the water i and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him-shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.

i- And the number of them that lapped/ suiting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men; but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

7 And 'the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the o:htr people goevery man unto his place.

8 So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel, every man unto his tent; and retained those three hundred men. And the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.

9 «J And it cam-; to pass the fame night, that the Lord said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host, for I have delivered it into thine hand.

10 But is thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:

11 And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward (hall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant, unto the outside of the armed men that tvere in the host.

ii And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

13 And when Gideon was come, behold, there itiai a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.

1+ And his fellow answered and said, This it nothing else lave the sword of Gideon, the son of Joash, a man of Israel : for into his hand hath God delivered Midian and all the host.

1 j And it wasyi, when Gideon heard tile telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, mid said, Arise; for the Lo R D hath delivered into your hand the host of Midinn.

16 And he divided-the three hundred men intt three companies, and he put a

trumpetin every man'shand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitcher's.

17 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the ca.mp, it shall be that as I do, so (hall ye do.

18 When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and fay, The sward of the Lord, and of Gideon.

19 So Gideon and the hundred men that were with him came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of" the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch; and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that tvere m their hands.

20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands, to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the Lo R D , and of Gideon.

ii And they stood every man in hitJ '. place round about the camp: and all- t*5*5 the host ran, and cried, and fled.

zz And the three hundred blew th& J*e: trumpets, and the Lo R D set evei-y man's: ".J*^; swora against his fellow, even through-' .7*1* out all the host: and the host fled to' .^«j. Beth-shittah, in Zererath, and to the ^Xit borderof Abel-meholah, untoTabbath.

13 And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Afher, and out of all Manasseb, and pursued after the Midianites.

14. «J And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, faying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah' and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan.

15 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they flew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they (lew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.

CHAP. VIII. 1 The Ephraimitei pacified. 4. Zebah and

Zalmunna. 3^ The Israeli* tt' idolatry,

and ingratitude.

AN D the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou cafledst Ms not when thou wentest to sight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply- • » And kfc faM un*» them, What h»r* • 1 done

V

I doae Dow in comparison of you f is not

theponiag of the grapes of Ephraim better tiun the vintage of Abi-ezer?

3 God hath delivered into your hands ti- princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: iii shal was I able to do in comparison of you? then their anger was abated W»ird him, when he had laid that.

4 f And Gideon came to Jordan, and fuisi over, he and the three hundred aa that ivere with him, faint, yet purlainj thtas.

5 And he said unto the men of Succatk Give, I pray you, loaves of bread m's the people that follow me; for they it hint; and I am pursuing after Zebah a&i Zilmunna, kings of Midian.

i And the princes of Succoth said, Js: the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna a>w in thine hand, that we sliould give bread unto thine army?

7 Aad Gideon said, Therefore when the Lo 1.D hath delivered Zebah and ZallEanaa into mine hand, then I will tear V'". si teih with the thorns of the wilderness, and wita\briers.

S And hs went up thence to Penuel, asd spake unto them likewise: and the mm of Penuel answered him as tliemeu of Succoth had answered him.

9 And he spake also unto the men of Pcauel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down thi3 tower.

10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna ■were in Kirkor, and their holts with them, about ffteen thousand men, all that were left ot all the hosts of the children of the east: sen there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

Ii Aad Gideon went up by the way cf them that dwelt in tents, on the east UNobah and Jogbehah, and smote the bost; for the holt was sceure

iz And when Zebah and Zalmunna £ed, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.

i; And Gideon the son of Joafh returned from battle before the sun was up,

14 And caught a young man of the nen of Succoth, and enquired of him: aid he described unto him the princes i Succoth, and the elders thereof, even lireescore and seventeen men.

15 And he came unto the men of Succsth, and said, Behold, Zebah and Zalauona with whom ye did upbraid me, iiving, Are the hands of Zebah and Zal-. anananowinthinehand, that we should J» bread unto thy men that ere weary?

1J And he ?qok the ciders of the city, «d ikon)- of the wilderness, and bners,

and with them he taught the men of Succoth.

17 And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

18 Then said he unto Zebah and Zal. munna, What manner of men inert thep whom ye flew at Tabor? and they answered. As thou art, so ivere they; each one resembled the children of a king.

19 And he laid. They avert ray brethren, even the sons of my mother: at the Lord liveth, if ye had fared than alive, I would not flay you.

so And he laid unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and day them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he seared, because he ivas yet a youth.

11 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said. Rile thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his Itrength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that -ivere on their camels' necks.

2z Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy lbn, and thy Ion's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. 13 And Gideon said untothem,I will not rule over you, neither ihall my son rule over you: the Lord mall rule over you.

24. And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden ear. rings, because they ivere Ilhmaelites.)

25 And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.

26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thouland and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that ivas on the kings of Midian; and beside the chains that ivere about their camels' necks.

27 And Gideon made au ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophi rah; and all Israel wentthitherawhonng aster it: which thing became a liiareunto Gideon, and to his house.

28 Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, sovthat they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietneis forty years in the days of Gideon. ...

29 And Jerubbaal the son os Joafh went and dwelt in his own house.

30 And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for lie had many wives.

■- .1' ..' . J! Aqd Jotham's paraBtr.

Shechem, (he alib bare him a ion, whole name he called Abimelech.

$1 And Gid»on the son ofJoafli died in. a good old age% and was buried in the sepulchre of Joafli his father, in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.

33 #^ And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made B.tal-berith their god.

34. And the children of Israel remembered not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:

3 5 Neither (hewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had mewed unto IAael.

