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Ful
ltextof"
DrunkWi
thBl
ood,
God'
sKi
l
li
ngsi
ntheBi
ble"

Seeot
herf
ormat
s

WI
THBLOO

Cod'
ski
l
li
ngsi
nth'

I'
Tl
DRUNK

WI
THBLOOD

God'
ski
l
li
ngsi
ntheBi
ble

bySt
eveWel
l
s

(
.l
OKDAM)I
'
KKSS
Copy
right

©2010bySt
eveWel
l
s

Al
lri
ght
sreser
ved.

Nopar
toft
hisbookmayber
epr
oducedi
nanyf
orm or

byanyel
ect
roni
cormechani
cal
meansi
ncl
udi
ng

i
nfor
mat
ionst
orageandr
etr
iev
alsy
stems,
wit
hout

per
missi
oni
nwr
it
ingf
rom t
heaut
hor
.Theonl
y

except
ioni
sbyar
evi
ewer
,whomayquot
eshor
texcer
pts

i
nar
evi
ew.

ht
tp:
//Dr
unkWi
thBl
ood.
com

ht
tp:
//Skept
icsAnnot
atedBi
ble.
com

ht
tp:
//Dwi
ndl
i
nqI
nUnbel
i
ef.
bloqspot
.com

Pr
intVer
sion:

LCCN:
2010931807
I
SBN10:
145366291X

I
SBN13:
9781453662915

Tabl
eofCont
ent
s

I
ntr
oduct
ion

Howmanydi
dGodki
l
l?

Whohaski
l
ledmor
e,Sat
anorGod?

Est
imat
edt
otal
s:Sat
anandGod

Howmanymor
ewi
l
lGodki
l
l?

Anot
eaboutt
het
it
le

God'
sKi
l
li
ngsi
ntheBi
ble

1.TheFl
oodofNoah:
All
fleshdi
edt
hatmov
edupon

t
heear
th

2.Abr
aham'
swart
orescueLot

3.Sodom andGomor
rah:
Shal
lIhi
def
rom Abr
aham

t
het
hingt
hatIdo?
4.RememberLot
'swi
fe(
For
getJesus'
)

5.Erwaswi
ckedi
nthesi
ghtoft
heLor
d(sot
heLor
d

sl
ewhi
tr
O

6.Onanspi
l
ledi
tont
hegr
ound(
sot
heLor
dki
l
led

hi
mtool

7.God'
ssev
eny
ear
,wor
ld-
widef
ami
ne

8.Thesev
ent
hpl
aqueofEgy
pt:
Hai
lshal
lcomedown

upont
hem andt
heyshal
ldi
e

9.TheLor
dsmot
eal
lthef
ir
stbor
nint
hel
andof

Egy
pt

10.TheLor
dtookof
fthei
rchar
iotwheel
s

11.TheLor
dwi
l
lhav
ewarwi
thAmal
ekf
rom

gener
ati
ont
ogener
ati
on

12.Whoi
sont
heLor
d'ssi
de:
For
cingf
ri
endsand
f
ami
l
ytoki
l
leachot
her

13.TheLor
dpl
aguedt
hepeopl
ebecauseoft
hecal
f

t
hatAar
onmade

14.Godbur
nsAar
on'
ssonst
odeat
hforof
fer
ing

"
str
angef
ir
e"

15.Abl
asphemeri
sst
onedt
odeat
h

16.Whent
hepeopl
ecompl
ained,
Godbur
nedt
hem

t
odeat
h

17.Whi
l
ethef
leshwasst
il
lbet
weent
hei
rteet
h,t
he

Lor
dsmot
ethem wi
thav
erygr
eatpl
ague

18.Tenscout
sar
eki
l
ledf
ort
hei
rhonestr
epor
t

19.Amangat
her
ingst
icksont
heSabbat
hday

20.Theopposi
ngpar
tyi
sbur
iedal
i
ve(
alongwi
th

t
hei
rfami
l
ies'
)
21.Godbur
ns250peopl
etodeat
hforbur
ning

i
ncense

22.Godki
l
led14,
700f
orcompl
aini
ngaboutGod'
s

ki
l
li
ngs

23.Themassacr
eoft
heAr
adi
tes

24.Godsentf
ier
yser
pent
stobi
tet
hepeopl
efor

compl
aini
ngaboutt
hel
ackoff
oodandwat
er

25.Phi
nehas'
doubl
emur
der
:Aki
l
li
ngt
oendGod'
s

ki
l
li
ng

26.TheMi
diani
temassacr
e:Hav
eyousav
edal
lthe

womenal
i
ve?

27.Godsl
owl
yki
l
ledt
heI
srael
i
tear
my

28.Godt
hegi
antki
l
ler

29.Godhar
densKi
ngSi
hon'
shear
tsot
hatal
lhi
s

peopl
ecanbeki
l
led
30.Al
lthemen,
women,
andchi
l
dreni
n60ci
ti
es

31.TheJer
ichomassacr
e

32.Achanandhi
sfami
l
yar
est
onedandbur
nedt
o

deat
h

33.TheAi
massacr
e

34.Godst
opst
hesunsot
hatJoshuacangethi
s

ki
l
li
ngdonei
ntheday
li
ght

35.Fi
veki
ngsar
eki
l
ledandhungont
rees

36.Joshuaut
ter
lydest
roy
edal
lthatbr
eat
hedast
he

Lor
dGodcommanded

37.Thegenoci
deoft
went
yki
ngdoms

38.TheAnaki
m:Somemor
egi
antki
l
li
ng

39.TheLor
ddel
i
ver
edt
heCanaani
tesandt
he

Per
izzi
tes
40.TheJer
usal
em massacr
e

41.Fi
vemassacr
es,
aweddi
ng,
andsomeGod-
proof

i
ronchar
iot
s

42.TheLor
ddel
i
ver
edChushanr
ishat
hai
m

43.Ehuddel
i
ver
samessagef
rom God

44.Goddel
i
ver
s10,
000l
ust
yMoabi
tes

45.Shamgarki
l
led600Phi
l
ist
ineswi
thanoxgoad

46.Bar
akandGodmassacr
etheCanaani
tes

47.Jael
poundsat
entst
aket
hroughasl
eepi
ngman'
s

skul
l

48.Gi
deon'
sst
ory
:TheLor
dsetev
eryman'
sswor
d

agai
nsthi
sfel
l
ow

49.Aci
tyi
smassacr
edand1000bur
ntodeat
h

becauseofGod'
sev
ilspi
ri
t
50.TheAmmoni
temassacr
e

51.Jepht
hah'
sdaught
er

52.42,
000ki
l
ledf
orf
ail
i
ngt
he"
shi
bbol
eth"t
est

53.Thespi
ri
toft
heLor
dcameuponSamsonandhe

mur
der
edt
hir
tymenf
ort
hei
rcl
othes

54.Thespi
ri
toft
heLor
dcameuponSamsonandhe

ki
l
led1000menwi
tht
hej
awboneofanass

55.Samsonki
l
led3000i
nasui
cidet
err
ori
stat
tack

56.Ahol
yci
vi
lwar(
Ithadsomet
hingt
odowi
th

r
ott
ing,
concubi
ne-
bodypar
tmessages'
)

57.TheendofJudges:
Twogenoci
desand200

st
olenv
irgi
ns

58.Godki
l
lsEl
i
'ssonsand34,
000I
srael
i
tesol
dier
s

59.Godsmot
ethem wi
thhemor
rhoi
dsi
nthei
rsecr
et
par
ts

60.50,
070ki
l
ledf
orl
ooki
ngi
ntot
hear
koft
heLor
d

61.TheLor
dthunder
edgr
eatt
hunderupont
he

Phi
l
ist
ines

62.Anot
herAmmoni
temassacr
e(andanot
herGod-

i
nspi
red,
body
-par
tmessage)

63.Jonat
han'
sver
yfi
rstsl
aught
er(
notcount
ingt
he

onebef
ore'
)

64.Godf
orcest
hePhi
l
ist
inest
oki
l
leachot
her

65.TheAmal
eki
tegenoci
de

66.Samuel
hacksAgagt
odeat
hbef
oret
heLor
d

67.I
nthev
all
eyofEl
ah:
Gol
i
ath

68.Dav
idbuy
sawi
fewi
th200Phi
l
ist
inef
oreski
ns
69.TheLor
dsai
dtoDav
id,
Goandsmi
tet
he

Phi
l
ist
ines

70.Godki
l
ledNabal
(andDav
idgothi
swi
feand

ot
herst
uff
)

71.Dav
idcommi
tsr
andom act
sofgenoci
de(
asa

mer
cenar
yfort
hePhi
l
ist
ines)

72.Dav
idspendst
hedayki
l
li
ngAmal
eki
tes

73.Godki
l
ledSaul
(andhi
ssonsandsol
dier
s')f
ornot

ki
l
li
ngal
ltheAmal
eki
tes

74.Dav
idki
l
ledt
hemessenger

75.Dav
idki
l
ledRechabandBaanah,
cut
offt
hei
r

handsandf
eet
,andhungt
hei
rbodi
esov
ert
hepool

76.Godhel
psDav
idsmi
tet
hePhi
l
ist
inesf
rom t
he

f
rontandt
her
ear

77.Godki
l
ledUzzahf
ort
ryi
ngt
okeept
hear
kfr
om

f
all
i
ng
78.Dav
idki
l
ledt
wo-
thi
rdsoft
heMoabi
tePOWsand

ensl
avedt
her
est

79.TheLor
dgav
eDav
idv
ict
orywher
everhewent

80.Dav
idki
l
ledev
erymal
einEdom

81.Thusdi
dDav
idunt
oal
lthechi
l
drenofAmmon

82.Godsl
owl
yki
l
lsababy

83.Fami
neandhumansacr
if
ice:
Sev
ensonsofSaul

ar
ehungupbef
oret
heLor
d

84.Dav
id'
smi
ght
ymenandt
hei
ramazi
ngki
l
li
ngs

85.Godki
l
led70,
000becauseDav
idhadacensus

t
hatGod(
orSat
anl
tol
dhi
mtodo

86.Sol
omoncar
ri
edoutt
hedeat
hbedwi
shofDav
id

byhav
ingJoabandShi
mei
mur
der
ed

87.At
aleoft
wopr
ophet
s
88.Jer
oboam'
sson:
Godki
l
lsanot
herchi
l
d

89.Jer
oboam'
sfami
l
y

90.Baasha'
sfami
l
yandf
ri
ends

91.Zi
mri
bur
nst
odeat
h

92.Thedr
oughtofEl
i
jah

93.El
i
jahki
l
ls450r
eli
giousl
eader
sinapr
ayer

cont
est

94.Thef
ir
stGod-
assi
stedsl
aught
eroft
heSy
rians

95.Godki
l
led100,
000Sy
riansf
orcal
l
inghi
m agod

oft
hehi
l
ls

96.Godki
l
led27,
000Sy
riansbymaki
ngawal
lfal
l

ont
hem

97.Godsental
i
ont
oki
l
lamanf
ornotsmi
ti
nga

pr
ophet
98.Godki
l
ledAhabf
ornotki
l
li
ngacapt
uredki
ng

99.Godbur
ned102ment
odeat
hforaski
ngEl
i
jaht
o

comedownf
rom hi
shi
l
l

100.Godki
l
ledAhazi
ah(
ofI
srael
")f
oraski
ngt
he

wr
ongGod

101.Godsentt
wobear
stor
ipapar
t42boy
sfor

maki
ngf
unofapr
ophet
'sbal
dhead

102.TheLor
ddel
i
ver
edt
heMoabi
tes

103.Askept
ici
str
ampl
edt
odeat
h

104.God'
ssev
eny
earf
ami
ne

105.Jehor
am ofI
srael

106.Jezebel

107.Ahab'
ssons:
Sev
ent
yheadsi
ntwoheaps
108.Ahab'
shomet
ownf
ami
l
y,f
ri
ends,
andpr
iest
s

109.Jehuki
l
ledAhazi
ah'
sfami
l
y

110.Jehuandhi
spar
tnershowt
hei
rzeal
fort
heLor
d

byki
l
li
ngt
her
estofAhab'
sfami
l
y

111.Jehuassembl
est
hef
oll
ower
sofBaal
andt
hen

sl
aught
erst
hem al
l

112.Thepr
iestofBaal
andQueenAt
hal
i
ah

113.Godsentl
i
onst
oeatt
hoset
hatdi
dn'
tfearhi
m

enough

114.Anangel
kil
l
ed185,
000sl
eepi
ngsol
dier
s

115.GodcausedKi
ngSennacher
ibt
obeki
l
ledbyhi
s

sons

116.Josi
ahki
l
ledal
lthepr
iest
soft
hehi
ghpl
aces

117.Justanot
herhol
ywar
118.Godki
l
ledahal
fmi
l
li
onI
srael
i
tesol
dier
s

119.Jer
oboam

120.Godki
l
ledami
l
li
onEt
hiopi
ans

121.Fr
iendl
yFi
re:
Godf
orced"
agr
eatmul
ti
tude"t
o

ki
l
leachot
her

122.GodmadeJehor
am'
sbowel
sfal
lout

123.Godki
l
ledJehor
am'
ssons

124.Ahazi
ah(
ofJudah)

125.Joash,
thepr
inces,
andar
myofJudah

126.Goddest
roy
edAmazi
ah

127.Godsmot
eAhazwi
tht
heki
ngofSy
ria

128.Godki
l
led120,
000v
ali
antmenf
orf
orsaki
ng

hi
m
129.Thef
all
ofJer
usal
em

130.GodandSat
anki
l
lJob'
schi
l
drenandsl
aves

131.Hanani
ah

132.Ezeki
el'
swi
fe

133.Anani
asandSapphi
ra

134.Her
odAqqr
ipa

135.Jesus

Af
ter
wor
d

Al
i
stofGod'
ski
l
li
ngs(
wit
hbi
bli
cal
number
sand

est
imat
es'
)

Li
stofI
ll
ust
rat
ions

Aboutt
heaut
hor
I
ntr
oduct
ion

Af
ewy
ear
sago,
Ist
art
edt
odocumentGod'
ski
l
li
ngsat

mybl
og,
Dwi
ndl
i
ngi
nUnbel
i
ef.Ibeganwi
thGenesi
s

andwor
kedmywayt
hrought
heBi
ble,
wri
ti
ngapostf
or

eachki
l
li
ngev
entandkeepi
ngar
unni
ngcountoft
he

numberofv
ict
imsasIwental
ong.Idon'
tthi
nki
t'
sev
er

beendonebef
ore,
whi
chi
sashame,
sinceGodi
sso

pr
oudofhi
ski
l
li
ngs.

Youdon'
tbel
i
eveme?Wel
l
,her
e,I
'
lll
ethi
mtel
lyou

di
rect
ly.

Iki
l
l..
.Iwound.
..Iwi
l
lmakemyar
rowsdr
unkwi
thbl
ood,
and

myswor
dshal
ldev
ourf
lesh.Deut
eronomy32.
39-
42(
NRSV)

Bi
blebel
i
ever
s,ont
heot
herhand,
arel
esspr
oudof

God'
ski
l
li
ngs.Oh,
theyl
i
keaf
ewoft
hem—Noah'
sfl
ood,

Dav
idandGol
i
ath,
thewal
l
sofJer
icho,
Job'
sdaught
ers—

t
hoset
hatcanbemade(
wit
hconsi
der
abl
edi
shonest
y)

i
ntocut
echi
l
dren'
sst
ori
es.Butt
her
estar
ecompl
etel
y
i
gnor
edby
,orcompl
etel
yunknownt
o,bel
i
ever
s.

Ibel
i
evet
hatmostbel
i
ever
swoul
dst
opbel
i
evi
ngi
nthe

Bi
blei
ftheyknewwhatwasi
nit
.Andt
hisi
spar
ti
cul
arl
y

t
rueofGod'
ski
l
li
ngs.Al
loft
hest
ori
esar
eabsur
dfr
om

anhi
stor
ical
standpoi
nt;
theycoul
dnothav
ehappened

t
hewayt
heyar
etol
dint
heBi
ble.Butwhati
sev
enmor
e

damni
ngi
sthei
runspeakabl
ecr
uel
tyandobv
ious

i
mmor
ali
ty.I
ftheki
l
li
ngsdescr
ibedi
nthi
sbookact
ual
l
y

happened,
thent
heGodoft
heBi
blei
snott
heki
ndof

Godt
hatbel
i
ever
spr
etendhi
mtobe.

I
tismyhopet
hatasGod'
ski
l
li
ngsbecomebet
terknown,

peopl
ewi
l
lknowbet
tert
hant
obel
i
evei
ntheBi
ble.Such

bel
i
efshoul
dbeadmi
redbynooneandr
idi
cul
edbyal
l
.

I
nthi
sbook,
I'
vet
ri
edt
ocountal
lofGod'
ski
l
li
ngs:
those

t
hatar
enumber
edi
ntheBi
bleandt
hoset
hatar
enot
;

t
heonest
hatGoddi
dhi
msel
f;t
hoset
hathei
nst
ruct
ed

ot
her
stodo;
andt
hoset
hat
,whi
l
ehemaynothav
e

t
akenanact
iver
olei
n,metwi
thhi
sappr
oval
.
Ofcour
se,
someki
l
li
ngsar
eeasi
ert
ocountt
hanot
her
s.

WhenGodbur
nedt
odeat
h250menf
orbur
ningi
ncense

(21)i
nNumber
s16.
35,
weknowhowmanywer
eki
l
led.

Buthowmanydi
dGoddr
owni
nthef
loodQJorbur
nto

deat
hinSodom andGomor
rah(
3)?Howmanyf
ir
st-
bor
n

Egy
pti
anchi
l
drendi
dheki
l
l(9)
?Ther
e'sj
ustnowayt
o

knowf
orsur
e.

SoIhav
etwot
all
i
es:
onef
ort
heki
l
li
ngsi
nwhi
ch

number
sar
egi
veni
ntheBi
ble,
excl
udi
ngt
heot
her
s;and

anot
hert
hatusesbot
htheBi
bli
cal
number
sand

est
imat
eswhennumber
sar
eabsent
.

Butwhataboutt
heki
l
li
ngst
hatGodappar
ent
lyappr
oved

of
,butdi
dn'
ttakeanact
iver
olei
n?

Taket
hest
oryi
n1Samuel
18.
25-
28,
forexampl
e,i
n

whi
chDav
idbuy
shi
sfi
rstwi
fewi
th200Phi
l
ist
ine

f
oreski
ns(
68)
.Di
dGodappr
oveoft
hatki
l
li
ng?

Wel
l
,yeshedi
d,i
fyoubel
i
evet
heBi
ble,
thati
s.God

appr
ovedofev
ery
thi
ngDav
iddi
d,i
ncl
udi
ngal
lofhi
s

ki
l
li
ngs,
wit
honl
yoneexcept
ion:
theki
l
li
ngofUr
iah.

Howdoweknowt
his?Becausei
tsay
ssoi
ntheBi
ble.

Dav
iddi
dthatwhi
chwasr
ighti
ntheey
esoft
heLORD,
andt
urned

notasi
def
rom anyt
hingt
hathecommandedhi
m al
ltheday
sof
hi
sli
fe,
sav
eonl
yint
hemat
terofUr
iaht
heHi
tt
it
e.1Ki
ngs15:
5

Dr
unkwi
thBl
oodi
ncl
udesasepar
ateaccountf
oreachof

God'
s135ki
l
li
ngs.Theyar
eli
stedi
ntheor
dert
hatt
hey

occuri
ntheBi
ble,
wit
hanot
eatt
het
opt
hatl
i
stst
he

v
ersesi
nwhi
cht
heki
l
li
ngoccur
s,al
ongwi
tht
henumber

ki
l
led,
eit
hert
heBi
ble'
snumberoranest
imat
e,orbot
h.

I
neachaccount
,I'
vemadeanef
for
ttoquot
eenoughof

t
heact
ual
stor
yfr
om t
heBi
ble(
usi
ngt
heKi
ngJames

Ver
sion)t
omakei
tunnecessar
ytor
efert
otheBi
ble

i
tsel
f.St
il
l,
Iencour
ageev
ery
onet
oreadt
hesest
ori
esi
n

t
heBi
ble.I
tisnear
lyi
mpossi
blet
obel
i
evei
ntheBi
ble

oncey
ouhav
ereadt
hem.

Howmanydi
dGodki
l
l?

Her
e'st
het
otal
,i
fyouuseonl
ynumber
sthatar
e

pr
ovi
dedi
ntheBi
ble:
2,476,
636

(
Foracompl
etel
i
stofGod'
ski
l
li
ngswi
thbi
bli
cal
number
andest
imat
eforeachki
l
li
ng,
seet
heMstatt
heendof

t
hisebook.
)

Whohaski
l
ledmor
e,Sat
anor

God?

Howmanydi
dSat
anki
l
lint
heBi
ble?

Icanonl
yfi
ndt
en,
andev
ent
heseheshar
eswi
thGod,

si
nceGodal
l
owedhi
mtodoi
tasapar
tofabet
.I'
m

t
alki
ngaboutt
hesev
ensonsandt
hreedaught
ersofJob

(
130)
.

Ther
ewasamani
nthel
andofUz,
whosenamewasJob.
..And

t
her
ewer
ebor
nunt
ohi
m sev
ensonsandt
hreedaught
ers.

Andt
heLORDsai
dunt
oSat
an,
Hastt
houconsi
der
edmyser
vant

Job,
thatt
her
eisnonel
i
kehi
mint
heear
th,
aper
fectandan

upr
ightman,
onet
hatf
ear
ethGod,
andeschewet
hev
il
?Then

Sat
ananswer
edt
heLORD.
..putf
ort
hthi
nehandnow,
andt
ouch

al
lthathehat
h,andhewi
l
lcur
set
heet
othyf
ace.Andt
heLORD

sai
dunt
oSat
an,
Behol
d,al
lthathehat
hisi
nthypower
;onl
yupon

hi
msel
fputnotf
ort
hthi
nehand.SoSat
anwentf
ort
hfr
om t
he

pr
esenceoft
heLORD.
Andt
her
ewasadaywhenhi
ssonsandhi
sdaught
erswer
eeat
ing

anddr
inki
ngwi
nei
nthei
rel
destbr
other
'shouse.
..And,
behol
d,

t
her
ecameagr
eatwi
ndf
rom t
hewi
l
der
ness,
andsmot
ethef
our

cor
ner
soft
hehouse,
andi
tfel
lupont
hey
oungmen,
andt
heyar
e

dead;
andIonl
yam escapedal
onet
otel
lthee.Job1.
1-19

Soi
tseemst
hatbot
hSat
anandGodshar
ethebl
ame(
or

t
hecr
edi
t)f
orki
l
li
ngJob'
schi
l
dren.I
fso,
thent
het
all
y

woul
dbe:

God:
2,476,
636

Sat
an:
10

Whohaski
l
ledmor
e,Sat
anorGod?

(
bibl
i
cal
number
s,noest
imat
es)
1Mi
l
li
ons2

Est
imat
edt
otal
s:Sat
anand

God

Whent
heBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanywer
eki
l
led,
Itr
yto

pr
ovi
dear
easonabl
eest
imat
e.

Forexampl
e,t
heBi
blesay
sthatJob'
stenchi
l
drenwer
e

ki
l
ledi
nGodandSat
an'
sbet
.TheBi
bleal
sosay
sthatal
l

ofJob'
ssl
aveswer
eki
l
led,
thoughi
tdoesn'
tsayhow

manysl
avesJobowned.Butsi
ncehewasaweal
thyman

(
"t
hegr
eat
estofal
lthemenoft
heeast
"),
hemusthav
e

ownedmanysl
aves.SoIguessedt
hatf
if
tysl
aveswer
e

ki
l
led,
andIgav
ebot
hSat
anandGodcr
edi
tfort
hei
r

ki
l
li
ngs.

Imadesi
mil
arest
imat
esf
ort
heot
herki
l
li
ngswhena

numberwasnotpr
ovi
dedi
ntheBi
ble.It
ri
edt
ogi
vean

i
deaofmyt
hinki
ngf
oreachest
imat
eatt
heendofeach
ki
l
li
ngaccount
.

Whent
her
ewasnocl
earwayt
ogetanumberdi
rect
ly

f
rom t
heBi
blei
tsel
f,Iusedest
imat
esf
rom Col
i
n

McEv
edyandRi
char
dJones'
Atl
asofWor
ldPopul
ati
on

Hi
stor
y(Mi
ddl
esex,
Engl
and:
Pengui
n,1978)
.

Usi
ngt
heseest
imat
es,
Icameupwi
tht
hef
oll
owi
ng

gr
andt
otal
sfort
henumberki
l
ledbyGodandSat
ani
n

t
heBi
ble:

God:
24,
634,
205

Sat
an:
60

Cod

Sat
an

Whohaski
l
ledmor
e,Sat
anorGod?

(
wit
hest
imat
es)
24,
634,
205

60

10Mi
l
li
ons20

30

Howmanymor
ewi
l
lGodki
l
l?
WhataboutGod'
sfut
urepl
ans?Doest
heBi
blet
ell
us

any
thi
ngaboutt
hat
?

Wel
l
,yesi
tdoes.Buti
t'
shar
dtot
akeanyofi
tser
iousl
y,

especi
all
yify
ou'
reabel
i
ever
.

Taket
hegr
eatwi
nepr
essoft
hewr
athofGod,
for

exampl
e.Youknow,
theonef
eat
uredi
ntheBat
tl
eHy
mn

oft
heRepubl
i
c.

Mi
neey
eshav
eseent
hegl
oryoft
hecomi
ngoft
heLor
d:

Hei
str
ampl
i
ngoutt
hev
int
agewher
ethegr
apesofwr
athar
e

st
ored;

Hehat
hloosedt
hef
atef
ull
i
ght
ningofHi
ster
ri
bleswi
ftswor
d:

Hi
str
uthi
smar
chi
ngon.

Thest
oryi
stol
dint
he14t
hchapt
eroft
hebookof

Rev
elat
ion,
whi
chbegi
nswi
thJesus(
or"
someonel
i
ke
unt
otheSonofman"
)si
tt
ingonawhi
tecl
oudwi
tha

gol
dcr
ownonhi
sheadandashar
psi
ckl
einhi
shand.

Il
ooked,
andbehol
dawhi
tecl
oud,
andupont
hecl
oudonesatl
i
ke

unt
otheSonofman,
hav
ingonhi
sheadagol
dencr
own,
andi
n

hi
shandashar
psi
ckl
e.Rev
elat
ion14.
14

Thenanangel
stopsbyt
otel
lJesust
hati
t'
sti
met
ost
art

swi
ngi
nghi
ssi
ckl
e.

Thr
usti
nthysi
ckl
e,andr
eap:
fort
het
imei
scomef
ort
heet
o

r
eap;
fort
hehar
vestoft
heear
thi
sri
pe.14.
15

SoJesust
hrust
shi
ssi
ckl
eont
heear
th,
whi
l
est
il
lsi
tt
ing

onhi
scl
oud.

Het
hatsatont
hecl
oudt
hrusti
nhi
ssi
ckl
eont
heear
th;
andt
he

ear
thwasr
eaped.14.
16

Anot
herangel
cameoutoft
het
empl
einheav
enand

j
oinedJesusonhi
scl
oud.Heal
sohasashar
psi
ckl
ewi
th

hi
m,andt
oget
hert
heybegi
ntor
eapt
hehar
veston

ear
th.

Anot
herangel
cameoutoft
het
empl
ewhi
chi
sinheav
en,
heal
so
hav
ingashar
psi
ckl
e.14.
17

Theyswi
ngt
hei
rsi
ckl
esandpourt
her
esul
ti
ngbl
oodi
nto

ahugewi
nepr
ess.Ther
eissomuchbl
oodt
hati
tfl
ows

outoft
hewi
nepr
essandcov
erst
hegr
oundupt
othe

hor
ses'
bri
dlesi
naspaceof1600f
url
ongs.

Thewi
nepr
esswast
roddenwi
thoutt
heci
ty,
andbl
oodcameout

oft
hewi
nepr
ess,
evenunt
othehor
sebr
idl
es,
byt
hespaceofa

t
housandandsi
xhundr
edf
url
ongs.14:
20

Andf
rom t
hatwecanest
imat
ehowmanypeopl
ewi
l
lbe

ki
l
ledbyJesusandhi
sangel
sideki
ck.

I
t'
sasi
mpl
ecal
cul
ati
on.Af
url
ongi
s202met
ers,
so

1600f
url
ongsi
sabout320ki
l
omet
ers,
andahor
se'
s

br
idl
eis1.
5m hi
ghorso.I
fwet
aket
hebl
oodbat
htobe

ci
rcul
arwi
thadi
amet
erof320ki
l
omet
ers,
thent
het
otal

v
olumei
s1.
2x1014l
i
ter
s.Andsi
nceanadul
thasabout

5l
i
ter
sofbl
ood,
thatgi
vesus2.
4x1013(
24t
ri
ll
i
on)

peopl
e.

Whi
chcoul
dbeapr
obl
em,
evenf
orGod.Wher
ewi
l
lhe
f
indsomanypeopl
etoki
l
l?Hi
sov
erf
lowi
ngwi
nepr
ess

r
equi
rest
hebl
oodf
rom near
ly4,
000t
imest
henumber

ofpeopl
eonear
th.

Doest
hismeant
hatAr
mageddonwon'
toccurunt
ilt
he

humanpopul
ati
onr
eaches24t
ri
ll
i
on?Per
haps.

Ormay
beGodwi
l
ljustcr
eat
emor
epeopl
ewhent
he

t
imecomesj
ustt
oki
l
lthem.

Ori
tcoul
djustbehy
per
bol
e.Goddoesn'
treal
l
ypl
anon

ki
l
li
ngt
ri
ll
i
onsofpeopl
e;he'
sjustt
ryi
ngt
oscar
ethehel
l

outofev
ery
one.

I
'
lll
eav
eitf
ort
hebel
i
ever
stof
igur
eout
.

Butt
her
ear
emanyot
herv
ersest
hatsaysi
mil
ar(
bat
shi
t

cr
azy
)thi
ngsi
ntheBi
ble,
andt
hey
'r
enotal
li
nRev
elat
ion

ei
ther
.

Godwi
l
lki
l
lsomanypeopl
ethatt
hel
andwi
l
lbesoaked,

t
her
iver
sfl
ooded,
andt
hemount
ainsmel
tedi
nbl
ood.
Thegr
oundwi
l
lbecov
eredwi
thdeadbodi
es,
whi
chwi
l
l

st
inkt
ohi
ghheav
en.Thewhol
eear
thwi
l
lbedest
roy
ed.

SoIguesst
hatmeanst
hatev
ery
bodyonear
thwi
l
lbe

ki
l
ledbyGod.

Her
ear
ethev
erses:

Thei
rsl
ainal
soshal
lbecastout
,andt
hei
rst
inkshal
lcomeupout

oft
hei
rcar
cases,
andt
hemount
ainsshal
lbemel
tedwi
tht
hei
r

bl
ood.I
sai
ah34.
3

Theuni
cor
nsshal
lcomedownwi
tht
hem .
..andt
hei
rlandshal
lbe

soakedwi
thbl
ood.I
sai
ah34.
7

Thesl
ainoft
heLORDshal
lbeatt
hatdayf
rom oneendoft
he

ear
thev
enunt
otheot
herendoft
heear
th:
theyshal
lnotbe

l
ament
ed,
nei
thergat
her
ed,
norbur
ied;
theyshal
lbedungupon

t
hegr
ound.Jer
emi
ah25.
33

Iwi
l
lal
sowat
erwi
tht
hybl
oodt
hel
and.
..ev
ent
othemount
ains;

andt
her
iver
sshal
lbef
ull
oft
hee.Ezeki
el32.
6
Iwi
l
lfi
l
lhi
smount
ainswi
thhi
ssl
ainmen:
int
hyhi
l
ls,
andi
nthy

v
all
eys,
andi
nal
lthyr
iver
s,shal
ltheyf
all
thatar
esl
ainwi
tht
he

swor
d.Ezeki
el35.
8

Sai
tht
heLor
dGOD:
ther
eshal
lbemanydeadbodi
esi
nev
ery

pl
ace.Amos8.
3

Iwi
l
lsl
ayt
hel
astoft
hem wi
tht
heswor
d.Amos9.
1

Icommandt
heswor
d,andi
tshal
lsl
ayt
hem:
andIwi
l
lsetmi
ne

ey
esupont
hem f
orev
il
,andnotf
orgood.Amos9.
4

Ther
eisamul
ti
tudeofsl
ain,
andagr
eatnumberofcar
cases;
and

t
her
eisnoneendoft
hei
rcor
pses;
theyst
umbl
eupont
hei
r

cor
pses.Nahum 3.
3

Iwi
l
lut
ter
lyconsumeal
lthi
ngsf
rom of
fthel
and,
sai
tht
heLORD.

