sent unto them (a) a man that was a Prophet, and he spake: Thus saith our Lord the God of Israel: I made you to come up out of Aegypt, and brought you out of the house of servitude,",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "S. Augustine (q. 31. in Iudic.) supposeth that this messenger sent from God called a man and a Prophet (for the form wherein he appeared) was the same Angel which sat under the oak, and sent Gedeon to deliver Israel v. 11. 12. &c."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "& delivered you out of the hands of the Aegyptians, and of all the enemies, that afflicted you: and I cast them out at your entering, and delivered you their Land."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "And I said: I the Lord your God, fear not the gods of the Ammorrheites, in whose land you dwell. And you would not hear my voice."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "And an Angel of our Lord came, and sat under an oak, that was in Ephra, and pertained to Joas the father of the family of Ezri. And when Gedeon his son did thresh and purge wheat in a winepress, to fly Madian,"
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "the Angel of our Lord appeared to him, and said: Our Lord be with thee, o most valiant of men."
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "And Gedeon said to him: I beseech thee my Lord, if our Lord be with us, why have these evils apprehended us? Where are his marvelous works, which our fathers have told us, and said: Out of Aegypt did our Lord bring us? But now our Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hand of Madian."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "And our Lord looked toward him, and said: Go in this thy strength, and thou shalt deliver Israel out of the hand of Madian: know that I have sent thee."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "Who answering said: I beseech thee, my Lord, wherein shall I deliver Israel? Behold my family is the meanest in Manasses, & I the least in my father's house."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "And our Lord said to him: I will be with thee: and thou shalt strike Madian as it were one man."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "And he said: If I have found, quoth he, grace before thee, give me a sign that it is thou which speakest to me."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "Neither depart thou hence, till I return to thee, bringing a sacrifice, and offering (b) to thee. Who answered: I will tarry thy coming.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "He meant not to offer sacrifice to the Angel, but that either the Angel, or himself in presence of the Angel, should offer it to God: and so indeed the Angel partly directed him what to do, partly executed the office himself, by touching the oblation with his rod: and miraculously bringing fire to consume the sacrifice."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "Gedeon therefore went in, and boiled a kid, and of a bushel of flour baked unleavened loaves: and putting the flesh in a basket, and the broth of the flesh into a pot, he carried all under the oak, and offered to him."
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "To whom the Angel of our Lord said: Take the flesh and the unleavened loaves, and put them upon that rock, and pour out the broth thereon. And when he had done,"
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "the Angel of our Lord stretched forth the tip of the rod, which he held in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened loaves: and there arose a fire from the rock, and consumed the flesh, and the unleavened loaves: and the Angel of our Lord vanished from his eyes."
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "And Gedeon seeing that it was the Angel of our Lord, said: Alas my Lord God: that I have seen the Angel of our Lord face to face."
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "And our Lord said to him: Peace be with thee: fear not, thou shalt not die."
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "And Gedeon built there (c) an altar to our Lord, & called it, our Lord's peace, until this present day. And when he was yet in Ephra, which is of the family of Ezri,",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "An altar for a monument, not for sacrifice."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "that night our Lord said to him: Take a bullock of thy father's, and another bullock of seven years, and thou shalt destroy the altar of Baal, which is thy father's: and cut down the grove, that is about the altar:"
},
{
"verse": 26,
"text": "and thou shalt build an altar to the Lord thy God in the top of this rock, whereupon thou didst lay the sacrifice before: and thou shalt take the second bullock, and shalt offer an holocaust upon a pile of the wood, which thou shalt cut down out of the grove."
},
{
"verse": 27,
"text": "Gedeon therefore taking to him ten men of his servants, did as our Lord had commanded him. But fearing his father's house, and the men of that city, he would not do it by day, but accomplished all things by night."
},
{
"verse": 28,
"text": "And when the men of that town were risen in the morning, they saw the altar of Baal destroyed, and the grove cut down, and the other bullock laid upon the altar, which then was built."
},
{
"verse": 29,
"text": "They said one to another: Who hath done this? And when they inquired for the author of the fact, it was said: Gedeon the son of Joas did all these things."
},
{
"verse": 30,
"text": "And they said to Joas: Bring forth thy son hither, that he may die: because he hath destroyed the altar of Baal, and hath cut down his grove."
},
{
"verse": 31,
"text": "To whom he answered: Why are you revengers of Baal, that you fight for him? He that is his adversary, let him die before tomorrow light appear: if he be God, revenge he himself, on him that hath razed his altar."
},
{
"verse": 32,
"text": "From that day Gedeon was called (d) Jerobaal, because Joas had said: Let Baal revenge himself on him, that hath razed his altar.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "d",
"text": "The strength of Baal, or stronger than Baal."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 33,
"text": "Therefore all Madian, and Amalec, and the east peoples were gathered together, and passing over Jordan, camped in the vale Jezrael."
},
{
"verse": 34,
"text": "But the spirit of our Lord revested Gedeon, who sounding with a trumpet called together the house of Abiezer, to follow him."
},
{
"verse": 35,
"text": "And he sent messengers into all Manasses, which it-self also did follow him: and other messengers into Aser and Zabulon and Nephthali, which met him."
},
{
"verse": 36,
"text": "And Gedeon said to God: If thou save Israel by my hand, as thou hast spoken,"
},
{
"verse": 37,
"text": "I will put this fleece of wool on the floor: if there shall be (e) dew in the fleece only, and on all the ground dryness, I shall know that by my hand, as thou hast spoken, thou wilt deliver Israel.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "e",
"text": "Dew first in the fleece and after on the ground, signified grace and true religion first in one people, after in all nations. Saint Amb. Ser. 13. de Natal. Dom. Vener. Beda qq. in Iudic. c. 4. Also Christ's Incarnation without detriment of his Mother's virginity, of whose grace all are replenished. S. Bernard ho. 2. in Missus est."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 38,
"text": "And it came so to pass. And rising in the night wringing the fleece, he filled a vessel with the dew."
},
{
"verse": 39,
"text": "And he said again to God: Let not thy fury be angry against me if I tempt once again, seeking a sign in the fleece. I desire that the fleece only may be dry, and all the ground wet with dew."
},
{
"verse": 40,
"text": "And God did that night as he had requested: and there was dryness in the fleece only, and dew on all the ground."
}
],
"summary": "The people falling again to sin, are oppressed by the Madianites. 21. An Angel appearing to Gedeon, sendeth him to deliver Israel, 17. confirming his mission by miracle. 25. So he first destroyeth Baal's altar, 34. then gathereth an army against Idolaters. 36. And is assured again of God's protection by two miracles in a fleece of wool."
},
{
"chapter": 7,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "Therefore Jerobaal, which is also Gedeon, rising in the night, and all the people with him, came to the fountain that is called Harad. And the camp of Madian was in the valley on the North side of the high hill."
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "And our Lord said to Gedeon: There is much people with thee, neither shall Madian be delivered into their hand: lest Israel glory against me, and say: By mine own force I am delivered."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "Speak to the people, and proclaim in all their hearing: He that is fearful and timorous, let him return. And they departed from mount Galaad, and there returned two and twenty thousand men, and only ten thousand remained."
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "And our Lord said to Gedeon: Yet there is a great multitude, lead them to the waters, and there I will prove them: and of whom I shall tell thee that he go with thee, let him go: whom I shall forbid to go, let him return."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "And when the people were come down to the waters, our Lord said to Gedeon: They that shall lap the water with their tongues, as dogs are wont to lap, thou shalt separate them apart: but they that shall drink bowing down their knees, shall be on the other part."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "The number therefore of them that had lapped water, their hand casting it to their mouth, was three hundred men: and all the rest of the multitude had drunk kneeling."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "And our lord said to Gedeon: In the three hundred men, that lapped water, I will deliver you, and give Madian in thy hand: but let all the rest of the multitude return into their place."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "Taking therefore victuals and trumpets according to the number, all the rest of the multitude he commanded to depart to their tabernacles: and himself with the three hundred gave himself to the battle. And the camp of Madian was beneath in the valley."
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "The same night our Lord said to him: Arise, & go down into the camp: because I have delivered them into thy hand."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "But if thou be afraid to go alone, let Phara thy servant go down with thee."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "And when thou shalt hear what they speak, then shall thy hands be strengthened, & thou shalt go down more secure to the enemies' camp. He therefore went down and Phara his servant into part of the camp, where the watch was of men in arms."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "But Madian and Amalec, & all the East peoples lay scattered in the valley, as a multitude of locusts: their camels also were innumerable, as the sand that lieth in the sea shore."
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "And when Gedeon was come, one told his neighbour (a) a dream & in this manner he reported that which he had seen: I saw a dream, & there seemed to me as it were a hearth loaf of barley to roll, & to come into the camp of Madian: and when it was come to the tabernacle, it struck it, and overthrew it, & beat it all flat with the earth.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Observation of dreams is generally forbid. Levit. 19. v. 26. Deut. 18. v. 10. yet here, and in other places, it is evident, God would have some observed. See Annot. Gen. 40."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "He to whom he spake, answered: This is no other thing, but the sword of Gedeon the son of Joas the man of Israel. For the Lord hath delivered Madian into his hands, and all their camp."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "And when Gedeon had heard the dream, and the interpretation thereof, he adored: and turned to the camp of Israel, and said: Arise ye, for our Lord hath delivered the camp of Madian into our hands."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "And he divided the three hundred men into three parts, and gave them trumpets in their hands, and (b) empty pitchers, and lamps in the midst of their pitchers.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "These things were ridiculous (saith Venerab. Beda c. 4. qq. in Iudic. ) if they had not been terrible to the enemies."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "And he said to them: What you shall see me do, that do ye: I will enter into part of the camp, & that which I shall do follow you."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "When the trumpet shall sound in my hand, do you also sound and cry together round about the camp: To our Lord (c) & to Gedeon.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "It is no derogation to God, that honour is also given to his servants."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "And Gedeon went in, & the three hundred that were with him, into part of the camp, the watch of midnight beginning, and raising up the watch men they began to sound with their (d) trumpets, and to clap the pitchers one against another.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "d",
"text": "Trumpets signified Preachers of Christ, pitchers the bodies of Martyrs, & lamps their virtues & miracles. Vener. Beda. qq. in Iudic. c. 5."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "And when they sounded in three places round about the camp, and had broken the pitchers, they held the lamps in the left hands, and with the right they sounded the trumpets, and cried: The sword of our Lord and of Gedeon:"
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "standing every one in his place round about the enemies' camp. Therefore the whole camp was troubled, and crying out and howling they fled:"
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "and the three hundred men nevertheless persisted sounding with the trumpets. And our Lord sent in the sword in all the camp, and they murdered one another,"
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "flying as far as Bethsetta, and the brink of Abelmehula in Tebbath. But the men of Israel of Nephthali, and Aser shouting together, & all Manasses pursued Madian."