CHAP. IX. 1 Ab'imelechu made kingbytheShechemites.

•jJothambyaparablerebukeththem.il. . Goal's conspiracy. 56 Jotham's curse

fulfilled.

AND Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, laying,

a Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Wl.-.-ther it better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign aver you ? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.

3 And his mother's brethren spake of him in th« ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they laid, He it our brother.

4 And thev gave him threescore and ten pitett of silver out of the house of Baal-berith; wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.

5 And he went unto his father's house at Ophrab, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, beinf threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left} for he hid himself.

« And all the-men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, bv the plain of the pillar that ivat in Shechem.

7 «J And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top ot mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and eried,and laid unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of 'Shechem, that God may hearken unto you,

Scare 2ad an sons of Jerubbaal might cenir, ind their blood be laid upon AbiitHeco their brother, which slew them; and UDon the men of Shechem, which jiJtc him in the killing of his brethren.

Xj And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mcunceas, and they robbed all that came ioa» that way by them: and it was teki Abimelech.

i& And Gaal the son of Ebed came *i;s his brethren, and went over to Siectem: and the men of Shechem put taar confidence in him. _

17 And they went out into the fields, ad gathered their vineyards, and trode thegrapej, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.

x8 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who u Abimelech, anil who it Shechem, that we should serve him? it not he the son of Jerubbaal ? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem. For why should we serve him?

39 And would to God this people *ere under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.

jo And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, has anger was kindled.

31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal tbe son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee. _

3* Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that it with thee, and lie in wait in the field:

33 And it shall be, that in themorning, as soon as the fun is up, thou shalt nse early,and setuponthecity: and,behold, ■akin he and the people that it with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou (halt find occasion.

34 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that ivere with him, by night, sod they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

35 And Gaal the son of Ebed wentout, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that ivere with him, from lying in wait.

3* And when Gaal saw tbe people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people downfrom the top of the mountains. And Zebul laid unto him, Thou scest the slu^ d0wofthemountainsas//Vj4fyavr/vmen.

37 And Gaal spake again, and said. See, there come people down. by.. tbe; middle

of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.

38 Then laid Zebul unto nimj Where it now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidlt, Who it Abimelech, that we should serve him? it not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and sight with them.

39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

40 And Abimelech chased him, and he sled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto tho entering Tjf the gate.

4.1 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah 3 and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the held; and they told Abimelech.

•43 And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, tlie people 'were come forth out of the city ;and he rose up against: them, aud smote them.

44 And Abimelech, and the company that ioat with him, rushed forward, and flood in the entering of the gate of tho city: and the two tther companies ran upon all the people that ivere in the fields, and slew them.

45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.

46 And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an bold of the house qf the god Berith.

47 And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem. were gathered together.

48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he andall the people that ivere with him; and Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that<!'-'<w with him, What ye have seen; roe do, make haste.aWdo as 1 have dent*

49 And all the paople likewise cut down tvery man. lus bough, ami followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and let tha hold on tire upon them: so that all the ii.cn of the to wen of Shechem died also, abuut a thousand men and women.

50 Then went Abimelech to Thebear* and encamped against Thebes and took it.

'5* But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.

52 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door ot the tower to burn it with fire.

53 And a certain woman cast a piece ©f a milstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to break his ikull.

5+ Then he called hastily unto the young man liU armourbearer, and said ■unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men fay not of me, A woman flew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.

56 fl Thus* God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he diduntohis father, in slaying his seventy brethren:

57 And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

CHAP. X. 1 Tola judge th Israel, % also fair. 7 The Philistines and Ammonites oppprestng Israel, 15 upon their repentance God pitieth them.

AN D after Abimelech there arose to defend Hrael Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Islacbar j and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.

2 And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.

3 ^| And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Iirael twenty and two years.

4. And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

5 And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.

6 And the children of Israel did evil again in the fight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Aslitaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsooktheLOR D, and served not him.

7 ^ And the anger of the Lor n was hot against Israel, and he sold them into tlieliands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

S And that year they vex»d and op.

pressed the children of Israel eighteen years, all the children of Israel that Ttv/v on the other fide Jordan in the land of* the Amorites, which is in Gileaci.

9 Moreover the children of Atnmort palled over Jordan to fight also agamft Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; to that Israel was sore distressed.

10 And the children of Israel cried unto the Lor D, saying, We have finned ,.C against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.

11 And the Lord said unto the chi7dren of Israel, Did not / deli<ver you from the Egyptians, and fronvthe Amorites,^ from the children of Ammon, and ......

from the Philistines?" ^"*

. »x-The Zidonians also, and the .^^ Amalekites, and the Maonites, did op- c'^i press you; and ye cried to me, ana I ff-^' delivered you out of their hand. , **

13 Yet ye have forsaken me, and -"*, served other gcds: wherefore I wiH deliver you no more.

14. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

15 And the children of Israel said unto *''*«£, theLoR D, Wehavesinned: do thou unto . ""ifes us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee} ^jiii deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.

16 And they put away the ftranee gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

17 Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and en-' camped in Mizpeh.

18 And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is he' that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? be shall be Iiead over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

C H A P. XI. 1 Jephthah's covenant with theGileadites. 30 His voiv. 34 Hepersormeth it in hi' daughter.

NOW Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and be •tvti the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.

_ 2 And Gilead's wifebarebim sons; an J his wife's sons grew up, and they thraa out Jephthah, and said unto him, W« (halt not inherit in our father's houses for thou art the son of a strange woman, 3 Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tobi and there were gathered vain men w Jephthah;