Zephani
ah1.
2

Iwi
l
lbr
ingdi
str
essuponmen.
..t
hei
rbl
oodshal
lbepour
edoutas

dust
,andt
hei
rfl
eshast
hedung.Zephani
ah1.
17

Theear
thshal
lbedev
our
edwi
tht
hef
ir
eofmyj
eal
ousy
.

Zephani
ah3.
8
Iwi
l
lki
l
lherchi
l
drenwi
thdeat
h.Rev
elat
ion2.
23

Thet
hir
dpar
toft
heseabecamebl
ood.Rev
elat
ion8.
8

They.
..shal
lseet
hei
rdeadbodi
est
hreeday
sandanhal
f,and

shal
lnotsuf
fert
hei
rdeadbodi
est
obeputi
ngr
aves.Rev
elat
ion

11.
9

St
il
l,
Isuspectt
hati
nmanyoft
hesev
ersesGodi
s

exagger
ati
ng.Sur
e,he'
spl
anni
ngt
oki
l
llot
sofpeopl
e,

butnotev
ery
one.Thel
andwon'
tbeent
ir
elycov
ered

wi
thdeadbodi
esandt
hemount
aint
opswon'
tdr
owni
n

bl
ood.SoI
'
m notgoi
ngt
oest
imat
ethenumbert
hatGod

pl
anst
oki
l
lfr
om t
hesev
erses.I
'
llwai
tunt
ilGodsober
s

upabi
ttodomycount
ing.

Sowe'
rebackwher
ewest
art
ed.HowmanydoesGod

pl
ant
oki
l
lint
he"
endt
imes"t
hatbel
i
ever
shopeand

pr
aywi
l
lcomesoon?

Wel
l
,theBi
blet
ell
sushowmanywi
l
lbesav
ed,
whi
ch
i
mpl
i
es,
Iguess,
thatev
ery
oneel
sewi
l
lbeki
l
led.

Ihear
dthenumberoft
hem whi
chwer
eseal
ed:
andt
her
ewer
e

seal
edanhundr
edandf
ort
yandf
ourt
housandofal
lthet
ri
besof

t
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
.Rev
elat
ion7.
4

.
..
thehundr
edandf
ort
yandf
ourt
housand,
whi
chwer
eredeemed

f
rom t
heear
th.Thesear
etheywhi
chwer
enotdef
il
edwi
th

women;
fort
heyar
evi
rgi
ns.Rev
elat
ion14.
3-4

Soi
fthe"
endt
imes"happenedt
oday
,onl
y144,
000

Jewi
shmal
evi
rgi
nswoul
dsur
viv
e.Ther
estoft
he6.
8

bi
l
li
onwoul
dbeki
l
ledbyGod(
andt
henbet
orment
ed

f
orev
eri
nhel
l
).

Mostbel
i
ever
sdon'
tbel
i
evet
hisofcour
se.(
The

Jehov
ah'
sWi
tnessesar
eanot
abl
eexcept
ion.
)Theysay

t
he144,
000Jewi
shmal
evi
rgi
nsi
ssy
mbol
i
cof

somet
hing.Theyj
ustdon'
tknowwhatt
hesomet
hingi
s.

Ar
eyour
eadyt
ogi
veupy
et?I
'
m not
.

Ther
e'soneot
herwayt
ogetanest
imat
e,butImust
war
nyou.I
t,t
oo,
isf
rom Rev
elat
ion.

Her
ear
ethev
erses:

Il
ooked,
andbehol
dapal
ehor
se:
andhi
snamet
hatsatonhi
m

wasDeat
h,andHel
lfol
l
owedwi
thhi
m.Andpowerwasgi
venunt
o

t
hem ov
ert
hef
our
thpar
toft
heear
th,
toki
l
lwi
thswor
d,andwi
th

hunger
,andwi
thdeat
h,andwi
tht
hebeast
soft
heear
th.

Rev
elat
ion6.
8

Andt
hef
ourangel
swer
eloosed,
whi
chwer
epr
epar
edf
oran

hour
,andaday
,andamont
h,anday
ear
,fort
osl
ayt
het
hir
dpar
t

ofmen.Andt
henumberoft
hear
myoft
hehor
semenwer
etwo

hundr
edt
housandt
housand.
..Byt
heset
hreewast
het
hir
dpar
tof

menki
l
led,
byt
hef
ir
e,andbyt
hesmoke,
andbyt
hebr
imst
one,

whi
chi
ssuedoutoft
hei
rmout
hs.Rev
elat
ion9.
15-
18

OK,
let
'scountt
hem up.1/
4wi
l
lbeki
l
ledbyDeat
hand

Hel
l(perRev6.
8).Thatl
eav
es3/
4al
i
ve,
1/3ofwhi
ch
wi
l
lbebur
nedt
odeat
hbyt
he200mi
l
li
onf
ir
eand

br
imst
onebr
eat
hinghor
semenofRev9.
15-
18.Si
nce1/
3

of3/
4is1/
4,hal
fthehumanpopul
ati
onwi
l
lbeki
l
ledi
n

t
heset
wosl
aught
ers.

Assumi
ngt
hatt
her
apt
ure(
orwhat
ever
)issoon(
andi
t'
s

al
way
scomi
ngsoon)
,andt
hatt
heear
th'
spopul
ati
onwi
l
l

beaboutwhati
tist
oday
,6.
8bi
l
li
on,
thenGodwi
l
lsoon

ki
l
l3,
400,
000,
000.

Sowhati
sourf
inal
answer
?

Wel
l
,wehav
eal
owerandupperbound.Godwi
l
lki
l
lat

l
east3.
4bi
l
li
onandper
hapsasmanyas24t
ri
ll
i
on(
if

he'
sgoi
ngt
ogethi
sbl
oodywi
nepr
essov
erf
il
ledt
othe

Bi
ble'
sspeci
fi
cat
ions)
.

Sol
et'
scal
li
t3.
4bi
l
li
on.
Oh,
andwhataboutSat
an?

Hehasnopl
ansf
orki
l
li
nganymor
epeopl
e(atl
east

nonet
hatar
erecor
dedi
ntheBi
bleort
hathehast
oldme

about
).

God3,
400,
000,
000

Sat
an

Howmanymor
ewi
l
lGodandSat
anki
l
l?

God

Sat
an6o
t

Bi
l
li
ons

3.
4Bi
l
li
on

Anot
eaboutt
het
it
le

Youmi
ghtt
hinkt
het
it
leoft
hebooki
sabi
tunf
air
.A

si
ngl
ever
set
hatusest
hephr
ase"
drunkwi
thbl
ood"i
s

har
dlyenought
ogoon,
especi
all
yifcont
exti
stakeni
nto

account
.Butt
hephr
ase(
orv
ari
ant
sofi
t)i
susedf
ive

t
imesi
ntheBi
ble,
andcont
extdoesn'
thel
patal
l
.

1.Godf
ir
stusesi
ttodescr
ibehi
msel
f:hi
sar
rowsar
e

dr
unkwi
thbl
ood.
Iwi
l
lmakemi
near
rowsdr
unkwi
thbl
ood,
andmyswor
dshal
l

dev
ourf
lesh.Deut
eronomy32.
42

NowIknowt
hatGoddoesn'
tmeant
hisl
i
ter
all
y.God'
s

ar
rowsdon'
thav
emout
hs;
theydon'
tdr
inkbl
oodand

t
hey
'venev
erbeendr
unkonany
thi
ng.Hi
sswor
ddoesn'
t

eatf
leshei
ther
.Godi
sbei
ngmet
aphor
ical
her
e.

St
il
l,
Godi
str
yingt
omakeapoi
nt.He'
ssay
ingt
hathe

ki
l
lspeopl
e.Lot
sandl
otsofpeopl
e.Andt
hati
swhatt
his

booki
sabout
.

2.God'
sswor
disal
sodr
unkwi
thbl
ood,
justl
i
kehi
s

ar
rows.

Thi
sist
hedayoft
heLor
dGODofhost
s,adayofv
engeance,
that

hemayav
engehi
m ofhi
sadv
ersar
ies:
andt
heswor
dshal
l

dev
our
,andi
tshal
lbesat
iat
eandmadedr
unkwi
tht
hei
rbl
ood.

Jer
emi
ah46.
10

AndGod'
sswor
disnotonl
ydr
unkwi
thbl
ood;
it'
sfi
l
led

wi
thbl
oodandi
sbat
hedi
nbl
oodi
nheav
en.
Myswor
dshal
lbebat
hedi
nheav
en.I
sai
ah34.
5

Theswor
doft
heLORDi
sfi
l
ledwi
thbl
ood.I
sai
ah34.
6

Byhi
sswor
dwi
l
ltheLORDpl
eadwi
thal
lfl
esh:
andt
hesl
ainoft
he

LORDshal
lbemany
.Isai
ah66.
16

Theswor
doft
heLORDshal
ldev
ourf
rom t
heoneendoft
hel
and

ev
ent
otheot
herendoft
hel
and:
nof
leshshal
lhav
epeace.

Jer
emi
ah12.
12

I.
..wi
l
ldr
awf
ort
hmyswor
doutofhi
ssheat
h,andwi
l
lcutof
f

f
rom t
heet
her
ight
eousandt
hewi
cked.Ezeki
el21.
3

Myswor
dgof
ort
houtofhi
ssheat
hagai
nstal
lfl
esh.Ezeki
el21.
4

Iwi
l
lbr
ingaswor
dupont
hee,
andcutof
fmanandbeastoutof

t
hee.Ezeki
el29.
8

Ishal
lbr
andi
shmyswor
dbef
oret
hem;
andt
heyshal
ltr
embl
eat

ev
erymoment
,ev
erymanf
orhi
sownl
i
fe.Ezeki
el32.
10

Youry
oungmenhav
eIsl
ainwi
tht
heswor
d..
.andIhav
emade

t
hest
inkofy
ourcampst
ocomeupunt
oyournost
ri
ls.Amos4.
10

I[
Jesus]wi
l
l..
.fi
ghtagai
nstt
hem wi
tht
heswor
dofmymout
h.
Rev
elat
ion2.
16

Anot
herhor
set
hatwasr
ed:
andpowerwasgi
vent
ohi
mthatsat

t
her
eont
otakepeacef
rom t
heear
th,
andt
hatt
heyshoul
dki
l
lone

anot
her
:andt
her
ewasgi
venunt
ohi
m agr
eatswor
d.Rev
elat
ion

6.
4

Godi
sasst
rongasauni
cor
n.(
Heck,
Ibethe'
sev
en

st
rongert
hanauni
cor
n.)Andhehasqui
teanappet
it
e,

t
oo.Hewi
l
leatent
ir
enat
ions,
andbr
eakbonesand

pi
ercebodi
eswi
thhi
sar
rows.

God.
..hat
h..
.thest
rengt
hofanuni
cor
n:heshal
leatupt
he

nat
ionshi
senemi
es,
andshal
lbr
eakt
hei
rbones,
andpi
ercet
hem

t
hroughwi
thhi
sar
rows.Number
s24.
8

Iwi
l
lspendmi
near
rowsupont
hem.Deut
eronomy32.
23

Godi
sangr
ywi
thpeopl
eev
eryday
.Hi
sswor
diswetand

hi
sbowi
sbent
.Hehaspr
epar
edal
lthei
nst
rument
sof

deat
h.

Godi
sangr
ywi
tht
hewi
ckedev
eryday.
..hewi
l
lwhethi
sswor
d;

hehat
hbenthi
sbow,
andmadei
tready
.Hehat
hal
sopr
epar
ed
f
orhi
mthei
nst
rument
sofdeat
h.Psal
m 7.
11-
13

Ev
enhi
scl
othesar
espr
inkl
edwi
tht
hebl
oodofhi
s

v
ict
ims.(
Idon'
tknowwhet
herhi
scl
othesar
ereal
l
y

dr
ippi
ngwi
thbl
oodi
nheav
en.Idon'
tev
enknowi
fhe

wear
scl
othes.I
'
mjustt
ell
i
ngy
ouwhatt
heBi
blesay
s.)

Iwi
l
ltr
eadt
hem i
nmi
neanger
,andt
rampl
ethem i
nmyf
ury
;and

t
hei
rbl
oodshal
lbespr
inkl
eduponmygar
ment
s,andIwi
l
lst
ainal
l

myr
aiment
.Isai
ah63.
3

3.God'
sswor
dandar
rowswon'
tbet
heonl
ythi
ngs

dr
unkwi
thbl
ood.Godal
sopl
anst
ofor
cepeopl
e(bef
ore

heki
l
lst
hem)t
oeatt
hei
rownf
leshandgetdr
unkon

t
hei
rownbl
ood.

Iwi
l
lfeedt
hem t
hatoppr
esst
heewi
tht
hei
rownf
lesh;
andt
hey

shal
lbedr
unkenwi
tht
hei
rownbl
ood,
aswi
thsweetwi
ne.I
sai
ah

49.
26

I
'
m notsur
ehowmuchoft
hisi
smet
aphor
.Godof
ten

t
alksaboutf
orci
ngpeopl
etoeatot
herpeopl
e.Thatpar
t,

atl
east
,isl
i
ter
al.Her
ear
eaf
ewexampl
es.

For
cingpeopl
etoeatt
hemsel
ves:
Andheshal
lsnat
chont
her
ighthand,
andbehungr
y;andheshal
l

eatont
hel
efthand,
andt
heyshal
lnotbesat
isf
ied:
theyshal
leat

ev
erymant
hef
leshofhi
sownar
m.I
sai
ah9.
20

For
cingpar
ent
stoeatt
hei
rchi
l
drenandf
ri
endst
oeat

eachot
her
:

Yeshal
leatt
hef
leshofy
oursons,
andt
hef
leshofy
ourdaught
ers

shal
lyeeat
.Lev
iti
cus26.
29

Thoushal
teatt
hef
rui
toft
hineownbody
,thef
leshoft
hysons

andoft
hydaught
ers.Deut
eronomy28.
53

Thet
enderanddel
i
cat
ewomanamongy
ou,
whi
chwoul
dnot

adv
ent
uret
osett
hesol
eofherf
ootupont
hegr
oundf
or

del
i
cat
enessandt
ender
ness,
herey
eshal
lbeev
ilt
owar
dthe

husbandofherbosom,
andt
owar
dherson,
andt
owar
dher

daught
er,
Andt
owar
dhery
oungonet
hatcomet
houtf
rom

bet
weenherf
eet
,andt
owar
dherchi
l
drenwhi
chsheshal
lbear
:

f
orsheshal
leatt
hem.Deut
eronomy28.
56-
57

Iwi
l
lcauset
hem t
oeatt
hef
leshoft
hei
rsonsandt
hef
leshof
t
hei
rdaught
ers,
andt
heyshal
leatev
eryonet
hef
leshofhi
s

f
ri
end.Jer
emi
ah19.
9

Thehandsoft
hepi
ti
ful
womenhav
esoddent
hei
rownchi
l
dren:

t
heywer
ethei
rmeat
.Lament
ati
ons4.
10

Thef
ather
sshal
leatt
hesonsi
nthemi
dstoft
hee,
andt
hesons

shal
leatt
hei
rfat
her
s.Ezeki
el5.
10

Lett
her
esteatev
eryonet
hef
leshofanot
her
.Zechar
iah11.
9

Sowhi
l
eiti
str
uet
hatpar
tofGod'
spl
anf
orhumani
tyi
s

f
orci
ngpeopl
etoeateachot
her
,hewaspr
obabl
yjust

get
ti
ngcar
ri
edawaywi
thhi
sownmet
aphorwhenhe

sai
dthey
'dgetdr
unkont
hei
rownbl
ood.

Oh,
onemor
ethi
ngt
hatbel
i
ever
sshoul
dknow.God

want
sthem t
okeept
hei
rswor
dsbl
oody
,too.He'
l
lcur
se

(
andpr
obabl
yki
l
l)any
onewhoseswor
disn'
tdr
ippi
ng

wi
thbl
ood.

Cur
sedbehet
hatdoet
hthewor
koft
heLORDdecei
tf
ull
y,and

cur
sedbehet
hatkeepet
hbackhi
sswor
dfr
om bl
ood.Jer
emi
ah

48.
10
Ev
eryman'
sswor
dshal
lbeagai
nsthi
sbr
other
.Ezeki
el38.
21

4.Af
terGodki
l
lspeopl
e,hewi
l
lfeedt
hei
rbodi
est
othe

bi
rdsandbeast
sunt
ilt
hey
,too,
becomedr
unkwi
th

bl
ood.

Thussai
tht
heLor
dGOD;
Speakunt
oev
eryf
eat
her
edf
owl
,andt
o

ev
erybeastoft
hef
iel
d,assembl
eyour
sel
ves,
andcome;
gat
her

y
our
sel
vesonev
erysi
det
omysacr
if
icet
hatIdosacr
if
icef
ory
ou,

ev
enagr
eatsacr
if
iceupont
hemount
ainsofI
srael
,thaty
emay

eatf
lesh,
anddr
inkbl
ood.Yeshal
leatt
hef
leshoft
hemi
ght
y,and

dr
inkt
hebl
oodoft
hepr
incesoft
heear
th.
..Andy
eshal
leatf
att
il
l

y
ebef
ull
,anddr
inkbl
oodt
il
lyebedr
unken,
ofmysacr
if
icewhi
ch

Ihav
esacr
if
icedf
ory
ou.Ezeki
el39.
17-
19

Godt
alksal
otaboutf
eedi
ngdeadpeopl
etobi
rdsand

ani
mal
s.Her
ear
esomeexampl
es:

Thycar
caseshal
lbemeatunt
oal
lfowl
soft
heai
r,andunt
othe

beast
soft
heear
th,
andnomanshal
lfr
ayt
hem away
.

Deut
eronomy28.
26
Thecar
casesoft
hispeopl
eshal
lbemeatf
ort
hef
owl
soft
he

heav
en,
andf
ort
hebeast
soft
heear
th;
andnoneshal
lfr
ayt
hem

away
.Jer
emi
ah7.
33

Comey
e,assembl
eal
lthebeast
soft
hef
iel
d,comet
odev
our
.

Jer
emi
ah12.
9

Thei
rcar
casesshal
lbemeatf
ort
hef
owl
sofheav
en,
andf
ort
he

beast
soft
heear
th.Jer
emi
ah16.
4

Thei
rcar
caseswi
l
lIgi
vet
obemeatf
ort
hef
owl
soft
heheav
en,

andf
ort
hebeast
soft
heear
th.Jer
emi
ah19.
7

Thei
rdeadbodi
esshal
lbef
ormeatunt
othef
owl
soft
heheav
en,

andt
othebeast
soft
heear
th.Jer
emi
ah34.
20

Ihav
egi
vent
heef
ormeatt
othebeast
soft
hef
iel
dandt
othe

f
owl
soft
heheav
en.Ezeki
el29.
5

Iwi
l
lcastt
heef
ort
hupont
heopenf
iel
d,andwi
l
lcauseal
lthe

f
owl
soft
heheav
ent
oremai
nupont
hee,
andIwi
l
lfi
l
lthebeast
s

oft
hewhol
eear
thwi
tht
hee.Ezeki
el32.
4

Iwi
l
lgi
vet
heeunt
other
avenousbi
rdsofev
erysor
t,andt
othe

beast
soft
hef
iel
dtobedev
our
ed.Ezeki
el39.
4
Thouhastgi
vent
hem bl
oodt
odr
ink;
fort
heyar
ewor
thy
.

Rev
elat
ion16.
6

Comeandgat
hery
our
sel
vest
oget
herunt
othesupperoft
hegr
eat

God..
..Andal
lthef
owl
swer
efi
l
ledwi
tht
hei
rfl
esh.Rev
elat
ion

19.
17-
21

Bel
i
ever
swi
l
lgeti
ntot
heact
,too.Heck,
theyev
engett
o

dr
inkt
hebl
oodofGod'
svi
cti
msaf
tert
heywasht
hei
rfeet

i
nit
.

Ther
ight
eousshal
lrej
oicewhenheseet
hthev
engeance:
heshal
l

washhi
sfeeti
nthebl
oodoft
hewi
cked.Psal
m 58.
10

Godshal
lwoundt
heheadofhi
senemi
es.
..t
hatt
hyf
ootmaybe

di
ppedi
nthebl
oodoft
hineenemi
es,
andt
het
ongueoft
hydogsi
n

t
hesame.Psal
m 68.
21-
23

Thepeopl
eshal
lri
seupasagr
eatl
i
on,
andl
i
ftuphi
msel
fasa

y
oungl
i
on:
heshal
lnotl
i
edownunt
ilheeatoft
hepr
ey,
anddr
ink

t
hebl
oodoft
hesl
ain.Number
s23.
24

And,
ofcour
se,
all
bel
i
ever
smustdr
inkt
hebl
oodof

Jesusi
ftheywantt
ogett
oheav
en.
Excepty
eeatt
hef
leshoft
heSonofman,
anddr
inkhi
sbl
ood,
ye

hav
enol
i
fei
nyou.Whosoeat
ethmyf
lesh,
anddr
inket
hmybl
ood,

hat
het
ernal
li
fe;
andIwi
l
lrai
sehi
m upatt
hel
astday
.John6:
53-

54

5.Fi
nal
l
y,t
hegr
eatwhor
eofBaby
lonwi
l
lbedr
unkwi
th

t
hebl
oodoft
hesai
ntsandmar
tyr
s.

Isawt
hewomandr
unkenwi
tht
hebl
oodoft
hesai
nts,
andwi
th

t
hebl
oodoft
hemar
tyr
sofJesus:
andwhenIsawher
,Iwonder
ed

wi
thgr
eatadmi
rat
ion.Rev
elat
ion17.
6

[
Foramor
ecompl
etel
i
stoft
hecr
uel
ti
esi
ntheBi
blesee

TheSkept
icsAnnot
atedBi
ble

fht
tp:
//skept
icsannot
atedbi
ble.
com/
cruel
ty/
long.ht
m 11.
1

Butenoughwi
tht
hebl
ood,
gut
s,andgor
e.Let
'
sgeton

t
otheki
l
li
ngs!
DRUNKWI
THBLOOD

God'
ski
l
li
ngsi
ntheBi
ble

1.TheFl
oodofNoah:
All

f
leshdi
edt
hatmov
ed

upont
heear
th

Genesi
s7.
21-
23

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
20,
000,
000

Ev
ery
oneonEar
th(
exceptNoahandhi
sfami
l
y)

God'
sfi
rstki
l
li
ngi
shar
dtobeat
.Heki
l
ledev
ery
thi
ng.

Her
e'showhedescr
ibedi
t:

TheLORDsai
d,Iwi
l
ldest
roymanwhom Ihav
ecr
eat
edf
rom t
he

f
aceoft
heear
th;
bot
hman,
andbeast
,andt
hecr
eepi
ngt
hing,
andt
hef
owl
soft
heai
r;f
ori
trepent
ethmet
hatIhav
emade

t
hem.Genesi
s6.
7

Behol
d,I
,ev
enI
,dobr
ingaf
loodofwat
ersupont
heear
th,
to

dest
royal
lfl
esh,
wher
eini
sthebr
eat
hofl
i
fe,
from underheav
en;

andev
eryt
hingt
hati
sint
heear
thshal
ldi
e.6.
17

Ev
eryl
i
vingsubst
ancet
hatIhav
emadewi
l
lIdest
royf
rom of
fthe

f
aceoft
heear
th.7.
4

Andal
lfl
eshdi
edt
hatmov
edupont
heear
th,
bot
hoff
owl
,andof

cat
tl
e,andofbeast
,andofev
erycr
eepi
ngt
hingt
hatcr
eepet
h

upont
heear
th,
andev
eryman:
All
inwhosenost
ri
lswast
he

br
eat
hofl
i
fe,
ofal
lthatwasi
nthedr
yland,
died.Andev
eryl
i
ving

subst
ancewasdest
roy
edwhi
chwasupont
hef
aceoft
hegr
ound,

bot
hman,
andcat
tl
e,andt
hecr
eepi
ngt
hings,
andt
hef
owl
oft
he

heav
en;
andt
heywer
edest
roy
edf
rom t
heear
th:
andNoahonl
y

r
emai
nedal
i
ve,
andt
heyt
hatwer
ewi
thhi
mint
hear
k.7.
21-
23

Sot
heki
l
li
ngcont
esti
sov
er.God,
inhi
sver
yfi
rstki
l
li
ng,

wi
nst
hepr
ize.Theguywhoki
l
ledev
ery
thi
ng"
ont
he

f
aceoft
heear
th"i
sthewor
ld'
stopki
l
ler
.Hebeat
sHi
tl
er,
St
ali
n,Pol
Pot
,Ghengi
sKhan.Al
lthoseguy
s.May
benot

i
nter
msoft
henumberki
l
led,
butcer
tai
nlyi
nper
cent
age.

Youj
ustcan'
tbeat100%.

Ofcour
se,
Godhadhi
sreasons.Godal
way
shashi
s

r
easons.

Godsawt
hatt
hewi
ckednessofmanwasgr
eati
ntheear
th,
and

t
hatev
eryi
magi
nat
ionoft
het
hought
sofhi
shear
twasonl
yev
il

cont
inual
l
y.Andi
trepent
edt
heLORDt
hathehadmademan.6.
5

Theear
thal
sowascor
ruptbef
oreGod,
andt
heear
thwasf
il
led

wi
thv
iol
ence.AndGodl
ookedupont
heear
th,
and,
behol
d,i
twas

cor
rupt
;foral
lfl
eshhadcor
rupt
edhi
swayupont
heear
th..
..The

ear
thi
sfi
l
ledwi
thv
iol
encet
hrought
hem;
and,
behol
d,Iwi
l
l

dest
royt
hem wi
tht
heear
th.6.
11-
13

Humanswer
ewi
cked,
theyhadbadt
hought
s,andt
he

whol
eear
thwasv
iol
entandcor
rupt
.Sowhat
'
sagood

Godt
odo?

Wel
l
,youmi
ghtt
hinkhe'
dst
artaschool
tot
eachpeopl
e

howt
obehav
e,hav
ethem got
ocounsel
i
ng,
gett
hem

i
nter
est
edi
not
herst
uff—l
i
kebasebal
lorsomet
hing.
Any
thi
ngt
ogett
hei
rmi
ndsof
fthei
rbadt
hought
s.

Butno.Goddeci
dedt
odr
ownt
hem al
l
.Itwast
hebest

hecoul
dthi
nkofatt
het
ime.(
Hewashav
ingbad

t
hought
s.)

Thewhol
eear
thwasf
il
ledwi
thv
iol
ence,
soGodki
l
led

ev
ery
thi
ngonear
th.(
Atl
easthef
oundanonv
iol
ent

sol
uti
ont
othepr
obl
em.
)

Butst
il
l,
Idon'
tqui
tegeti
t.Di
dGoddr
ownt
heani
mal
s

becauset
heywer
etoov
iol
ent
?Di
dn'
themaket
hem t
hat

wayi
nthef
ir
stpl
ace—ei
theratcr
eat
ionoraf
tert
hef
all

ofAdam?

Buther
eist
heexcuset
hatIl
i
ket
hebest
:

Godsawt
hatt
hewi
ckednessofmanwasgr
eati
ntheear
th,
and

t
hatev
eryi
magi
nat
ionoft
het
hought
sofhi
shear
twasonl
yev
il

cont
inual
l
y.Andi
trepent
edt
heLORDt
hathehadmademan.6.
5-

Andher
e'swhatGodsay
saf
terhef
ini
shest
hej
oband

smel
l
sthebur
ningf
leshofNoah'
ssacr
if
ice:
TheLORDsmel
l
edasweetsav
our
;andt
heLORDsai
dinhi
shear
t,

Iwi
l
lnotagai
ncur
set
hegr
oundanymor
eforman'
ssake;
fort
he

i
magi
nat
ionofman'
shear
tisev
ilf
rom hi
syout
h;nei
therwi
l
lI

agai
nsmi
teanymor
eev
eryt
hingl
i
ving,
asIhav
edone.8.
21

Godr
egr
etsmaki
nghumansbecauset
heyhav
ebad

t
hought
s.Soheki
l
lst
hem al
l
.Thenher
egr
etski
l
li
ng

t
hem becauset
hey(
sti
l
l)hav
ebadt
hought
s.(
Atl
easthe

f
ixedt
hepr
obl
em!
)

Themi
ndofGodi
saf
ri
ght
eni
ngt
hing.

OK,
soGoddr
ownedev
eryper
sononear
thexceptf
or

Noahandhi
sfami
l
y.Howmanywoul
dthatbe?

Wel
l
,thef
loodwassupposedt
ohav
ehappenedabout

2400BCE,
andt
hehumanpopul
ati
onwassomewher
e

ar
ound20mi
l
li
onatt
het
ime.(
McEv
edyandJones1978,

p.344)

Notabadst
artf
oraser
ial
kil
l
er.
2.Abr
aham'
swart
o

r
escueLot

Genesi
s14.
17

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1000

Ant
i-
Sodomi
tes

Thi
sisast
oryaboutt
woofGod'
sfav
ori
tepeopl
e:

Abr
aham andLot
.

Godgav
eAbr
aham (
Hecal
l
edhi
m"Abr
am"backt
hen)

pr
ett
ymuchev
ery
thi
ngonear
th,
asf
arashecoul
dsee.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oAbr
am .
..Li
ftupnowt
hineey
es,
andl
ook

f
rom t
hepl
acewher
ethouar
tnor
thwar
d,andsout
hwar
d,and

east
war
d,andwest
war
d..
.Al
lthel
andwhi
cht
houseest
,tot
hee

wi
l
lIgi
vei
t,andt
othyseedf
orev
er.Genesi
s13.
14-
15

Lothadl
otsofst
uff
,too-t
oomuchst
uff
,inf
act
,tokeep

i
tal
lsepar
atef
rom Abr
aham'
s.
Lot.
..hadf
locks,
andher
ds,
andt
ent
s.Andt
hel
andwasnotabl
e

t
obeart
hem,
thatt
heymi
ghtdwel
ltoget
her
:fort
hei
rsubst
ance

wasgr
eat
,sot
hatt
heycoul
dnotdwel
ltoget
her
.13.
5-6

SoLotdeci
dedt
omov
etoSodom.

Abr
am dwel
l
edi
nthel
andofCanaan,
andLotdwel
l
edi
n..
.

Sodom.13.
12

Soonaf
terLotgotset
tl
edi
nSodom,
awarbr
okeout

bet
weent
heki
ngdomsofSodom andGomor
rahand

someoft
heot
herl
ocal
kingdoms.TheSodomi
teswer
e

def
eat
edandLotwast
akenpr
isoner
.

Theyt
ookLot
,Abr
am'
sbr
other
'sson,
whodwel
tinSodom,
and

hi
sgoods,
anddepar
ted.Genesi
s14.
12

That
'swhenAbr
aham goti
nvol
ved.Heand318ofhi
s

sl
avest
ookof
faf
tert
heant
i-
Sodomi
tes.