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "And Gedeon sent messengers into all mount Ephraim, saying: Come down to meet Madian, and take the waters before them to Bethbera and Jordan. And all Ephraim shouted, and took the waters before them and Jordan unto Bethbera."
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "And two men that were apprehended of Madian, Oreb and Zeb, Oreb he slew in the Rock of Oreb, Zeb in the press of Zeb. And they pursued Madian, carrying the heads of Oreb and Zeb to Gedeon beyond the streams of Jordan."
}
],
"summary": "Gedeon marching with thirty two thousand men, all that are fearful, and that drink water kneeling are dismissed, & only three hundred that drink little remain. 9. By a Madianite's dream Gedeon is encouraged. 16. By a stratagem the enemy is frighted & overthrown. 24. The Ephraites kill Oreb & Zeb."
},
{
"chapter": 8,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "And the men of Ephraim said to him: What is this that thou didst mean to do, that thou wouldst not call us when thou didst go to fight against Madian? Chiding bitterly and almost offering violence."
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "To whom he answered: (a) What could I have done like to that, which you have done? Is not the cluster of Ephraim better than the vintages of Abiezer?",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Asoft answer breaketh anger: hard speech stirreth up fury Prov. 15."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "Into your hands hath our Lord delivered the Princes of Madian, Oreb and Zeb, what could I have done the like as you have done? Which when he had spoken, their spirit rested, wherewith they did swell against him."
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "And when Gedeon was come to Jordan, he passed over it with the three hundred men that were with him: and for weariness, they could not pursue them that fled."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "And he said to the men of Soccoth: Give, I beseech you, bread to the people that is with me, because they are very faint: that we may pursue Zebee and Salmana the kings of Madian."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "The Princes of Soccoth answered: Peradventure the palms of the hands of Zebee and Salmana are in thy hand, & therefore thou requirest that we give bread to thy army."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "To whom he said: When our Lord therefore shall have delivered Zebee and Salmana into my hands, I will tear your flesh with the thorns and briers of the desert."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And going up from thence, he came into Phanuel: & he spake to the men of that place the like things. To whom they also answered, as the men of Soccoth had answered."
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "He said therefore to them also: When I shall be returned conqueror in peace, I will destroy this tower."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "But Zebee and Salmana rested with all their army. For fifteen thousand men were remaining of all the troops of the East peoples, and hundred and twenty thousand fighting men and those that drew sword, being slain."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "And Gedeon going up by the way of them, that dwelt in tabernacles, on the East side of Nobe, & Iegbaa, struck the camp of the enemies which were secure, and suspected no mischance."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "And Zebee and Salmana fled, whom Gedeon pursuing apprehended, all their host being put out of array."
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "And returning from the battle before sun rising,"
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "he took a boy of the men of Soccoth: and he asked him the names of the Princes and ancients of Soccoth, and he described seventy seven men."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "And he came to Soccoth, and said to them: Behold Zebee and Salmana, concerning whom you upbraided me, saying: Peradventure the hands of Zebee and Salmana are in thy hands, and therefore thou desirest that we give bread to the men that be weary, and are faint."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "He took therefore the ancients of the city, and thorns and briers of the desert, and tore them with the same, and cut the men of Soccoth into pieces."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "The tower also of Phanuel he overthrew, killing the inhabitants of the city."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "And he said to Zebee and Salmana: What manner of men were they, whom you slew in Thabor? Who answered: Like unto thee, and one of them as it were the son of a king."
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "To whom he answered: They were my brethren, the sons of my mother. Our Lord liveth, that if you had saved them (b) I would not kill you.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "Zebee and Salmana were not of any of the seven nations whom God commanded to destroy and therefore Gedeon might have spared their lives, if he would."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "And he said to Jether his eldest son: Arise, and kill them. Who drew not out his sword: for he was afraid, because he was yet a boy."
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "And Zebee and Salmana said: Do thou rise and run upon us: because according to his age is the strength of a man. Gedeon rose up, and slew Zebee and Salmana: and he took the ornaments and bosses, wherewith the necks of kings' camels are wont to be adorned."
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "And all the men of Israel said to Gedeon: (c) Rule thou over us, and thy son, and thy son's son: because thou hast delivered us from the hand of Madian.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "Kings may do any thing not contrary to the law: but Judges and Dukes may only do according to the law. See 1. Reg. 8."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "To whom he said: I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you, but our Lord shall rule over you."
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "And he said to them: One petition I request of you: Give me the earlets of your prey. For the Ismalites were accustomed to have golden earlets."
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "Who answered: we will give them most willingly. And spreading a mantle on the ground, they cast on it the earlets of the prey:"
},
{
"verse": 26,
"text": "and the weight of the earlets that he desired, was a thousand seven hundred sicles of gold, besides the ornaments, and jewels, and purple vesture, which the kings of Madian were wont to use, & besides the golden chains of the camels."
},
{
"verse": 27,
"text": "And Gedeon made thereof an Ephod, and put it in his city Ephra. And all Israel did fornicate in it, and it became a ruin to Gedeon and to all his house."
},
{
"verse": 28,
"text": "But Madian was humbled before the children of Israel, neither could they any more lift up their necks: but the land rested for forty years, wherein Gedeon ruled."
},
{
"verse": 29,
"text": "Jerobaal therefore the son of Joas went, and dwelt in his own house:"
},
{
"verse": 30,
"text": "and he had seventy sons, which came out of his thigh, because he had many wives."
},
{
"verse": 31,
"text": "And his (d) concubine, which he had in Sichem, bare him a son named Abimelec.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "d",
"text": "His handmaid or servant, not a harlot: to wit, such a one as had not the privilege of a wife, as Gen. 25. v. 6."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 32,
"text": "And Gedeon the son of Joas died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father in Ephra of the family of Ezri."
},
{
"verse": 33,
"text": "But after that Gedeon was dead, the children of Israel were averted, and did fornicate with Baalim. And they made a covenant with Baal, that he should be their God:"
},
{
"verse": 34,
"text": "neither did they remember our Lord their God, which delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies round about:"
},
{
"verse": 35,
"text": "neither did they mercy with the house of Jerobaal Gedeon, according to all the benefits that he had done to Israel."
}
],
"summary": "The Ephraimites quarrelling because they were not called to the wars, are pacified by Gedeon. 4. The men of Soccoth and Phanuel denying victuals for the camp, Gedeon (in the mean time 10. overthrowing the enemy) 15. revengeth their reproachful contempt, 18. killeth Soccoth and Salmana, 22. refuseth dominion, 24. but receiveth as a gift, the Jewels taken in the prey: 27. maketh thereof an Ephod, which turneth to the ruin of his family. 30. Having seventy sons by his wives, and one by a concubine, dieth in good old age. 33. And the people fall again to idolatry."
},
{
"chapter": 9,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "And (a) Abimelech the son of Jerobaal went into Sichem to his mother's brethren and spake to them, & to all the kindred of the house of his mother's father, saying:",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "This son of Gedeon by his servant prefigured Antichrist, who will persecute the Church & reign for a while: but in the end shall be destroyed. S. Beda c. 6. qq. in Iudic."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "Speak to all the men of Sichem: whether is better for you, that seventy men have dominion over you, all the sons of Jerobaal, or that one man have dominion over you? & withal consider that I am your bone, and your flesh."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "And his mother's brethren spake to him to all the men of Sichem all these words, & inclined their hearts after Abimelech, saying: He is our brother."
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "And they gave him seventy weight of silver out of the temple of Baalberit. Who hired therewith unto himself needy men and vagabonds, and they followed him."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "And he came into his father's house in Ephra, and murdered his brethren the sons of Jerobaal, seventy men, upon one stone: & there remained Joatham the youngest son of Jerobaal, & was hid."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "And all the men of Sichem assembled together all the families of the city of Mello: & they went and made Abimelech king, beside the oak that stood in Sichem."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "Which being told to Joatham, he went, (b) & stood in the top of mount Garizim: & lifting up his voice, he cried, & said: Hear me ye men of Sichem, so as God may hear you.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "True Pastors in the time of Antichrist will still avouch the truth and the right of the Church."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "The trees went to anoint a king over them: & they said to the (c) olive tree: Reign over us.",
"has_annotation": true,
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "Oil spiritually signifieth the grace of the Holy ghost, making peace of conscience in men's souls towards God."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "Which answered: Can I forsake my fatness, which both gods do use, and men, and come to be promoted among the trees?"
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "And the trees said to the (d) fig tree: Come, and take the Kingdom over us.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "d",
"text": "The sweetness of God's law producing good works."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "Which answered them: Can I forsake my sweetness, and my most sweet fruits, & go to be promoted among the other trees?"
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "And the trees spake to the (e) vine: Come, and reign over us.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "e",
"text": "Contemptible in outward shew, but bringing forth liquor of marvelous force; which sort of works God is most delighted withal: and men most admire. Psal. 85."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "Which answered them: Can I forsake my wine, that cheereth God and men, & be promoted among the other trees?"
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "And the trees said to (f) the [1] rhamnus: Come, and reign over us.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "f",
"text": "The rhamnus signifieth base and ambitious men."
},
{
"label": "1",
"text": "* brier, bramble or thistle."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "Who answered them: If indeed you make me your king, Come, and rest under my shadow: but if you mean it not, let there fire issue forth of the rhamnus, & devour the cedars of Libanus."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "Now therefore, if you have well, and without sin appointed Abimelech king over you, and have dealt well with Jerobaal, and with his house, & have requited him the like for his benefits, who fought for you,"
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "& put his life in dangers, that he might deliver you from the hand of Madian,"
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "who now are risen against my father's house, and have killed his sons seventy men upon one stone, & have made Abimelec the son of his handmaid king over the inhabitants of Sichem, because he is your brother:"
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "If therefore you have dealt well, and without fault with Jerobaal, and his house, rejoice this day in Abimelech, & rejoice he in you."
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "But if unjustly, let there fire issue forth from him, and consume the inhabitants of Sichem, and town of Mello: and let there fire go forth from the men of Sichem, and from the town of Mello, & devour Abimelech."
