r J Aad they laid the ark of the Lord vpoa the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their eaerodf. ii A»d the kine took the straight »ry to the way of Beth-shemesh, and •oat along the highway, lowing as ties went, and turned not aside to the rigfcc hand or to the left; and the lords d the Philistines went after them unto ae border of Beth-lhemefh. I- And they of Beth-shemefh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valItj: acd they lifted up their eyes, and &» the ark, and rejoiced to fee it. 14 And the cart came into the field of Joftua, a Beth-fhemite, and stood there, where there tvas a great stone: mi they cla^e the wood of the cart, a-d offered the kinc a burnt offering oflto the Lo R o. i< And the Levites took down the ark of the Los D, and the coffer that <was ■sith it, wherein the jewels of gold ivere, ad put them on the great (tone: and rise men of Beth-shcmefh offered burnt eSsrings and sacrificed sacrifices the fase day unto the Lo R D . 16 And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen /'/, they returned to Efcron the same day. 17 And these art the golden emerods *hjch the Philistines returnedyir a tres■ps offering unto the Lo R D; for Astii-4 one, for Gaza one, for Astikelon est, for Gath one, for Ekron one; \X And the golden mice, according to rte number of all the cities of the Phiatews belonging to the five lords, both M* fenced cities, and of country yillaps, even unto the great stone of Abel, *hereon they set down the ark of the Lo*o: -which stone remaineth unto this isj in the field of Joshua, the Beth-she.*te. 19 «f And he smote the men of Beth£eawsti, because they had looked into the ark of" the Lord, even he smote ■as the people fifty thousand and three'■=« and ten men: and the people pointed, because the Lo % n had smit•TM many of the people with a great i«rhter. w And the men of Beth-fhemesh said, *Tœ is able to stand before this holy t-0» 0 God? and to whom shall he go ifftwn US i it And they sent messengers to the iEbjfeitants ot Kirjath-iearim, faying, 'The Philistines have brought again "lie T< of the Lord; com* ye down, and fetch k up to you. Chap', vil. Israel's repentance. CHAP. VII. 3 The Israelites, by Samuels means, solemnly repent at Mizpeh. 9 Samuel praying, the Philistines are discomfited. AND the men of Kiijath-jearini came, and fetched up the ark of the Lor D, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Elenzar his son to keep the ark of the Lo R u. 1 And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. 3 fl And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Alhtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of ths hand of the Philistines. 4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only. 5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for yoii nnto the Lord. 6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children" of Israel in Mizpeh. 7 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. Ami when the children of Israel heard it they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lor D our God for us, thaf he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. yfl And Samuel took a fucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the LoRD for Israel; and the Lord heard him. 10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lor 0 thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. T 1 And the men of Israel went out of Mk'.peh, and pursued the Philistine?, and smote them, until they came under Sfth-car. it Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Milpeh and Shen, and called R a the The people desire a king. I. SAMUEL the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. 13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coalt of lirae!: and the hand of the Lor D was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14. And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver But of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. 15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 And he went'from year to year in circuit to Beth-cl, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. 17 And his return ivas to Ramah; for there ivas his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the Lor D. CHAP. VIII. j By the occasion of the ill government of Samuel's sons, the Israelites aft a king. 10 The manner of a king. AN D it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. * Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiali: they lucre judges in Beer-fheba. 3 And liis sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgement. 4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 5 Ami said unto him, Behold, thou ait old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge ■us like all the nations. 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, wheu they said, Give us a king to judge «s. And Samuel prayed unto ttiel.o a u. 7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they lay unto thee: for they have BOt rejected thee, hut they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also untu thee. q Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, ami shew them the manner of the kiiii^ that (hall reign over them. is ^ And Samuel told all the words of chor mite SnlsftirtA Ah father's asses. Chap dreu csl&ael a goodlier person than he irrmt h'n lhoulders and upward he ivas higher rhm any of the people. j And the aites of Kisti Saul's father »rre loft. And Kjfh said to Saul his (on, Tike now one of the servants with thee, aid arise, go seek, the asses. 4 And he passed through mount Epferaim, and passed through the land of SbsZrfhi, but they found them not: then riser pefled through the lard of Shalim, ass! there they were not: and he passed tferoagh the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. 5 Asd when they were come to the hod of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that -icar with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the aiies, r.nd take thought for us. 6 ^ And he laid unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he laith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; perad venture he can (hew us our way that we should go. 7 Then said Saul to his servant, But, tehofd, if we go, what (hall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vefeks, and there is not a present to bring to rhe> mp-n of God: what have we t t And the servant answered Saul ifain, and said, Behold, I have here at bind the fourth part of a shekel of filter: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. 9 (Besoietime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he tkttt is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) Id Then said Saul to his servant, Well laid} come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God ivas. ti *J An J as they went up the hill to the city, they sou.id young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto tiiem, Is the seer here? *■ Is And they answered them, and (aid, He is; behold, he is before you: nake haste now, for he came to day to *be city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high placet i}A> soon as ye be come into the city, je wall straightway find him, before-he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, ben-use he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye (hall find him. 14 And they went up into the city: Mmj when they were fomfe into (he city, . ht. Samuel entertainclh him. behold, Samuel came out against them; for to go up to the high place. 15 Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul cams, laying, 16 To morrow about this time I will ("end thee a man out of the land ot Benjamin, and thou (halt ar, >int him to be captain over my people llrael, that he may (ave my people out of the hand of the Philistines: tor I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. 