AndwhenAbr
am hear
dthathi
sbr
otherwast
akencapt
ive,
he
ar
medhi
str
ainedser
vant
s,bor
ninhi
sownhouse,
thr
eehundr
ed

andei
ght
een,
andpur
suedt
hem unt
oDan.14.
14

Andt
hey"
smot
e"t
heheckoutoft
hem,
chasi
ngt
hem al
l

t
hewayt
othel
efthandofDamascus.

Heandhi
sser
vant
s..
.smot
ethem,
andpur
suedt
hem unt
oHobah,

whi
chi
sont
hel
efthandofDamascus.14.
15

Abr
aham br
oughtbackLot
,thewomen,
andt
he

Sodomi
test
uff
.

Andhebr
oughtbackal
lthegoods,
andal
sobr
oughtagai
nhi
s

br
otherLot
,andhi
sgoods,
andt
hewomenal
so,
andt
hepeopl
e.

14.
16

WhenAbr
aham r
etur
ned"
from t
hesl
aught
er,
"theki
ng

ofSodom wentoutt
ogr
eethi
m,wi
thMel
chi
zedek,
"the

pr
iestoft
hemosthi
ghGod,
"whobr
oughtal
ongsome
br
eadandwi
ne.

Theki
ngofSodom wentoutt
omeethi
m af
terhi
sret
urnf
rom t
he

sl
aught
er.
..AndMel
chi
zedek.
..br
oughtf
ort
hbr
eadandwi
ne:
and

hewast
hepr
iestoft
hemosthi
ghGod.14.
17-
18

(
Mel
chi
zedek,
byt
heway
,hadnof
atherormot
her
,no

begi
nni
ngorend,
justl
i
ket
heSonofGod.
)

Mel
chi
sedec.
..t
owhom Abr
aham gav
eat
ent
hpar
tofal
l.
..

wi
thoutf
ather
,wi
thoutmot
her
,wi
thoutdescent
,hav
ingnei
ther

begi
nni
ngofday
s,norendofl
i
fe;
butmadel
i
keunt
otheSonof

God.Hebr
ews7.
1-3

AndMel
chi
zedekt
hankedGodf
orhel
pingAbr
aham

sl
aught
ert
heant
i-
Sodomi
tes.

Bl
essedbet
hemosthi
ghGod,
whi
chhat
hdel
i
ver
edt
hineenemi
es

i
ntot
hyhand.14.
20a

ThenAbr
aham gav
eMel
chi
zedekat
ent
hofal
lthest
uff

hegoti
nthesl
aught
er.

Andhegav
ehi
mti
thesofal
l
.14.
20b
Ani
cef
eef
orsuchapunypr
ayer
.

3.Sodom andGomor
rah:

Shal
lIhi
def
rom

Abr
aham t
het
hingt
hatI

do?

Genesi
s19.
24

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
2,000

Theci
ti
esofSodom andGomor
rah

Youmayhav
enot
icedt
hatGod,
aft
erhi
sfi
rstmass

mur
der(
1),
showedabi
tofr
emor
sef
orneedl
essl
y

dr
owni
ngpr
ett
ymuchev
ery
thi
ngonear
th.Heev
en

pr
omi
sedt
onev
er"
smi
teanymor
eev
eryt
hingl
i
ving.
"
(
Genesi
s8.
21)

Andhekepthi
spr
omi
se,
too[
ify
oui
gnor
etheant
i-

Sodomi
tesl
aught
er(
2)]
,foranot
hert
enchapt
ersorso.

Buti
ntheend,
Godcoul
dn'
tresi
stt
het
empt
ati
ont
oki
l
l

agai
n.

Abr
aham t
ri
edt
otal
khi
m outofi
t,t
hough.HeandGod

andacoupl
eofGod'
sfr
iendshadbeenhangi
ngoutal
l

dayt
oget
her
.Butaf
terget
ti
ngt
hei
rfeetwashedand

eat
ingabi
gmeal
,Godandhi
sfr
iendsdeci
dedi
twas

t
imet
ogo.

TheLORDappear
edunt
ohi
mint
hepl
ainsofMamr
e:andhesati
n

t
het
entdoori
ntheheatoft
heday
;Andhel
i
ftuphi
sey
esand

l
ooked,
and,
lo,
thr
eemenst
oodbyhi
m:andwhenhesawt
hem,

her
ant
omeett
hem f
rom t
het
entdoor
,andbowedhi
msel
f

t
owar
dthegr
ound,
Andsai
d..
.washy
ourf
eet
,andr
est

y
our
sel
vesundert
het
ree.
..AndAbr
aham r
anunt
otheher
d,and

f
etchtacal
f..
.Andhet
ookbut
ter
,andmi
l
k,andt
hecal
fwhi
chhe

haddr
essed,
andseti
tbef
oret
hem .
..andt
heydi
deat
.Genesi
s
18.
1-8

Theywer
eheadi
ngof
ftowar
dSodom andAbr
aham

deci
dedhe'
dbet
tert
agal
ong.

Themenr
oseupf
rom t
hence,
andl
ookedt
owar
dSodom:
and

Abr
aham wentwi
tht
hem t
obr
ingt
hem ont
heway
.18.
16

Ast
heywer
ewal
ki
ngal
ong,
Godsai
d(t
ohi
msel
f?)
,

"
Shal
lIhi
def
rom Abr
aham t
hatt
hingwhi
chIdo?
"

TheLORDsai
d,Shal
lIhi
def
rom Abr
aham t
hatt
hingwhi
chIdo?

18.
17

How'
sthatf
orwei
rd?Godaskshi
msel
fifheshoul
dtel
l

Abr
aham whathei
saboutt
odo(
whi
chi
s,ofcour
se,
kil
l

ev
ery
onei
ntwoci
ti
es)
.Hedoesn'
tknowwhatt
odo.I
s

heaf
rai
dthatAbewi
l
ltal
khi
m outofi
t?Ort
ryt
ost
op

hi
m?Orwhat
?Ori
shej
ustembar
rassedt
obehav
ing

badt
hought
sagai
n?

ButGodf
inal
l
ysnapsoutofi
tandt
ell
sAbr
aham what

he'
supt
o.Hehashear
dthatt
hepeopl
einSodom hav
e
si
nnedandhe'
sdeci
dedt
ogot
oSodom andseef
or

hi
msel
f.

TheLORDsai
d,Becauset
hecr
yofSodom andGomor
rahi
sgr
eat
,

andbecauset
hei
rsi
nisv
erygr
iev
ous;
Iwi
l
lgodownnow,
and

seewhet
hert
heyhav
edoneal
toget
heraccor
dingt
othecr
yofi
t,

whi
chi
scomeunt
ome;
andi
fnot
,Iwi
l
lknow.18.20-
21

Abr
aham wasont
ohi
mri
ghtaway
.Hesai
d,"
Wil
tthou

al
sodest
royt
her
ight
eouswi
tht
hewi
cked?
"

Abr
aham dr
ewnear
,andsai
d,Wi
l
tthoual
sodest
royt
her
ight
eous

wi
tht
hewi
cked?18.
23

God,
whoi
sinoneofhi
smoods,
ignor
eshi
m.SoAbe

st
art
stobar
gai
n.Whati
fther
ear
e50goodpeopl
ein

Sodom?Woul
dyouki
l
lthem,
too?"
Shal
lnott
heJudge

ofal
ltheear
thdor
ight
?"
Per
adv
ent
uret
her
ebef
if
tyr
ight
eouswi
thi
ntheci
ty:
wil
tthoual
so

dest
royandnotspar
ethepl
acef
ort
hef
if
tyr
ight
eoust
hatar
e

t
her
ein?.
..Shal
lnott
heJudgeofal
ltheear
thdor
ight
?18.
24-
25

Godsay
sifhecanf
ind50goodci
ti
zensofSodom,
he

won'
tki
l
lev
ery
body
.

TheLORDsai
d,I
fIf
indi
nSodom f
if
tyr
ight
eouswi
thi
ntheci
ty,

t
henIwi
l
lspar
eal
lthepl
acef
ort
hei
rsakes.18.
26

SoAbet
ri
es45,
andGodsay
shewoul
dn'
tki
l
lev
ery
one

i
fther
ewer
e45.

Per
adv
ent
uret
her
eshal
ll
ackf
iveoft
hef
if
tyr
ight
eous:
wil
tthou

dest
royal
ltheci
tyf
orl
ackoff
ive?Andhesai
d,I
fIf
indt
her
efor
ty

andf
ive,
Iwi
l
lnotdest
royi
t.18.
28

Abekeepsgoi
ngt
hisway(
knowi
ngt
hatGodi
sat
ad

sl
ow)
.Howabout40?30?20?10?Andeacht
imeGod
answer
sthesameway
:Ifhecanf
indaf
ewgoodmen

(
wel
lten,
any
way
),hewon'
tki
l
lthewhol
eci
ty.

Hesai
d,Ohl
etnott
heLORDbeangr
y,andIwi
l
lspeaky
etbutt
his

once:
Per
adv
ent
uret
enshal
lbef
oundt
her
e.Andhesai
d,Iwi
l
lnot

dest
royi
tfort
en'
ssake.18.
32

Andt
henGodj
ustt
akesof
fandAbr
aham goeshome.

"
TheLORDwenthi
sway.
..andAbr
aham r
etur
nedunt
o

hi
spl
ace.
"

TheLORDwenthi
sway
,assoonashehadl
eftcommuni
ngwi
th

Abr
aham:
andAbr
aham r
etur
nedunt
ohi
spl
ace.18.
33

ButGod'
stwof
ri
ends(
they
'r
ecal
l
edangel
snow)keep

goi
ngt
oSodom.Loti
nvi
test
hem i
nandgi
vest
hem t
he

usual
Godt
reat
ment(
washest
hei
rfeetandf
eedst
hem)
.

Ther
ecamet
woangel
stoSodom atev
en.
..andLotseei
ngt
hem

r
oseupt
omeett
hem;
andhebowedhi
msel
fwi
thhi
sfacet
owar
d

t
hegr
ound;
Andhesai
d,Behol
dnow,
myl
ords,
tur
nin,
Ipr
ayy
ou,
i
ntoy
ourser
vant
'
shouse,
andt
arr
yal
lni
ght
,andwashy
ourf
eet
,

andy
eshal
lri
seupear
ly,
andgoony
ourway
s.Andt
heysai
d,

Nay
;butwewi
l
labi
dei
nthest
reetal
lni
ght
.Andhepr
essedupon

t
hem gr
eat
ly;
andt
heyt
urnedi
nunt
ohi
m,andent
eredi
ntohi
s

house;
andhemadet
hem af
east
,anddi
dbakeunl
eav
ened

br
ead,
andt
heydi
deat
.19.
1-3

Thenast
ranget
hinghappened.(
Str
anget
hingsof
ten

happeni
ntheBi
ble.
)Ev
erymani
ntheci
tyofSodom

camet
oLot
'shouseanddemandedt
ohav
esexwi
thLot
's

t
woangel
fri
ends.

ThemenofSodom,
compassedt
hehouser
ound,
bot
hol
dand

y
oung,
all
thepeopl
efr
om ev
eryquar
ter
:Andt
heycal
l
edunt
oLot
,

andsai
dunt
ohi
m,Wher
ear
ethemenwhi
chcamei
ntot
heet
his

ni
ght
?br
ingt
hem outunt
ous,
thatwemayknowt
hem.19.
4-5

Man,
thosemusthav
ebeensomegood-
looki
ngangel
s!

Lot
'sr
esponsewast
opr
otectt
heangel
s(whoy
ou'
dthi
nk

coul
dtakecar
eoft
hemsel
ves)byof
fer
ingt
hesex-
crazed

mobhi
stwov
irgi
ndaught
ersi
nst
ead.
Behol
dnow,
Ihav
etwodaught
erswhi
chhav
enotknownman;
let

me,
Ipr
ayy
ou,
bri
ngt
hem outunt
oyou,
anddoy
etot
hem asi
s

goodi
nyourey
es.19.
8

[
Thi
sisaman,
byt
heway
,whom t
heBi
blecal
l
s"j
ust

andr
ight
eous"i
n2Pet
er2:
7-8.Af
ewv
ersesl
aterhewi
l
l

getdr
unkandi
mpr
egnat
ebot
hhi
svi
rgi
ndaught
ers(
see

Genesi
s19:
30-
38)
,butt
hat
'
sanot
herl
ovel
yBi
blest
ory
.]

Asi
ttur
nsout
,though,
ther
eisnot
imef
orLott
omake

goodonhi
ski
ndof
ferbecauseGodi
sget
ti
ngr
eadyt
o

commi
tanot
hermassmur
der
.Theangel
sst
ri
ket
he

Sodomi
tesbl
i
nd,
andt
ell
Lot
,hi
svi
rgi
ndaught
ers(
and

t
hei
rhusbands!
),andhi
swi
fet
ofl
ee.

Butt
hemen.
..smot
ethement
hatwer
eatt
hedooroft
hehouse

wi
thbl
i
ndness.
..Andt
hemensai
dunt
oLot
,Hastt
houher
eany

besi
des?soni
nlaw,
andt
hysons,
andt
hydaught
ers,
and

what
soev
ert
houhasti
ntheci
ty,
bri
ngt
hem outoft
hispl
ace:
For

wewi
l
ldest
royt
hispl
ace.
..t
heLORDhat
hsentust
odest
royi
t.
19.
10-
13

Andt
henal
lhel
lbr
eaksl
oose.

TheLORDr
aineduponSodom anduponGomor
rahbr
imst
oneand

f
ir
efr
om t
heLORDoutofheav
en.19.
24

OK,
sot
hat
'si
t.Thati
sGod'
ssecondmassmur
der
.

Buthowmanypeopl
edi
dGodsmashandbur
ntodeat
h

i
nSodom andGomor
rah?Wel
l
,I,
ofcour
se,
hav
eno

i
dea.Idon'
tthi
nkanyoft
hisact
ual
l
yhappened.ButI
'
ll

guess2000,
1000f
rom eachci
ty.

4.RememberLot
'swi
fe

(
For
getJesus)
Genesi
s19.
26

Numberki
l
led:
1

Lot
'sWi
fe

Al
thought
hisi
sGod'
sfour
thki
l
li
ngev
ent
,iti
sthef
ir
stof

God'
s2,
476,
636count
abl
evi
cti
ms.

I
t'
sint
erest
ingt
hatGod'
sfi
rstcount
abl
evi
cti
mis

unnamed.Godki
l
ledMr
s.Lotwi
thoutev
enknowi
ng(
or

atl
eastt
ell
i
ngus)hername.

Andwhatwasi
tthatgotGod'
sat
tent
ion?Whatdi
dshe

dot
hatcausedhi
mtoki
l
lher
?

Shel
ookedbackatt
hepl
aceshehadl
i
vedal
lherl
i
fe.

Shel
ookedbackasherf
ami
l
y,f
ri
ends,
andnei
ghbor
s

wer
ebei
ngsmashedandbur
nedt
odeat
hbyGod.She

l
ookedback.

Buthi
swi
fel
ookedbackf
rom behi
ndhi
m,andshebecameapi
l
lar

ofsal
t.Genesi
s19.
26
And,
ofcour
se,
theangel
tol
dhernott
o.

Theangel
shast
enedLot
,say
ing,
Ari
se,
taket
hywi
fe,
andt
hyt
wo

daught
ers,
whi
char
eher
e;l
estt
houbeconsumedi
nthei
niqui
tyof

t
heci
ty.Andwhi
l
ehel
i
nger
ed,
themenl
aidhol
duponhi
shand,

andupont
hehandofhi
swi
fe,
andupont
hehandofhi
stwo

daught
ers.
..Whent
heyhadbr
oughtt
hem f
ort
habr
oad,
thathe

sai
d,Escapef
ort
hyl
i
fe;
looknotbehi
ndt
hee.19.
15-
17

Ordi
dhe?

Whowast
heangel
tal
ki
ngt
oher
e?ToLotal
oneort
o

hi
m andhi
sfami
l
y?Andi
fitwast
oLotal
one,
didLott
ell

hi
swi
fe?Woul
ditmat
tert
oGodi
fnoonebot
her
edt
o

t
ell
her
?Woul
dheki
l
lherany
way
?

Whoknows?Orcar
es?AGodwhowoul
dki
l
lawoman

f
orl
ooki
ngbackasev
ery
oneshehasev
erknowni
sbei
ng

bur
nedt
odeat
hisamonst
erGod.Anar
bit
rar
y,r
andom

ki
l
ler
.

Ihav
emetChr
ist
ianswhoi
gnor
ethi
sst
ory
,ast
hey

i
gnor
epr
ett
ymuchev
ery
thi
ngi
ntheOl
dTest
ament
.
Theysomet
imescal
lthemsel
ves"
RedLet
terChr
ist
ians,
"

meani
ngt
hatt
heybaset
hei
rbel
i
efsont
hewor
dsof

Jesus.

ButJesusbel
i
evedi
nthest
oryaboutSodom and

Gomor
rah;
hebel
i
evedi
nthest
oryaboutLot
'
swi
fe.He

sawnot
hingwr
ongwi
thanyofi
t.I
nfact
,hesai
dthat

whenher
etur
nsatt
heendoft
hewor
ldi
twi
l
lbej
ustl
i
ke

t
hat
.Youcancheckf
ory
our
sel
finy
ourRedLet
terBi
ble.

Asi
twasi
ntheday
sofNoe,
soshal
li
tbeal
soi
ntheday
soft
he

Sonofman.Theydi
deat
,theydr
ank,
theymar
ri
edwi
ves,
they

wer
egi
veni
nmar
ri
age,
unt
ilt
hedayt
hatNoeent
eredi
ntot
hear
k,

andt
hef
loodcame,
anddest
roy
edt
hem al
l
.Li
kewi
seal
soasi
t

wasi
ntheday
sofLot
;theydi
deat
,theydr
ank,
theybought
,they

sol
d,t
heypl
ant
ed,
theybui
l
ded;
Butt
hesamedayt
hatLotwent

outofSodom i
trai
nedf
ir
eandbr
imst
onef
rom heav
en,
and

dest
roy
edt
hem al
l
.Ev
ent
husshal
li
tbei
nthedaywhent
heSon
ofmani
srev
eal
ed..
..RememberLof
swi
fe.Luke17.
26-
32

Jesushadnopr
obl
em wi
thGod'
sfi
rstt
womassmur
der
s

[
thef
loodofNoah(
1)andt
hedest
ruct
ionofSodom and

Gomor
rah(
3)]
,orwi
thGod'
ski
l
li
ngofLot
'
swi
fe.I
t'
ll
be

j
ustl
i
ket
hatatt
heendoft
hewor
ld,
ifJesushas

any
thi
ngt
osayabouti
t.Hei
sjustasnast
yast
heOl
d

Test
amentGod.May
benast
ier
.

Sor
ememberLot
'swi
fe.Andf
orgetJesus.

5.Erwaswi
ckedi
nthe

si
ghtoft
heLor
d(sot
he

Lor
dsl
ewhi
m)

Genesi
s38.
7

Numberki
l
led:
1

Er
Thi
sist
hef
ir
stofGod'
snamedmur
derv
ict
ims.

Weknowhi
sname(
Er)
,hi
sfat
her
'sname(
Judah)
,hi
s

mot
her
'sname(
Shuah)
,andhi
swi
fe'
sname(
Tamar
).

Judah.
..sawt
her
eadaught
erofacer
tai
nCanaani
te,
whose

namewasShuah;
andhet
ookher
,andwenti
nunt
oher
.Andshe

concei
ved,
andbar
eason;
andhecal
l
edhi
snameEr
...
.And

Judaht
ookawi
fef
orErhi
sfi
rst
bor
n,whosenamewasTamar
.

Genesi
s38.
1-6

Andweknowt
hat"
hewaswi
ckedi
nthesi
ghtoft
he

Lor
d;andt
heLor
dsl
ewhi
m."Butt
hat
'
sit
.

Er
,Judah'
sfi
rst
bor
n,waswi
ckedi
nthesi
ghtoft
heLORD;
andt
he

LORDsl
ewhi
m.38:
7

Godki
l
ledErf
ordoi
ngsomet
hing,
butt
heBi
bledoesn'
t

saywhati
twas.
Sowhatdi
dErdo?

Di
dhegetdr
unkandl
i
ear
oundnakedi
nhi
stentand

t
hencur
sehi
sunbor
ngr
andson(
andal
lofhi
s

descendant
s)wi
thsl
aver
ybecausehi
ssonsawhi
m dr
unk

andnaked?Not
hatwasNoah,
"apr
eacherof

r
ight
eousness.
"(Genesi
s9.
20-
25,
2Pet
er2.
5)

Di
dheabandonhi
sfi
rstsont
odi
eint
hedeser
tandt
hen

showhi
swi
l
li
ngnesst
omur
derhi
ssecondsonf
orGodas

ahumansacr
if
ice?No,
thatwasAbr
aham,
afr
iendof

God.(
Genesi
s21.
10-
14,
22.
2-12,
James2.
23)

Di
dheof
ferhi
stwov
irgi
ndaught
erst
oasex-
crazedmob

ofangel
raper
sandt
hengetdr
unkandi
mpr
egnat
e

t
hem?Not
hatwasLot
,aj
ustandr
ight
eousman.

(
Genesi
s19.
8,30-
38,
2Pet
er2.
7-8)

Sowhatwasi
tthatpi
ssedof
fGodsomucht
hathej
ust

hadt
oki
l
lhi
m?

You'
dthi
nki
fitwasi
mpor
tantenought
oki
l
lhi
m,i
t

woul
dbei
mpor
tantenought
otel
luswhy
.
6.Onanspi
l
ledi
tont
he

gr
ound(
sot
heLor
dki
l
led

hi
mtoo)

Genesi
s38.
9-10

Numberki
l
led:
1

Onan

I
nhi
slastki
l
li
ng(
5),
Godki
l
ledErf
orbei
ngwi
cked.

Er
,Judah'
sfi
rst
bor
n,waswi
ckedi
nthesi
ghtoft
heLORD;
andt
he

LORDsl
ewhi
m.Genesi
s38.
7

SoJudaht
oldEr
'sbr
other
,Onan,
tohav
esexwi
thhi
s

deadbr
other
'swi
fe.(
IguessJudahwant
edagr
andchi
l
d

orsomet
hing.
)
Judahsai
dunt
oOnan,
Goi
nunt
othybr
other
'swi
fe.38.
8

AndOnan"
wenti
nunt
o"heral
ri
ght
,butbef
ore

ej
acul
ati
nghepul
l
edoutand"
spi
l
ledi
tont
hegr
ound.
"

Onanknewt
hatt
heseedshoul
dnotbehi
s;andi
tcamet
opass,

whenhewenti
nunt
ohi
sbr
other
'swi
fe,
thathespi
l
ledi
tont
he

gr
ound.38.
9

ThenGod,
whowaswat
chi
ngt
hewhol
ethi
ng,
kil
l
ed

Onanf
orej
acul
ati
ngout
sidet
hev
agi
naofhi
sdead

br
other
'swi
fe.

Andt
het
hingwhi
chhedi
ddi
spl
easedt
heLORD:
wher
efor
ehe

sl
ewhi
m al
so.38.
10

Thi
sst
oryi
susedbybel
i
ever
stoj
ust
if
ythei
r

condemnat
ionofev
ery
thi
ngf
rom mast
urbat
ion(
whi
chi
s

somet
imescal
l
ed"
Onani
sm"
)tobi
rt
hcont
rol
.
ButIt
hinki
t'
sjustanot
hernast
y,amor
alBi
blest
ory
.If

t
her
eisamor
alt
othest
ory
,though,
Iguessi
tist
his:
Be

car
eful
wher
eyouej
acul
ate.

7.God'
ssev
eny
ear
,

wor
ld-
widef
ami
ne

Genesi
s41.
54-
57

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
70,
000

Wor
ld-
widef
ami
nev
ict
ims

Thi
sonei
sal
laboutJoseph.Ther
e'sawhol
eser
iesof

st
upi
dJosephst
ori
esi
nGenesi
s:Jacobl
ovedJoseph

mor
ethanhi
sot
herchi
l
dren(
Genesi
s37.
3);
Joseph'
s

br
other
sthr
owhi
minawel
l(37.
24)
;Josephi
srescued

f
rom t
hewel
landsol
dtot
heI
shmael
i
tes(
37.
28)
;Joseph

goest
opr
isonaf
terbei
ngf
alsel
yaccusedofr
ape

(
39.
20)
;Josephi
nter
pret
sthedr
eam ofhi
scel
l
mat
e

(
40.
8-19)
;Josephi
nter
pret
sthePhar
aoh'
sdr
eam (
41.
25-

32)
;thePhar
aohmakesJosepht
heov
erseerofal
lof

Egy
pt(
41.
33)
.
TheBi
blei
sn'
ttoocl
earont
his,
butasnearasIcant
ell
,

Godst
arv
edev
ery
oneonear
thsot
hatJosephcoul
d

becomet
hemostpower
ful
per
soni
nEgy
ptby

i
nter
pret
ingt
hePhar
aoh'
sdr
eam sot
hatGodcoul
dget

t
heI
srael
i
tesensl
avedbyPhar
aohandt
henr
escuet
hem

bysendi
ngpl
aguesont
heEgy
pti
ans.Orsomet
hingl
i
ke

t
hat
.

OK.Thatal
lmakesper
fectsense.Butwhatwast
he

Phar
aoh'
sdr
eam?

Wel
l
,ther
ewer
ethesesev
enf
at,
good-
looki
ngcowst
hat

cameoutoft
heNi
l
e,f
oll
owedbysev
enski
nny
,ugl
ycows.

Theski
nnycowsat
ethef
atones.

Andi
tcamet
opass.
..t
hatPhar
aohdr
eamed:
and,
behol
d,he

st
oodbyt
her
iver
.And,
behol
d,t
her
ecameupoutoft
her
iver

sev
enwel
lfav
our
edki
neandf
atf
leshed;
andt
heyf
edi
na

meadow.And,
behol
d,sev
enot
herki
necameupaf
tert
hem outof

t
her
iver
,il
lfav
our
edandl
eanf
leshed;
andst
oodbyt
heot
herki
ne

upont
hebr
inkoft
her
iver
.Andt
hei
l
lfav
our
edandl
eanf
leshed

ki
nedi
deatupt
hesev
enwel
lfav
our
edandf
atki
ne.SoPhar
aoh
awoke.Genesi
s41.
1-4

ThenPhar
aohhadanot
herdr
eam.Thi
sti
mesev
en

ski
nnyheadsofgr
ainat
esev
enf
atones.

Andhesl
eptanddr
eamedt
hesecondt
ime:
and,
behol
d,sev
en

ear
sofcor
ncameupupononest
alk,
rankandgood.And,
behol
d,

sev
ent
hinear
sandbl
ast
edwi
tht
heeastwi
ndspr
ungupaf
ter

t
hem.Andt
hesev
ent
hinear
sdev
our
edt
hesev
enr
ankandf
ull

ear
s.AndPhar
aohawoke,
and,
behol
d,i
twasadr
eam.41.
5-7

Nobodycoul
dint
erpr
etPhar
aoh'
sdr
eam.Sot
heycal
l
ed

Joseph.Josephsai
ditwassi
mpl
e.Godwasgoi
ngt
o

sendsev
engoody
ear
sfol
l
owedbysev
eny
ear
sof

f
ami
ne.Andt
hef
ami
newoul
dbewor
ld-
wideand"
ver
y

gr
iev
ous.
"

Thi
sist
het
hingwhi
ch.
..Godi
saboutt
odo..
..
Ther
ecomesev
en

y
ear
sofgr
eatpl
ent
ythr
oughoutal
lthel
andofEgy
pt:
Andt
her
e

shal
lar
iseaf
tert
hem sev
eny
ear
soff
ami
ne..
..I
tshal
lbev
ery

gr
iev
ous..
..Thet
hingi
sest
abl
i
shedbyGod,
andGodwi
l
lshor
tl
y

br
ingi
ttopass.41.
28-
32
Josephsai
dthePhar
aohshoul
dhav
etheEgy
pti
ansst
ore

upf
ooddur
ingt
hesev
engoody
ear
ssot
heywoul
dn'
t

st
arv
e(l
i
keev
ery
oneel
se)dur
ingt
hebad.

Andi
tal
lhappenedj
ustl
i
keJosephsai
ditwoul
d.The

Phar
aohdi
dwhatJosephsuggest
edandhadJoseph

ov
erseei
tal
l
.AndJosephbecamet
hemostpower
ful

per
soni
nEgy
pt.

Sot
hingswor
kedoutwel
lforJoseph,
butnotsowel
lfor

ev
ery
oneel
se.

Whent
hef
ami
nest
ruck,
ever
yoneonear
th(
incl
udi
ngt
he

Egy
pti
ans)hadt
obuyt
hei
rfoodf
rom Joseph.I
fthey

coul
dn'
tmakei
ttoEgy
ptordi
dn'
thav
eenoughmoney
,

t
heyst
arv
ed.I
twasal
lpar
tofGod'
spl
an.

Thesev
eny
ear
sofdear
thbegant
ocome,
accor
dingasJoseph

hadsai
d:andt
hedear
thwasi
nal
ll
ands.
..Andt
hef
ami
newas

ov
eral
lthef
aceoft
heear
th.
..Andal
lcount
ri
escamei
ntoEgy
pt

t
oJosephf
ort
obuycor
n;becauset
hatt
hef
ami
newassosor
ein
al
ll
ands.41.
54-
57

Buthowmanypeopl
est
arv
edt
odeat
hdur
ingGod'
s

sev
eny
earf
ami
ne?Ihav
enoi
dea.Butsi
ncet
heBi
ble

say
sitwas"
overal
lthef
aceoft
heear
th"andwasa

"
ver
ygr
iev
ousf
ami
ne,
"If
igur
eitmusthav
ebeenatl
east

70,
000orso,
10,
000eachy
ear
.

8.Thesev
ent
hpl
agueof

Egy
pt:
Hai
lshal
lcome

downupont
hem and

t
heyshal
ldi
e

Exodus9.
24-
26

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
300,
000
Egy
pti
ans

Thi
sist
hesev
ent
hoft
hef
amoust
enpl
aguesofEgy
pt.

Her
ear
ethef
ir
stsi
x:

1.Ri
ver
stur
ntobl
ood.(
Exodus7.
17-
24)

2.Fr
ogs.(
8.1-
7)

3.Li
ce.(
8.16-
19)

4.Fl
i
es(
8.21-
24)

5.Al
lcat
tl
einEgy
ptdi
e.(
9.3-
6)

6.Fest
eri
ngboi
l
sonmanandbeast
.(9.
9-10)

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsaywhet
herany
onedi
edf
rom t
hef
ir
st

si
xpl
agues.Ri
ver
sofbl
ood,
frogs,
li
ce,
fli
es,
dead

ani
mal
sasf
arasy
oucansee,
andboi
l
scov
eri
ngev
ery

per
sonandani
mal
inEgy
pt.Theset
hingswer
enodoubt

unpl
easant
.Butdi
ditki
l
lany
one?Ther
e'sj
ustnowayof
knowi
ng.

Butt
heBi
blei
scl
earaboutt
hesev
ent
hpl
ague:
hai
l
.

Uponev
erymanandbeastwhi
chshal
lbef
oundi
nthef
iel
d..
.the

hai
lshal
lcomedownupont
hem,
andt
heyshal
ldi
e..
..Sot
her
e

washai
l
,andf
ir
emi
ngl
edwi
tht
hehai
l
,ver
ygr
iev
ous.
..Andt
he

hai
lsmot
ethr
oughoutal
lthel
andofEgy
ptal
lthatwasi
nthef
iel
d,

bot
hmanandbeast
.Exodus9:
19-
25

SoGodki
l
ledev
ery
bodyi
nEgy
ptwhowasoutandabout

t
hatdaywi
thf
ir
eandhai
l(exceptI
srael
i
tes)
.

Onl
yint
hel
andofGoshen,
wher
ethechi
l
drenofI
srael
wer
e,was

t
her
enohai
l
.9:
26

Buthowmanypeopl
ewoul
dthathav
ebeen?