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "Which things when he had said, he fled, and went into Bera: and dwelt there for fear of Abimelech his brother."
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "Abimelech therefore reigned over Israel three years."
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "And our Lord sent (g) a very evil spirit between Abimelech and the inhabitants of Sichem: Who began to detest him,",
"notes": [
{
"label": "g",
"text": "God doth suggest only good cogitations, as remorse of conscience in the Sichemites, for their ingratitude towards Gedeon, and for so wicked and cruel a murder of his sons. Whereupon they began to detest Abimelech, and, so hatred grew between him & them, which is a most evil spirit, but their former sin, not God, was the cause thereof. S. Aug. q. 45. in Iudic."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "& to lay the wickedness of the murdering of the seventy sons of Jerobaal, & the shedding of their blood upon Abimelech their brother, and upon the rest of the Princes of the Sichemites, that had holpen him."
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "And they set an ambushment against him on the top of the mountains: & whiles they tarried for his coming, they committed robberies, taking preys of them that passed by: and it was told Abimelech."
},
{
"verse": 26,
"text": "And Gaal the son of Obed came with his brethren, & passed into Sichem. At whose coming the inhabitants of Sichem taking courage,"
},
{
"verse": 27,
"text": "issued forth into the fields, wasting the vineyards, & treading the grapes: and gathering companies of musicians went into the temple of their god, and in their banquets and cups cursed Abimelech,"
},
{
"verse": 28,
"text": "Gaal the son of Obed crying: Who is Abimelech; and what is Sichem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerobaal, and hath made Zebul his servant prince over the men of Emor the father of Sichem? Why then shall we serve him?"
},
{
"verse": 29,
"text": "would God that some man would give this people under my hand, that I might take Abimelech out of the way. And some said to Abimelech: Gather together a multitude of an army, and come."
},
{
"verse": 30,
"text": "For Zebul the Prince of the city, hearing the words of Gaal the son of Obed, was very wrath,"
},
{
"verse": 31,
"text": "& sent messengers secretly to Abimelech, saying: Behold, Gaal the son of Obed is come into Sichem with his brethren, & raiseth the city against thee."
},
{
"verse": 32,
"text": "Arise therefore in the night with the people, that is with thee, and lie hid in the field:"
},
{
"verse": 33,
"text": "and betimes in the morning at sun rising, set upon the city. And when he issueth forth against thee with his people, do to him what thou shalt be able."
},
{
"verse": 34,
"text": "Abimelech therefore arose with all his army in the night, and laid ambushments near to Sichem in four places."
},
{
"verse": 35,
"text": "And Gaal the son of Obed went forth, & stood in the entrance of the gate of the city. And Abimelech rose, & all his army with him from the place of the ambushments."
},
{
"verse": 36,
"text": "And when Gaal had seen the people, he said to Zebul: Behold a multitude cometh down from the mountains. To whom he answered: Thou seest the shadows of the mountains as it were heads of men, & with this error thou art deceived."
},
{
"verse": 37,
"text": "Again Gaal said: Behold there cometh down people from the navel of the land, & one troop cometh by the way that looketh to the oak."
},
{
"verse": 38,
"text": "To whom Zebul said: Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou didst speak? Who is Abimelech that we should serve him? Is not this the people, which thou didst despise? Go forth, and fight against him."
},
{
"verse": 39,
"text": "Gaal therefore went, the people of the Sichimites looking on, and fought against Abimelech,"
},
{
"verse": 40,
"text": "who pursued him flying, and drive him into the city: and there were slain of his part many, unto the gate of the city."
},
{
"verse": 41,
"text": "And Abimelech sat in Ruma: but Zebul expelled Gaal and his companions out of the city, neither did he suffer them to abide in it."
},
{
"verse": 42,
"text": "Therefore the day following the people went forth into the field. Which being told to Abimelech,"
},
{
"verse": 43,
"text": "he took his army, and divided it into three troops, setting ambushments in the fields. And seeing that the people came out of the city, he arose, and set upon them"
},
{
"verse": 44,
"text": "with his own troop, oppugning and besieging the city: and two troops scattered through the field pursue the adversaries."
},
{
"verse": 45,
"text": "Moreover Abimelech all the day oppugned the city: which he took, & killed the inhabitants thereof, and destroyed it, so that he (a) sowed salt in it.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "For more revenge he sowed the city with salt, which maketh ground barren. Theod. q. 17. in lib. Iudic."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 46,
"text": "Which when they heard that dwelt in the tower of Sichem, they entered into the temple of their god Berith, where they had made a covenant with him, & thereof the place had taken his name, which was exceeding well fenced."
},
{
"verse": 47,
"text": "Abimelech also hearing that the men of the tower of Sichem were gathered together,"
},
{
"verse": 48,
"text": "he went up into mount Selmon with all his people: and taking an axe, he cut off the bough of a tree, and laying it on his shoulder & carrying it, he said to his companions: That which you see me do, do ye out of hand."
},
{
"verse": 49,
"text": "They therefore cutting off boughs from the trees, every man as fast as he could, followed their captain. Who compassing the fort burnt it: and so it came to pass, that with the smoke and the fire a thousand persons were slain, men and women together, of the inhabitants of the tower of Sichem."
},
{
"verse": 50,
"text": "And Abimelech departing thence came to the town of Thebes, which compassing he besieged with his army."
},
{
"verse": 51,
"text": "And there was in the midst of the city an high tower, to the which were fled both men and women together, and all the Princes of the city, the gate being shut very strongly, and they standing upon the battlements of the tower by the bulwarks."
},
{
"verse": 52,
"text": "And Abimelech coming near the tower, fought manfully: & approaching to the door, endeavoured to put fire under it:"
},
{
"verse": 53,
"text": "and behold one woman casting from above a piece of a millstone, (b) dashed it against the head of Abimelech, and brake his brain.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "Evils shall betide the unjust man to destruction. Psal. 139."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 54,
"text": "Who called by and by his esquire, and said to him: Draw out thy sword, and strike me: lest perhaps it be said that I was slain of a woman. Who doing as he was commanded slew him."
},
{
"verse": 55,
"text": "And when he was dead, all that were with him of Israel returned into their seats:"
},
{
"verse": 56,
"text": "and God repayed the evil, that Abimelech had done against his father, killing his seventy brethren."
},
{
"verse": 57,
"text": "The Sichemites were also rewarded for that which they had wrought, and the curse of Joatham the son of Jerobaal came upon them."
}
],
"summary": "Abimelech Gedeon's concubine's son killeth his brethren, 7. only the youngest escapeth, and by a parable expostulateth the injury done to his father's house. 23. Shortly the Sichemites detest Abimelech. 26. Gaal conspireth against him, but is overcome. 50. Finally Abimelech is wounded to death by a woman."
},
{
"chapter": 10,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "After Abimelech there arose Ruler in Israel Thola the son of Phua the uncle of Abimelech, a man of Issachar, which dwelt in Samir of mount Ephraim:"
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "and judged Israel three and twenty years, and died and was buried in Samir."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "After him succeeded Jair the Galaadite, who judged Israel for two and twenty years,"
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "having thirty sons sitting upon thirty ass colts, & Princes of thirty cities, which of his name were called Havoth Jair, that is, the towns of Jair, until this present day, in the Land of Galaad."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "And Jair died, and was buried in the place, which is called Camon."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "But the children of Israel joining new sins to their old, did evil in the sight of our Lord, & served the idols, Baalim and Astaroth, & the gods of Syria and of Sidon and of Moab and of the children of Ammon and of the Philisthiims: and they left our Lord, and did not serve him."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "Against whom our Lord being wrath, delivered them into the hands of the Philisthiims and of the children of Ammon."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And they were afflicted and sore oppressed for eighteen years, all that dwelt beyond Jordan in the Land of the Amorrhite, which is in Galaad:"
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "in so much, that the children of Ammon passing over Jordan wasted Judas and Benjamin and Ephraim: and Israel was afflicted exceedingly."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "And crying to our Lord, they said: We have sinned to thee, because we have forsaken our Lord God & have served Baalim."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "To whom our Lord spake: Have not the Aegyptians and the Amorrheites, and the children of Ammon and the Philisthiims,"
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "the Sidonians also and Amalech and Chanaan oppressed you, & you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand?"
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "And yet you have forsaken me, and have worshipped strange gods: therefore I will not add to deliver you any more:"
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "go and invocate the gods which you have chosen: let them deliver you in the time of distress."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "And the children of Israel said to our Lord: We have sinned, render to us whatsoever pleaseth thee: only now deliver us."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "In saying which things, (a) they threw away out of their coasts all the idols of strange gods, and served our Lord God: who sorrowed for their miseries.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Not every one that saith: Lord, Lord, but he that doth the will of God &c. Mat. 7."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "Therefore the children of Ammon crying together pitcht their tents in Galaad: against whom the children of Israel being assembled camped in Maspha."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "And the Princes of Galaad said every one to their neighbours: Who of us shall first begin to fight against the children of Ammon, shall be the Duke of the people of Galaad."
}
],
"summary": "Thola ruleth in Israel twenty three years. 3. Jair twenty two. 6. The people fall again to idolatry, are afflicted by the Philisthimes and Ammonites. 10. They cry to God for help, who biddeth them call for help to the gods whom they have served. 16. But crying still to God, and throwing away their idols, he hath compassion of them."
},
{
"chapter": 11,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "There was at that time Jephte the Galaadite, a most valiant man & a warrior, the son of a woman that was (a) an harlot, who was born of Galaad.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "The Hebrew word zonah signifieth also an Innkeeper."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "And Galaad had a wife of whom he had sons: who after they were grown, cast out Jephte, saying: Thou canst not be heir in the house of our father, because thou art born of another mother."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "Whom he flying & avoiding, dwelt in the Land of Tob: and there were gathered to him needy men, & thievish, & followed him as their Prince."
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "In those days the children of Ammon fought against Israel:"
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "who pressing sore upon them, the ancients of Galaad went to take Jephte out of the Land of Tob to help them:"
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "& they said to him: Come & be our Prince, & fight against the children of Ammon."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "To whom he answered: Are not you they that hated me, & cast me out of my father's house, and now are come to me forced by necessity."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And the Princes of Galaad said to Jephte: For this cause be we now (b) come to thee, that thou go forth with us, & fight against the children of Ammon, and be the Captain of all that dwell in Galaad.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "If they had not concurred to his expulsion, it might have sufficed to have sent for him, but in this case the ancients judged it meet to go in person, & to entreat him. So Christ was rejected by the Jews, & returneth not to them till in the end of the world they shall seek unto him. S. Aug. q. 49. in Iudic. post medium."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "Jephte also said to them: If you be come to me sincerely, that I should fight for you against the children of Ammon, and if our Lord deliver them into my hands, shall I be your Prince?"