17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lo R i) laid unto him, Behold the man whom I (pake to thee of! this lame lhall reign over my people. * 18 fl Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and laid, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is. 19 f[ And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before mu unto the high place; for ye lhall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart. 20 And as for thine asses that were lolt three days ago, (et not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel ? is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house.' 21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes os llrael ? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou (6 to me? ■2* And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which ivere about thirty perlbns. 13 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.' Z4 And the cook took u ;■> the shoulder, and that which ivas upon it, and set it before Saul. And Sun:net laid, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. 25 And when they were come down from the high place into the civy, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top os the house. 26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may (end thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad, 27 And as they were going dpwn to M 3 t»« Samuel anointetk Saul. I. SAMUEL the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pals on before us, (and he passed on,) but (land thou still a while, that 1 may lliew thee the word of God. CHAP. X. i Samuel anointeth Saul. 2 He confirmtth him by prediction of three fi^ns. 9 Saul's heart is changed, arid he profit, fieth. Tl I \:. N Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and killed him, and laid, // it not because rim Lo R D hash anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? 2 fl When thou art departed from me to day, then thou (halt rind two men by Rachel's lepnkhre in the border of" Benjamin at Zel/.ahj and they will (ay unto tine, The asse.-. which thou weuteit to leek are found: aud, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and lorroweth for you, laying, What lhall I do for my son? 3 Then (halt thou go on forward from thence, and thou (halt come to the plain of Tabor, and there (hall meet thee three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kiJs, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: 4. And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou (halt receive of their hands. 5 After that thou (halt come to the hill of God, where it thegarrison of the Philistines: and it lhall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou (halt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place, with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, aud a harp before them; and they (hall prophesy: 6 And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou (halt pro■phely with them, and (halt be turned into another man, 7 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, thai thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. 8 And thou (halt go down before me to Gilgal, and, behold, 1 will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days (halt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and (hew thee what thou (halt do. 9 f And it wasyo, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all thole signs came to pass that day. to And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon h«in, and he prophesied among- tlum. tribes, and by your thousands. 20 And when Samuel had emsed sS the tribes of Israel to come near, the . .S'iii a_ tribe of Benjamin was taken. 21 When he had caused the tribe Benjamin to come near by their famil the family of Matri was taken, and & the son of Kiih was taken: and wdfH they sought him, lie could not be found. 12 Therefore they enquired of the 23 Aud they ran .... people, he was higher than any of the Seal Jptaufttth the Ammonites: Chap, xii : i a beck, and laid it up before the Lois. Aud Samuel sent all the people a*ar, erery man to his house. 16 And Saul also went home to Gibe»;and there went with him a band of zm, rtole hearts God had touched. 17 Bat the children of Belial laid, How Hall this man save us? And they iidpikdhim, and brought him no prelate. But he held his peace. CHAP. XI. 1 Mjjk ofereth them ofjahesh-gilead a rifnacitful condition, + TheyfendtoHaul, esdare delivered. 1 -iSaulconfirmedking. THEN Nahasli the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabelhjisd: and all the men of Jabelh said uuo Xahath, Make a covenant with us, ad »e will serve thee. s Aud N'ahalh the Ammonite answertl them, On this condition will I make a cmtœr.t with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a Rproich upon all Israel. j And the elders of Jabefh said unto km, Give us seven days' respite, that we Eiy icrtd messengers unto all the coasts «f Israel: aud then, if there be no man to lave us, we will come out to thee. ♦ I Then came the messengers to GiWof Saul, and told the tidings in the twos the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept. 5 And, behold, Saul came after the «rd out of the field; and Saul said, What ciieth the people that they weep? And they to'ul him the tidings of tne "'■enofUbeih. * And the Spirit of God came upon Slid when he heard those tidings, and au anger was kindled greatly. 7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and weed them in pieces, and sent tliern throughout all the coasts of Israel by the cads of messengers, faying, Whosoever wmeth not forth after Saul and after Samuel, lo (hall it be done unto his oxen. ••wd the fear of the Lor D fell on the pecs'', and they came out with one content. 'And when he numbered them in «iek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of JuMh thirty thousand. J And they laid unto the messengers Bat came, Thus shall ye fay unto the fiof Jabeih-gilead, Tomorrow, by .'Wfawthe fun he hot, ye ihall have f*lp. And the messengers came and aewed it to the men of Jabesli; and they 19 Therefore the men of Jabefh said, ''morrow we will Cohk out unto you, he is confirms4 king, and ye shall do with us all that seenieth good unto you. 11 And it ivai/« on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning w arch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it caiiie to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two os,them were not left together. 11 fl Aud the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death. 13 And Saul said, There (hall nota man be put to death this day: for to day the Lor D hath wrought salvation in Israel, 14 Then said Samuel to the people. Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there. 15 And allrhe people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the Lo R D in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace olf..-: ings before the Lor D j ana there Saul i.nd all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. CHAP. XII. 1 Samuel testifieth his integrity. 9 He re. pro-vet h the people ot ingratitude. 16 He terrifieth then; ivith thunder in harvesttime; 10 and com/or/eth them in God's mercy, AN D Samuel fajd unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice ill ajl that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. » And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this ilaj. 3 Behold, here I am: witness agairist me befoie the Lor n, and before lus anointed : whose ox have I taken ? or whose ass have I taken? or whom; have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. 4 And they said, Thou hast not de, frauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hall thou taken ought of any man's hand. 5. And he said unto them, The Lor q is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness. 6 «] And Samuel said unto the people, It is the Lord that advan-ed Moles and Aarori, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. 7 Now therefore stand, stiil, that I may ft 4. »c*ion |