Wel
l
,theEgy
pti
anpopul
ati
oni
sest
imat
edt
ohav
ebeen3

mi
l
li
onatt
het
imet
heExodussupposedl
yhappened

(
McEv
edyandJones1978,
p.226)
.Soi
fmay
be10%of

t
heEgy
pti
answer
eint
hef
iel
datt
het
ime,
about300

t
housandwoul
dhav
ebeenki
l
ledbyGod'
sfi
ery

hai
l
stor
m.
9.TheLor
dsmot
eal
lthe

f
ir
stbor
nint
hel
andof

Egy
pt

Exodus12.
29-
30

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
500,
000

Fi
rst
bor
nEgy
pti
ans

Godst
art
spl
anni
ngt
hismassmur
deri
nChapt
er3of

Exodus,
andhedoesn'
tst
opt
alki
ngabouti
tunt
ilheki
l
ls

ev
eryEgy
pti
anf
ir
stbor
nchi
l
d(andani
mal
)inExodus12.

Her
ewast
hewayGodpl
annedi
t.

Ont
heni
ghtoft
hemasschi
l
dmur
der
,Godt
oldeach

I
srael
i
tef
ami
l
ytof
inday
ear
-ol
dlambwi
thoutbl
emi
sh,
ki
l
lit
,andwi
pet
hebl
oodont
het
opandsi
desoft
he

door
.

I
nthet
ent
hdayoft
hismont
htheyshal
ltaket
othem ev
erymana

l
amb.
..wi
thoutbl
emi
sh,
amal
eoft
hef
ir
sty
ear.
..Andy
eshal
l.
..

ki
l
liti
ntheev
eni
ng.Andt
heyshal
ltakeoft
hebl
ood,
andst
ri
kei
t

ont
het
wosi
depost
sandont
heupperdoorpostoft
hehouses.

Exodus12.
3-7

ThatwaywhenGodcamet
hroughEgy
ptl
ooki
ngf
orf
ir
st

bor
nchi
l
drenandani
mal
stoki
l
l,hewoul
dseet
he

bl
oodydoorand"
passov
er"t
hehouse,
say
ingt
o

hi
msel
f,"
Ohy
eah,
I'
m notsupposedt
oki
l
lanychi
l
dren

orani
mal
sher
e."

ForIwi
l
lpasst
hrought
hel
andofEgy
ptt
hisni
ght
,andwi
l
lsmi
te

al
lthef
ir
stbor
nint
hel
andofEgy
pt,
bot
hmanandbeast.
..and
whenIseet
hebl
ood,
Iwi
l
lpassov
ery
ou,
12.
12-
13

Andt
hat
'swhathappened.

Atmi
dni
ghtGodpassedt
hroughEgy
ptki
l
li
ngev
ery

Egy
pti
anf
ir
st-
bor
nchi
l
dandani
mal
.

Atmi
dni
ghtt
heLORDsmot
eal
lthef
ir
stbor
nint
hel
andofEgy
pt,

f
rom t
hef
ir
stbor
nofPhar
aoht
hatsatonhi
sthr
oneunt
othe

f
ir
stbor
noft
hecapt
ivet
hatwasi
nthedungeon;
andal
lthe

f
ir
stbor
nofcat
tl
e.12.
29

Af
terGodwasdone,
ther
ewasnotasi
ngl
eEgy
pti
an

houset
hatdi
dn'
thav
eonedeadchi
l
d.

Andt
her
ewasagr
eatcr
yinEgy
pt;
fort
her
ewasnotahouse

wher
ether
ewasnotonedead.12.
30
Whydi
dGoddoi
t?

Wel
l
,itseemst
hathedi
ditt
oshowof
f.

Toshowof
fhi
ssi
gnsandwonder
s.

Iwi
l
l..
.smi
teEgy
ptwi
thal
lmywonder
s.3.
20

Iwi
l
lhar
denPhar
aoh'
shear
t,andmul
ti
plymysi
gnsandmy

wonder
sint
hel
andofEgy
pt.7.
3

Goi
nunt
oPhar
aoh:
forIhav
ehar
denedhi
shear
t,andt
hehear
t

ofhi
sser
vant
s,t
hatImi
ghtshewt
hesemysi
gnsbef
orehi
m.10.
1

TheLORDsai
dunt
oMoses,
Phar
aohshal
lnothear
kenunt
oyou;

t
hatmywonder
smaybemul
ti
pli
edi
nthel
andofEgy
pt.11.
9

Toi
ntr
oducehi
msel
ftot
heEgy
pti
ans.

Andt
heEgy
pti
ansshal
lknowt
hatIam t
heLORD.7.
5

Toshowwhathecando.

Nowshal
tthouseewhatIwi
l
ldot
oPhar
aoh.6.
1
Toshowt
hatt
her
eisnobodyel
seonear
thqui
tel
i
ke

hi
m.

ForIwi
l
latt
hist
imesendal
lmypl
aguesupont
hinehear
t,and

upont
hyser
vant
s,andupont
hypeopl
e;t
hatt
houmay
estknow

t
hatt
her
eisnonel
i
kemei
nal
ltheear
th.9:
14

Tomakehi
msel
ffamous(
sot
hatev
ery
onewi
l
lknowhi
s

name)
.

Thatmynamemaybedecl
aredt
hroughoutal
ltheear
th.9.
16

Togi
veusast
oryt
otel
lourchi
l
drenandgr
andchi
l
dren.

Thatt
houmay
estt
ell
int
heear
soft
hyson,
andoft
hyson'
sson,

whatt
hingsIhav
ewr
oughti
nEgy
pt.10.
2

Toshowt
hatt
hewhol
eear
thbel
ongst
ohi
m.

Thatt
houmay
estknowhowt
hatt
heear
thi
stheLORD'
S.9.
29

Topr
ovet
hathei
sGod.

I
nthi
sthoushal
tknowt
hatIam t
heLORD.7.
17

Thaty
emayknowhowt
hatIam t
heLORD.10.
2
Toshowt
hathel
i
kesI
srael
i
tesmor
ethanEgy
pti
ans.

Thaty
emayknowhowt
hatt
heLORDdot
hputadi
ff
erence

bet
weent
heEgy
pti
ansandI
srael
.11.
7

Andt
opuni
sht
heEgy
pti
anGods.

Agai
nstal
lthegodsofEgy
ptIwi
l
lexecut
ejudgment
.12.
12

Wel
l
,Iguesst
hosemot
ivesar
eaboutasgoodasanyf
or

amassmur
der
.

I
nanycase,
Godi
scl
ear
lypr
oudoft
hisone.Andi
t'
sno

wonder
.Itwasn'
tal
lthateasyt
opul
lof
f,ev
enf
orGod.

Hehadt
ohar
dent
hePhar
aoh'
shear
tei
ghtt
imest
o

makei
tal
lwor
koutaspl
anned.

1.Iwi
l
lhar
denhi
shear
t,t
hatheshal
lnotl
ett
hepeopl
ego.

Exodus4.
21

2.Iwi
l
lhar
denPhar
aoh'
shear
t.7.
3
3.Hehar
denedPhar
aoh'
shear
t,t
hathehear
kenednotunt
othem;

ast
heLORDhadsai
d.7.
13

4.TheLORDhar
denedt
hehear
tofPhar
aoh.9.
125.TheLORD

sai
dunt
oMoses,
Goi
nunt
oPhar
aoh:
forIhav
ehar
denedhi
s

hear
t,andt
hehear
tofhi
sser
vant
s,t
hatImi
ghtshewt
hesemy

si
gnsbef
orehi
m.10.
1

6.TheLORDhar
denedPhar
aoh'
shear
t,sot
hathewoul
dnotl
et

t
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
go.10.
20

7.TheLORDhar
denedPhar
aoh'
shear
t,andhewoul
dnotl
ett
hem

go.10.
27

8.TheLORDhar
denedPhar
aoh'
shear
t,sot
hathewoul
dnotl
et

t
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
gooutofhi
sland.11.
10

Somehear
tsar
ehar
dforev
ent
heBi
blegodt
ohar
den.

Sohowmanywer
eki
l
ledi
nthi
ski
l
li
ng?Wel
l
,the

popul
ati
onofEgy
ptatt
het
imet
heExodussupposedl
y

occur
redwasabout3mi
l
li
on(
McEv
edyandJones1978,

p.226)
.Ifone-
sixt
hoft
hem wer
efi
rstbor
nsons,
ahal
f

mi
l
li
onEgy
pti
answer
eki
l
ledbyGod(
ort
heangel
sent

byGodt
odohi
sdi
rt
ywor
kforhi
m).
10.TheLor
dtookof
f

t
hei
rchar
iotwheel
s

Exodus14.
27-
28

NumberKi
l
led:
Atl
east600

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
5,000

God'
slastmassmur
derpr
ett
ymuchdi
dthet
ri
ck.The

ni
ghtt
hatGodki
l
ledev
eryf
ir
stbor
nEgy
pti
anchi
l
dand

ani
mal
,Phar
aoht
oldMosest
ogo.

Hecal
l
edf
orMosesandAar
onbyni
ght
,andsai
d,Ri
seup,
andget

y
ouf
ort
hfr
om amongmypeopl
e,bot
hyeandt
hechi
l
drenof

I
srael
;andgo,
ser
vet
heLORD,
asy
ehav
esai
d.Al
sot
akey
our

f
locksandy
ourher
ds,
asy
ehav
esai
d,andbegone;
andbl
essme

al
so.Exodus12:
31-
32
SoMosesr
oundedupal
lthr
eemi
l
li
onorsoI
srael
i
tes,

t
hei
rfl
ocks,
her
ds,
cat
tl
e,unl
eav
enedbr
ead,
andal
lthe

si
l
ver
,gol
d,andcl
othest
hatt
heycoul
dst
eal
from t
he

Egy
pti
ans,
andl
eftt
own.

Thepeopl
etookt
hei
rdoughbef
orei
twasl
eav
ened.
..andt
hey

bor
rowedoft
heEgy
pti
ansj
ewel
sofsi
l
ver
,andj
ewel
sofgol
d,and

r
aiment.
..Andt
heyspoi
l
edt
heEgy
pti
ans.
..aboutsi
xhundr
ed

t
housandonf
oott
hatwer
emen,
besi
dechi
l
dren.
..andf
locks,
and

her
ds,
evenv
erymuchcat
tl
e.12.
34-
38

Andev
ery
thi
ngwoul
dhav
eendedhappi
l
yev
eraf
ter
,too,

i
fGodcoul
dhav
eresi
stedt
het
empt
ati
ont
ohar
dent
he

Phar
aoh'
shear
taf
ewmor
eti
mes.

Yousee,
thePhar
aoh'
shear
twasj
ustt
oodamnedsof
tto

sui
tGod.Sohesetabouthar
deni
ngi
tabi
tmor
e.(
He
hadt
ohar
deni
t8t
imesi
nor
dert
opul
lof
fhi
slast

ki
l
li
ng.
)

Iwi
l
lhar
denPhar
aoh'
shear
t,t
hatheshal
lfol
l
owaf
tert
hem;
andI

wi
l
lbehonour
eduponPhar
aoh,
anduponal
lhi
shost
;thatt
he

Egy
pti
ansmayknowt
hatIam t
heLORD.14.
4

Andt
heLORDhar
denedt
hehear
tofPhar
aoh.14.
8

Iwi
l
lhar
dent
hehear
tsoft
heEgy
pti
ans,
andt
heyshal
lfol
l
ow

t
hem:
andIwi
l
lgetmehonouruponPhar
aoh,
anduponal
lhi
s

host
,uponhi
schar
iot
s,anduponhi
shor
semen.Andt
heEgy
pti
ans

shal
lknowt
hatIam t
heLORD,
whenIhav
egot
tenmehonour

uponPhar
aoh,
uponhi
schar
iot
s,anduponhi
shor
semen.14.
17-

18

SoGodhar
denedPhar
aoh'
shear
tsomemor
eandgot

hi
msel
fal
i
ttl
emor
ehonor
.

Ofcour
sehehadt
oki
l
lsomemor
eEgy
pti
anssot
hat

t
heywoul
dknowt
hathei
stheLor
d.Somet
imesy
ou

hav
etoki
l
lpeopl
einor
dert
ogett
oknowt
hem bet
ter
.

Sot
hat
'swhatGoddi
d.Andy
ousawt
hemov
iesoy
ou
knowt
her
estoft
hest
ory
.Godpar
tedt
heseasot
he

I
srael
i
tescoul
dcr
ossandt
hendr
ownedt
heEgy
pti
an

ar
my.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oMoses,
Str
etchoutt
hinehandov
ert
hesea,

t
hatt
hewat
ersmaycomeagai
nupont
heEgy
pti
ans.
..andt
he

LORDov
ert
hrewt
heEgy
pti
ansi
nthemi
dstoft
hesea..
..Andt
he

wat
ersr
etur
ned,
andcov
eredt
hechar
iot
s,andt
hehor
semen,
and

al
lthehostofPhar
aoht
hatcamei
ntot
heseaaf
tert
hem;
ther
e

r
emai
nednotsomuchasoneoft
hem.14.
26-
28

Butt
hepar
tIl
i
kebestt
heydi
dn'
tshowi
nthemov
ie.

Godgotr
ightoutt
her
ewi
thhi
swr
enchesandwhat
not

andr
emov
edt
hewheel
sfr
om t
heEgy
pti
anchar
iot
s.How

cool
ist
hat
?

TheLORD.
..t
ookof
fthei
rchar
iotwheel
s.14.
24-
25

Thatwoul
dhav
ebeenf
unt
owat
ch.

OK.SohowmanyEgy
pti
ansdr
ownedt
ogetGodsome

mor
ehonor
?
Wel
l
,weknowt
her
ewer
eatl
east600,
sincet
hat
'
show

manychar
iot
sthePhar
aohsentaf
tert
heI
srael
i
tes.

Andhet
ooksi
xhundr
edchosenchar
iot
s,andal
lthechar
iot
sof

Egy
pt,
andcapt
ainsov
erev
eryoneoft
hem.14.
7

Butal
ongwi
tht
hechar
iot
sther
ewer
e"hor
semen,
andal
l

t
hehostofPhar
aoh"t
hatchasedaf
tert
het
hreemi
l
li
onor

soescapi
ngsl
aves.

Soal
thoughIpr
obabl
ygr
eat
lyunder
est
imat
edt
he

i
magi
nar
ynumber
,Iguessed5000.

■■;
■--
.i.*
j-
11.TheLor
dwi
l
lhav
e

warwi
thAmal
ekf
rom

gener
ati
ont
ogener
ati
on

Exodus17.
11-
13

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Amal
eki
tes

Bef
oret
heI
srael
i
teshadev
enl
eftEgy
pt,
theybegant
o

dowhatt
heydobest
:compl
ain.

Theycompl
ainwhent
heyseet
hePhar
aoh'
schar
iot
s.

WhenPhar
aohdr
ewni
gh,
thechi
l
drenofI
srael
li
ft
edupt
hei
r

ey
es,
and,
behol
d,t
heEgy
pti
ansmar
chedaf
tert
hem;
andt
hey

wer
esor
eaf
rai
d:andt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
cri
edoutunt
othe

LORD.Andt
heysai
dunt
oMoses,
Becauset
her
ewer
enogr
avesi
n

Egy
pt,
hastt
hout
akenusawayt
odi
eint
hewi
l
der
ness?wher
efor
e
hastt
houdeal
tthuswi
thus,
tocar
ryusf
ort
houtofEgy
pt?I
snot

t
hist
hewor
dthatwedi
dtel
ltheei
nEgy
pt,
say
ing,
Letusal
one,

t
hatwemayser
vet
heEgy
pti
ans?Fori
thadbeenbet
terf
orust
o

ser
vet
heEgy
pti
ans,
thant
hatweshoul
ddi
eint
hewi
l
der
ness.

Exodus14.
10-
12

Theycompl
ainwhent
hey
'r
est
arv
ingt
odeat
h.

Thewhol
econgr
egat
ionoft
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
mur
mur
edagai
nst

MosesandAar
oni
nthewi
l
der
ness:
Andt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
sai
d

unt
othem,
Woul
dtoGodwehaddi
edbyt
hehandoft
heLORDi
n

t
hel
andofEgy
pt,
whenwesatbyt
hef
leshpot
s,andwhenwedi
d

eatbr
eadt
othef
ull
;fory
ehav
ebr
oughtusf
ort
hint
othi
s

wi
l
der
ness,
toki
l
lthi
swhol
eassembl
ywi
thhunger
.16.
2-3

Theycompl
ainwhendy
ingoft
hir
st.

Ther
ewasnowat
erf
ort
hepeopl
etodr
ink.Wher
efor
ethepeopl
e

di
dchi
dewi
thMoses,
andsai
d,Gi
veuswat
ert
hatwemaydr
ink.

AndMosessai
dunt
othem,
Whychi
dey
ewi
thme?wher
efor
edo

y
etemptt
heLORD?Andt
hepeopl
ethi
rst
edt
her
eforwat
er;
and

t
hepeopl
emur
mur
edagai
nstMoses,
andsai
d,Wher
efor
eist
his

t
hatt
houhastbr
oughtusupoutofEgy
pt,
toki
l
lusandour
chi
l
drenandourcat
tl
ewi
tht
hir
st?17.
1-3

Bef
orel
ong,
Godwi
l
lrespondt
othei
rcompl
aint
swi
th

sev
eral
massmur
der
s.Butwe'
l
lleav
ethatf
oranot
her

t
ime.

Becausenowi
t'
sti
mef
orsomeHol
yWar
.

TheAmal
eki
tesshowupandt
hef
ightbegi
ns.God

cont
rol
sthewhol
ethi
ngwi
thsomer
emot
econt
rol
magi
c

t
ri
cks.Ev
eryt
imeMoseshol
dshi
shandsup,
the

Amal
eki
tesar
esl
aught
eredbyt
heI
srael
i
tes.Whenhe

get
sti
redandl
etshi
sar
msdown,
thesi
tuat
ioni
s

r
ever
sed.

WhenMoseshel
duphi
shand,
thatI
srael
prev
ail
ed:
andwhenhe

l
etdownhi
shand,
Amal
ekpr
evai
l
ed.17.
11

Ev
ent
ual
l
ytheyhadt
osetsomer
ocksunderMoses'
arms
t
omakesur
ethatt
her
ightpeopl
egotki
l
led.

ButMoseshandswer
eheav
y;andt
heyt
ookast
one,
andputi
t

underhi
m,andhesatt
her
eon;
andAar
onandHurst
ayeduphi
s

hands.17.
12

Buti
tal
lwor
kedoutj
ustf
ine.

Joshuadi
scomf
it
edAmal
ekandhi
speopl
ewi
tht
heedgeoft
he

swor
d.17.
13

I
t'
stoobad,
though,
thatt
heBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmany

Amal
eki
tesdi
edi
nthi
smagi
cal
hol
ywar
,becausenowI
'
ll

j
usthav
etoguess.

Ohheck,
I'
ll
cal
li
t1000.

ButGodwasf
arf
rom donewi
tht
heAmal
eki
tes.I
nfact
,

hei
sfi
ght
ingwi
tht
hem st
il
landcommandsusal
ltoki
l
l

t
hem wher
everandwhenev
erweseet
hem.
TheLORDsai
dunt
oMoses,
Wri
tet
hisf
oramemor
ial
inabook,

andr
ehear
sei
tint
heear
sofJoshua:
forIwi
l
lut
ter
lyputoutt
he

r
emembr
anceofAmal
ekf
rom underheav
en.Exodus17.
14

TheLORDhat
hswor
nthatt
heLORDwi
l
lhav
ewarwi
thAmal
ek

f
rom gener
ati
ont
ogener
ati
on.Exodus17.
16

Thoushal
tbl
otoutt
her
emembr
anceofAmal
ekf
rom under

heav
en;
thoushal
tnotf
orgeti
t.Deut
eronomy25:
19

Soi
fyouhappent
oseeanAmal
eki
te,
youknowwhatt
o

do.

12.Whoi
sont
heLor
d's

si
de:
For
cingf
ri
endsand

f
ami
l
ytoki
l
leachot
her

Exodus32.
27-
28

NumberKi
l
led:
3,000

I
srael
i
tes
I
nhi
spr
evi
ouski
l
li
ngs,
Godki
l
ledi
ndi
scr
imi
nat
ely
.He

dr
ownedev
ery
oneandev
ery
thi
ngi
nthef
lood(
1),

smashedpeopl
ewi
thbur
ningst
onesatSodom and

Gomor
rah(
3),
andki
l
ledev
eryEgy
pti
anf
ir
stbor
nchi
l
d

andani
mal
justf
ort
heheckofi
t(9)
.SoIguesswe

shoul
dbeusedt
othi
ssor
toft
hingbynow.

Buti
nthi
ski
l
li
ng,
Godf
orces3000f
ri
endsandf
ami
l
y

member
stoki
l
leachot
her
.Thatseemski
ndofnast
y

ev
enf
orav
erynast
ygod.

Her
ear
ethegor
ydet
ail
s.

MoseswasuponMountSi
nai
get
ti
ngt
heTen

Commandment
sfr
om God.Si
ncehe'
dbeengonesol
ong

(
he'
dbeenupt
her
efor40day
s)t
hepeopl
ebegant
o

wonderi
fhe'
dev
ercomeback.Sot
heyaskedAar
ont
o
makesomeot
hergodsf
ort
hem.Aar
ont
houghtt
hatwas

apr
ett
ygoodi
dea,
sohe

Sai
dunt
othem,
Breakof
fthegol
denear
ri
ngs,
whi
char
eint
he

ear
sofy
ourwi
ves,
ofy
oursons,
andofy
ourdaught
ers,
andbr
ing

t
hem unt
ome.
..And.
..hehadmadei
tamol
tencal
f.Exodus

32.
2-4

Youmi
ghtt
hinkt
hatabunchofr
unawaysl
aveswoul
dn'
t

hav
emuchgol
d.ButGodt
oldt
hem t
ost
eal
what
ever

j
ewel
ryt
heycoul
dfi
ndf
rom t
heEgy
pti
ans.

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
didaccor
dingt
othewor
dofMoses;
and

t
heybor
rowedoft
heEgy
pti
ansj
ewel
sofsi
l
ver
,andj
ewel
sof

gol
d,andr
aiment
...
.Andt
heyspoi
l
edt
heEgy
pti
ans.12.
35-
36

IguessGodwant
edt
hem t
ohav
eenoughgol
dtomakea

gol
dencal
f.I
twasal
lpar
tofhi
spl
an.

Sot
hepeopl
egav
eAar
ont
hei
rst
olengol
dandAar
on

madeagol
dencal
f.
Nowmaki
ngagol
dencal
foutofapi
l
eofearr
ingsanda

campf
ir
emi
ghtseem har
dtoy
ou.ButAar
onj
ustt
hrew

t
hem al
lont
oaf
ir
eandoutcameagol
dencal
f.Real
l
y.

I[
Aar
on]sai
dunt
othem,
Whosoev
erhat
hanygol
d,l
ett
hem

br
eaki
tof
f.Sot
heygav
eitme:
thenIcasti
tint
othef
ir
e,and

t
her
ecameoutt
hiscal
f.32.
24

I
twasami
racl
e.God(
orSat
an)madet
hegol
dencal
f

whenAar
ont
hrewt
hej
ewel
ryont
hef
ir
e.

I
nanycase,
whenMosescamedownf
rom t
hemount
ain,

hesawt
hepeopl
edanci
ngnaked(
"forAar
onhadmade

t
hem naked"
)ar
oundt
hegol
dencal
f.

Mosessawt
hatt
hepeopl
ewer
enaked;
(forAar
onhadmade

t
hem naked.
)32.
25

Sohesmashedt
hest
onet
abl
ets,
bur
nedt
hegol
dencal
f,
gr
oundi
tint
oapowder
,spr
inkl
edi
tonwat
er,
andt
hen

f
orcedev
ery
one(
all
3mi
l
li
onoft
hem)t
odr
inki
t.

Assoonashecameni
ghunt
othecamp,
thathesawt
hecal
f,and

t
hedanci
ng:
andMoses'
angerwaxedhot
,andhecastt
het
abl
es

outofhi
shands,
andbr
aket
hem beneat
hthemount
.Andhet
ook

t
hecal
fwhi
cht
heyhadmade,
andbur
nti
tint
hef
ir
e,andgr
ound

i
ttopowder
,andst
rawedi
tupont
hewat
er,
andmadet
he

chi
l
drenofI
srael
dri
nkofi
t.32.
19-
20

ButMoseswasj
ustget
ti
ngst
art
ed.Her
e'swhathesai
d

next
:

Whoi
sont
heLor
d'ssi
de?.
..
.Thussai
tht
heLORDGodofI
srael
,

Putev
erymanhi
sswor
dbyhi
ssi
de,
andgoi
nandoutf
rom gat
e

t
ogat
ethr
oughoutt
hecamp,
andsl
ayev
erymanhi
sbr
other
,and

ev
erymanhi
scompani
on,
andev
erymanhi
snei
ghbour.
..and

t
her
efel
loft
hepeopl
ethatdayaboutt
hreet
housandmen.32.
26-

28

Sot
hoseonGod'
ssi
dewentoutandki
l
led3000oft
hei
r

f
ri
ends,
nei
ghbor
s,andf
ami
l
ymember
s.

ButGodst
il
lwasn'
tsat
isf
ied.Whenhef
ir
stf
oundout
aboutt
hegol
dencal
fandt
henakeddanci
nghewant
ed

t
oki
l
lev
ery
oneandst
artov
erwi
thanewbat
chof

peopl
e.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oMoses,
Ihav
eseent
hispeopl
e,and,
behol
d,i
t

i
sast
if
fneckedpeopl
e:Nowt
her
efor
eletmeal
one,
thatmywr
ath

maywaxhotagai
nstt
hem,
andt
hatImayconsumet
hem:
andI

wi
l
lmakeoft
heeagr
eatnat
ion.32.
9-10

ButMosest
alkedhi
m outofi
t,say
ing,
"Whatwoul
dthe

Egy
pti
anssay
?"

Mosesbesoughtt
heLORDhi
sGodandsai
d..
.shoul
dtheEgy
pti
ans

speak,
andsay
,Formi
schi
efdi
dhebr
ingt
hem out
,tosl
ayt
hem i
n

t
hemount
ains,
andt
oconsumet
hem f
rom t
hef
aceoft
heear
th?

Tur
nfr
om t
hyf
ier
cewr
ath,
andr
epentoft
hisev
ilagai
nstt
hy

peopl
e.32.
11-
12

I
magi
net
hat
.Mosesi
sani
cerguyt
hanGod.(
Seeki
l
li
ng

26f
ort
hei
mpl
i
cat
ionher
e.)
13.TheLor
dpl
aguedt
he

peopl
ebecauseoft
he

cal
fthatAar
onmade

Exodus32.
35

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

I
srael
i
tes

I
nhi
slastki
l
li
ng(
121,
Godf
orcedt
heI
srael
i
test
oki
l
l

eachot
her
.(TheLev
itesv
olunt
eer
edf
ort
hej
obof"
bei
ng

ont
heLor
d'ssi
de"byki
l
li
ngt
hei
rfami
l
y,f
ri
ends,
and

nei
ghbor
sforGod.
)Ther
esul
ti
ngdeat
htol
lwas3000.

Butt
hisdi
dn'
tqui
tesat
isf
yGod.Heneededt
oki
l
lsome

mor
e.Sohesentapl
ague.

TheLORDpl
aguedt
hepeopl
e,becauset
heymadet
hecal
f,whi
ch
Aar
onmade.Exodus32.
35

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanypeopl
eGodki
l
ledi
nthi
s

pl
ague.I
'
llguess1000.

14.Godbur
nsAar
on'
s

sonst
odeat
hforof
fer
ing

"
str
angef
ir
e"

Lev
iti
cus10.
1-2

Numberki
l
led:
2

Aar
on'
ssons:
NadabandAbi
hu

Thest
orybegi
nswi
thAar
on'
ssons,
NadabandAbi
hu,

bur
ning"
str
angef
ir
ebef
oret
heLor
d,"someki
ndof

wei
rdi
ncenset
hatGoddi
dn'
tl
ikev
erymuch.
NadabandAbi
hu,
thesonsofAar
on,
tookei
theroft
hem hi
s

censer
,andputf
ir
ether
ein,
andputi
ncenset
her
eon,
andof
fer
ed

st
rangef
ir
ebef
oret
heLORD,
whi
chhecommandedt
hem not
.

Lev
iti
cus10.
1

SoGodbur
nedt
hem t
odeat
h.

Andt
her
ewentoutf
ir
efr
om t
heLORD,
anddev
our
edt
hem,
and

t
heydi
edbef
oret
heLORD.10.
2

Andher
e'swhatMosessai
dtoAar
onaf
ter
war
ds.

ThenMosessai
dunt
oAar
on,
Thi
sisi
tthatt
heLORDspake,

say
ing,
Iwi
l
lbesanct
if
iedi
nthem t
hatcomeni
ghme,
andbef
ore

al
lthepeopl
eIwi
l
lbegl
ori
fi
ed.10.
3a

Godbur
nedAar
on'
ssonsal
i
vesot
hatGodwoul
d"be

sanct
if
iedi
nthem"andsot
hathewoul
d"begl
ori
fi
ed.
"

Thathel
ps.
Moseswar
nedAar
onnott
omour
nthedeat
hofhi
ssons

(
byuncov
eri
nghi
sheadort
ear
inghi
scl
othes)orGod

woul
dki
l
lhi
mtoo,
alongwi
thal
lthepeopl
e.

Mosessai
dunt
oAar
on.
..
Uncov
ernoty
ourheads,
nei
therr
end

y
ourcl
othes;
lesty
edi
e,andl
estwr
athcomeuponal
lthepeopl
e.

10.
6

SoAar
ondi
dashewast
old,
andwat
chedi
nsi
l
enceas

hi
ssonswer
ebur
nedt
odeat
hbyGod.

AndAar
onhel
dhi
speace.10.
3b

Wm ^
W

1Vr
4MHMi
i
^^.

^
^^^

'
^HHHt
aHMMgj
^

15.Abl
asphemeri
s

st
onedt
odeat
h

Lev
iti
cus24.
23

Numberki
l
led:
1
Abl
asphemer

Remembert
hest
oni
ngscenef
rom Mont
yPy
thon'
sThe

Li
feofBr
ian?Aman(
Mat
thi
as,
SonofDeut
eronomyof

Gat
h)i
saboutt
obest
onedt
odeat
hforbl
asphemy
.

Her
e'swhathesay
sinhi
sowndef
ense:

Ihadal
ovel
ysupperandal
lIsai
dtomywi
fewas,
"Thatpi
eceof

hal
i
butwasgoodenoughf
orJehov
ah.
"

Wel
l
,thi
sst
oryf
rom Lev
iti
cusi
spr
ett
ymucht
hesame,

excepther
etwoguy
sar
efi
ght
ingandoneoft
hem

bl
asphemes.

ThesonofanI
srael
i
tishwoman,
whosef
atherwasanEgy
pti
an,

wentoutamongt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
:andt
hissonoft
he

I
srael
i
tishwomanandamanofI
srael
str
ovet
oget
heri
nthecamp;

Andt
heI
srael
i
tishwoman'
ssonbl
asphemedt
henameoft
heLor
d,

andcur
sed.Lev
iti
cus24.
10-
ll
a
Sot
heybr
oughthi
mtoMosessohecoul
daskGodwhat

t
odoabouti
t.

Theybr
oughthi
m unt
oMoses.
..t
hatt
hemi
ndoft
heLORDmi
ght

beshewedt
hem.24.
11b-
12

Godt
ell
sMosest
hatev
ery
onemustst
onet
hebl
asphemer

t
odeat
h.