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "Who answered him: Our Lord which heareth these things, himself is mediator and witness that we will do as we have promised."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "Jephte therefore went with the Princes of Galaad, and all the people made him their Prince. And Jephte spake all his words before our Lord in Maspha."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "And he sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, which should say in his person: What is between me and thee, that thou art come against me, to waste my Land?"
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "To whom he answered: Because Israel took my land when he ascended out of Aegypt, from the coasts of Arnon unto Iaboc and Jordan: now therefore with peace restore the same to me."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "By whom Jephte again sent word, and commanded them that they should say to the king of Ammon:"
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "Thus saith Jephte: Israel did not take the Land of Moab, nor the Land of the children of Ammon:"
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "but when they ascended out of Aegypt, he walked through the desert unto the Red sea, and came into Cades."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "[1] And he sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying: Suffer me that I may pass through the land. Who would not condescend to his requests. He sent also to the king of Moab, who also himself contemned to give passage. He abode therefore in Cades,",
"cross_refs": [
{
"text": "Num. 20."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "and compassed the Land of Edom at the side, and the land of Moab: & came against the East quarter of the Land of Moab, & camped beyond Arnon: neither would he enter the bounds of Moab: for Arnon is the border of the Land of Moab."
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "Israel therefore sent messengers to Sehon the king of the Amorrheites, who dwelt in Hesebon, & they said to him: Suffer me to pass through thy land unto the river."
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "Who also himself despising the words of Israel, suffered him not to pass through his borders: but gathering an infinite multitude went forth against him into Jasa, & resisted strongly."
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "And our Lord delivered him into the hands of Israel with all his army, & he struck him, & possessed all the Land of the Amorrhite the inhabiter of that country,"
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "and all the coasts thereof from Arnon unto Iaboc, and from the wilderness unto Jordan."
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "Our Lord therefore the God of Israel subverted the Amorrhite, his people of Israel fighting against him, and wilt thou now possess his land?"
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "Are not those things which (c) Chamos thy god possessed, due to thee by right? But the things that our Lord God hath obtained conqueror, shall come to our possession:",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "In the opinion of infidels, it seemed that they possessed countries by the help of false gods, and so they thought themselves to have just title. Much more just is the title when God almighty giveth victory of conquest. S. Aut. q. 48. in Iudic."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "unless perhaps thou be better than Balac the son of Sephor the king of Moab: or canst shew, that he wrangled against Israel, and fought against him,"
},
{
"verse": 26,
"text": "when he dwelt in Hesebon, & the little towns thereof, & in Aroer, & the towns thereof, or in all the cities near Jordan, for (d) three hundred years. Wherefore have you so long attempted nothing for reclaim?",
"notes": [
{
"label": "d",
"text": "He argueth upon prescription of 300. years being near so much, for there wanted scarce thirty: being from the conquest made by Moyses (Num. 21.) till the time of Jephte about 270. years."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 27,
"text": "Therefore I do not sin against thee, but thou doest evil against me, denouncing me unjust wars. Our Lord be judge the arbiter of this day between Israel, and between the children of Ammon."
},
{
"verse": 28,
"text": "And the king of the children of Ammon would not harken to the words of Jephte, which he sent him by the messengers."
},
{
"verse": 29,
"text": "Therefore the spirit of our Lord came upon Jephte, and circuiting Galaad, and Manasses, Maspha also of Galaad, and thence passing to the children of Ammon,"
},
{
"verse": 30,
"text": "he vowed a vow to our Lord, saying: If thou wilt deliver the children of Ammon into my hands,"
},
{
"verse": 31,
"text": "(d) whosoever shalt first come forth out of the doors of my house, and shall meet me returning with peace from the children of Ammon, him will I offer an holocaust to our Lord.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "d",
"text": "This vow was unlawful, for the law forbiddeth to offer man or woman in sacrifice. Exo. 34. v. 20. Deut. 12. v. 31."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 32,
"text": "And Jephte passed to the children of Ammon, to fight against them: whom our Lord delivered into his hands."
},
{
"verse": 33,
"text": "And he struck from Aroer till thou come to Mennith, twenty cities, and as far as Abel, which is set with vineyards, with a very great plague. And the children of Ammon were humbled by the children of Israel."
},
{
"verse": 34,
"text": "But Jephte returning into Maspha to his house, his only begotten daughter met him with timbrels and dances. For he had not other children."
},
{
"verse": 35,
"text": "Whom when he saw, he rent his garments, and said: Woe is me my daughter, thou hast deceived me, and thyself art deceived: for I have opened my mouth to our Lord, and I can do no other thing."
},
{
"verse": 36,
"text": "To whom she answered: My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth to our Lord, do unto me whatsoever thou hast promised, the revenge & victory of thine enemies being granted to thee."
},
{
"verse": 37,
"text": "And she said to her father: This only grant me which I desire: Suffer me that two months I may go about the mountains, & (e) bewail my virginity with my fellows.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "e",
"text": "In the old testament marriage was ordinarily preferred before single life, but in the new it is better to keep virginity. 1. Cor. 7. v. 38."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 38,
"text": "To whom he answered: Go. And he dismissed her two months. And when she was gone with her fellows and companions, she mourned her virginity in the mountains."
},
{
"verse": 39,
"text": "And the two months being expired, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed, who knew not man. Thence-forth a fashion in Israel, and a custom was kept:",
"has_annotation": true
},
{
"verse": 40,
"text": "that after the compass of a year the daughters of Israel assemble together, and mourn the daughter of Jephte the Galaadite four days."
}
],
"summary": "Jephte rejected by his brethren, is entreated by the ancients of Galaad to return and fight for them against the Ammonites: 12. with whom he first pleadeth the cause of Israel by just reasons 26. and long prescription. But they persisting obstinate, he (30. inconsiderately vowing) 32. overthroweth them, 34. and sacrificeth his only daughter."
},
{
"chapter": 12,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "But behold in Ephraim there arose a sedition. For they passing against the North, said to Jephte: Going to fight against the children of Ammon, why wouldst thou not call us, that we might go with thee? Therefore we will burn thy house."
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "To whom he answered: I and my people were at great strife against the children of Ammon: & I called you, that you should aid me, and you would not do it."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "Which I seeing (a) put my life in mine own hands, and passed to the children of Ammon, and our Lord delivered them into my hands. What have I deserved, that you rise against me in battle.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "That is, exposed myself to danger trusting to God's help & mine own hands, when others would not assist me."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "Therefore all the men of Galaad being called to him, he fought against Ephraim: and the men of Galaad struck Ephraim, because he had said: (b) Galaad is a fugitive of Ephraim, & dwelleth in the midst of Ephraim & Manasses.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "Jephte being of Manasses' tribe, the Ephraites envied his glory and calumniously objected that he & his followers were fugitives, so raised a tumult to their own loss."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "And the Galaadites took the fords of Jordan, by the which Ephraim was to return. And when there had come to the same one of the number of Ephraim, flying, and had said: I beseech you let me pass: The Galaadites said to him: Art thou not an Ephraite? Who saying: I am not:"
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "they asked him: Say then Schibboleth, which is interpreted an ear of corn. Who answered, Sibboleth, not being able by the same letter to express, an ear of corn. And immediately being apprehended they killed him in the very passage of Jordan. And there fell at that time of Ephraim two and forty thousand."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "Therefore Jephte the Galaadite judged Israel six years: and he died, and was buried in his city of Galaad."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "After him Abesan of Bethlehem judged Israel:"
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "who had thirty sons, and as many daughters, which he sending abroad, gave to husbands, and took wives for his sons of the same number, bringing them into his house. Who judged Israel seven years:"
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "and died and was buried in Bethlehem."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "To whom succeeded Ahialon a Zabulonite: and he judged Israel ten years:"
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "and he died and was buried in Zabulon."
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "After him Abdon judged Israel, the son of Illel a Pharathonite:"
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "who had forty sons, and of them thirty nephews, mounting upon seventy ass colts, and he judged Israel eight years:"
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "and he died, and was buried in Pharathon of the Land of Ephraim, in the mount of Amalec."
}
],
"summary": "Ephraites rising against Jephte, forty two thousand of them are slain. 8. Abesan is Judge. 11. After him Ahialon. 13. Then Abdon."
},
{
"chapter": 13,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "And again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of our Lord: who delivered them into the hands of the Philistiims forty years."
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "And there was a certain man of Saraa, and of the stock of Dan, named Manue, having a wife barren."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "To whom an Angel of our Lord appeared, and said to her: Thou art barren and without children: but thou shalt conceive & bear a son:"
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "beware therefore that thou (a) drink not wine & sicer, nor eat any unclean thing:",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Abstinence not only from things unclean by the law, but also from wine and sicer, was a preparation to the child, who should abstain from them all his life."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "because thou shalt conceive & bear a son, whose head the razor shall not touch: for he shall be a Nazarite of God, (b) from his infancy, and from his mother's womb, and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistiims.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "Other Nazarites observed a prescript rule of abstinence for a time only. Num. 6. but Samson all his life; as a more perfect figure of Christ."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "Who when she was come to her husband, said to him: A man of God came to me, having an Angelical countenance, exceeding terrible. Whom when I had asked, who he was, and whence he came, and by what name he was called, he would not tell me:"
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "but this he answered: Behold thou shalt conceive and bear a son: beware thou drink not wine nor sicer, and that thou eat not any unclean thing: for the child shall be the Nazarite of God from his infancy, and from his mother's womb until the day of his death."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "Manue therefore prayed to our Lord, and said: I beseech thee, o Lord, that the man of God, whom thou didst send, may come again, and teach us what we ought to do concerning the child that shall be born."
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "And our Lord heard Manue praying, and the Angel of our Lord appeared again to his wife sitting in the field, but Manue her husband was not with her. Who when she had seen the Angel,"
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "hastened, and ran to her husband: and she told him, saying: Behold the man hath appeared to me, whom I saw before.",
"has_annotation": true
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "Who rose, and followed his wife: and coming to the man, said to him: Art thou he that didst speak to the woman? And he answered: I am."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "To whom Manue, when, said he, thy word shall be fulfilled, what wilt thou that the child do? Or from what shall he keep himself?"
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "And the Angel of our Lord said to Manue: From all things, which I have spoken to thy wife, let him refrain himself:"
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "and whatsoever groweth of the vineyard, let him not eat: wine and sicer let him not drink, let him not eat any unclean thing: and whatsoever I have commanded her, let him fulfill and keep."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "And Manue said to the Angel of our Lord: I beseech thee that thou condescend to my petitions, and let us (c) make to thee a kid of goats.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "Manue taking the Angel for a holy Prophet justly thought he would not admit, nor command any thing but that was lawful. And so did as the Angel appointed him, though he was no Priest, nor the place proper to sacrifice, but by extraordinary dispensation."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "to whom the Angel answered: If thou constrain me, I will not eat thy bread: but if thou wilt make holocaust, offer it to our Lord. And Manue knew not that it was an Angel of our Lord."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "And he said to him: What is thy name, that, if thy word shall be fulfilled, we may honour thee?"
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "To whom he answered: Why asketh thou my name, which is marvelous?"
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "Manue therefore took a kid of the goats: and the libaments, & put them upon a rock, offering to our Lord, who doth marvelous things: & he and his wife looked on."
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "And when the flame of the altar ascended into heaven, the Angel of our Lord ascended together in the flame. Which when Manue and his wife had seen, they fell flat on the ground,"
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "& the Angel of our Lord appeared to them no more. And forthwith Manue understood that it was an Angel of our Lord,"
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "and he said to his wife: Dying we shall die, because we have seen (a) God.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Though Manue saw not God in his own person, yet seeing him in his messenger feared death. S. Aug. q. 54. in Iudic."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "To whom his wife answered: If our Lord would have killed us, he would not have taken of our hands holocausts and libaments, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor have told us these things that are to come."
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "She therefore bare a son, and called his name Samson. And the child grew, and our Lord blessed him."
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "And the Spirit of our Lord began to be with him in the camp of Dan betwixt Saraa and Esthaol."
}
],
"summary": "The people fall again to idolatry & are afflicted by the Philisthiims. 3. An Angel fortelleth Manue his wife, that she shall have a son, & that he shall be a Nazareite from his birth. 11. Confirmeth the same to Manue. 16. They offer sacrifice to God. 24. The child is born, called Samson, and blessed of God."
},
{
"chapter": 14,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "Samson therefore went down into Thamnatha, and seeing there a woman of the daughters of the Philisthiims,"
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "he went up and told his father and his mother, saying: I saw a woman in Thamnatha of the daughters of the Philisthiims: which I beseech you take for me to wife."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "To whom his father and mother said: (a) Is there not a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, and in all my people, that thou wilt take a wife of the Philisthiims, which are uncircumcised? And Samson said to his father: Take this for me: because she hath pleased mine eyes.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "It was prohibited (Deut. 7. v. 3.) to make marriage with the Gentiles, but God sometimes dispensed: as here it appeareth he did. v. 4."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "But his parents knew not that the thing was done of our Lord, & he sought an occasion against the Philisthiims, for at that time the Philisthiims had dominion over Israel."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "Samson therefore went down with his father and mother into Thamnatha. And when they were come to the vineyards of the town, there appeared a lion's whelp cruel, and roaring, and met him."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "And the Spirit of our Lord came upon Samson, and he tore the lion, as if he should tear a kid into pieces, having nothing at all in his hand: and this thing he would not tell to his father and mother."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "And he went down and spake to the woman, that had pleased his eyes."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And after some days returning to take her, he went aside to see the carcass of the lion, and behold there was a swarm of bees in the mouth of the lion, and a honey comb."
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "Which when he had taken in his hands, he did eat in the way: and coming to his father and mother, he gave them part, who also themselves did eat: neither would he for all that tell them, that he had taken the honey from the body of the lion."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "His father therefore went down to the woman, and made his son Samson a feast, for so young men were accustomed to do."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "When the citizens therefore of that place had seen him, they gave him thirty companions to be with him."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "To whom Samson spake: I will propose you a riddle, which if you shall solve me within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty sindons, and as many coats:"
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "but if you shall not be able to solve it, you shall give me thirty sindons, and coats of the same number. Who answered him: Propound the riddle, that we may hear it."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "And he said to them: Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong issued forth sweetness. Neither could they for three days solve the proposition."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "And when the seventh day was come, they said to the wife of Samson: Speak to thy husband, and use persuasion to him, that he tell thee what the riddle signifieth. Which thing (b) if thou wilt not do, we will burn thee, and thy father's house: have you therefore called us to the bridal that you might spoil us?",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "By threats, they made her betray her husband: and nevertheless destroyed both her & her father. c. 15. v. 6. so persecutors of the Church deal with such, as treacherously or of frailty serve their turn."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "Who shed tears before Samson, and complained saying: Thou hatest me, and lovest me not: therefore the problem, which thou hast propounded to the sons of my people, thou wilt not expound to me. But he answered: I would not tell it to my father and mother, and can I tell it to thee?"
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "The seven days therefore of the feast she wept before him: and at the length the seventh day for that she molested him he expounded it. Who immediately told her country men."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "And they told it him the seventh day before the going down of the sun: What is sweeter than honey, and what stronger than a lion? Who said to them: If you had not ploughed with my heifer, you had not found out my proposition."
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "The Spirit therefore of our Lord came upon him, and he went down to Ascalon, and struck there thirty men, whose garments being taken away he gave to them, that had solved the problem. And being exceeding wrath he went up into his father's house:"
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "but his wife took a husband one of his friends and bridal companions."
}
],
"summary": "Samson desirous to marry a Philisthime woman, 5. by the way killeth a lion. 8. In whose mouth after few days, finding honey, 12. he proposeth thereof a riddle to the Philisthiims for a wager: 15. which revealing to his wife, she telleth it to his adversaries. 19. He killeth and spoileth thirty men, so payeth the wager: and his wife taketh another man."
},
{
"chapter": 15,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "And after a certain time, when the days of wheat harvest were at hand, Samson came, meaning to visit his wife, and he brought her a kid of goats. And when he would enter into her chamber as he was wont, her father prohibited him, saying:"
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "Ithought that thou hadst hated her, and therefore I delivered her to thy friend: but she hath a sister, which is younger & fairer than she, let this be thy wife in stead of her."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "To whom Samson answered: From this day there shall be no fault in me against the Philisthiims: for I will do you evils."
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "And he went, and (a) caught three hundred foxes, & he coupled them tail to tail, and tied firebrands in the midst:",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Being Judge of the people he had help of others to take so many foxes with nets, or otherwise, being great store in that country."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "which kindling with fire, he let them go, that they might run abroad hither and thither. Who immediately went on into the corn of the Philisthiims. Which being set on fire, both the corn now carried together, and that which yet stood in the stalk, was all burnt, in so much that the flame consumed the vineyards also & the olivets."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "And the Philisthiims said: Who hath done this thing? To whom it was said: Samson the son in law of the Thamnatheite: because he took his wife, and gave her to another, he hath wrought these things. And the Philisthiims went up, and burnt both the woman and her father."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "To whom Samson said: Although you have done these things, not withstanding yet will I require revenge of you, & then I will rest."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And he struck them with a great plague, so that astonished they laid the calf of the leg upon the thigh. And going down he dwelt in the cave of the rock Etam."
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "Therefore the Philisthiims going up into the Land of Juda camped in the place, which afterward was called Lechi, that is, the jaw bone, where their army was spread abroad."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "And they of the tribe of Juda said to them: Why are you come up against us? Who answered: That we may bind Samson, we are come, & may repay him the things that he hath wrought against us."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "There went down therefore three thousand men of Juda, to the cave of the flint Etam, & said to Samson: knowest not thou that the Philistiims reign over us? Why wouldst thou do this thing? To whom he said. As they did to me so have I done to them."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "To bind thee, quoth they, we are come, and to deliver thee into the hands of the Philisthiims. To whom Samson: Swear, quoth he, and promised me that you kill me not."
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "They said: We will not kill thee, but will deliver thee bound. And they bound him with two new cords, and took him from the rock Etam."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "Who when he was come to the place of the Jaw-bone and the Philisthiims shouting were come against him, the Spirit of our Lord fell upon him: and as flax is wont to be consumed at the savour of fire, so the bands wherewith he was bound were dissipated and loosed."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "And finding a jaw bone, to wit, the jaw bone of an ass, which lay there, catching it (b) he slew therewith a thousand men,",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "Anotorious miracle to kill so many with so mean a weapon without other help of man: And by common reason as uncredible, as the great mysteries of Catholic Religion."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "and said: In the jaw bone of an ass, in the jaw of the colt of the asses have I destroyed them, and have struck a thousand men."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "And when he had ended these words singing, he threw the jaw bone out of his hand, and called the name of that place Ramathlechi, which is interpreted the lifting up of the jaw-bone."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "And being very thirsty he cried to our Lord, & said: Thou hast given in the hand of thy servant this very great salvation and victory: and behold I die for thirst, and shall fall into the hands of the uncircumcised."
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "Our Lord therefore (c) opened a great tooth in the jaw of the ass, & there issued out of it waters. Which being drunk, he refreshed his spirit, & received strength again. Therefore the name of that place was called: The fountain of him that invocated from the jawbone, until this present day.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "It was a greater miracle to draw water out of a dry bone, than out of the earth or stones: but all things are possible to God, which he pleaseth to do."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "And he judged Israel in the days of the Philisthiims twenty years."
}
],
"summary": "Samson tying firebrands to foxes' tails burneth the Philisthiims' corn. 6. They burn his wife and her father. 8. He beateth them and hideth himself. 10. His own countrymen to get peace with the Philisthiims, take and bind him, so meaning to deliver him. 14. But he breaketh the cords, and with the jaw bone of an ass killeth a thousand of his enemies. 18. Being exceeding dry, is refreshed with water, from the tooth of the same jaw."