TheLORDspakeunt
oMoses,
say
ing,
Bri
ngf
ort
hhi
mthathat
h

cur
sedwi
thoutt
hecamp;
andl
etal
lthathear
dhi
mlayt
hei
rhands

uponhi
shead,
andl
etal
lthecongr
egat
ionst
onehi
m..
..Het
hat

bl
asphemet
hthenameoft
heLORD,
heshal
lsur
elybeputt
o

deat
h.24.
13-
16

ThenMosest
ell
sthepeopl
ewhatGodt
oldhi
mtot
ell
the

peopl
e(t
ost
onet
hebl
asphemert
odeat
h).

Mosesspaket
othechi
l
drenofI
srael
,thatt
heyshoul
dbr
ingf
ort
h

hi
mthathadcur
sedoutoft
hecamp,
andst
onehi
m wi
thst
ones.

24.
23a
Andt
hat
'swhatt
heydi
d.

Andt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
didast
heLORDcommandedMoses.

24.
23b

AsMat
thi
as,
SonofDeut
eronomyofGat
hwoul
dhav
e

sai
d,"
Jehov
ah,
Jehov
ah,
Jehov
ah,
Jehov
ah!
"

16.Whent
hepeopl
e

compl
ained,
Godbur
ned

t
hem t
odeat
h

Number
s11.
1

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
100

I
srael
i
tes

Her
e'saf
unl
i
ttl
eWTFBi
bleSt
oryf
ory
ou.

I
tal
lhappensi
njustt
wov
erses.
Whent
hepeopl
ecompl
ained,
itdi
spl
easedt
heLORD.Number
s

11.
1a

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsaywhatt
hepeopl
ewer
ecompl
aini
ng

about
.Spendi
ngy
ear
swander
ingar
oundi
nthedeser
t

f
oll
owi
ngacl
oudar
ound?Nothav
ingenoughf
oodor

wat
er?Hav
ingf
ri
endsandf
ami
l
yki
l
ledf
ornogood

r
eason?I
tdoesn'
tsay
.

Butwhat
everi
twas,
Godhear
dit
.(Hehadhi
shear
ing

ai
don.
)

Andt
heLORDhear
dit
.11.
1b

Sowhatdoy
out
hinkGoddi
d?Di
dheexpl
ainwhyhe

wasl
eadi
ngt
hem ar
oundf
or40y
ear
swi
thoutadequat
e

f
oodorwat
eronat
ri
pthatshoul
dhav
etakenaf
ew

weeks?

Notqui
te.Her
e'swhathedi
d.

Hi
sangerwaski
ndl
ed;
andt
hef
ir
eoft
heLORDbur
ntamong

t
hem,
andconsumedt
hem t
hatwer
eint
heut
ter
mostpar
tsoft
he
camp.11.
1c

Idon'
tknowf
orsur
e,ofcour
se,
butIt
hinkGodwas

t
ryi
ngt
oteachpar
ent
sal
essonher
e.Wheny
ourki
ds

compl
ain,
bur
nthem t
odeat
h.Godt
eachesbestwhenhe

t
eachesbyexampl
e.

Fi
nal
l
ythepeopl
ebegMosest
omakeGodst
op.AndGod

st
oppedbur
ningpeopl
etodeat
h.

Thepeopl
ecr
iedunt
oMoses;
andwhenMosespr
ayedunt
othe

LORD,
thef
ir
ewasquenched.11:
2

Don'
tyouj
ustl
ovehappyendi
ngs?

(
Howmanypeopl
edi
dGodbur
ntodeat
hint
his

epi
sode?TheBi
bledoesn'
tsay
,soIj
ustguessed100.
)

17.Whi
l
ethef
leshwas

st
il
lbet
weent
hei
rteet
h,

t
heLor
dsmot
ethem
wi
thav
erygr
eatpl
ague

Number
s11.
33

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
10,
000

I
srael
i
tes

I
nhi
slastki
l
li
ng(
161,
Godbur
nedpeopl
etodeat
hfor

compl
aini
ng.Isupposet
hiswast
oteacht
hem al
esson:

Don'
twhi
ne.

Buti
fso,
itdi
dn'
twor
k.Thoset
hatsur
viv
edGod'
sfi
re

i
mmedi
atel
ybegant
owhi
neagai
n,say
ing,

Whoshal
lgi
veusf
lesht
oeat
?Wer
emembert
hef
ish,
whi
chwe

di
deati
nEgy
ptf
reel
y;t
hecucumber
s,andt
hemel
ons,
andt
he

l
eeks,
andt
heoni
ons,
andt
hegar
li
c:Butnowoursoul
isdr
ied

away
:ther
eisnot
hingatal
l
,besi
det
hismanna,
bef
oreourey
es.

Number
s11.
4-6
SoMosesandGodt
alkt
hingsov
erandGodsay
she'
l
l

gi
vet
hem meat
,al
ri
ght
.He'
l
lfeedt
hem meatunt
ili
t

comesoutt
hei
rnoses!

Yeshal
lnoteatoneday
,nort
woday
s,norf
iveday
s,nei
thert
en

day
s,nort
went
yday
s;Butev
enawhol
emont
h,unt
ili
tcomeout

aty
ournost
ri
ls,
andi
tbel
oat
hsomeunt
oyou.11.
19-
20

Wher
edi
dGodgett
hemeat
,youask?Fr
om quai
l
.Lot
s

andl
otsofquai
l
.

Andt
her
ewentf
ort
hawi
ndf
rom t
heLORD,
andbr
oughtquai
l
s

f
rom t
hesea,
andl
ett
hem f
all
byt
hecamp,
asi
twer
eaday
's

j
our
neyont
hissi
de,
andasi
twer
eaday
'sj
our
neyont
heot
her

si
de,
roundaboutt
hecamp,
andasi
twer
etwocubi
tshi
ghupon

t
hef
aceoft
heear
th.11.
31

Godcoat
edt
hegr
oundwi
thdeadquai
l
.Amet
erdeep

wi
thi
naci
rcl
e60ki
l
omet
ersi
ndi
amet
er.
Howmanyquai
lwoul
dthatbe?

Wel
l
,let
'ssee.Thev
olumeofamet
erhi
ghcy
li
nderwi
th

adi
amet
erof60ki
l
omet
ersi
sabout3bi
l
li
oncubi
c

met
ers.Si
ncet
her
ear
e1000l
i
ter
sinacubi
cmet
er,
that

makes3t
ri
ll
i
onl
i
ter
s.I
ftheav
eragev
olumeperquai
l

was1l
i
ter(
thatwoul
dbeabi
gquai
l
),t
hent
her
ewoul
d

hav
ebeen3t
ri
ll
i
ondeadquai
lcov
eri
ngt
hegr
ound,
a

mi
l
li
onorsof
oreachoft
hesev
eral
mil
l
ionI
srael
i
tes.

Soev
ery
onehadpl
ent
yofmeatt
oeat
.Andt
hemor
alof

t
hest
oryi
sthi
s:

I
fyouar
ehungr
y,j
ustaskGodt
ofeedy
ou.Youmayget

mor
ethany
ouwant
.Youmaygetsomucht
hati
tcomes

outy
ournose.ButGodwi
l
lfeedy
ou.

Ort
hatwoul
dbet
hemor
al,
ifi
twer
en'
tfort
henext

v
erse.

Whi
l
ethef
leshwasy
etbet
weent
hei
rteet
h,er
eitwaschewed,
t
hewr
athoft
heLORDwaski
ndl
edagai
nstt
hepeopl
e,andt
he

LORDsmot
ethepeopl
ewi
thav
erygr
eatpl
ague.11.
33

SoGodf
edt
hepeopl
equai
lunt
ili
tcameoutt
hei
rnoses

andt
henki
l
ledmanyoft
hem wi
th"
aver
ygr
eatpl
ague.
"

Whi
chmeansweneedanewmor
alf
ort
hisBi
bleSt
ory
:

I
fyouar
ehungr
y,don'
taskGodf
orhel
p.He'
l
lfor
cey
ou

t
oeatf
oodt
haty
oudon'
tl
ikeunt
ili
tcomesouty
our

noseandt
henhe'
l
lki
l
lyoui
napl
ague.

Godhat
eswhi
ner
s.

(
Sincet
hiswas"
aver
ygr
eatpl
ague,
"Iputt
hedeat
htol
l

at10,
000.
)

18.Tenscout
sar
eki
l
led

f
ort
hei
rhonestr
epor
t

Number
s14.
36-
37
Numberki
l
led:
10

Honestscout
s

OK,
thi
soner
equi
resabi
tofexpl
anat
ion.

Thest
orybegi
nsi
nNumber
s13wher
eMosessendsout

12scout
s(onef
rom eachoft
het
ri
besofI
srael
)tocheck

outt
hel
andofCanaan.

Mosessentt
hem t
ospyoutt
hel
andofCanaan.
..Andseet
he

l
and,
whati
tis,
andt
hepeopl
ethatdwel
l
etht
her
ein,
whet
hert
hey

best
rongorweak,
fewormany
.Number
s13.
17-
18

Sot
het
wel
vespi
esgoanddot
hat
.

Whent
heyr
etur
n,oneoft
hespi
es(
Cal
eb)say
s,

Letusgoupatonce,
andpossessi
t;f
orwear
ewel
labl
eto

ov
ercomei
t.13.
30

Butt
heot
hert
en(
theBi
bledoesn'
tsaywhatJoshuasai
d)
di
sagr
ee.

Thel
and,
thr
oughwhi
chwehav
egonet
osear
chi
t,i
sal
andt
hat

eat
ethupt
hei
nhabi
tant
sther
eof
;andal
lthepeopl
ethatwesaw

i
nitar
emenofagr
eatst
atur
e.Andt
her
ewesawt
hegi
ant
s,t
he

sonsofAnak,
whi
chcomeoft
hegi
ant
s:andwewer
einourown

si
ghtasgr
asshopper
s,andsowewer
eint
hei
rsi
ght
.13.
32-
33

SoCal
eb(
andJoshua?
)sayi
twoul
dbeeasyt
otakeov
er

t
hel
andofCanaan,
whi
l
etheot
hert
ensayi
twoul
dbe

har
d,si
ncet
hepeopl
ethatl
i
vet
her
ear
egi
ant
s.(
The

scout
swer
eli
kegr
asshopper
sincompar
isont
othem.
)

Whent
hepeopl
ehear
dther
epor
ts,
theybel
i
evedt
he

gi
antst
oryandwer
eabi
tdi
scour
aged.Sot
heydeci
ded

t
oel
ectanewl
eaderandgobackt
oEgy
pt.

Al
lthecongr
egat
ionl
i
ftedupt
hei
rvoi
ce,
andcr
ied;
andt
hepeopl
e

weptt
hatni
ght
.Andal
lthechi
l
drenofI
srael
mur
mur
edagai
nst

Mosesandagai
nstAar
on:
andt
hewhol
econgr
egat
ionsai
dunt
o
t
hem,
Woul
dGodt
hatwehaddi
edi
nthel
andofEgy
pt!orwoul
d

Godwehaddi
edi
nthi
swi
l
der
ness!.
..Andt
heysai
donet
o

anot
her
,Letusmakeacapt
ain,
andl
etusr
etur
nint
oEgy
pt.14.
1-

WhenMosesandAar
onheart
his,
theyf
ell
ont
hei
rfaces.

ThenMosesandAar
onf
ell
ont
hei
rfaces.14.
5

JoshuaandCal
ebt
eart
hei
rcl
othes.

Joshua.
..andCal
eb.
..r
entt
hei
rcl
othes.14.
6

Andt
ryt
otal
kthepeopl
eoutofi
t.

.
..
say
ing,
Thel
and,
whi
chwepassedt
hrought
osear
chi
t,i
san

exceedi
nggoodl
and.I
ftheLORDdel
i
ghti
nus,
thenhewi
l
lbr
ing

usi
ntot
hisl
and,
andgi
vei
tus;
alandwhi
chf
lowet
hwi
thmi
l
kand

honey
.14:
7-8

Butt
hepeopl
ewer
en'
tbuy
ingi
t.Theydi
dn'
twantt
o

f
ightanyGod-
damnedgi
ant
s.Sot
heydeci
det
ost
one
JoshuaandCal
eb(
wit
hst
ones)
.

Al
lthecongr
egat
ionbadest
onet
hem wi
thst
ones.14.
10a

Andt
henGod,
inal
lhi
sgl
ory
,showsup.

Thegl
oryoft
heLORDappear
ed.
..bef
oreal
lthechi
l
drenofI
srael
.

14.
10b

Het
ell
sMosest
hathe'
ssi
ckoft
hei
rwhi
ning,
sohe'
s

goi
ngt
oki
l
lthem al
l
.He'
l
lsmi
tet
hem wi
tht
hepest
il
ence

andt
henmakesomebet
terpeopl
etor
epl
acet
hem.

Peopl
ewhowoul
dn'
twhi
nesodamnedmuch.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oMoses,
Howl
ongwi
l
lthi
speopl
epr
ovokeme?

.
..Iwi
l
lsmi
tet
hem wi
tht
hepest
il
ence,
anddi
sinher
itt
hem,
and

wi
l
lmakeoft
heeagr
eat
ernat
ionandmi
ght
iert
hant
hey
.14.
11-

12

ButMosest
alkshi
m outofi
t(l
i
kehedi
dinki
l
li
ng#121.

Hesay
stheEgy
pti
answi
l
lhearabouti
tandsayt
hatGod
coul
dn'
tgett
hepeopl
etoobeyhi
m sohehadt
oki
l
l

t
hem al
l
.Howwoul
dthatl
ookt
othenei
ghbor
s?

Mosessai
dunt
otheLORD,
Thent
heEgy
pti
ansshal
lheari
t..
.And

t
heywi
l
ltel
li
ttot
hei
nhabi
tant
soft
hisl
and.
..Becauset
heLORD

wasnotabl
etobr
ingt
hispeopl
eint
othel
andwhi
chheswar
e

unt
othem,
ther
efor
ehehat
hsl
aint
hem i
nthewi
l
der
ness.14.
13-

16

SoGoddeci
dednott
oki
l
lev
ery
one.Noty
et,
any
way
.

Buthe'
l
lmakesur
ethatal
lthei
rcar
cassesr
oti
nthe

wi
l
der
ness(
atl
eastal
lthoset
hatar
eov
er20y
ear
sol
d).

Yourcar
casesshal
lfal
li
nthi
swi
l
der
ness;
andal
lthatwer
e

number
edofy
ou,
accor
dingt
oyourwhol
enumber
,fr
om t
went
y

y
ear
sol
dandupwar
dwhi
chhav
emur
mur
edagai
nstme.
..Butas

f
ory
ou,
yourcar
cases,
theyshal
lfal
li
nthi
swi
l
der
ness.Andy
our

chi
l
drenshal
lwanderi
nthewi
l
der
nessf
ort
yyear
s..
.theLORD

hav
esai
d,Iwi
l
lsur
elydoi
tunt
oal
lthi
sev
ilcongr
egat
ion,
thatar
e

gat
her
edt
oget
heragai
nstme:
int
hiswi
l
der
nesst
heyshal
lbe
consumed,
andt
her
etheyshal
ldi
e.14.
29-
35

Andt
hatwoul
dhav
ebeent
heendoft
hest
ory
,except

t
hatGodwasst
il
lpi
ssedof
faboutt
hoset
enscout
s,ev
en

t
hought
heywer
ejustdoi
ngt
hei
rjobs.(
"Tospyoutt
he

l
andofCanaan.
..Andseet
hel
and,
whati
tis,
andt
he

peopl
ethatdwel
l
etht
her
ein,
whet
hert
heybest
rongor

weak,
fewormany
.")Soheki
l
ledt
hem i
napl
ague.

Andt
hemen,
whi
chMosessentt
osear
cht
hel
and,
whor
etur
ned,

andmadeal
lthecongr
egat
iont
omur
muragai
nsthi
m,bybr
ingi
ng

upasl
anderupont
hel
and,
Event
hosement
hatdi
dbr
ingupt
he

ev
ilr
epor
tupont
hel
and,
diedbyt
hepl
aguebef
oret
heLORD.

14.
36-
37

;
g^.
.<

19.Amangat
her
ing

st
icksont
heSabbat
hday
Number
s15.
35-
36

Numberki
l
led:
1

ASabbat
hbr
eaker

Thi
sonei
spr
ett
ysi
mpl
e.

Amani
scaughtgat
her
ingst
icksont
heSabbat
hday
.

Whi
l
ethechi
l
drenofI
srael
wer
eint
hewi
l
der
ness,
theyf
ounda

mant
hatgat
her
edst
icksupont
heSabbat
hday
.Number
s15.
32

Thepeopl
easkMoseswhatt
odoabouti
t.

They.
..br
oughthi
m unt
oMosesandAar
on.
..becausei
twasnot

decl
aredwhatshoul
dbedonet
ohi
m.15.
33-
34

Godt
ell
sMosest
hatev
ery
onemustst
onet
heSabbat
h

br
eakert
odeat
h.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oMoses,
Themanshal
lbesur
elyputt
odeat
h:
al
lthecongr
egat
ionshal
lst
onehi
m wi
thst
ones.15.
35

Sot
hat
'swhatt
heydo.

Al
lthecongr
egat
ionbr
oughthi
m wi
thoutt
hecamp,
andst
oned

hi
m wi
thst
ones,
andhedi
ed;
ast
heLORDcommandedMoses.

15.
36

I
mmedi
atel
yaf
tert
hest
oni
ng,
Godget
sdownt
osome

mor
eimpor
tantbusi
ness—l
i
kei
nst
ruct
ingt
hepeopl
eon

howt
omakef
ri
ngesont
hei
rgar
ment
s.

TheLORDspakeunt
oMoses,
say
ing,
Speakunt
othechi
l
drenof

I
srael
,andbi
dthem t
hatt
heymaket
hem f
ri
ngesi
nthebor
der
sof

t
hei
rgar
ment
sthr
oughoutt
hei
rgener
ati
ons,
andt
hatt
heyput

upont
hef
ri
ngeoft
hebor
der
sar
ibbandofbl
ue.15.
37-
38

Yousee,
Godwant
sust
oputf
ri
ngesonourgar
ment
sso

t
hatwhenweseet
hepur
plef
ri
ngeswe'
l
lsayt
o

our
sel
ves,
"Ohy
eah,
I'
m supposedt
ofol
l
owal
lofGod'
s
l
aws.
"

I
tshal
lbeunt
oyouf
oraf
ri
nge,
thaty
emayl
ookuponi
t,and

r
ememberal
lthecommandment
soft
heLORD,
anddot
hem.

15.
39a

Thatway
,whenweseesomeonewor
kingont
he

Sabbat
h,we'
l
lremembert
ost
onehi
m orhert
odeat
h,

ont
hespot
,inst
eadoff
oll
owi
ngourownhear
t.

Thaty
eseeknotaf
tery
ourownhear
tandy
ourowney
es.15.
39b

Peopl
ewhof
oll
owt
hei
rhear
tssel
dom st
onepeopl
eto

deat
h.

20.Theopposi
ngpar
tyi
s

bur
iedal
i
ve(
alongwi
th

t
hei
rfami
l
ies)

Number
s16.
31-
33
Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
Atl
east9

Kor
ah,
Dat
han,
Abi
ram andt
hei
rfami
l
ies

Ourst
orybegi
nswi
thKor
ahandhi
scompani
ons

conf
ront
ingMoses.Her
e'swhatt
heysayt
ohi
m:

Yet
aket
oomuchupony
ou,
seei
ngal
lthecongr
egat
ionar
ehol
y,

ev
eryoneoft
hem,
andt
heLORDi
samongt
hem:
wher
efor
ethen

l
i
fty
eupy
our
sel
vesabov
ethecongr
egat
ionoft
heLORD?Number
s

16.
3

Sowhatdoy
ousupposeMosesdi
dwhenhehear
dthi
s?

Wel
l
,hef
ell
onhi
sface,
ofcour
se.(
Peopl
ear
eal
way
s

f
all
i
ngont
hei
rfacesi
ntheBi
ble.
)

WhenMoseshear
dit
,hef
ell
uponhi
sface.16.
4

And(
whi
l
est
il
lonhi
sface)of
fer
sthi
singeni
ouspl
an:

Thi
sdo;
Takey
oucenser
s,Kor
ah,
andal
lhi
scompany
;Andput

f
ir
ether
ein,
andputi
ncensei
nthem bef
oret
heLORDt
omor
row:
andi
tshal
lbet
hatt
hemanwhom t
heLORDdot
hchoose,
heshal
l

behol
y.16.
6-7

Sot
hey
'r
egoi
ngt
ohav
eanol
d-f
ashi
oned,
incense-

swi
ngi
ng,
pray
ercont
est
,wher
eGodpi
ckst
hewi
nner
.

Howcool
ist
hat
?

Theyt
ookev
erymanhi
scenser
,andputf
ir
eint
hem,
andl
aid

i
ncenset
her
eon,
andst
oodi
nthedooroft
het
aber
nacl
eoft
he

congr
egat
ionwi
thMosesandAar
on.16.
18

Butbef
oret
heyst
artswi
ngi
ngt
hei
rcenser
s,Godi
nal
l

hi
sgl
oryshowsup.

Thegl
oryoft
heLORDappear
edunt
oal
lthecongr
egat
ion.16.
19

SoGod,
Moses,
andAar
oncal
lat
imeoutt
otal
kthi
ngs

ov
er.

Rememberhow,
justacoupl
eki
l
li
ngsago(
18)
,God

t
hreat
enedt
oki
l
lev
ery
onef
orcompl
aini
ng?Yeah,
wel
l
,

he'
sbackati
tagai
n.Het
ell
sMosesandAar
ont
ost
and
backandgett
hehel
loutoft
hewaybecausehe'
sgoi
ng

t
oki
l
lev
ery
body
.

TheLORDspakeunt
oMosesandunt
oAar
on,
say
ing,
Separ
ate

y
our
sel
vesf
rom amongt
hiscongr
egat
ion,
thatImayconsume

t
hem i
namoment
.16.
20-
21

Sowhatdoy
ouf
igur
eMosesandAar
ondowhent
hey

heart
hat
?Wel
l
,theyf
ell
ont
hei
rfaces,
ofcour
se.

Theyf
ell
upont
hei
rfaces.16.
22a

And(
whi
l
est
il
lont
hei
rfaces)t
heyt
ryt
otal
kGodoutof

i
t(agai
n).

Andsai
d,God,
theGodoft
hespi
ri
tsofal
lfl
esh,
shal
loneman

si
n,andwi
l
tthoubewr
othwi
thal
lthecongr
egat
ion?16.
22b

I
tseemedt
owor
kagai
n,t
oo,
sinceGodcameupwi
tha

whol
enewgamepl
an.
TheLORDspakeunt
oMoses,
say
ing,
Speakunt
othecongr
egat
ion,

say
ing,
Gety
ouupf
rom aboutt
het
aber
nacl
eofKor
ah,
Dat
han,

andAbi
ram.16.
23-
24

Sot
heygatupf
rom t
het
aber
nacl
eofKor
ah,
Dat
han,
andAbi
ram,

onev
erysi
de:
andDat
hanandAbi
ram cameout
,andst
oodi
nthe

dooroft
hei
rtent
s,andt
hei
rwi
ves,
andt
hei
rsons,
andt
hei
rli
tt
le

chi
l
dren.AndMosessai
d,Her
ebyy
eshal
lknowt
hatt
heLORDhat
h

sentme.16.
27-
28

I
fthesemendi
ethecommondeat
hofal
lmen,
ori
ftheybev
isi
ted

af
tert
hev
isi
tat
ionofal
lmen;
thent
heLORDhat
hnotsentme.But

i
ftheLORDmakeanewt
hing,
andt
heear
thopenhermout
h,and

swal
l
owt
hem up,
wit
hal
lthatapper
tai
nunt
othem,
andt
heygo

downqui
cki
ntot
hepi
t;t
heny
eshal
lunder
standt
hatt
hesemen

hav
epr
ovokedt
heLORD.16:
29-
30

SoGodandMosesar
ranget
hist
est
.IfKor
ahandhi
s

compani
onsdi
eanor
mal
,nat
ural
deat
h,t
henGoddi
dn'
t

sendMoses.Buti
fthey(
andt
hei
rfami
l
ies)ar
ebur
ied

al
i
ve,
thenMosesi
sGod'
sspeci
alf
ri
end.

Thet
estpr
ovedt
oev
ery
onet
hatGodi
sonMoses'
side

(
sincet
heot
herguy
swer
ebur
iedal
i
ve)
.
Theear
thopenedhermout
h,andswal
l
owedt
hem up.
..
.They
,

andal
lthatapper
tai
nedt
othem,
wentdownal
i
vei
ntot
hepi
t,and

t
heear
thcl
osedupont
hem:
andt
heyper
ishedf
rom amongt
he

congr
egat
ion.16.
32-
33

Andt
hatt
heyshoul
dgett
hehel
lawayf
rom hi
m bef
ore

hebur
iest
hem al
i
ve,
too.

Andal
lIsr
ael
thatwer
eroundaboutt
hem f
ledatt
hecr
yoft
hem:

f
ort
heysai
d,Lestt
heear
thswal
l
owusupal
so.16.
34

Buthowmanydi
edi
nthi
ski
l
li
ng?

Wel
l
,ther
e'snowayt
oknowf
orsur
e,butt
her
ewer
eat

l
eastt
hreement
hatopposedMoses(
Kor
ah,
Dat
han,
and

Abi
ram)
,andt
hest
orymakesi
tcl
eart
hatt
hei
rwi
vesand

chi
l
drenwer
ebur
iedal
i
vewi
tht
hem.Soi
feachhadat

l
eastonewi
feandonechi
l
d,t
hatwoul
dmakeatl
east9

v
ict
ims.
21.Godbur
ns250peopl
e

t
odeat
hforbur
ning

i
ncense

Number
s16.
35

NumberKi
l
led:
250

I
ncensebur
ner
s

I
nhi
slastki
l
li
ng(
20'
),
Godshowedwhosesi
dehe'
son

byopeni
ngupt
hegr
oundandbur
yingal
i
vet
hel
eader
s

t
hatopposedMoses(
alongwi
tht
hei
rfami
l
ies)
.Andi
t

madequi
teani
mpr
essi
ononev
ery
one.
Al
lIsr
ael
thatwer
eroundaboutt
hem f
ledatt
hecr
yoft
hem:
for

t
heysai
d,Lestt
heear
thswal
l
owusupal
so.Number
s16.
34

Butt
heywer
esaf
e,atl
eastf
ort
hemoment
,becauseGod

hadhi
smi
ndonot
hert
hings.

RememberMoses'
ori
ginal
planf
ordeal
i
ngwi
thKor
ah'
s

r
ebel
l
ion?Het
oldhi
m andhi
sassoci
atest
obur
nincense

bef
oret
heLor
dandl
etGodchoosewhoi
shol
y.

Thi
sdo;
Takey
oucenser
s,Kor
ah,
andal
lhi
scompany
;Andput

f
ir
ether
ein,
andputi
ncensei
nthem bef
oret
heLORDt
omor
row:

andi
tshal
lbet
hatt
hemanwhom t
heLORDdot
hchoose,
heshal
l

behol
y.16.
6-7

Butt
henGodcameupwi
tht
hebur
yingal
i
vet
hingand

t
hecenser
-swi
ngi
ngpr
ayercont
estwasputonhol
d.

I
nthemeant
ime,
250ofKor
ah'
sfol
l
ower
sdi
dasMoses

askedandbur
nedsomei
ncense.SoGodbur
nedt
hem al
l
al
i
vet
oteacht
hem al
essonorsomet
hing.(
Ify
oudo

whathesay
she'
l
lbur
nyout
odeat
h?)

Ther
ecameoutaf
ir
efr
om t
heLORD,
andconsumedt
het
wo

hundr
edandf
if
tyment
hatof
fer
edi
ncense.16.
35

Atl
eastIdon'
thav
etoguesst
henumberofv
ict
imst
his

t
ime.

22.Godki
l
led14,
700f
or

compl
aini
ngaboutGod'
s

ki
l
li
ngs

Number
s16.
49

NumberKi
l
led:
14,
700

I
srael
i
tes
I
ncasey
ouhav
en'
tbeenf
oll
owi
ngal
ong,
her
e'swhathas

happenedsof
ari
nNumber
s16.

•Kor
ahandhi
scompani
onsquest
ionMoses'

l
eader
shi
p,say
ing"
Yet
aket
oomuchupony
ou,

seei
ngal
lthecongr
egat
ionar
ehol
y,ev
eryoneof

t
hem,
andt
heLORDi
samongt
hem:
wher
efor
ethen

l
i
fty
eupy
our
sel
vesabov
ethecongr
egat
ionoft
he

LORD?
"(Number
s16.
1-3)

•Mosesf
all
sonhi
sface.(
16.
4)

•Thegl
oryoft
heLor
dappear
stot
hecongr
egat
ion.

(
16.
19)

•Godt
ell
sMosest
ogetoutoft
hewaybecausehe'
s

goi
ngt
oki
l
lev
ery
one.(
16.
20-
21)

•MosesandAar
onf
all
ont
hei
rfaces.(
16.
22)

•Kor
ah,
hiscompani
ons,
andt
hei
rfami
l
iesar
ebur
ied

al
i
ve.(
16.
27-
33)
•Godbur
nst
odeat
h250menf
orbur
ningi
ncense.

(
16.
35)

So,
asy
oumi
ghtexpect
,thepeopl
ewhohadwi
tnessed

al
lthi
swer
epr
ett
yfr
eakedoutbynow.

Butont
hemor
rowal
lthecongr
egat
ionoft
hechi
l
drenofI
srael

mur
mur
edagai
nstMosesandagai
nstAar
on,
say
ing,
Yehav
eki
l
led

t
hepeopl
eoft
heLORD.Number
s16.
41

Then"
thegl
oryoft
heLor
d"appear
ed(
agai
n).

Behol
d..
.thegl
oryoft
heLORDappear
ed.16.
42

AndGodt
ell
sMoseshe'
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lev
ery
one(
agai
n).

Andt
heLORDspakeunt
oMoses,
say
ing,
Gety
ouupf
rom among

t
hiscongr
egat
ion,
thatImayconsumet
hem asi
namoment
.

16.
44-
45a

It
hinky
oucanguessbynowwhatMosesandAar
ondi
d

next
.

Theyf
ell
upont
hei
rfaces.16.
45b
ThenMosest
oldAar
ont
obur
nsomei
ncenset
otr
yto

st
opGodf
rom ki
l
li
ngev
ery
one.

Mosessai
dunt
oAar
on,
Takeacenser
,andputf
ir
ether
einf
rom

of
ftheal
tar
,andputoni
ncense,
andgoqui
ckl
yunt
othe

congr
egat
ion,
andmakeanat
onementf
ort
hem:
fort
her
eiswr
ath

goneoutf
rom t
heLORD;
thepl
aguei
sbegun.16.
46

Andt
hei
ncensebur
ningwor
ked.(
Somet
imesGodwi
l
l

st
opki
l
li
ngi
fyoubur
nincense;
somet
imeshe'
l
lbur
nyou

t
odeat
hinst
ead.Hewor
ksi
nmy
ster
iousway
s.)Butnot

bef
ore14,
700haddi
edi
nthepl
ague.

Nowt
heyt
hatdi
edi
nthepl
aguewer
efour
teent
housandand

sev
enhundr
ed,
besi
det
hem t
hatdi
edaboutt
hemat
terofKor
ah.

16.
49

Soi
nthi
schapt
er(
Number
s16)
,Godt
hreat
enedt
oki
l
l

ev
ery
onet
wice,
butset
tl
edf
orki
l
li
ng14,
959i
nthr
ee

separ
ateki
l
li
ngev
ent
s(ni
neorsobur
iedal
i
ve,
250

bur
nedt
odeat
h,and14,
700ki
l
ledi
napl
ague)
.
Butdon'
tcompl
ainabouti
torhe'
l
lki
l
lyou,
too.

23.Themassacr
eoft
he

Ar
adi
tes

Number
s21.
3

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
3,000

Canaani
tes

Don'
tyouj
usthat
eGod-
assi
stedhol
ywarmassacr
es?I

do.They
'r
esodamnedbor
ing.