},
{
"chapter": 16,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "He went also into Gaza, and saw there a woman that was [1] an harlot, and went in unto her.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "1",
"text": "* or an Innkeeper."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "Which when the Philisthiims had heard, and it was bruited among them, that Samson was entered into the city, they compassed him, keepers being set in the gate of the city: & there all the night waiting with silence, that in the morning they might kill him going out."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "But Samson slept until midnight, and then arising he (a) took both the leaves of the gates, with their posts and lock, an laying them on his shoulders, carried them to the top of the mountain, which looketh toward Hebron.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "For such admirable strength the heathenish people thought Samson to be Hercules. S. Aug. li. 18. c. 19. civit. But he was indeed far stronger than they feigned of Hercules, who they said was not able to fight against two: whereas Samson alone killed a thousand with the jaw bone of an ass. c. 15. v. 15."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "After these things he loved a woman, which dwelt in Valley Sorec, and she was called Dalila."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "And the Princes of the Philisthiims came to her, and said: Deceive him, and learn of him, wherein he hath so great strength, and how we may be able to overcome him, and being bound to afflict him: which if thou shalt do, we will give thee every one a thousand and an hundred pieces of silver."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "Dalila therefore spake to Samson: Tell me, I beseech thee, wherein thy greatest strength is, and what it is wherewith being bound thou canst not break forth."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "To whom Samson answered: If I shall be bound with seven cords of sinews not yet dry, and moist as yet, I shall be weak as other men."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And the Princes of the Philisthiims brought unto her seven cords, as he had said: with the which she bound him,"
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "ambushments lying secretly in wait near her, and in the chamber expecting the end of the thing, and she cried to him: The Philisthiims upon thee Samson. Who brake the bands, as if a man should break a thread of tow twined with spittle, when it hath taken the savour of fire: and it was not known wherein his strength was."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "And Dalila said to him: Behold thou hast deluded me, and hast spoken false: now at the least tell me wherewith thou mayest be bound."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "To whom he answered: If I shall be bound with new cords, that were never occupied, I shall be weak and like to other men."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "With the which Dalila again bound him, and cried: The Philisthiims upon thee Samson, ambushments being prepared in the chamber. Who did so break the bands as threads of linen cloth."
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "And Dalila said to him again: How long deceivest thou me, and speakest false? Shew wherewith thou mayest be bound. To whom Samson answered: If thou plat seven hairs of my head with a hair lace, & fasten a nail tied round about with them in the ground, I shall be weak."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "Which when Dalila had done, she said to him: The Philisthiims upon thee Samson. Who rising up from sleep drew out the nail with the hairs and the hair lace."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "And Dalila said to him: How doest thou say that thou lovest me, whereas thy mind is not with me? These three times thou hast lied to me, and wouldst not tell wherein thy greatest strength is."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "And when she molested him, and continually hung upon him for many days, not giving him space to rest, his soul fainted, and was wearied even unto death."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "Then opening the truth of the thing, he said to her: There never came iron upon my head, because I am a Nazarite, that is to say, consecrated to God from my mother's womb: if my head shall be shaven, (b) my strength shall depart from me, and I shall fail, and shall be as other men.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "Supernatural strength or grace departeth when any leave the rule of their profession."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "And she seeing that he had confessed to her all his mind, sent to the princes of the Philisthiims and willed them: Come up yet once more, for now he hath opened his heart to me. Who went up taking with them the money which they had promised."
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "But she made him to sleep upon her knees, and to lay his head in her bosom. And she called a barber, and shaved his seven hairs, and began to drive him away, and thrust him from her: for immediately the strength departed from him:"
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "and she said: The Philisthiims upon thee Samson. Who arising from sleep, said in his mind: I will go forth as I did before, and will shake myself, not knowing that our Lord was departed from him."
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "Whom when the Philisthiims had apprehended, forthwith they plucked forth his eyes, and led him to Gaza bound with chains, and being shut up in prison they made him grind."
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "And now his hairs had begun to grow again,"
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "and the Princes of the Philisthiims assembled in one, that they might immolate magnifical hosts to Dagon their god, and might feast, saying: Our god hath delivered our enemy Samson into our hands."
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "Which thing the people also seeing, praised their god, & said the same things: Our god hath delivered our adversary into our hands, who destroyed our country, and killed very many."
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "And rejoicing throughout their banquets, when they had now taken their good cheer, they commanded that Samson should be called, and should play before them. Who being brought out of prison played before them, and they made him to stand between two pillars."
},
{
"verse": 26,
"text": "Who said to the servant that governed his steps: Suffer me to touch the pillars, on which all the house stayeth, and let me lean upon them, and rest a little."
},
{
"verse": 27,
"text": "And the house was full of men and women, and there were all the Princes of the Philisthiims, also from the roof and higher part, about three thousand of both sex beholding Samson playing."
},
{
"verse": 28,
"text": "But he invocating our Lord, said: Lord God remember me, and restore now to me mine old strength my God, that I may (c) revenge me of mine enemies, and for the loss of two eyes may receive one revenge.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "He desired to be revenged, not of rancour of mind but of zeal of justice: And so all the elect and glorified Saints desire revenge. Luc. 18. v. 8. Apoc. 6. v. 10."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 29,
"text": "And taking both the pillars, on which the house rested, and holding the one in his right hand, and the other in his left,"
},
{
"verse": 30,
"text": "he said: Let me die with the Philisthiims. And the pillars being strongly shaken, the house fell upon all the Princes, and the rest of the multitude that was there: and he killed many more dying, than before he had killed living.",
"has_annotation": true
},
{
"verse": 31,
"text": "And his brethren going down and all his kindred, they took his body, and buried it betwixt Saraa and Esthaol in the Sepulchre of his father Manue. And he judged Israel twenty years."
}
],
"summary": "Samson environed in a city taketh away the gates, and carrieth them on his shoulders into a mountain. 4. Is at last deceived by Dalila, 21. his eyes put out, and scornfully abused. 26. But finally God restoring his strength, he striking two pillars, the house falleth, and with himself, killeth three thousand Philisthiims."
},
{
"chapter": 17,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "There [1] was at that time a certain man of mount Ephraim named Michas,",
"notes": [
{
"label": "1",
"text": "The third part. Of certain accidents which happened in the time of the Judges."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "who said to his mother: The thousand and hundred silver pieces, which thou hadst separated to thyself, and concerning the which thou didst swear in my hearing, behold I have, and they are with me. To whom she said: Blessed be my son to the Lord."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "He therefore rendered them to his mother, who had said to him: I have consecrated and vowed this silver to the Lord, that my son may receive it of my hand, & make a graven and (a) a molten (god) & now I deliver that to thee.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "In Hebrew pesel umassecah, in Latin sculptile & conflatile, a graven & molten thing, an image or form made in metal for a god, & so called v. 5. was indeed an idol of Gentility, and nothing at all against sacred Images of Christ and his Saints in the Catholic Church, whereof more is noted Gen. 31. Exod. 20."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "He rendered them therefore to his mother: who took two hundred silver pieces and gave them to the silversmith, that he might make of them a graven and a molten (god) which was in the house of Michas."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "Who separated also therein a little house of the god, and made an Ephod, and Theraphim, that is to say, a priestly vestment, and idols: and he (b) filled the hand of one of his sons, and he became his priest.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "Anointed his hands with oil, as was prescribed Exo. 29. Lev. 8. But such an apish imitation was of no value, where was neither true vocation in the anointed (for he descended not of Aaron, but of Moyses, chap. 18. v. 30. ) nor authority in him that used this ceremony."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "In those days there was not a king in Israel, but every one did that which seemed right to himself."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "There was also another young man of Bethlehem Juda, of the kindred thereof: & he was a Levite, and dwelt there."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And going forth out of the city of Bethlehem, he would sojourn wheresoever he should find it commodious for him. And when he was come into mount Ephraim, making his journey, and had turned aside a little into the house of Michas,"
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "he was demanded of him whence he came. Who answered: I am a Levite of Bethlehem Juda, and I go to dwell where I shall be able, and shall perceive it to be profitable for me."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "And Michas said: Abide with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give thee every year ten silver pieces, and a double livery, and the things that be necessary for victual."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "He was content, and abode with the man, and was unto him as one of his sons."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "And Michas filled his hand, and had the young man for a Priest with him, saying:"
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "Now I know that God will do me good (c) having a Priest of the Levitical kind.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "An Apostata Levite was accounted more sufficient than an idolatrical Priest to serve an idol: so he that is a Priest or a Deacon once catholicly consecrated, is a sufficient (yea too sufficient) minister with Protestants."
}
]
}
],
"summary": "Michas and his mother cause a graven and molten idol to be made of silver. 5. He maketh one of his sons Priest for the idol, 10. and for the same purpose hireth also a Levite."
},
{
"chapter": 18,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "In those days there was not a king in Israel, and the tribe of Dan sought possession for it-self, that it might dwell therein: for until that day it had (a) not received a lot among the other tribes.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Their whole portion was assigned (Ios. 19.) but through their own sloth they possessed little of it, so that hitherto the greatest part was not received."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "Therefore the children of Dan sent five men of their stock and family most valiant from Saraa and Esthaol, that they might view the land, and diligently behold it, and they said to them: Go, and consider the land. Who going forward when they were come into mount Ephraim, and had entered into the house of Michas, they rested there:"
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "and knowing the voice of the young man the Levite, and using his lodging, they said to him: Who brought thee hither? What doest thou here? For what cause wouldest thou come hither?"
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "Who answered them: These, and these things hath Michas done to me, & hath hired me for wages to be his Priest."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "And they desired him that he would consult (b) the Lord, that they might know whether they should go on a prosperous journey, and the thing should have effect.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "They meant the false god which the Apostata Levite served."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "(c) Who answered them: Go in peace: The Lord regardeth your way, and the journey that you go.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "The devil answered, as his manner is, obscurely, sometimes truly and sometimes falsely."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "The five men therefore going came to Lais, & they saw the people dwelling in it without any fear, according to the custom of the Sidonians, secure and quiet, no man at all resisting them, & of great riches, & separated far from Sidon & from all men."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And returning to their brethren in Saraa & Esthaol, and asking what they had done, they answered them:"
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "Arise, & let us go up to them: for we have seen the Land exceeding rich & plentiful: neglect not, slack not: let us go, & possess it, it will be no labour."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "We shall enter unto them being secure, into a most large country, & our Lord will deliver to us the place, wherein is penury of nothing of those things that grow on the earth."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "There departed therefore from the kindred of Dan, that is to say, from Saraa and Esthaol six hundred men, furnished with warlike armour,"
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "and going up they tarried in Cariathiarim of Juda: which place from that time took the name of the Tents of Dan, and it is at the back of Cariathiarim:"
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "Thence they passed into mount Ephraim. And when they were come to the house of Michas,"
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "the five men, that before had been sent to view the Land of Lais, said to the rest of their brethren: You know that in these houses there is an Ephod, and Theraphim, and a graven, and molten god: See what pleaseth you."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "And when they had turned a little aside, they entered into the house of the young man the Levite, which was in the house of Michas: and saluted him with peaceable words."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "And the six hundred men so as they were armed, stood before the door."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "But they, that were entered the house of the young man, endeavoured to take away the graven, the Ephod, and the idols, and molten god, and the priest stood before the door, the six hundred most valiant men expecting not far off."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "They therefore that were entered took the graven, the Ephod, the theraphim and molten god. To whom the priest said: What do you?"