Butwemi
ghtaswel
lgetusedt
othem becauseGodl
i
kes

t
hem.Al
ot.Ther
ear
eabout50hol
ywarmassacr
eson

t
hel
i
stofGod'
s135ki
l
li
ngsi
ntheBi
ble.Sot
her
e'sj
ust

nowayt
oav
oidt
hem.
Her
e'swhathappenedi
nthi
sone.

Ki
ngAr
adhear
dthatt
heI
srael
i
teswer
ecomi
ng,
sohe

f
oughtagai
nstt
hem whent
heyt
ri
edt
oinv
adehi
sland.

Whenki
ngAr
adt
heCanaani
te,
whi
chdwel
tint
hesout
h,hear
dtel
l

t
hatI
srael
camebyt
hewayoft
hespi
es;
thenhef
oughtagai
nst

I
srael
,andt
ooksomeoft
hem pr
isoner
s.Number
s21.
1

Sot
heI
srael
i
tesaskedGodf
orhel
p,pr
omi
singt
oki
l
l

ev
ery
onei
nsev
eral
cit
ies.

I
srael
vowedav
owunt
otheLORD,
andsai
d,I
fthouwi
l
tindeed

del
i
vert
hispeopl
eint
omyhand,
thenIwi
l
lut
ter
lydest
royt
hei
r

ci
ti
es,
21.
2

Goddi
dn'
thav
etot
hinkaboutt
hisone.Her
e'showhe

r
esponded.

TheLORDhear
kenedt
othev
oiceofI
srael
,anddel
i
ver
edupt
he

Canaani
tes.21.
3a
Sot
heI
srael
i
tes,
wit
hGod'
shel
p,ki
l
ledev
ery
onei
n

sev
eral
Canaani
teci
ti
es.

Andt
heyut
ter
lydest
roy
edt
hem andt
hei
rci
ti
es.21.
3b

I
'
m gl
adwegott
hisoneov
erwi
th.I
twaspr
ett
ybor
ing,

wasn'
ti
t?

God'
snextki
l
li
ngwi
l
lbebet
ter
,Ipr
omi
se.

TheBi
bledoesn'
ttel
lust
hepopul
ati
onoft
heAr
adi
te

ci
ti
es.SoIguessedt
her
ewer
e3ci
ti
es,
eachwi
th1000

peopl
e,f
orat
otal
of3000v
ict
ims.

24.Godsentf
ier
y

ser
pent
stobi
tet
he

peopl
eforcompl
aini
ng

aboutt
hel
ackoff
ood

andwat
er
Number
s21.
6

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
100

I
srael
i
tes

Wheni
tcomest
othi
sBi
blest
ory
,ther
ear
eonl
ytwo

ki
ndsofbel
i
ever
s:t
hosewhohav
enev
erhear
dofi
t,and

t
hosewhoar
eembar
rassedbyi
t.

Her
e'st
hest
ory
.

TheI
srael
i
tesbegant
ocompl
ainaboutt
hel
ackoff
ood

andwat
er.

Thepeopl
espakeagai
nstGod,
andagai
nstMoses,
Wher
efor
e

hav
eyebr
oughtusupoutofEgy
ptt
odi
eint
hewi
l
der
ness?f
or

t
her
eisnobr
ead,
nei
theri
sther
eanywat
er;
andoursoul
loat
het
h

t
hisl
i
ghtbr
ead.Number
s21.
5

SoGodsentf
ier
yser
pent
stobi
tet
hepeopl
e.
TheLORDsentf
ier
yser
pent
samongt
hepeopl
e.21.
6a

Andmanyoft
hepeopl
edi
ed.

Andt
heybi
tthepeopl
e;andmuchpeopl
eofI
srael
died.21.
6b

Thent
hepeopl
eapol
ogi
zedt
oMosesandGodf
or

compl
aini
ng,
aski
ngMosest
odosomet
hingt
ogetr
idof

God'
snast
yfi
eryser
pent
s.

Ther
efor
ethepeopl
ecamet
oMoses,
andsai
d,Wehav
esi
nned,

f
orwehav
espokenagai
nstt
heLORD,
andagai
nstt
hee;
prayunt
o

t
heLORD,
thathet
akeawayt
heser
pent
sfr
om us.AndMoses

pr
ayedf
ort
hepeopl
e.21.
7

Godt
oldMoseswhatt
odo.Makeaf
ier
yser
pentoutof

br
ass(
theyhadl
otsoft
hatl
yi
ngar
ound)andputi
tona

pol
e.Thenwhenabi
tt
enper
sonl
ooksati
t,heorshe

won'
tdi
e.(
Onl
yGodcoul
dcomeupwi
thapl
anl
i
ke

t
hat
!)
TheLORDsai
dunt
oMoses,
Maket
heeaf
ier
yser
pent
,andseti
t

uponapol
e:andi
tshal
lcomet
opass,
thatev
eryonet
hati
s

bi
tt
en,
whenhel
ooket
huponi
t,shal
ll
iv
e.21.
8

SoMosesmadeabr
asssnakeandputi
tonapol
e.Andi
t

wor
kedj
ustl
i
keGodsai
ditwoul
d.

Mosesmadeaser
pentofbr
ass,
andputi
tuponapol
e,andi
t

camet
opass,
thati
faser
penthadbi
tt
enanyman,
whenhe

behel
dtheser
pentofbr
ass,
hel
i
ved.21.
9

Nowt
hat
'sal
otmor
eent
ert
aini
ngt
hanadamnedhol
y

warmassacr
e,i
sn'
ti
t?

(
Number
s21.
6say
sthat"
muchoft
hepeopl
edi
ed.
"But

howmuchi
smuch?Iguessed100.
)

25.Phi
nehas1doubl
e
mur
der
:Aki
l
li
ngt
oend

God'
ski
l
li
ng

Number
s25.
7-9

NumberKi
l
led:
24,
002

I
nter
raci
alcoupl
eand24,
000pl
aguev
ict
ims

Thi
sisr
eal
l
yast
rangeone,
andI
'
m notsur
ewhatt
odo

wi
thi
t.

I
tal
lhappensi
nthef
ir
stf
ewv
ersesofNumber
s25,
right

af
tert
hest
oryaboutBal
aam'
stal
ki
ngdonkey
.

I
tbegi
nswi
tht
hepeopl
ehav
ingsexwi
tht
hedaught
ers

ofMoab.

Thepeopl
ebegant
ocommi
twhor
edom wi
tht
hedaught
ersof

Moab.Number
s25.
1

Af
tersex,
theyat
edi
nnerwi
tht
hem andwor
shi
pedt
hei
r
gods.

Theycal
l
edt
hepeopl
eunt
othesacr
if
icesoft
hei
rgods:
andt
he

peopl
edi
deat
,andboweddownt
othei
rgods.25.
2

Thi
sanger
edGodsomucht
hathet
oldMosest
oki
l
lal
l

t
hel
eader
sandhangt
hei
rdeadbodi
esupont
reesso

t
hathewoul
dn'
tbesoangr
yany
mor
e.

Theangeroft
heLORDwaski
ndl
edagai
nstI
srael
.Andt
heLORD

sai
dunt
oMoses,
Takeal
ltheheadsoft
hepeopl
e,andhangt
hem

upbef
oret
heLORDagai
nstt
hesun,
thatt
hef
ier
ceangeroft
he

LORDmaybet
urnedawayf
rom I
srael
.25.
3-4

Nowt
hispr
obabl
ywasn'
tasbadast
heKi
ngJames

Ver
sionmakesi
tsound."
Takeal
ltheheadsoft
he

peopl
e,andhangt
hem upbef
oret
heLor
dagai
nstt
he

sun"soundsl
i
keGodt
oldMosest
ocutof
fpeopl
es'
heads

andhangt
heheadsont
rees.Thatwoul
dbeki
ndof

nast
y.
Butno.Godj
ustwant
edMosest
oki
l
lthel
eader
s("
the

headsoft
hepeopl
e")andhangt
hei
rdeadbodi
eson

t
reesouti
nthesunshi
neso"
thatt
hef
ier
ceangeroft
he

LORDmaybet
urnedawayf
rom I
srael
.
"That
'
snotnear
ly

sobad,
nowi
sit
?

Ican'
ttel
l
,though,
whet
herMosesdi
dwhatGodasked.

Her
e'st
henextv
erse:

Mosessai
dunt
othej
udgesofI
srael
,Sl
ayy
eev
eryonehi
smen

t
hatwer
ejoi
nedunt
oBaal
peor
.25.
5

Mosest
oldt
hel
eader
s(j
udges)t
oki
l
lev
ery
onewhowas

"
joi
nedunt
oBaal
peor
."Idon'
tknowi
fbei
ngj
oinedt
o

Baal
peorwashav
ingsexwi
tht
hedaught
ersofMoabor

not
.Butcl
ear
lyMoseswasn'
tfol
l
owi
ngor
der
sher
e.God

t
oldhi
mtoki
l
lthel
eader
sandhangt
hei
rbodi
eson

t
rees;
Mosest
oldt
hel
eader
stoki
l
lthepeopl
ewhower
e

j
oinedt
oBaal
peor
.Di
ff
erentt
hingent
ir
ely
,I'
dsay
.
Any
way
,Iguessnei
therGod'
snorMoses'
planwas

execut
ed,
becauseofwhathappenednext
:

Behol
d,oneoft
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
cameandbr
oughtunt
ohi
s

br
ethr
enaMi
diani
ti
shwomani
nthesi
ghtofMoses,
andi
nthe

si
ghtofal
lthecongr
egat
ionoft
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
,whower
e

weepi
ngbef
oret
hedooroft
het
aber
nacl
eoft
hecongr
egat
ion.

25.
6

Andt
hent
her
eal
her
ooft
hest
oryshowsup.Phi
nehas.

Heseest
hehappycoupl
eandst
icksaspeart
hrought
hei
r

bel
l
ies(
whi
l
etheywer
ehav
ingsex?
).

WhenPhi
nehas.
..sawi
t,her
oseupf
rom amongt
he

congr
egat
ion,
andt
ookaj
avel
i
ninhi
shand;
Andhewentaf
tert
he

manofI
srael
int
othet
ent
,andt
hrustbot
hoft
hem t
hrough,
the

manofI
srael
,andt
hewomant
hroughherbel
l
y.25.
7-8a

Thi
sdoubl
emur
dermadeGodsohappyt
hathest
opped

ki
l
li
ngev
ery
one.Yousee,
whi
l
eMoseswast
ryi
ngt
oget
t
hel
eader
stoki
l
lpeopl
ewhohadsexwi
thMoabi
te

womenandGodwast
ryi
ngt
ogetMosest
oki
l
lthe

l
eader
sandhangt
hei
rbodi
esont
rees,
Godwasal
so

busyki
l
li
ngpeopl
ewi
thapl
ague.

Sot
hepl
aguewasst
ayedf
rom t
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
.Andt
hose

t
hatdi
edi
nthepl
aguewer
etwent
yandf
ourt
housand.25.
8b-
9

NowGodhadpl
annedt
oki
l
lev
ery
one,
buthest
opped

wi
thj
ust24,
000becauseofPhi
nehas'
hol
ydoubl
e

mur
der
.

TheLORDspakeunt
oMoses,
say
ing,
Phi
nehas.
..
hat
htur
nedmy

wr
athawayf
rom t
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
,whi
l
ehewaszeal
ousf
or

mysakeamongt
hem,
thatIconsumednott
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
in

myj
eal
ousy
.25.
10-
11

[
Paul
sai
dthatonl
y23,
000di
edi
nthepl
ague(
1
Cor
int
hians10.
8),
buthowwoul
dheknow?
]

Soy
ouseemypr
obl
em her
e,don'
tyou?Howmany

ki
l
li
ngsdowehav
eher
e?

Godt
oldMosest
oki
l
lthel
eader
sandhangt
hei
rbodi
es

ont
rees,
butwedon'
tknowwhet
herMosesf
oll
owed

God'
scommand.

Mosest
oldt
hel
eader
stoki
l
lwhoev
erhadsexwi
tht
he

Moabi
tewomen,
butwedon'
tknowi
fhi
sor
derwas

car
ri
edoutei
ther
.

Phi
nehaski
l
ledt
het
wopeopl
ehav
ingsex,
butwedon'
t

knowwhet
herGodt
oldhi
mtoornot
.(Ev
ent
houghGod

wascl
ear
lypl
easedbyt
heki
l
li
ng.Somuch,
inf
actt
hat

hequi
tki
l
li
ngaf
teronl
y24,
000haddi
ed,
whenhe'
d

pl
annedt
oki
l
lsev
eral
mil
l
ion.
)

Andhowmanydi
edi
nthepl
ague?Wasi
t24,
000as

Number
s25:
9say
sor23,
000asi
tsay
sin1Cor
int
hians

10.
8?

Sohowdowekeepscor
eher
e?Atl
east24,
000peopl
e
di
ed(
23,
000i
fwebel
i
evePaul
),buti
nhowmany

separ
ateki
l
li
ngev
ent
s?Andshoul
dGodgetcr
edi
tfor

Phi
nehas'
doubl
emur
der
?

I
'
vedeci
dedt
ocountPhi
nehas'
doubl
emur
derandGod'
s

pl
aguei
nGod'
ski
l
li
ngs.Godcl
ear
lydeser
vescr
edi
tfor

t
hepl
ague,
ofcour
se,
butt
hePhi
nehas'
aff
airi
sless

cl
ear
.

Howev
erbot
hMosesandGodor
der
edpeopl
etobeki
l
led

ei
therf
orhav
ingsexwi
tht
heMi
diani
tesorf
oral
l
owi
ng

t
hem t
odoso(
Number
s25:
3-5)
,andGodwasso

pl
easedwi
tht
hePhi
nehas'
kil
l
ingt
hathest
oppedhi
sown

massmur
der
.SoIt
hinkGoddeser
vescr
edi
tforei
ther

i
nspi
ri
ngordi
rect
lyor
der
ingPhi
nehas'
mur
deroft
he

i
nter
raci
alcoupl
e.

SoI
'
m goi
ngt
oignor
ePaul
andgowi
th24,
002f
ort
his

ki
l
li
ng.

26.TheMi
diani
te
massacr
e:Hav
eyou

sav
edal
lthewomen

al
i
ve?

Number
s31.
17-
18

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
200,
000

Ev
i,Rekem,
Zur
,Hur
,Reba,
andBal
aam

Thi
sisaBi
blest
oryt
hatev
ery
oneshoul
dknow.

I
tbegi
nswi
thGodt
ell
i
ngMosest
otakev
engeanceon

t
heMi
diani
tes.(
Hedoesn'
tsayf
orwhat
,butIguessi
t

wasf
ort
hesexanddi
nnerpar
tyt
hatbr
oughtonGod'
s

25t
hki
l
li
ng.
'
)

TheLORDspakeunt
oMoses,
say
ing,
Avenget
hechi
l
drenofI
srael

oft
heMi
diani
tes.Number
s31.
1-2
SoMosesdoeswhathe'
stol
dandsendsof
f12,
000men

l
edbyPhi
nehas(
theguywhost
oppedGodf
rom ki
l
li
ng

ev
ery
onebyi
mpal
i
ngt
hei
nter
raci
alcoupl
eint
hel
ast

ki
l
li
ng)wi
thhi
s"hol
yinst
rument
s"andt
rumpet
s.

Mosesspakeunt
othepeopl
e,say
ing,
Arm someofy
our
sel
ves

unt
othewar
,andl
ett
hem goagai
nstt
heMi
diani
tes,
andav
enge

t
heLORDofMi
dian.
..Sot
her
ewer
edel
i
ver
ed.
..t
wel
vet
housand

ar
medf
orwar
.AndMosessentt
hem t
othewar
,at
housandof

ev
eryt
ri
be,
them andPhi
nehast
hesonofEl
eazart
hepr
iest
,tot
he

war
,wi
tht
hehol
yinst
rument
s,andt
het
rumpet
stobl
owi
nhi
s

hand.31.
3-6

Fi
rstt
heyki
l
ledev
erymal
e"ast
heLORDcommanded

Moses.
"

Theywar
redagai
nstt
heMi
diani
tes,
ast
heLORDcommanded

Moses;
andt
heysl
ewal
lthemal
es.31.
7

Nextt
heyki
l
ledf
iveki
ngs,

Theysl
ewt
heki
ngsofMi
dian.
..namel
y,Ev
i,andRekem,
andZur
,
andHur
,andReba,
fiv
eki
ngsofMi
dian.31.
8a

al
ongwi
thBal
aam [
theni
ceguywi
tht
het
alki
ngass

(
Number
s22.
28-
30)
].

Bal
aam al
so.
..t
heysl
ewwi
tht
heswor
d.31.
8b

Thent
heyt
ookt
hewomenandchi
l
drencapt
ive,
col
l
ect
ed

t
hei
rani
mal
sandv
aluabl
es,
bur
nedt
heci
ti
es,
and

r
etur
nedt
oMoses.

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
tookal
lthewomenofMi
diancapt
ives,
and

t
hei
rli
tt
leones,
andt
ookt
hespoi
lofal
lthei
rcat
tl
e,andal
lthei
r

f
locks,
andal
lthei
rgoods.31.
9

ButMoseswasn'
tpl
eased.Her
e'swhathesai
d:

Moseswaswr
othwi
tht
heof
fi
cer
s..
.Hav
eyesav
edal
lthewomen

al
i
ve?Behol
d,t
hesecausedt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
...t
ocommi
t

t
respassagai
nstt
heLORD.
..andt
her
ewasapl
ague.31.
14-
16
Nowt
her
efor
eki
l
lev
erymal
eamongt
hel
i
ttl
eones,
andki
l
lev
ery

womant
hathat
hknownmanbyl
yi
ngwi
thhi
m.Butal
lthewomen

chi
l
dren,
thathav
enotknownamanbyl
yi
ngwi
thhi
m,keepal
i
ve

f
ory
our
sel
ves.31.
17-
18

[
Yousee,
itwast
heMi
diani
tewomenwhohadsexwi
th

t
heI
srael
i
tes(
25)
.]

Sot
hat
'swhatt
heydi
d.Theywentbackandki
l
ledal
lthe

non-
vir
ginwomen,
keepi
ngt
he32,
000v
irgi
nsal
i
vef
or

t
hemsel
ves.(
I'
m notsur
ehowt
heysepar
atedt
hev
irgi
ns

f
rom t
henon-
vir
gins,
butGodpr
obabl
yhel
pedoutwi
th

t
hat
.)

Theboot
y,bei
ng.
..t
hir
tyandt
wot
housandper
sonsi
nal
l
,of

woment
hathadnotknownmanbyl
yi
ngwi
thhi
m.31.
32-
35

Si
ncet
her
ewer
e32,
000v
irgi
nwomensav
edal
i
veas

boot
y,If
igur
edt
her
emusthav
ebeenabout200,
000

ki
l
ledi
nthi
sepi
sode,
whi
chwoul
dincl
udeal
loft
he

mal
es(
men,
boy
s,babi
es)andnon-
vir
ginf
emal
es.
27.Godsl
owl
yki
l
ledt
he

I
srael
i
tear
my

Deut
eronomy2.
14-
16

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
500,
000

I
srael
i
tesol
dier
s

Thi
sisanot
herst
rangeone.Forsomer
easonGod

deci
dedt
osl
owl
yki
l
ltheent
ir
eIsr
ael
i
tear
my.

Thespacei
nwhi
chwecamef
rom Kadeshbar
nea,
unt
ilwewer
e

comeov
ert
hebr
ookZer
ed,
wast
hir
tyandei
ghty
ear
s;unt
ilal
lthe

gener
ati
onoft
hemenofwarwer
ewast
edoutf
rom amongt
he

host
,ast
heLORDswar
eunt
othem.Fori
ndeedt
hehandoft
he

LORDwasagai
nstt
hem,
todest
royt
hem f
rom amongt
hehost
,

unt
ilt
heywer
econsumed.So.
..al
lthemenofwarwer
e

consumedanddeadf
rom amongt
hepeopl
e.Deut
eronomy2.
14-

16
I
t'
shar
dtounder
stand,
isn'
ti
t?Buti
tsur
esoundsl
i
ke

Godki
l
ledt
heent
ir
eIsr
ael
i
tear
my—sl
owl
y—ov
era

per
iodof38y
ear
s.

I
t'
snotav
eryi
mpr
essi
veki
l
li
ng,
though,
asGod'
ski
l
li
ngs

go.Hemost
lyj
ustwai
tedf
ort
hem al
ltodi
eofnat
ural

causes.Pr
ost
atecancer
,hear
tat
tack,
str
oke.

ButGodcl
aimst
ohav
eki
l
ledt
hem al
lhi
msel
f,soIguess

weshoul
dgi
vehi
m cr
edi
t.Howmanyol
dsol
dier
sdoy
ou

t
hinkdi
edbecause"
thehandoft
heLor
dwasagai
nst

t
hem?
"

Wel
l
,theyst
art
edof
fwi
th603,
550sol
dier
s.

Al
lthoset
hatwer
enumber
edoft
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
...f
rom

t
went
yyear
sol
dandupwar
d,al
lthatwer
eabl
etogof
ort
htowar

i
nIsr
ael
...wer
esi
xhundr
edt
housandandt
hreet
housandandf
ive

hundr
edandf
if
ty.Number
s1.
45-
46

Andt
heonl
ypeopl
ethatt
heBi
blement
ionsdy
ingal
ong

t
hewayar
ethoset
hatGodki
l
led,
whi
cht
otal
abi
tov
er
50,
000.ButIsupposesomepeopl
emusthav
edi
edof

nat
ural
causesov
ert
he38y
earper
iod.SoI
'
llj
ustsay

t
hatGodki
l
led500,
000sol
dier
s.

28.Godt
hegi
antki
l
ler

Deut
eronomy2.
20-
23

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
5,000

Gi
ant
s

Af
terGodki
l
lsof
ftheol
dsol
dier
sinhi
sear
lyr
eti
rement

pr
ogr
am (27"
)andbef
oret
henew,
yout
hful
armybegi
ns

t
oki
l
lagai
nforhi
m,hebr
agsabi
taboutsomeofhi
s

pastki
l
li
ngs.Hei
sespeci
all
ypr
oudofknocki
ngof
fan
ent
ir
eraceofgi
ant
s,t
heZamzummi
m.

Thatal
sowasaccount
edal
andofgi
ant
s:gi
ant
sdwel
tther
eini
n

ol
dti
me;
andt
heAmmoni
tescal
lthem Zamzummi
ms;
Apeopl
e

gr
eat
,andmany
,andt
all
,ast
heAnaki
ms;
butt
heLORDdest
roy
ed

t
hem bef
oret
hem;
andt
heysucceededt
hem,
anddwel
tint
hei
r

st
ead.Deut
eronomy2.
20-
21

Ther
ewer
eaf
ewot
hergr
oupst
hatGodal
soki
l
ledt
hatI

don'
tthi
nkI
'
veaccount
edf
ory
et:
theHor
im,
Avi
m,and

t
heCapht
ori
m.

Ashedi
dtot
hechi
l
drenofEsau,
whi
chdwel
tinSei
r,whenhe

dest
roy
edt
heHor
imsf
rom bef
oret
hem;
andt
heysucceeded

t
hem,
anddwel
tint
hei
rst
eadev
enunt
othi
sday
:Andt
heAv
ims

whi
chdwel
tinHazer
im,
evenunt
oAz
zah,
theCapht
ori
ms,
whi
ch

camef
ort
houtofCapht
or,
dest
roy
edt
hem,
anddwel
tint
hei
r

st
ead.2.
22-
23
TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanywer
eint
hesegr
oups.

SoI
'
llj
ustguess5,
000f
ort
hel
otoft
hem.

29.Godhar
densKi
ng

Si
hon'
shear
tsot
hatal
l

hi
speopl
ecanbeki
l
led

Deut
eronomy2.
33-
36

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
5,000

Ki
ngSi
honandhi
sci
ti
es

Af
terGodki
l
ledof
fal
ltheol
dsol
dier
s(27"
)andatl
east

mostoft
hegi
ant
s(28)
,itwast
imet
ogetwhatwasl
eft

oft
heI
srael
i
tear
mymov
ingagai
n.

Ri
sey
eup,
takey
ourj
our
ney
,andpassov
ert
her
iverAr
non:

behol
d,Ihav
egi
veni
ntot
hinehandSi
hont
heAmor
it
e,ki
ngof

Heshbon,
andhi
sland:
begi
ntopossessi
t,andcont
endwi
thhi
m

i
nbat
tl
e.Deut
eronomy2.
24
Godt
ell
sthem t
oter
ror
izet
hecur
rentoccupant
soft
he

l
andt
heyar
eaboutt
ost
eal
.Theent
ir
ewor
ldwi
l
lfear
,

t
rembl
e,andangui
shatt
hev
eryt
houghtoft
hem.

Thi
sdaywi
l
lIbegi
ntoputt
hedr
eadoft
heeandt
hef
earoft
hee

upont
henat
ionst
hatar
eundert
hewhol
eheav
en,
whoshal
lhear

r
epor
toft
hee,
andshal
ltr
embl
e,andbei
nangui
shbecauseof

t
hee.2.
25

TheI
srael
i
tesbegi
nbyl
yi
ngaboutt
hei
rtr
uei
ntent
ions.

Theysendmessenger
stoKi
ngSi
honaski
ngt
opass

t
hroughhi
sland,
promi
singt
opayf
orf
oodandwat
er

al
ongt
heway
.

Isentmessenger
s..
.unt
oSi
honki
ngofHeshbonwi
thwor
dsof

peace,
say
ing,
Letmepasst
hrought
hyl
and:
Iwi
l
lgoal
ongbyt
he

hi
ghway
,Iwi
l
lnei
thert
urnunt
other
ighthandnort
othel
eft
.
Thoushal
tsel
lmemeatf
ormoney
,thatImayeat
;andgi
veme

wat
erf
ormoney
,thatImaydr
ink:
onl
yIwi
l
lpasst
hroughonmy

f
eet
.2.
26-
28

Butt
henGodr
unsi
ntoabi
tofapr
obl
em.Whati
fKi
ng

Si
honagr
eest
olett
heI
srael
i
tespasst
hroughhi
sland?

Thent
heI
srael
i
teswoul
dn'
tgett
oki
l
lal
lofhi
speopl
e.

SoGodhasabr
il
li
anti
dea:
he'
l
lhar
denKi
ngSi
hon'
s

hear
tsot
hathewon'
tl
ett
hem pass.[
Itwor
kedsowel
l

wi
tht
hePhar
aoh(
9)t
hatGodt
houghthe'
dtr
yitagai
n

her
e.]

ButSi
honki
ngofHeshbonwoul
dnotl
etuspassbyhi
m:f
ort
he

LORDt
hyGodhar
denedhi
sspi
ri
t,andmadehi
shear
tobst
inat
e,

t
hathemi
ghtdel
i
verhi
mint
othyhand.2.
30

AndGod'
spl
anwor
kedper
fect
ly.Af
terGodhar
dened

Ki
ngSi
hon'
shear
t,her
efusedt
olett
heI
srael
i
tespass

andf
oughtt
opr
otecthi
sland.Whi
chgav
eGodandt
he
I
srael
i
tesal
ltheexcuset
heyneededt
oki
l
ltheki
ngal
ong

wi
thev
eryman,
woman,
andchi
l
dinev
eryci
tyi
nthe

ki
ngdom.

Andt
heLORDourGoddel
i
ver
edhi
m bef
oreus;
andwesmot
e

hi
m,andhi
ssons,
andal
lhi
speopl
e.Andwet
ookal
lhi
sci
ti
esat

t
hatt
ime,
andut
ter
lydest
roy
edt
hemen,
andt
hewomen,
andt
he

l
i
ttl
eones,
ofev
eryci
ty,
wel
eftnonet
oremai
n..
..Ther
ewasnot

oneci
tyt
oost
rongf
orus:
theLORDourGoddel
i
ver
edal
lunt
ous.

2.
33-
36

Somet
imesGodhast
ohar
denahear
tinor
dert
oki
l
l

t
housandsofpeopl
e.

Si
nceev
ery
onei
nev
eryci
tywaski
l
led,
andt
her
eseemed

t
obequi
teaf
ew,
Iguessed1000wer
eki
l
ledf
rom each

off
iveci
ti
es,
forat
otal
of5000.

30.Al
lthemen,
women,

andchi
l
dreni
n60ci
ti
es
Deut
eronomy3.
3-6,
Number
s21.
33-
35

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
60,
000

Ogandt
hepeopl
eofBashan

IsupposeIcoul
dcal
lthi
sGod'
s30t
hto89t
hki
l
li
ngs,

si
ncet
her
emusthav
ebeen60separ
ateki
l
li
ngev
ent
s.I
f

Goddi
dtheki
l
li
nghi
msel
f,hecoul
dhav
edonei
tal
lat

once.Buthewasr
ely
ingonpeopl
etodohi
ski
l
li
ngf
or

hi
m,soi
tmusthav
etakensomet
ime.Fi
rstt
heI
srael
i
tes

hadt
ogot
oci
ty1andki
l
lal
lthemen,
women,
and

chi
l
drent
hatl
i
vedt
her
e,t
henont
oci
ty2,
andsoonup

t
othe60t
hci
ty.Butsi
ncet
heBi
blel
umpsal
l60ki
l
li
ngs

t
oget
her
,Iwi
l
ltoo.

TheBi
bledoesn'
tspendal
otoft
imeont
heseki
l
li
ngs.

Onl
y4v
erses.

Sot
heLORDourGoddel
i
ver
edi
ntoourhandsOgal
so,
theki
ngof

Bashan,
andal
lhi
speopl
e:andwesmot
ehi
m unt
ilnonewasl
eft

t
ohi
mremai
ning.Andwet
ookal
lhi
sci
ti
esatt
hatt
ime,
ther
ewas

notaci
tywhi
chwet
ooknotf
rom t
hem,
thr
eescor
eci
ti
es,
all
the

r
egi
onofAr
gob,
theki
ngdom ofOgi
nBashan..
..Andweut
ter
ly
dest
roy
edt
hem,
aswedi
dunt
oSi
honki
ngofHeshbon,
utt
erl
y

dest
roy
ingt
hemen,
women,
andchi
l
dren,
ofev
eryci
ty.

Deut
eronomy3.
3-6

(
Thest
oryi
sal
sot
oldi
nNumber
s21.
33-
35)

Al
thoughGodi
spr
oudofal
lofhi
ski
l
li
ngs,
hei
s

especi
all
ypr
oudofki
l
li
ngKi
ngOgandhi
speopl
e,si
nce

t
heywer
ethel
astoft
hegi
ant
s.Og,
forexampl
e,hada

bedt
hatwas13.
5feetl
ong!

Foronl
yOgki
ngofBashanr
emai
nedoft
her
emnantofgi
ant
s;

behol
dhi
sbedst
ead.
..ni
necubi
tswast
hel
engt
hther
eof
,andf
our

cubi
tst
hebr
eadt
hofi
t,af
tert
hecubi
tofaman.3.
11

Her
e'swhatMosessay
swhenhe'
sencour
agi
ngJoshuat
o

car
ryonGod'
ski
l
li
ngt
radi
ti
on.

Thi
neey
eshav
eseenal
lthatt
heLORDy
ourGodhat
hdoneunt
o
t
heset
woki
ngs:
soshal
ltheLORDdount
oal
ltheki
ngdoms

whi
thert
houpassest
.Yeshal
lnotf
eart
hem:
fort
heLORDy
our

Godheshal
lfi
ghtf
ory
ou.
..ForwhatGodi
sther
einheav
enori
n

ear
th,
thatcandoaccor
dingt
othywor
ks,
andaccor
dingt
othy

mi
ght
?3.
21-
24

AndMoseshasapoi
nther
e.Whatot
hergodhaski
l
ledas

manyast
heGodoft
heBi
ble?

(
Sincet
heI
srael
i
teski
l
ledev
ery
onei
n60ci
ti
es,
Iputt
he

deat
htol
lat60,
000.
)

31.TheJer
ichomassacr
e

Joshua6.
21

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Thepeopl
eofJer
icho

Jer
ichoi
soneofGod'
smor
efamouski
l
li
ngs.And

bel
i
ever
sseem t
oli
kei
tal
ot.Theysi
ngsongsabouti
t,
andt
ell
thei
rchi
l
drenabouti
t.

Her
e'showi
tgoes.

Godt
ell
sJoshuat
hathehasgi
vent
heci
tyofJer
ichoi
nto

hi
shandsandt
hatheandhi
smenshoul
dmar
char
ound

t
heci
tyev
erydayf
orsi
xday
swi
thsev
enpr
iest
s

mar
chi
ngbef
oret
hear
kbl
owi
ngsev
ent
rumpet
smadeof

r
ams'
hor
ns.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oJoshua,
See,
Ihav
egi
veni
ntot
hinehand

Jer
icho,
andt
heki
ngt
her
eof
,andt
hemi
ght
ymenofv
alour
.And

y
eshal
lcompasst
heci
ty,
all
yemenofwar
,andgor
oundabout

t
heci
tyonce.Thusshal
tthoudosi
xday
s.Andsev
enpr
iest
sshal
l

bearbef
oret
hear
ksev
ent
rumpet
sofr
ams'
hor
ns.Joshua6.
2-4a

Ont
hesev
ent
hdayt
hesev
enpr
iest
swi
l
lmar
char
ound

sev
ent
imesbl
owi
ngt
hei
rsev
ent
rumpet
s.They
'l
lmakea

l
ongbl
ast
,ev
ery
onewi
l
lyel
l
,andt
hewal
l
swi
l
lfal
ldown.
Thesev
ent
hdayy
eshal
lcompasst
heci
tysev
ent
imes,
andt
he

pr
iest
sshal
lbl
owwi
tht
het
rumpet
s.Andi
tshal
lcomet
opass,

t
hatwhent
heymakeal
ongbl
astwi
tht
her
am'
shor
n,andwhen

y
eheart
hesoundoft
het
rumpet
,al
lthepeopl
eshal
lshoutwi
tha

gr
eatshout
;andt
hewal
loft
heci
tyshal
lfal
ldownf
lat
.6.
4b-
5

Sot
het
rumpet
ssoundedandt
hepeopl
eyel
l
edandt
he

wal
l
scamet
umbl
i
ngdown.

Ont
hesev
ent
hday
..
.theycompassedt
heci
tysev
ent
imes.And.
..

att
hesev
ent
hti
me,
whent
hepr
iest
sbl
ewwi
tht
het
rumpet
s,

Joshuasai
dunt
othepeopl
e,Shout
;fort
heLORDhat
hgi
veny
ou

t
heci
ty..
..Sot
hepeopl
eshout
edwhent
hepr
iest
sbl
ewwi
tht
he

t
rumpet
s:and.
..t
hewal
lfel
ldownf
lat
.6.
15-
20

ThenJoshuat
oldt
hesol
dier
stoki
l
lev
ery
onei
ntheci
ty

asanof
fer
ingt
oGod,
exceptf
ort
hepr
ost
it
ute,
Rahab,

andherf
ami
l
y.Butal
lthesi
l
ver
,gol
d,br
onze,
andi
ron

bel
ongedt
oGodal
one.

Theci
tyshal
lbeaccur
sed,
eveni
t,andal
lthatar
ether
ein,
tot
he

LORD:
onl
yRahabt
hehar
lotshal
ll
iv
e,sheandal
lthatar
ewi
th

heri
nthehouse,
becauseshehi
dthemessenger
sthatwesent
.
Andy
e,i
nanywi
sekeepy
our
sel
vesf
rom t
heaccur
sedt
hing,
lest

y
emakey
our
sel
vesaccur
sed,
wheny
etakeoft
heaccur
sedt
hing,

andmaket
hecampofI
srael
acur
se,
andt
roubl
eit
.Butal
lthe

si
l
ver
,andgol
d,andv
essel
sofbr
assandi
ron,
areconsecr
ated

unt
otheLORD:
theyshal
lcomei
ntot
het
reasur
yoft
heLORD.

6.
17-
19

Sot
hesol
dier
swenti
ntot
heci
tyandki
l
ledev
ery
thi
ngi
n

i
t.Men,
women,
young,
old,
cat
tl
e,sheep,
anddonkey
s.

Butt
heyspar
edRahabandherf
ami
l
y.

Theyut
ter
lydest
roy
edal
lthatwasi
ntheci
ty,
bot
hmanand

woman,
youngandol
d,andox,
andsheep,
andass,
wit
htheedge

oft
heswor
d..
..AndJoshuasav
edRahabt
hehar
lotal
i
ve,
andher

f
ather
'shousehol
d,andal
lthatshehad6.
21-
25

(
Rahabandherf
ami
l
ywer
espar
edbecauseshe

pr
otect
edt
heI
srael
i
tespi
esbyl
yi
ngaboutt
hei
r

wher
eabout
s.Idon'
tknowhowt
heysur
viv
edwhent
he

wal
lfel
ldown,
sinceherhousewasont
hewal
l
.Iguessi
t

wasami
racl
eorsomet
hing.
)

Thent
heybur
nedev
ery
thi
ngi
ntheci
ty,
exceptf
ort
he
gol
d,si
l
ver
,ir
on,
andbr
onze,
whi
cht
heyputi
ntoGod'
s

t
reasur
y.

Theybur
ntt
heci
tywi
thf
ir
e,andal
lthatwast
her
ein:
onl
ythe

si
l
ver
,andt
hegol
d,andt
hev
essel
sofbr
assandofi
ron,
theyput

i
ntot
het
reasur
yoft
hehouseoft
heLORD.6.
24

Af
terdest
roy
ingJer
icho,
Joshuasai
dthatwhoev
err
ebui
l
t

t
heci
tywoul
dbecur
sedbyGodandbef
orcedt
o

sacr
if
icehi
sol
destandy
oungestsons.

Joshuaadj
uredt
hem att
hatt
ime,
say
ing,
Cur
sedbet
heman

bef
oret
heLORD,
thatr
iset
hupandbui
l
det
hthi
sci
tyJer
icho:
he

shal
ll
ayt
hef
oundat
iont
her
eofi
nhi
sfi
rst
bor
n,andi
nhi
syoungest

sonshal
lhesetupt
hegat
esofi
t.6.
26

(
Accor
dingt
o1Ki
ngs16.
34,
thi
spr
ophecywasf
ulf
il
led

whenHi
elr
ebui
l
tJer
icho.Godmadehi
mlayt
he

f
oundat
ionwi
tht
hebodyofhi
sol
destsonandsetupt
he

gat
eswi
thhi
syoungestson'
sbody"
accor
dingt
othe

wor
doft
heLor
d."
)
Est
imat
ednumberki
l
led:
1000.

32.Achanandhi
sfami
l
y

ar
est
onedandbur
nedt
o

deat
h

Joshua7.
24-
26

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
Atl
east5

Achanandhi
sfami
l
y

Thest
orybegi
nswi
thJoshuasendi
ngspi
est
othel
andof

Ai
.Thespi
esr
etur
nsay
ingAi
woul
dbeeasyt
oconquer
,

r
equi
ri
ngonl
yaf
ewt
housandmen.
Joshuasentmenf
rom Jer
ichot
oAi
...andspakeunt
othem,

say
ing,
Goupandv
iewt
hecount
ry.Andt
hemenwentupand

v
iewedAi
.Andt
heyr
etur
nedt
oJoshua,
andsai
d..
.l
etaboutt
wo

ort
hreet
housandmengoupandsmi
teAi
...f
ort
heyar
ebutf
ew.

Joshua7.
2-3

SoJoshuasent3,
000sol
dier
s,butt
heywer
edef
eat
edby

t
hemenofAi
,whoki
l
ledabout36oft
hem.

Sot
her
ewentupt
hit
heroft
hepeopl
eaboutt
hreet
housandmen:

andt
heyf
ledbef
oret
hemenofAi
.Andt
hemenofAi
smot
eof

t
hem aboutt
hir
tyandsi
xmen.7.
4-5

WhenJoshuahear
dwhathadhappened,
het
orehi
s

cl
othes,
fel
lonhi
sface,
andputdi
rtonhi
shead,
ther
eby

pr
ovi
ngt
hathewasar
eal
Bibl
echar
act
er.

Joshuar
enthi
scl
othes,
andf
ell
tot
heear
thuponhi
sfacebef
ore

t
hear
koft
heLORDunt
ilt
heev
ent
ide,
heandt
heel
der
sofI
srael
,

andputdustupont
hei
rheads.7.
6

Het
henaskedGodwhyt
heywer
edef
eat
ed.
Joshuasai
d,Al
as,
LORDGod,
wher
efor
ehastt
houatal
lbr
ought

t
hispeopl
eov
erJor
dan,
todel
i
verusi
ntot
hehandoft
he

Amor
it
es,
todest
royus?7.
7

Godt
oldJoshuat
ogetupof
fhi
sface.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oJoshua,
Gett
heeup;
wher
efor
eNestt
hout
hus

upont
hyf
ace?7.
10

Andt
henGodsai
dthatt
heI
srael
i
teswer
edef
eat
edbyAi

becausesomeonet
ookanaccur
sedt
hingdur
ingt
he

Jer
ichoMassacr
e.

I
srael
hat
hsi
nned.
..f
ort
heyhav
eev
ent
akenoft
heaccur
sed

t
hing.
..andt
heyhav
eputi
tev
enamongt
hei
rownst
uff
.

Ther
efor
ethechi
l
drenofI
srael
coul
dnotst
andbef
oret
hei
r

enemi
es,
butt
urnedt
hei
rbacksbef
oret
hei
renemi
es,
because

t
heywer
eaccur
sed:
nei
therwi
l
lIbewi
thy
ouanymor
e,excepty
e

dest
royt
heaccur
sedf
rom amongy
ou.7.
11-
12

Godt
oldJoshuawhatheneededt
odot
ogetbackt
o

successf
ulgenoci
de:
bur
ntodeat
hthemanwi
tht
he
accur
sedt
hing,
alongwi
thhi
sfami
l
y.

Het
hati
stakenwi
tht
heaccur
sedt
hingshal
lbebur
ntwi
thf
ir
e,he

andal
lthathehat
h.7.
15

Godev
enpoi
ntedoutt
heguy
.Hi
snamewasAchan.

I
nthemor
ningt
her
efor
eyeshal
lbebr
oughtaccor
dingt
oyour

t
ri
bes:
andi
tshal
lbe,
thatt
het
ri
bewhi
cht
heLORDt
aket
hshal
l

comeaccor
dingt
othef
ami
l
iest
her
eof
;andt
hef
ami
l
ywhi
cht
he

LORDshal
ltakeshal
lcomebyhousehol
ds;
andt
hehousehol
d

whi
cht
heLORDshal
ltakeshal
lcomemanbyman..
..SoJoshua

r
oseupear
lyi
nthemor
ning,
andbr
oughtI
srael
byt
hei
rtr
ibes;

andt
het
ri
beofJudahwast
aken:
Andhebr
oughtt
hef
ami
l
yof

Judah;
andhet
ookt
hef
ami
l
yoft
heZar
hit
es:
andhebr
oughtt
he

f
ami
l
yoft
heZar
hit
esmanbyman;
andZabdi
wast
aken:
Andhe

br
oughthi
shousehol
dmanbyman;
andAchan,
thesonofCar
mi,

t
hesonofZabdi
,thesonofZer
ah,
oft
het
ri
beofJudah,
was

t
aken.7.
14-
18

SoJoshuaor
der
edAchant
oconf
ess.

Joshuasai
dunt
oAchan.
..makeconf
essi
onunt
ohi
m;andt
ell
me
nowwhatt
houhastdone;
hidei
tnotf
rom me.7.
19

Andhedi
d.

Achananswer
edJoshua,
andsai
d,I
ndeedIhav
esi
nnedagai
nst

t
heLORDGodofI
srael
,andt
husandt
hushav
eIdone:
WhenI

sawamongt
hespoi
l
sagoodl
yBaby
loni
shgar
ment
,andt
wo

hundr
edshekel
sofsi
l
ver
,andawedgeofgol
doff
if
tyshekel
s

wei
ght
,thenIcov
etedt
hem,
andt
ookt
hem;
and,
behol
d,t
heyar
e

hi
dint
heear
thi
nthemi
dstofmyt
ent
,andt
hesi
l
verunderi
t.

7.
20-
21

Joshuat
henr
oundedupAchan,
hisf
ami
l
y,hi
sli
vest
ock,

andal
lthei
rpossessi
ons."
Andal
lIsr
ael
stonedt
hem

wi
thst
onesandbur
nedt
hem wi
thf
ir
e,af
tert
heyhad

st
onedt
hem wi
thst
ones.
"Andt
hatmadeGodl
ess

angr
y.

AndJoshua.
..
tookAchan.
..andhi
ssons,
andhi
sdaught
ers,
and

hi
soxen,
andhi
sasses,
andhi
ssheep.
..AndJoshuasai
d,Why

hastt
hout
roubl
edus?t
heLORDshal
ltr
oubl
etheet
hisday
.Andal
l

I
srael
stonedhi
m wi
thst
ones,
andbur
nedt
hem wi
thf
ir
e,af
ter
t
heyhadst
onedt
hem wi
thst
ones..
..Sot
heLORDt
urnedf
rom t
he

f
ier
cenessofhi
sanger
.7.
24-
26

Si
nceAchan'
ssonsanddaught
erswer
est
onedand

bur
nedal
ongwi
thhi
m,t
her
emusthav
ebeenatl
east5

v
ict
imsher
e.(
Noment
ioni
smadeofhi
swi
fe.
)

33.TheAi
massacr
e

Joshua8.
21-
29

NumberKi
l
led:
12,
000

Theki
ngandpeopl
eofAi

Af
terst
oni
ngandbur
ningt
odeat
hAchanandhi
sfami
l
y

(
32)
,Joshuawasbacki
nthegenoci
debusi
ness.

Godt
oldJoshuat
odount
oAi
ast
heydi
dunt
oJer
icho,

exceptt
hatt
hist
imet
heI
srael
i
tescoul
dkeepsomeoft
he

l
ootf
ort
hemsel
ves(
inst
eadofgi
vi
ngi
tal
ltohi
m).
Thoushal
tdot
oAi
andherki
ngast
houdi
dstunt
oJer
ichoandher

ki
ng:
onl
ythespoi
lther
eof
,andt
hecat
tl
ether
eof
,shal
lyet
akef
or

apr
eyunt
oyour
sel
ves.Joshua8.
2

Sot
hat
'swhatt
heydi
d.

Theyki
l
ledt
hesol
dier
s,

Joshuaandal
lIsr
ael
...sl
ewt
hemenofAi
...sot
hatt
heyl
etnone

oft
hem r
emai
norescape.8.
21-
22

mur
der
edal
lthewomenandchi
l
dren,

Joshuadr
ewnothi
shandback,
wher
ewi
thhest
ret
chedoutt
he

spear
,unt
ilhehadut
ter
lydest
roy
edal
lthei
nhabi
tant
sofAi
.8.
26

bur
nedt
heci
ty,

Joshuabur
ntAi
,andmadei
tanheapf
orev
er.8.
28

ki
l
ledt
heKi
ngofAi
,andhunghi
sdeadbodyonat
ree.

Theki
ngofAi
hehangedonat
reeunt
ilev
ent
ide.8.
29

Justl
i
keGodt
oldt
hem t
odo.
And,
final
l
y,af
tert
heywer
edoneki
l
li
ngal
lthepeopl
e,

Joshuaki
l
ledsomeani
mal
sasa"
peaceof
fer
ing"t
ohi
s

bl
oodygodofwar
.

ThenJoshuabui
l
tanal
tarunt
otheLORD.
..and.
..of
fer
edt
her
eon

bur
ntof
fer
ingsunt
otheLORD,
andsacr
if
icedpeaceof
fer
ings.

8:
30-
31

Onet
hingIr
eal
l
yli
keaboutt
hisst
ory(
What
'snott
o

l
i
ke?
)ist
hatt
hist
imeIdon'
thav
etoguesst
henumber

ofv
ict
ims.TheBi
blet
ell
sushowmanywer
eki
l
led:

12,
000.

And.
..al
lthatf
ell
thatday
,bot
hofmenandwomen,
wer
etwel
ve

t
housand.8.
25
'
1

JP'

Zf
c-kt
A.y

&*
PP

'
i

x'
■-■?
;>r

■"
^
Vi

•
..

,
A^T

^
^Hf
i
»

34.Godst
opst
hesunso

t
hatJoshuacangethi
s

ki
l
li
ngdonei
nthe

day
li
ght

Joshua10.
10-
12

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
5,000

Amor
it
es

Joshuaandt
heI
srael
i
tessl
aught
eredorensl
avedt
he

peopl
efr
om ev
eryci
tyt
hatt
heycameacr
oss.Theyki
l
led

ev
ery
onei
nJer
icho(31)andAi
(33)andensl
avedt
he
peopl
eofGi
beon(
Joshua9.
21-
27)
.Sot
henei
ghbor
ing

ci
ti
eswer
eget
ti
ngki
ndofner
vous.

Fi
veki
ngsf
rom t
heseci
ti
es(
theAmor
it
ecoal
i
tion)

deci
dedt
oat
tackt
heI
srael
i
tes.ThenGodget
sinv
olv
ed.

Godt
ell
sJoshuanott
owor
ry;
hehasgi
vent
heAmor
it
es

i
ntoJoshua'
shand,
andt
heAmor
it
eswoul
djustr
un

awaywhent
heywer
eat
tacked.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oJoshua,
Feart
hem not
:forIhav
edel
i
ver
ed

t
hem i
ntot
hinehand;
ther
eshal
lnotamanoft
hem st
andbef
ore

t
hee.Joshua10.
8

SoJoshuaat
tacked,
buti
twasGodwhodi
dmostoft
he

di
rt
ywor
k.He"
discomf
it
edt
hem"andev
en"
chased

t
hem al
ongt
heway
."

TheLORDdi
scomf
it
edt
hem bef
oreI
srael
,andsl
ewt
hem wi
tha

gr
eatsl
aught
eratGi
beon,
andchasedt
hem al
ongt
heway
.10.
10

ButGodwasj
ustget
ti
ngst
art
ed.Het
hrewdownf
rom
heav
engi
anthai
l
stonesandki
l
ledev
enmor
eAmor
it
e

sol
dier
sthant
heI
srael
i
tear
my.

TheLORDcastdowngr
eatst
onesf
rom heav
enupont
hem unt
o

Azekah,
andt
heydi
ed:
theywer
emor
ewhi
chdi
edwi
thhai
l
stones

t
hant
heywhom t
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
slewwi
tht
heswor
d.10.
11

ThenGodmadet
hesunandmoonst
opmov
ingf
or24

hour
ssot
hatJoshuawoul
dhav
epl
ent
yofday
li
ghtt
o

f
ini
shki
l
li
ngof
ftheAmor
it
es.(
Itwast
hisv
erse,
among

ot
her
s,t
hatgotGal
i
leoi
nsomucht
roubl
e.I
fGod

st
oppedt
hesunf
rom mov
ing,
thent
hesunmov
es

ar
oundt
heear
th.
)

ThenspakeJoshuat
otheLORDi
nthedaywhent
heLORD

del
i
ver
edupt
heAmor
it
es.
..Sun,
standt
houst
il
luponGi
beon;

andt
hou,
Moon,
int
hev
all
eyofAj
alon.Andt
hesunst
oodst
il
l,
and

t
hemoonst
ayed,
unt
ilt
hepeopl
ehadav
engedt
hemsel
vesupon

t
hei
renemi
es..
..Sot
hesunst
oodst
il
li
nthemi
dstofheav
en,
and
hast
ednott
ogodownaboutawhol
eday
.10.
12-
13

Soi
nthi
ski
l
li
ng,
Godgotdi
rect
lyi
nvol
ved.He

sl
aught
eredpeopl
e,"
chasedt
hem al
ongt
heway
,"cast

downhugehai
l
stonesf
rom heav
en,
and,
atJoshua'
s

r
equest
,hest
oppedt
hesunf
rom mov
ingf
or24hour
s.

Youj
ustcan'
taskmuchmor
efr
om aGodt
hant
hat
.

Her
e'showt
heBi
bleput
sit
.

Ther
ewasnodayl
i
ket
hatbef
orei
toraf
teri
t,t
hatt
heLORD

hear
kenedunt
othev
oiceofaman:
fort
heLORDf
oughtf
orI
srael
.

10.
14

(
Sincet
heAmor
it
ecoal
i
tionconsi
stedof5ci
ti
es,
Iput

t
henumberki
l
ledat5000.1000f
oreachci
ty.
)

35.Fi
veki
ngski
l
ledand

hungont
rees
Joshua10.
20-
26

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
10,
000

Fi
veAmor
it
eKi
ngsandt
hei
rsol
dier
s

I
nhi
slastki
l
li
ng(
34'
),
Godgotr
ighti
nther
eand"
fought

f
orI
srael
."He"
discomf
it
edt
hem .
..andsl
ewt
hem wi
tha

gr
eatsl
aught
er.
..andchasedt
hem al
ongt
heway
."He

"
castdowngr
eatst
onesf
rom heav
en"andmadet
hesun

(
andmoon)st
andst
il
lst
il
lsot
hatJoshuacoul
dgethi
s

ki
l
li
ngdonei
nthebr
oadday
li
ght
.Godhadn'
tbeenso

busysi
ncehemadeal
lthest
arsi
nasi
ngl
eday
.

Butwhi
l
eGodwasbusychasi
ngpeopl
e,t
hrowi
ngst
ones,

andst
oppi
ngt
hesunandt
hemoonf
rom mov
ing,
the

f
iveki
ngsgotaway
.Theywer
ehol
edupi
nacav
eli
ke

Bi
nLaden.
Butt
hesef
iveki
ngsf
led,
andhi
dthemsel
vesi
nacav
eat

Makkedah.Joshua10.
16

Whent
heI
srael
i
tesf
oundt
hem,
Joshuat
oldt
hem t
orol
l

somebi
gst
onesov
ert
hemout
hoft
hecav
etot
rap

t
hem,
andt
henchaseandki
l
lanyoft
heAmor
it
esol
dier
s

t
hatwer
etr
yingt
ogetaway
.Het
oldt
hem t
o"smi
tet
he

hi
ndmostoft
hem"(
kickt
hei
rbut
ts)
.

Pur
sueaf
tery
ourenemi
es,
andsmi
tet
hehi
ndmostoft
hem;
suf
fer

t
hem nott
oent
eri
ntot
hei
rci
ti
es:
fort
heLORDy
ourGodhat
h

del
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntoy
ourhand.10.
19

Sot
hat
'swhatt
heydi
d.

Andi
tcamet
opass,
whenJoshuaandt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
had

madeanendofsl
ayi
ngt
hem wi
thav
erygr
eatsl
aught
er,
til
lthey

wer
econsumed.10.
20
Thent
heyopenedupt
hecav
eandbr
oughtt
hef
iveki
ngs

t
oJoshua.Heandhi
scapt
ainst
hendosomet
hing

st
range:
theyputt
hei
rfeetont
henecksoft
heki
ngs.

Joshua.
..sai
dunt
othecapt
ainsoft
hemenofwarwhi
chwent

wi
thhi
m,Comenear
,puty
ourf
eetupont
henecksoft
heseki
ngs.

Andt
heycamenear
,andputt
hei
rfeetupont
henecksoft
hem.

10.
24

Whi
l
etheyar
edoi
ngt
his,
Joshuasay
s

Thusshal
ltheLORDdot
oal
lyourenemi
esagai
nstwhom y
efi
ght
.

10.
25

SoIguessGoddoest
hist
ohi
senemi
es,
too.

Af
terJoshuawi
thdr
awshi
sfeetf
rom t
heki
ngs'
necks,
he

doeswhathedoesbest
:heki
l
lst
hem.

Joshuasmot
ethem,
andsl
ewt
hem.10.
26a
Andhangst
hei
rdeadbodi
esont
reesunt
ilev
eni
ng.

Andhangedt
hem onf
ivet
rees:
andt
heywer
ehangi
ngupont
he

t
reesunt
ilt
heev
eni
ng.10.
26b

Thenhet
ookdownt
hei
rbodi
es,
putt
hem backi
nthe

cav
ethatt
heywer
ehi
dingi
n,andcov
eredt
heent
rance

t
othecav
ewi
thabunchofr
ocks.Ther
ocksar
est
il
l

t
her
etot
hisday
.Noki
ddi
ng.

Theyt
ookt
hem downof
fthet
rees,
andcastt
hem i
ntot
hecav
e

wher
eint
heyhadbeenhi
d,andl
aidgr
eatst
onesi
nthecav
e's

mout
h,whi
chr
emai
nunt
ilt
hisv
eryday
.10.
27

(
Iputt
hedeat
htol
lfort
he"
ver
ygr
eatsl
aught
er"of

Joshua10.
20at10,
000.
)

36.Joshuaut
ter
ly

dest
roy
edal
lthat
br
eat
hedast
heLor
dGod

commanded

Joshua10.
28-
42

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
7,000

Sev
enki
ngsandal
lthei
rpeopl
e

Thet
it
lepr
ett
ymuchsay
sital
lont
hisone.I
t'
ski
ndof

bor
ingr
eadi
ngt
hough.

Joshuat
ookMakkedah,
andsmot
eitwi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d,

andt
heki
ngt
her
eofheut
ter
lydest
roy
ed,
them,
andal
lthesoul
s

t
hatwer
ether
ein;
hel
etnoner
emai
n:andhedi
dtot
heki
ngof

Makkedahashedi
dunt
otheki
ngofJer
icho.Joshua10.
28

Thesamet
hinghappensi
nthesamewaysev
ent
imes,
all

i
naboutadozenv
ersesorso.
ThenJoshua.
..f
oughtagai
nstLi
bnah:
Andt
heLORDdel
i
ver
edi
t

al
so.
..andhesmot
eitwi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d,andal
lthe

soul
sthatwer
ether
ein;
hel
etnoner
emai
n.10.
29-
30

TheLORDdel
i
ver
edLachi
shi
ntot
hehandofI
srael
,whi
cht
ooki
t..
.

andsmot
eitwi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d,andal
lthesoul
sthat

wer
ether
ein.10.
32

ThenHor
am ki
ngofGezercameupt
ohel
pLachi
sh;
andJoshua

smot
ehi
m andhi
speopl
e,unt
ilhehadl
efthi
m noner
emai
ning.

10.
33

Joshuapassedunt
oEgl
on.
..andsmot
eitwi
tht
heedgeoft
he

swor
d,andal
lthesoul
sthatwer
ether
einheut
ter
lydest
roy
edt
hat

day
.10.
34-
35

Joshuawentup.
..unt
oHebr
on;
andt
heyf
oughtagai
nsti
t:And

t
heyt
ooki
t,andsmot
eitwi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d,andt
heki
ng

t
her
eof
,andal
ltheci
ti
est
her
eof
,andal
lthesoul
sthatwer
e

t
her
ein;
hel
eftnoner
emai
ning.10.
36-
37

Joshuar
etur
ned,
andal
lIsr
ael
wit
hhi
m,t
oDebi
r;andf
ought
agai
nsti
t:Andhet
ooki
t,andt
heki
ngt
her
eof
,andal
ltheci
ti
es

t
her
eof
;andt
heysmot
ethem wi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d,and

ut
ter
lydest
roy
edal
lthesoul
sthatwer
ether
ein;
hel
eftnone

r
emai
ning.10.
38-
39

SoJoshuasmot
eal
lthecount
ryoft
hehi
l
ls,
andoft
hesout
h,and

oft
hev
ale,
andoft
hespr
ings,
andal
lthei
rki
ngs:
hel
eftnone

r
emai
ning,
butut
ter
lydest
roy
edal
lthatbr
eat
hed,
ast
heLORD

GodofI
srael
commanded.10.
40

Andal
ltheseki
ngsandt
hei
rlanddi
dJoshuat
akeatonet
ime,

becauset
heLORDGodofI
srael
foughtf
orI
srael
.10.
42

SoGoddel
i
ver
edsev
enki
ngdomsandJoshuaki
l
led

ev
ery
onei
neachki
ngdom "
wit
htheedgeoft
heswor
d."

Andy
oucan'
tbl
amei
tal
lonJoshua,
eit
her
.Hewasj
ust

f
oll
owi
ngor
der
s,dest
roy
ingev
ery
thi
ngt
hatbr
eat
hed,
"as

t
heLor
dGodofI
srael
commanded.
"

(
Est
imat
ednumberofv
ict
ims:
7000,
1000f
rom eachof

sev
enci
ti
es.
)
37.Thegenoci
deof

t
went
yki
ngdoms

Joshua11.
6-20

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
20,
000

Jabi
n,Jobab,
andt
hepeopl
eofHazor

I
nGod'
slastki
l
li
ng(
36"
),ev
ery
onei
nsev
enci
ti
eswas

massacr
ed,
alongwi
tht
heki
ngs,
wit
hthel
andt
akenby

t
heI
srael
i
tes.WhenKi
ngJabi
nofHazorhear
dabouti
t,

hesental
ett
ert
oal
lthesur
roundi
ngki
ngdoms(
those

t
hathadn'
tyetbeensl
aught
eredbyt
heI
srael
i
tes)t
ofor
m

acoal
i
tiont
odef
endagai
nstt
heI
srael
i
tes.
WhenJabi
nki
ngofHazorhadhear
dthoset
hings,
thathesentt
o

Jobabki
ngofMadon,
andt
otheki
ngofShi
mron,
andt
otheki
ng

ofAchshaph,
Andt
otheki
ngst
hatwer
eont
henor
thoft
he

mount
ains,
andoft
hepl
ainssout
hofChi
nner
oth,
andi
nthev
all
ey,

andi
nthebor
der
sofDoront
hewest
,Andt
otheCanaani
teont
he

eastandont
hewest
,andt
otheAmor
it
e,andt
heHi
tt
it
e,andt
he

Per
izzi
te,
andt
heJebusi
tei
nthemount
ains,
andt
otheHi
vi
te

underHer
moni
nthel
andofMi
zpeh.Joshua11.
1-3

Andi
twor
ked,
too.Al
ltheki
ngs(
around20orso)

j
oinedt
hecoal
i
tion,
for
minganar
mywi
thmor
esol
dier
s

t
hant
hegr
ainsofsandonal
ltheocean'
sbeaches.

Andt
heywentout
,theyandal
lthei
rhost
swi
tht
hem,
much

peopl
e,ev
enast
hesandt
hati
supont
heseashor
einmul
ti
tude,

wi
thhor
sesandchar
iot
sver
ymany
.Andwhenal
ltheseki
ngs

wer
emett
oget
her
,theycameandpi
tchedt
oget
heratt
hewat
ers

ofMer
om,
tof
ightagai
nstI
srael
.11.
4-5

ButGodt
oldJoshuanott
obeaf
rai
dbecauset
omor
row

hewoul
dki
l
lthem al
landdel
i
vert
hei
rdeadbodi
est
o
Joshua.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oJoshua,
Benotaf
rai
dbecauseoft
hem:
fort
o

mor
rowaboutt
hist
imewi
l
lIdel
i
vert
hem upal
lsl
ainbef
ore

I
srael
.11.
6a

Godt
oldJoshuat
ohamst
ri
ng(
"hough"i
ntheKJV)t
hei
r

hor
sesandbur
nthei
rchar
iot
s.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oJoshua.
..t
houshal
thought
hei
rhor
ses,
and

bur
nthei
rchar
iot
swi
thf
ir
e.11.
6b

Andt
hat
'swhathappened.