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "To whom they answered: Hold thy peace, and put thy finger upon thy mouth and come with us, that we may have thee for a father, and a Priest. Whether is better for thee, that thou be a Priest in the house of one man, or in one tribe and family in Israel?"
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "Which when he had heard, he agreed to their words, and took the Ephod, and idols, and graven god, & departed with them."
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "Who when they went forward, & had made the children and the cattle to go before them, and all that was precious,"
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "and were now far from the house of Michas, the men that dwelt in the house of Michas crying out together followed,"
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "and at their back began to shout. Who looking back, said to Michas: What meanest thou? Why dost thou cry?"
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "Who answered: My gods, which I made me, you have taken away, & the Priest, and all that I have, and do you say: What aileth thee?"
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "And the children of Dan said to him: Beware thou speak no more unto us, and there come unto thee men provoked in mind, and thou with all thy house perish."
},
{
"verse": 26,
"text": "And so they went on their journey begun. But Michas seeing that they were stronger than he, returned into his house."
},
{
"verse": 27,
"text": "And the six hundred men took the Priest, and the things which we spake of before, and came into Lais to a people that was quiet and secure, and struck them in the edge of the sword: and the city they delivered to fire,"
},
{
"verse": 28,
"text": "no man at all bringing them succour, for that they dwelt far from Sidon, and had with no men any society and affairs. And the city was situated in the country of Rohob: which building again they dwelt in it,"
},
{
"verse": 29,
"text": "calling the name of the city Dan, according to the name of their father, whom Israel had begotten, which before was called Lais."
},
{
"verse": 30,
"text": "And they set up to themselves the (d) graven idol, and Jonathan the son of Gersam the son of Moyses, and his sons Priests in the tribe of Dan, until the day of their captivity.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "d",
"text": "Pesel, eidolon, sculptile, the graven thing, falsely called God, c. 17. v. 5."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 31,
"text": "And the idol of Michas remained with them all the time that the house of God was in Silo. In those days there was not a king in Israel."
}
],
"summary": "First sending spies to discover, 11, six hundred armed men of the tribe of Dan go to seek possessions. 14. By the way they take the idol and idolatrical Priest from Michas, 27. surprise the town of Lais, 30. and there set up idolatry."
},
{
"chapter": 19,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "There was a certain man a Levite, dwelling on the side of mount Ephraim, who took a wife of Bethlehem Juda:"
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "which left him, and returned unto her father's house into Bethlehem, & abode with him four months."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "And her husband followed her, willing to be reconciled unto her, & to speak her fair, & to bring her back with him, having in his company a servant and two asses: who received him, & brought him into her father's house. Which when his father in law had heard, and had seen him, he met him joyful."
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "and embraced the man. And the son in law tarried in the house of his father in law three days, eating with him and drinking familiarly."
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "But the fourth day arising before day, he would depart. Whom his father in law held, and said to him: Taste first a little bread, & strengthen thy stomach, and so thou shalt depart."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "And they sat together, & did eat & drink. And the father of the young woman said to his son in law: I beseech thee that thou tarry here today, and let us make merry together."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "But he rising up, began as if he would depart. And nevertheless with much ado his father in law stayed him, and made him to tarry with him."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "But when morning was come, the Levite prepared to go his journey. To whom his father in law again: I beseech thee, quoth he, that thou take a little meat, and making thyself strong, till the day be farther spent, afterward thou mayest depart. They did eat therefore together."
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "And the young man arose, that he might set forward with his wife and his servant. To whom his father in law spake again: Consider that the day is more declining to the west, and draweth nigh to evening: tarry with me today also, and spend the day in mirth, and tomorrow thou shalt depart that thou mayest go into thy house."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "His son in law would not condescend to his words: but forthwith went forward, and came over against Jebus, which by another name is called Jerusalem, leading with him two asses laden, and his (a) concubine.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "She was his lawful wife and so called v. 1. & 9. yet also is called concubine because she had no dowry, nor as yet enjoyed the privileges of a mistress in her husband's house."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "And now they were come nigh to Jebus & the day changed into night: & the servant said to his master: Come, I beseech thee, let us turn into the city of the Jebusites, and tarry in it."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "To whom his master answered: I will not enter into the town of a strange nation, which is not of the children of Israel but I will pass as far as Gabaa:"
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "and when I shall come thither, we will lodge in it, or at the least in the city of Rama."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "They passed therefore by Jebus, and went on their journey begun, and the sun went down to them beside Gabaa, which is in the tribe of Benjamin:"
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "and they turned into it, that they might lodge there. Whither when they were entered, they sat in the street of the city, and no man would receive them to lodge."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "And behold there appeared an old man, returning out of the field and from his work in the evening, who himself also was of mount Ephraim, and dwelt as a stranger in Gabaa; but the men of that country were the children of Jemini."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "And lifting up his eyes, the old man saw the man sitting with his fardels in that street of the city, and said to him: Whence comest thou? And whither goest thou?"
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "Who answered him: We departed from Bethlehem Juda, and we go to our place, which is on the side of mount Ephraim, from whence we went into Bethlehem: and now we go to the house of God, and none will receive us under his roof,"
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "having straw and hay for provender of the asses, and bread and wine for the use of myself and of thy handmaid, and of the servant that is with me: we lack nothing but lodging."
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "To whom the old man answered: Peace be with thee, I will give all things that are necessary: only, I beseech thee, tarry not in the street."
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "And he brought him into his house, and gave provender to his asses: and after they had washed their feet, he received them to a banquet."
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "They making merry, and after the labour of their journey refreshing their body with meat & drink, there came men of that city, the children of Belial (that is to say, without yoke) and besetting the old man's house, began to knock at the doors, crying to the master of the house, & saying: Bring forth the man, that entered into thy house, that we may abuse him."
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "And the old man went out to them, and said: Do not so brethren, do not this evil: because this man is entered to my lodging, and cease from this folly:"
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "I have a daughter that is a virgin, & this man hath a concubine, I will brink them forth to you, that you may humble them, and fulfill your lust: only, I beseech you, work not this wickedness against nature on the man."
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "They would not agree to his words. Which the man seeing, he brought forth his concubine to them, and he delivered her to them to be illuded: whom when they had abused all the night, they let her go in the morning."
},
{
"verse": 26,
"text": "But the woman, when the darkness departed, came to the door of the house, where her lord lodged, & there fell down."
},
{
"verse": 27,
"text": "Morning being come, the man arose, & opened the door, that he might finish his journey begun: & behold his concubine lay before the door, her hands spread on the threshold."
},
{
"verse": 28,
"text": "To whom he, thinking that she took her rest, spake: Arise, and let us walk, Who answering nothing, perceiving that she was dead, he took her, & laid her upon his ass, & returned into his house."
},
{
"verse": 29,
"text": "Which when he was entered unto, he took a sword, and cutting the carcass of his wife with her bones into twelve parts and pieces, he sent them into all the borders of Israel."
},
{
"verse": 30,
"text": "Which when every one had seen, they cried together: There was never such a thing done in Israel from that day, when our fathers ascended out of Aegypt, until this present time: give sentence, and decree in common what is needful to be done."
}
],
"summary": "A Levite bringing homeward his reconciled wife, 15. at Gabaa in the tribe of Benjamin hardly getteth lodging. 25. His wife is there villainously abused by wicked men, and in the morning found dead. 29. Whereupon her husband cutteth her body, and sendeth pieces to every tribe of Israel, requiring them to revenge the wicked fact."
},
{
"chapter": 20,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "Therefore all the children of Israel went forth, and were gathered together, as it were one man, from Dan to Bersabee, and the Land of Galaad, to our Lord in Maspha:"
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "and all the corners of the people, and all the tribes of Israel assembled into the Church of the people of God four hundred thousand footmen warriors."
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "(Neither were the children of Benjamin ignorant that the children of Israel were come up into Maspha.) And the Levite the husband of the woman that was killed being asked, how so great wickedness had been committed,"
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "answered: I came into Gabaa of Benjamin with my wife, & there I took my lodging:"
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "& behold the men of that city by night beset the house wherein I tarried, meaning to kill me, and vexing my wife with incredible fury of lust, finally she died."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "Whom being taken I did cut into pieces, and sent the parts into all the borders of your possession: because never was there so heinous an offence, and so great an abomination done in Israel."
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "You are all present the children of Israel, determine what you ought to do."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "And all the people standing, answered as it were by the word of one man: we will not depart into our tabernacles, neither shall any man enter into his house:"
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "but this will we do in common against Gabaa."
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "Let ten men be chosen of an hundred out of all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand of ten thousand, to bring victuals for the army, and that we may fight against Gabaa of Benjamin, and render to it for the wicked fact, which it deserved."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "And all Israel assembled to the city, as it were one man with one mind, and one counsel:"
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "and they sent messengers to all the tribe of Benjamin, which should say: Why is there so great abomination found in you?"
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "Deliver the men of Gabaa, that have committed this heinous fact, (a) that they may die, and the evil may be taken away out of Israel. Who would not hear the commandment of their brethren the children of Israel:",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Omission of contempt to punish heinous crimes is a just cause to make war against any people."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "but out of all cities, which were of their lot, they assembled into Gabaa, to aid them, and to fight against all the people of Israel."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "And there were found five and twenty thousand of Benjamin of them that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gabaa,"
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "which were seven hundred most valiant men, so fighting with the left hand as with the right: and so directly casting stones with slings, that they could strike a hair also, and the stroke of the stone should not be carried awry on either part."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "Of the men of Israel also, beside the children of Benjamin, were found four hundred thousand of them that drew swords, and were prepared to fight."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "Who rising came into the house of God, that is, into Silo: and they consulted God, and said: Who shall be in our army General of the battle against the children of Benjamin? To whom our Lord answered: Let (b) Judas be your captain.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "One of the tribe of Juda."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "And forthwith the children of Israel arising in the morning camped beside Gabaa:"
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "and thence proceeding to fight against Benjamin, began to assault the city."
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "And the children of Benjamin issuing out of Gabaa, slew of the children of Israel that day two and twenty thousand men."
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "Again Israel having confidence (c) in their strength and number, set the army in array in the same place, wherein they had fought before:",
"notes": [
{
"label": "c",
"text": "Being far more in number, and having the just cause, yet had the worse, because they trusted in their own strength."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "yet so that they did first go up and weep before our Lord until night: and consulted him, and said: Shall I proceed any more to fight against the children of Benjamin my brethren, or not? To whom he answered: (d) Go up to them, and enter battle.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "d",
"text": "God also punished all Israel by this civil war, for suffering idolatry in the tribe of Dan. Chap. 18. v. 30. which they ought to have punished. Deut. 13. v. 12."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "And when the children of Israel the next day had proceeded against the children of Benjamin to battle,"
},
{
"verse": 25,
"text": "the children of Benjamin brake forth out of the gates of Gabaa: and meeting them they raged with so great a slaughter against them, that they overthrew eighteen thousand men that drew sword."
},
{
"verse": 26,
"text": "For the which thing all the children of Israel came into the house of God, and sitting wept before our Lord: and they fasted that day until evening, and offered to him holocausts, and pacific victims,"
},
{
"verse": 27,
"text": "and asked him concerning their state. At that time the ark of the covenant of our Lord was there,"
},
{
"verse": 28,
"text": "and (e) Phinees the son of Eleazarus the son of Aaron provost of the house. They therefore consulted our Lord, and said: shall we go forth any more to fight against the children of Benjamin our brethren, or rest? To whom our Lord said: Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hands.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "e",
"text": "By this it appeareth that this history happened not long after the death of Eleazarus. Ios. 24. v. 33. to whom his son Phinees succeeded in the spiritual Supremacy of the Church."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 29,
"text": "And the children of Israel set ambushments round about the city of Gabaa:"
},
{
"verse": 30,
"text": "& the third time, as once & twice, they brought forth their army against Benjamin."
},
{
"verse": 31,
"text": "But the children of Benjamin also issued forth boldly out of the city, & pursued a long way the adversaries flying, so that they wounded of them, as the first day & the second, & slew them turning their backs by two ways, whereof the one went into Bethel, & the other into Gabaa, and overthrew about thirty men:"
},
{
"verse": 32,
"text": "for they thought to kill them after their accustomed manner. Who feigning artificially as though they fled, took advise to draw them away from the city, & as it were flying to bring them to the paths aforesaid."
},
{
"verse": 33,
"text": "Therefore all the children of Israel rising out of their seats, set their army in battle array, in the place which is called Baalthamar. The ambushments also, which were about the city, began by little & little to open themselves,"
},
{
"verse": 34,
"text": "& to proceed from the West part of the city. Yea and other ten thousand men of all Israel provoked the inhabitants of the city to skirmishes. And the battle grew sore against the children of Benjamin: & they understood not that on every side destruction hang over them."
},
{
"verse": 35,
"text": "And our Lord struck them in the sight of the children of Israel, & they slew of them in that day five and twenty thousand, and an hundred men, all warriors and that drew sword."
},
{
"verse": 36,
"text": "But the children of Benjamin when they saw themselves to be inferior, began to fly. Which the children of Israel seeing, gave them place to fly, that they might come to the ambushments prepared, which they had set near the city."
},
{
"verse": 37,
"text": "Who when they had suddenly risen out of their dens, and Benjamin turned their backs to the slayers, they entered the city, and struck it in the edge of the sword."
},
{
"verse": 38,
"text": "And the children of Israel had given a sign to them, whom they had laid in the ambushments, that after they had taken the city, they should kindle a fire: that the smoke ascending on high, they might shew that the city was taken."
},
{
"verse": 39,
"text": "Which when the children of Israel saw being in the very fight (for the children of Benjamin thought that they fled, and pursued more instantly, having slain thirty men of their army.)"
},
{
"verse": 40,
"text": "and they saw as it were a pillar of smoke to rise up from the city: Benjamin also looking back, when he saw the city taken, and the flames carried on high:"
},
{
"verse": 41,
"text": "they that before had feigned as if they fled, turning their face resisted more manfully. Which when the children of Benjamin had seen, they were turned into flight,"
},
{
"verse": 42,
"text": "and began to go the way of the desert, the adversaries pursuing them thither also. But they also that had fired the city, met them."
},
{
"verse": 43,
"text": "And so it came to pass, that on both sides they were slain of the enemies, neither was there any rest of men dying. They fell, & were overthrown on the east side of the city of Gabaa."
},
{
"verse": 44,
"text": "And there were that were slain in the same place, eighteen thousand men all most valiant warriors."
},
{
"verse": 45,
"text": "Which when they had seen, that were remaining of Benjamin, they fled into the wilderness, and went on to the rock, the name whereof is Remmon. In that flight also straggling, and going diverse ways, they slew five thousand men. And whereas they went farther, they pursued them, and slew also other two thousand."
},
{
"verse": 46,
"text": "And so it came to pass, that all which were slain of Benjamin in diverse places, were five and twenty thousand fighting men, most prompt to wars."
},
{
"verse": 47,
"text": "There remained therefore of all the number of Benjamin that could escape, and fly into the wilderness, six hundred men: and they abode in the Rock Remmon four months."
},
{
"verse": 48,
"text": "But the children of Israel retiring, struck all the remains of the city with the sword, from men even to beasts, and all the cities and villages of Benjamin the devouring flame did consume."
}
],
"summary": "All the other tribes fighting against Benjamin, 13. because they will not punish the malefactors, 21. have the worse, 25. also the second time. 29. But the third time the Benjamites are all slain saving six hundred men."
},
{
"chapter": 21,
"verses": [
{
"verse": 1,
"text": "The children of Israel sware also in Maspha, and said: None of us shall give of his daughters to the children of Benjamin to wife."
},
{
"verse": 2,
"text": "And they came all to the house of God in Silo, and sitting in his sight until evening, lifted up their voice, & with great wailing began to weep saying:"
},
{
"verse": 3,
"text": "Wherefore, o Lord God of Israel, is this evil done in thy people, that this day one tribe should be taken away out of us?"
},
{
"verse": 4,
"text": "And on the morrow rising early, they built an altar: and offered there holocausts, and pacific victims, and said:"
},
{
"verse": 5,
"text": "Who hath not ascended in the host of our Lord of all the tribes of Israel? For they had bound themselves with a great oath, when they were in Maspha, that they should be slain which had been wanting."
},
{
"verse": 6,
"text": "And the children of Israel being (a) moved with repentance upon their brother Benjamin, began to say: One tribe is taken away out of Israel,",
"notes": [
{
"label": "a",
"text": "Lest either justice be over sharp, or mercy too relax, with great art of discretion governors must observe mercy justly advising, and discipline piously chastising. S. Greg. li. 1. Epist. 24."
}
]
},
{
"verse": 7,
"text": "Whence shall they take wives? For we have all sworn in common, that we will not give our daughters to them."
},
{
"verse": 8,
"text": "Therefore they said: Who is there of all the tribes of Israel, that went not up to our Lord into Maspha? And behold the inhabitants of Jabes Galaad were found not to have been in that army."
},
{
"verse": 9,
"text": "(At that time also when they were in Silo, none of them was found there.)"
},
{
"verse": 10,
"text": "They sent therefore ten thousand the strongest men, and commanded them: Go, and strike the inhabitants of Jabes Galaad in the edge of the sword, as well their wives as their little ones."
},
{
"verse": 11,
"text": "And this shall be it which you shall observe: All of the male kind, and woman that have known men, kill ye, but the virgins reserve."
},
{
"verse": 12,
"text": "And there were found of Jabes Galaad four hundred virgins, that knew not man's bed, and they brought them to the camp in Silo, into the Land of Chanaan."
},
{
"verse": 13,
"text": "And they sent messengers to the children of Benjamin, that were in the Rock Remmon, & commanded them that they should receive them in peace."
},
{
"verse": 14,
"text": "And the children of Benjamin came at that time, and there were given unto them wives of the daughters of Jabes Galaad: but others they found not, which they might give them in like manner."
},
{
"verse": 15,
"text": "And all Israel was very sorry, and repented for the killing of one tribe out of Israel."
},
{
"verse": 16,
"text": "And the ancients said: What shalt we do to the rest, that have not taken wives? For all the women in Benjamin are dead."
},
{
"verse": 17,
"text": "And we must very carefully, and with great study provide, that one tribe be not destroyed out of Israel."
},
{
"verse": 18,
"text": "For our own daughters we cannot give them, being bound with an oath & a curse, whereby we said: Cursed be he that shall give to Benjamin any of his daughters to wife."
},
{
"verse": 19,
"text": "And they took counsel, and said: Behold there is an anniversary solemnity of our Lord in Silo, which is situate on the North of the city of Bethel, on the East side of the way, that goeth from Bethel to Sichem, & on the South of the town of Lebona."
},
{
"verse": 20,
"text": "And they commanded the children of Benjamin and said: Go, and lie hid in the vineyards."
},
{
"verse": 21,
"text": "And when you shall see the daughters of Silo come forth after the manner to lead dances, issue forth suddenly out of the vineyards, & catch of them every one his wife, and go into the Land of Benjamin."
},
{
"verse": 22,
"text": "And when their fathers shall come, and their brethren, and shall begin to complain against you, and to chide, we will say to them: Have pity on them: for they took them not away by the right of warriors and conquerors, but when they desired to receive them, you gave them not, and on your part the fault was committed."
},
{
"verse": 23,
"text": "And the children of Benjamin did as it had been commanded them: and according to their number they took away to themselves of those that led the dances, every one his wife: and they went into their possession, building cities, and dwelling in them."
},
{
"verse": 24,
"text": "The children of Israel also returned by their tribes and families into their tabernacles. In those days there was not a king in Israel: but every one did that (b) which seemed right to himself.",
"notes": [
{
"label": "b",
"text": "In the time of the Judges the people presumed more to"
}
]
}
],
"summary": "The tribe of Benjamin is repaired 8. by four hundred virgins reserved in the slaughter of Jabes Galaad: 19. and by other virgins taken, that come forth of Silo to dance."
}
]
}