TheLORDdel
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntot
hehandofI
srael
,whosmot
ethem

.
..unt
ilt
heyl
eftt
hem noner
emai
ning.AndJoshuadi
dunt
othem

ast
heLORDbadehi
m:hehoughedt
hei
rhor
ses,
andbur
ntt
hei
r

char
iot
swi
thf
ir
e.11.
8-9

TheI
srael
i
teski
l
ledt
heKi
ngJabi
nofHazorandhi
s

peopl
eunt
il"
ther
ewasnotanyl
eftt
obr
eat
he.
"
Joshua.
..t
ookHazor
,andsmot
etheki
ngt
her
eofwi
tht
heswor
d:

f
orHazorbef
oret
imewast
heheadofal
lthoseki
ngdoms.Andt
hey

smot
eal
lthesoul
sthatwer
ether
einwi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d,

ut
ter
lydest
roy
ingt
hem:
ther
ewasnotanyl
eftt
obr
eat
he:
andhe

bur
ntHazorwi
thf
ir
e.11.
10-
11

Thent
heydi
dthesamet
oal
loft
heot
herki
ngsandci
ti
es

i
nKi
ngJabi
n'
scoal
i
tion.

Al
ltheci
ti
esoft
hoseki
ngs,
andal
ltheki
ngsoft
hem,
didJoshua

t
ake,
andsmot
ethem wi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d,andheut
ter
ly

dest
roy
edt
hem,
asMosest
heser
vantoft
heLORDcommanded.

11.
12

Joshua,
ofcour
se,
kil
l
edal
ltheki
ngs.

SoJoshuat
ook.
..al
lthei
rki
ngs.
..andsmot
ethem,
andsl
ew

t
hem.11.
16-
17

Butt
hemostdi
sgust
ingt
hingaboutt
hiswhol
ebl
oody
,
genoci
dal
aff
airi
sthati
twascompl
etel
yunnecessar
y.

Godpur
posef
ull
yhar
denedt
heki
ngs'
hear
tssot
hathe

woul
dhav
eanexcuset
oki
l
lthem,
alongwi
thal
lthe

men,
women,
chi
l
dren,
andbabi
esi
nthei
rki
ngdoms.

Fori
twasoft
heLORDt
ohar
dent
hei
rhear
ts,
thatt
heyshoul
d

comeagai
nstI
srael
inbat
tl
e,t
hathemi
ghtdest
royt
hem ut
ter
ly,

andt
hatt
heymi
ghthav
enof
avour
,butt
hathemi
ghtdest
roy

t
hem,
ast
heLORDcommandedMoses.11.
20

(
Iest
imat
ed20,
000f
ort
hiski
l
li
ng,
1000f
rom each

ki
ngdom.
)

38.TheAnaki
m:Some

mor
egi
antki
l
li
ng

Joshua11.
21-
22
Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
5,000

TheAnaki
m(gi
ant
s)

We'
vef
inal
l
ymadei
ttot
hel
astofGod'
ski
l
li
ngsi
n

Joshua.Andal
thought
hisonei
spr
ett
yunspect
acul
ar,
it

doesi
nvol
vesomegi
antki
l
li
ng.

I
fyour
ememberbacki
nki
l
li
ng28.Godki
l
ledev
ery
one

i
nthe"
landoft
hegi
ant
s."Her
ehehel
psJoshuadoi
t

agai
n.

Thev
ict
imswer
etheAnaki
m,whoar
edescr
ibed

el
sewher
eint
heBi
ble(
Deut
eronomy1.
28,
2.10,
2.21,

and9.
2)as"
apeopl
egr
eatandt
all
"—whi
chi
sbi
blespeak

f
or"
giant
s."

Joshua.
..cutof
ftheAnaki
msf
rom t
hemount
ains,
from Hebr
on,

f
rom Debi
r,f
rom Anab,
andf
rom al
lthemount
ainsofJudah,
and

f
rom al
lthemount
ainsofI
srael
:Joshuadest
roy
edt
hem ut
ter
ly

wi
tht
hei
rci
ti
es.Ther
ewasnoneoft
heAnaki
msl
efti
nthel
andof

t
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
.Joshua11.
21-
22
Si
nceJoshuaut
ter
lydest
roy
edal
lthei
rci
ti
esandno

Anaki
m wer
elef
tal
i
ve,
Iest
imat
edt
henumberofv
ict
ims

t
obe5000.

39.TheLor
ddel
i
ver
ed

t
heCanaani
tesandt
he

Per
izzi
tes

Judges1.
4

NumberKi
l
led:
10,
000

Canaani
tesandt
hePer
izzi
tes

Af
terJoshuadi
ed,
theI
srael
i
teswonder
edwhowas

goi
ngt
odot
hei
rki
l
li
ngf
ort
hem.Sot
heyaskedGod.

Af
tert
hedeat
hofJoshua.
..
thechi
l
drenofI
srael
askedt
heLORD,

say
ing,
Whoshal
lgoupf
orusagai
nstt
heCanaani
tesf
ir
st,
tof
ight

agai
nstt
hem?Judges1.
1
Wel
l
,atl
eastt
heyaskedt
her
ightper
son.

Godt
oldt
hem nott
owor
ry;
hehadsel
ect
edt
het
ri
beof

Judaht
oki
l
ltheCanaani
tesandst
eal
thei
rland.

TheLORDsai
d,Judahshal
lgoup:
behol
d,Ihav
edel
i
ver
edt
he

l
andi
ntohi
shand.1.
2

Thef
ir
stki
l
li
ngwaseasy
,si
nceGoddel
i
ver
edt
hem i
nto

t
hei
rhand,
kil
l
ing10,
000Canaani
tesandPer
izzi
tes.

Judahwentup;
andt
heLORDdel
i
ver
edt
heCanaani
tesandt
he

Per
izzi
tesi
ntot
hei
rhand:
andt
heysl
ewoft
hem i
nBezekt
en

t
housandmen.1.
4

Af
tert
heBezekmassacr
e,t
heycapt
uredki
ngAdoni
bezek

andcutof
fhi
sthumbsandbi
gtoes.

ButAdoni
bez
ekf
led;
andt
heypur
suedaf
terhi
m,andcaughthi
m,

andcutof
fhi
sthumbsandhi
sgr
eatt
oes.1.
6
Whi
chIguesswast
opayhi
m backf
ordoi
ngt
hesamet
o

sev
ent
yot
herki
ngs.(
Adoni
bezekf
edhi
stabl
escr
apst
o

sev
ent
ythumbl
essandbi
gtoe-
lesski
ngswhol
i
vedunder

hi
sdi
nnert
abl
e.)

Adoni
bezeksai
d,Thr
eescor
eandt
enki
ngs,
hav
ingt
hei
rthumbs

andt
hei
rgr
eatt
oescutof
f,gat
her
edt
hei
rmeatundermyt
abl
e:

asIhav
edone,
soGodhat
hrequi
tedme.1.
7a

Thent
heybr
oughtAdoni
bezekt
oJer
usal
em,
wher
ehe

di
ed.

Andt
heybr
oughthi
mtoJer
usal
em,
andt
her
ehedi
ed.1.
7b

40.TheJer
usal
em

massacr
e

Judges1.
8

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Thepeopl
eofJer
usal
em
Thi
sisoneoft
heBi
ble'
sshor
terst
ori
es,
soi
t'
seasyt
o

mi
ss.Al
ltheact
ioni
spackedi
ntoonev
erse.

Nowt
hechi
l
drenofJudahhadf
oughtagai
nstJer
usal
em,
andhad

t
akeni
t,andsmi
tt
eni
twi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d,andsett
heci
ty

onf
ir
e.Judges1.
8

Thi
sver
sedoesn'
tsayt
hatGodhadany
thi
ngt
odowi
th

t
hemassacr
e,butt
hecont
extmakesi
tcl
eart
hathedi
d.

Godchoset
het
ri
beofJudaht
oki
l
ltheCanaani
tesand

"
del
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntot
hei
rhand.
"

Nowaf
tert
hedeat
hofJoshuai
tcamet
opass,
thatt
hechi
l
drenof

I
srael
askedt
heLORD,
say
ing,
Whoshal
lgoupf
orusagai
nstt
he

Canaani
tesf
ir
st,
tof
ightagai
nstt
hem?Andt
heLORDsai
d,Judah

shal
lgoup:
behol
d,Ihav
edel
i
ver
edt
hel
andi
ntohi
shand.
..And

Judahwentup;
andt
heLORDdel
i
ver
edt
heCanaani
tesandt
he

Per
izzi
tesi
ntot
hei
rhand.1:
1-4
SoGoddeser
vest
hecr
edi
t(ort
hebl
ame)f
ort
he

Jer
usal
em massacr
e,al
ongwi
tht
heot
herki
l
li
ngsi
n

Judges1.

Si
ncet
hiswasj
ustanor
dinar
ymassacr
e,Igav
e1000f
or

t
henumberofv
ict
ims.

41.Fi
vemassacr
es,
a

weddi
ng,
andsomeGod-

pr
oofi
ronchar
iot
s

Judges1.
10-
25

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
5,000

Fi
veci
ti
es

Thi
sisahodgepodgeofki
l
li
ngsf
rom t
her
estofJudges

1.
Af
tert
heJer
usal
em Massacr
e(40)
,the"
chi
l
drenof

Judah"goonaGod-
assi
stedsmi
ti
ngspr
ee,
wipi
ngouta

bunchofki
ngdoms"
wit
htheedgeoft
heswor
d."

Youcanr
eadal
labouti
tinJudges1.
10-
25,
ify
our
eal
l
y

wantt
o.

I
t'
shar
dtosayhowmanyci
ti
eswer
emassacr
ed.But

t
her
ewer
eatl
eastf
ive:
thr
eei
nHebr
on,
onei
nZephat
h

andBet
hel
.

Judahwentagai
nstt
heCanaani
test
hatdwel
tinHebr
on.
..and

t
heysl
ewSheshai
,andAhi
man,
andTal
mai
.Judges1.
10

Judahwentwi
thSi
meonhi
sbr
other
,andt
heysl
ewt
heCanaani
tes

t
hati
nhabi
tedZephat
h,andut
ter
lydest
roy
edi
t.1.
17

Andt
heyal
sowentupagai
nstBet
hel
:andt
heLORDwaswi
th

t
hem..
..Andt
hespi
essawamancomef
ort
houtoft
heci
ty,
and

t
heysai
dunt
ohi
m,Shewus,
wepr
ayt
hee,
theent
rancei
ntot
he

ci
ty,
andwewi
l
lshewt
heemer
cy.Andwhenheshewedt
hem t
he
ent
rancei
ntot
heci
ty,
theysmot
etheci
tywi
tht
heedgeoft
he

swor
d;butt
heyl
etgot
hemanandal
lhi
sfami
l
y.1.
22-
25

Andt
her
ewoul
dhav
ebeenal
otmor
eifi
twer
en'
tfor

t
hosedamnedi
ronchar
iot
s.Somet
hingsar
ejustt
oo

har
d,ev
enf
orGod.

TheLORDwaswi
thJudah;
andhedr
aveoutt
hei
nhabi
tant
soft
he

mount
ain;
butcoul
dnotdr
iveoutt
hei
nhabi
tant
soft
hev
all
ey,

becauset
heyhadchar
iot
sofi
ron.1.
19

(
Sincef
iveci
ti
eswer
emassacr
ed,
Igav
eitt
heusual

1000perci
tyf
orat
otal
of5000.
)

42.TheLor
ddel
i
ver
ed

Chushanr
ishat
hai
m

Judges3.
10

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Chushanr
ishat
hai
m andhi
ssol
dier
s
Godwasangr
yatt
heI
srael
i
tesf
ori
gnor
inghi
minf
avor

ofot
hergods.

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
didev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLORD,
andf
orgat

t
heLORDt
hei
rGod,
andser
vedBaal
i
m andt
hegr
oves.Judges3.
7

Sohedi
dwhatanygoodgodwoul
ddoandsol
dthe

I
srael
i
tesi
ntosl
aver
y.Chushanr
ishat
hai
m wast
hehappy

buy
er.

Ther
efor
etheangeroft
heLORDwashotagai
nstI
srael
,andhe

sol
dthem i
ntot
hehandofChushanr
ishat
hai
m ki
ngof

Mesopot
ami
a.3.
8a

TheI
srael
i
teswer
eChushanr
ishat
hai
m'ssl
avesf
orei
ght

y
ear
s.Butt
hent
heI
srael
i
tescr
iedoutt
oget
heri
nuni
son

t
otheLor
dandhe"
rai
sedup"Ot
hni
el,
whowasCal
eb'
s

nephewandt
hef
ir
st"
judge"ofI
srael
.

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
ser
vedChushanr
ishat
hai
m ei
ghty
ear
s.And

whent
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
cri
edunt
otheLORD,
theLORDr
aised
upadel
i
ver
ert
othechi
l
drenofI
srael
,whodel
i
ver
edt
hem,
even

Ot
hni
elt
hesonofKenaz
,Cal
eb'
syoungerbr
other
.3.
8b-
9

Andt
hen"
thespi
ri
toft
heLor
dcameuponOt
hni
el.
..

andhewentoutt
owar
."

TheSpi
ri
toft
heLORDcameuponhi
m,andhej
udgedI
srael
,and

wentoutt
owar
.3.
10a

Whom di
dOt
hni
elgot
owarwi
th?Chushanr
ishat
hai
m—

t
heguyt
hatGodsol
dtheI
srael
i
test
o.

TheLORDdel
i
ver
edChushanr
ishat
hai
m ki
ngofMesopot
ami
aint
o

hi
shand;
andhi
shandpr
evai
l
edagai
nstChushanr
ishat
hai
m.3.
10b

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanyofKi
ngChushy
's

sol
dier
swer
eki
l
ledi
nthi
shol
ywar
.I'
l
ljustguesst
he

usual
1000.

43.Ehuddel
i
ver
sa

messagef
rom God
Judges3.
21-
22

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Egl
on

Rememberhowi
nhi
slastki
l
li
ng(
42)
,Godwassoangr
y

att
heI
srael
i
tesf
orwor
shi
pingot
hergodst
hathesol
d

t
hem assl
avest
oKi
ngChushy
?

Yeah,
wel
l
,pr
ett
ymucht
hesamet
hinghappensher
e,

exceptt
henames,
places,
andt
imeschange.

TheI
srael
i
tesdoev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLor
d.

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
didev
ilagai
nint
hesi
ghtoft
heLORD.

Judges3.
12a

Godgi
vesorsel
l
sthem t
osomebodyel
se(
Egl
on,
the

ki
ngofMoab,
thi
sti
mear
ound)
.

TheLORDst
rengt
henedEgl
ont
heki
ngofMoabagai
nstI
srael
...

Sot
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
ser
vedEgl
ont
heki
ngofMoabei
ght
een

y
ear
s.3.12b-14
TheI
srael
i
tescr
iedoutt
oGodagai
n("
Yahweh!
,

Yahweh!
")
.

Butwhent
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
cri
edunt
otheLORD3.
15a

Godr
aisedupaher
ofort
hem,
alef
t-
handedguynamed

Ehud.

TheLORDr
aisedt
hem upadel
i
ver
er,
Ehud.
..amanl
eft
handed.

3.
15b

WhoGodsentt
odel
i
verapr
esentt
oEgl
on.

Andbyhi
mthechi
l
drenofI
srael
sentapr
esentunt
oEgl
ont
he

ki
ngofMoab.3.
15c

Ehud'
spr
esentt
oEgl
onwasamessagef
rom God:
a

kni
febl
adei
nhi
sbel
l
ypushedi
nsof
art
hat"
thedi
rt

(
feces)cameout
."

Ehudmadehi
m adaggerwhi
chhadt
woedges,
ofacubi
tlengt
h;
andhedi
dgi
rdi
tunderhi
srai
mentuponhi
sri
ghtt
high.Andhe

br
oughtt
hepr
esentunt
oEgl
onki
ngofMoab:
andEgl
onwasa

v
eryf
atman.
..AndEhudsai
d,Ihav
eamessagef
rom Godunt
o

t
hee..
..AndEhudputf
ort
hhi
slef
thand,
andt
ookt
hedaggerf
rom

hi
sri
ghtt
high,
andt
hrusti
tint
ohi
sbel
l
y:Andt
hehaf
tal
sowenti
n

af
tert
hebl
ade;
andt
hef
atcl
osedupont
hebl
ade,
sot
hathecoul
d

notdr
awt
hedaggeroutofhi
sbel
l
y;andt
hedi
rtcameout
.3.
16-

22

Godhasaf
unnywayofcommuni
cat
ing,
doesn'
the?

44.Goddel
i
ver
s10,
000

l
ust
yMoabi
tes

Judges3.
29

Moabi
tes

NumberKi
l
led:
10,
000
Af
terEhuddel
i
ver
edGod'
smessaget
oEgl
on(
akni
fe

bl
adei
nthebel
l
y),
hebl
ewat
rumpett
osummonal
lthe

I
srael
i
tes.

Ehud.
..bl
ewat
rumpet.
..andt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
wentdown

wi
thhi
m.Judges3.
26-
27

Thenhet
oldt
hepeopl
e:

Fol
l
owaf
terme:
fort
heLORDhat
hdel
i
ver
edy
ourenemi
est
he

Moabi
tesi
ntoy
ourhand.3.
28

Sot
heyf
oll
owedEhudandGodhel
pedt
hem ki
l
l10,
000

l
ust
yMoabi
tes.

Andt
heysl
ewofMoabatt
hatt
imeaboutt
ent
housandmen,
all

l
ust
y,andal
lmenofv
alour
;andt
her
eescapednotaman.3.
29

Ki
ndofbor
ing,
Iknow.Butsomet
imesGodr
unsoutof

i
magi
nat
iveway
sofki
l
li
ngpeopl
e.
45.Shamgarki
l
led600

Phi
l
ist
ineswi
thanox

goad

Judges3.
31

NumberKi
l
led:
600

Phi
l
ist
ines

Theent
ir
est
oryt
akespl
acei
njustonev
erse.

Shamgarki
l
led600Phi
l
ist
ineswi
thanoxgoad."
Andhe

al
sodel
i
ver
edI
srael
.
"

Shamgar.
..sl
ewoft
hePhi
l
ist
inessi
xhundr
edmenwi
thanox

goad:
andheal
sodel
i
ver
edI
srael
.Judges3.
31

Thei
nspi
redst
ory
tel
l
erobv
iousl
yvi
ewedt
hismasski
l
li
ng

asagl
ori
ous,
nobl
e,andwonder
ful
thi
ng.Tohi
miti
s

ev
erybi
tascool
asEhud'
smessagef
rom God(
43)
.

ButIsuspectt
hatGodnotonl
yappr
ovedoft
hiski
l
li
ng,
heassi
stedwi
thi
t.Howel
secoul
donemanki
l
l600

Phi
l
ist
ineswi
thapoi
ntyst
ick?

46.Bar
akandGod

massacr
etheCanaani
tes

Judges4.
15-
16

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Canaani
tes

Thi
sisj
ustanot
herv
ari
ati
onoft
hesameol
dst
ory
.Soi
f

y
ou'
vebeenf
oll
owi
ngal
ong,
youcanpr
edi
ctwhat
'
s

goi
ngt
ohappen.

TheI
srael
i
tesdi
dev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLor
d.

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
agai
ndi
dev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLORD.

Judges4.
1

SoGodsel
l
sthem i
ntosl
aver
y.

TheLORDsol
dthem i
ntot
hehandofJabi
n..
.thecapt
ainofwhose
hostwasSi
ser
a.4.
2

TheI
srael
i
tescr
youtt
otheLor
d.

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
cri
edunt
otheLORD:
forhehadni
ne

hundr
edchar
iot
sofi
ron.4.
3

Godsl
aught
eredt
hepeopl
ethathesol
dtheI
srael
i
test
o.

TheLORDdi
scomf
it
edSi
ser
a[t
hecapt
ainofKi
ngJabi
n'
sar
my]
,

andal
lhi
schar
iot
s,andal
lhi
shost
,wi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d..
.

andal
lthehostofSi
ser
afel
lupont
heedgeoft
heswor
d;and

t
her
ewasnotamanl
eft
.4.
15-
16

Thi
sst
oryi
smor
eint
erest
ingt
hanmost
,though,

becauseoneoft
hechar
act
ersi
snamedBar
ak.(
Alt
hough

Bar
ackObama'
sfi
rstnamei
snotder
ivedf
rom t
his

bi
bli
cal
char
act
er,
bel
i
ever
ssomet
imesl
i
ket
opr
etend

ot
her
wise.
)

Her
ear
ethedet
ail
saboutBar
ak.

Af
terEhuddi
es,
awomanbecomest
hel
eaderoft
he
I
srael
i
tes.Hernamei
sDebor
ahandshei
scal
l
eda

pr
ophet
essandj
udge.Shesatunderapal
mtr
eeand

ev
ery
one"
cameupt
oherf
orj
udgment
."

Debor
ah,
apr
ophet
ess.
..j
udgedI
srael
att
hatt
ime.Andshedwel
t

undert
hepal
mtr
eeofDebor
ah.
..andt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
came

upt
oherf
orj
udgment
.Judges4.
4-5

OnedayshesummonedBar
akandt
oldhi
mtot
ake

10,
000sol
dier
stof
ightSi
ser
a.

Shesentandcal
l
edBar
ak.
..andsai
dunt
ohi
m..
.theLORDGodof

I
srael
commanded,
say
ing.
..t
akewi
tht
heet
ent
housandmen.
..

t
o..
.Si
ser
a,t
hecapt
ainofJabi
n'
sar
my,
wit
hhi
schar
iot
sandhi
s

mul
ti
tude;
andIwi
l
ldel
i
verhi
mint
othi
nehand.4.
6-7

Bar
ak,
whowasabi
tofachi
ckenshi
t,sai
d:

I
fthouwi
l
tgowi
thme,
thenIwi
l
lgo:
buti
fthouwi
l
tnotgowi
th

me,
thenIwi
l
lnotgo.4.
8
Debor
ahsai
dthatshewoul
dgowi
thhi
m andt
hatGod

woul
ddel
i
verSi
ser
aint
othehandsofawoman.

Shesai
d,Iwi
l
lsur
elygowi
tht
hee.
..f
ort
heLORDshal
lsel
lSi
ser
a

i
ntot
hehandofawoman.AndDebor
ahar
ose,
andwentwi
th

Bar
ak.4.
9

SoDebor
ahandBar
akgoof
ftof
ighti
nGod'
shol
ywar
.

Guesswhathappens.

TheLORDdi
scomf
it
edSi
ser
a,andal
lhi
schar
iot
s,andal
lhi
shost
,

wi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d..
.andal
lthehostofSi
ser
afel
lupon

t
heedgeoft
heswor
d;andt
her
ewasnotamanl
eft
.4.
15-
16

That
'sr
ight
.Godconf
usedSi
ser
a'sar
my,
for
cingt
hem t
o

ei
therki
l
leachot
herorki
l
lthemsel
ves.Noonesur
viv
ed.

ExceptSi
ser
a,t
hati
s.Somehowhegotaway
.Don'
t

wor
ry,
though.Godwi
l
ltakecar
eofhi
minhi
snext

ki
l
li
ng.
(
Sincet
heBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanywer
eki
l
led,
Igav
e

i
ttheusual
1000.
)

47.Jael
poundsat
ent

st
aket
hroughasl
eepi
ng

man'
sskul
l

Judges4.
21

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Si
ser
a

I
nGod'
slastki
l
li
ng(
46)
,God"
discomf
it
ed"t
heCanaani
te

ar
my,
causi
ngt
hem al
ltobeki
l
led.(
It
'snotcl
earhow

Goddi
dthi
s,buthepr
obabl
yfor
cedt
hem t
oki
l
leach

ot
her
.Hel
i
kesdoi
ngst
uffl
i
ket
hat
.)

ButSi
ser
a,t
hecapt
ainoft
heCanaani
tear
my,
somehow

managedt
oescape.Andt
hatni
ghthepassedbyHeber
's

t
ent(
Heberwasanal
l
yoft
heCanaani
tes)
,whi
chi
s

wher
eJael
ent
erst
hest
ory
.
Jael
wasHeber
'swi
feandshecameoutt
ogr
eetSi
ser
a,

i
nvi
ti
nghi
mtost
ayt
heni
ghti
nthei
rtent
.Shepr
epar
eda

bedf
orhi
m,gav
ehi
m abot
tl
eofmi
l
k,andt
uckedhi
min

f
ort
heni
ght
.

Jael
wentoutt
omeetSi
ser
a,andsai
dunt
ohi
m,Tur
nin,
myl
ord,

t
urni
ntome;
fearnot
.Andwhenhehadt
urnedi
nunt
oheri
nto

t
het
ent
,shecov
eredhi
m wi
thamant
le.Andhesai
dunt
oher
,

Gi
veme,
Ipr
ayt
hee,
ali
tt
lewat
ert
odr
ink;
forIam t
hir
sty
.And

sheopenedabot
tl
eofmi
l
k,andgav
ehi
m dr
ink,
andcov
eredhi
m.

Judges4.
18-
19

Then,
aft
erhewasasl
eep,
shedr
oveat
entst
aket
hrough

hi
shead.

ThenJael
Heber
'swi
fet
ookanai
loft
het
ent
,andt
ookanhammer

i
nherhand,
andwentsof
tl
yunt
ohi
m,andsmot
ethenai
li
ntohi
s

t
empl
es,
andf
ast
enedi
tint
othegr
ound:
forhewasf
astasl
eep

andwear
y.Sohedi
ed.4.
21

OK,
sowhat
,yousay
.Whybl
amet
hiski
l
li
ngonGod?
BecauseGodbl
amedi
tonhi
msel
f.Debor
ah,
whowasa

pr
ophet
ess,
sai
dtheki
l
li
ngwoul
dtakepl
ace,
andt
hat

Godwoul
dtakeanact
ivepar
t.

TheLORDshal
lsel
lSi
ser
aint
othehandofawoman.4.
9

Af
tert
heki
l
li
ngDebor
ahev
enwr
oteal
i
ttl
esongabout

Jael
andherbl
essedhammer
.

Bl
essedabov
ewomenshal
lJael
thewi
feofHebert
heKeni
tebe,

bl
essedshal
lshebeabov
ewomen.

Heaskedwat
er,
andshegav
ehi
m mi
l
k;

shebr
oughtf
ort
hbut
teri
nal
ordl
ydi
sh.

Sheputherhandt
othenai
l
,

andherr
ighthandt
othewor
kmen'
shammer
;

andwi
tht
hehammershesmot
eSi
ser
a,shesmot
eof
fhi
shead,

whenshehadpi
ercedandst
ri
ckent
hroughhi
stempl
es.5.
24-
26
Sot
her
eyouhav
eit
.Jael
ist
hemostbl
essedofal
l

women.It
hinkt
her
e'sev
enawel
l
-knownpr
ayerabout

i
t.I
tgoesl
i
ket
his:

Hai
lJael
,ful
lofgr
ace.TheLor
diswi
tht
hee.Bl
essedar
tthou

amongwomen.
..
.

Ormay
beI
'
m conf
usi
ngi
twi
thanot
herpr
ayer
.

48.Gi
deon'
sst
ory
:The

Lor
dsetev
eryman'
s

swor
dagai
nsthi
sfel
l
ow

Judges7.
22-
25,
8.10

NumberKi
l
led:
120,
000

Or
eb,
Zeeb,
Zebah,
andZal
munnaandMi
diani
tesol
dier
s
Her
e'sast
oryaboutGi
deon.Youknow,
theyguyt
hey

namedt
hehot
elr
oom Bi
bleaf
ter
.

I
tst
art
souti
ntheusual
way
:

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
didev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLORD.Judges6.
1a

TheLORDdel
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntot
hehandofMi
dian.6.
1b

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
cri
edunt
otheLORD.6.
7

AndGodki
l
lsal
ltheguy
sthathesol
dthem t
o.

(
Midi
ani
test
hist
imear
ound.
)

Her
e'st
hel
ongv
ersi
on.

Anangel
oft
heLor
dwassi
tt
ingunderanoakt
reewhen

hesawGi
deont
hreshi
ngsomewheat
.Sohest
art
edupa

conv
ersat
ionwi
thhi
m.

Theangel
oft
heLORDappear
edunt
ohi
m,andsai
dunt
ohi
m,The

LORDi
swi
tht
hee,
thoumi
ght
ymanofv
alour
.6.
12

Andt
henGodj
oinedi
n.

TheLORDl
ookeduponhi
m,andsai
d,Goi
nthi
sthymi
ght
,and
t
houshal
tsav
eIsr
ael
from t
hehandoft
heMi
diani
tes:
hav
enotI

sentt
hee?.
..Andt
heLORDsai
dunt
ohi
m,Sur
elyIwi
l
lbewi
th

t
hee,
andt
houshal
tsmi
tet
heMi
diani
tesasoneman.6.
14-
16

SoGi
deonhasat
hree-
wayconv
ersat
ionwi
tht
heangel

andGod,
buthedoesn'
tbel
i
eveei
theroft
hem.He

demandsasi
gn.

Shewmeasi
gn.6.
17

Butf
ir
st,
her
unsof
ftosl
aught
eragoat
.Andt
hen,
guess

whathappened.

Thent
heangel
oft
heLORDputf
ort
htheendoft
hest
aff.
..and

t
ouchedt
hef
leshandt
heunl
eav
enedcakes;
andt
her
eroseupf
ir
e

outoft
her
ock,
andconsumedt
hef
leshandt
heunl
eav
enedcakes.

6.
21

Yep.Theangel
touchedt
hebl
oody
,deadgoatandi
t

bur
sti
ntof
lames.

Aneatt
ri
ck,
buti
tst
il
ldi
dn'
tconv
inceGi
deon.Heneeded

anot
hersi
gnt
opr
ovet
hatGodwasn'
tl
yi
ngt
ohi
m.Sohe

putsomewool
ont
hegr
oundandaskedGodt
omakei
t

wet
,whi
l
ekeepi
ngt
hesur
roundi
nggr
ounddr
y.
Gi
deonsai
dunt
oGod.
..Behol
d,Iwi
l
lputaf
leeceofwool
int
he

f
loor
;andi
fthedewbeont
hef
leeceonl
y,andi
tbedr
yuponal
l

t
heear
thbesi
de,
thenshal
lIknowt
hatt
houwi
l
tsav
eIsr
ael
by

mi
nehand,
ast
houhastsai
d.6.
36-
37

AndGodpassedt
hatt
est
,nosweat
.

Andi
twasso:
forher
oseupear
lyont
hemor
row,
andt
hrustt
he

f
leecet
oget
her
,andwr
ingedt
hedewoutoft
hef
leece,
abowl
ful
l

ofwat
er.6.
38

Nowy
oumi
ghtt
hinkt
hatwoul
dbeenoughpr
ooff
or

Gi
deon.Butno.He'
sst
il
lnotsur
ehecant
rustGod,
sohe

asksGodt
orev
erset
het
ri
ck,
andmaket
hegr
oundwet

andt
hewool
dry
.

Gi
deonsai
dunt
oGod,
Letnott
hineangerbehotagai
nstme,
andI

wi
l
lspeakbutt
hisonce:
letmepr
ove,
Ipr
ayt
hee,
butt
hisonce
wi
tht
hef
leece;
leti
tnowbedr
yonl
yupont
hef
leece,
anduponal
l

t
hegr
oundl
ett
her
ebedew.6.
39

AndGoddi
dthatt
ri
ck,
too!

AndGoddi
dso.6.
40

SoGodpassedal
lofGi
deon'
stest
sandGi
deonandGod

gotdownt
obusi
ness.Butf
ir
st,
theyhadt
ofi
ndsome

accompl
i
ces.

I
'
m notsur
ehowt
hiscoul
dhappen,
buti
nJudgesi
t

al
way
shappenst
hisway
.TheI
srael
i
teswer
eensl
aved,

butsomehowt
heymanagedt
okeepahuge,
wel
l
-

equi
ppedar
my.Iguesst
heydi
dthi
ssot
hey
'dber
eady

whent
heycr
youtt
oGodandhedeci
dest
oki
l
ltheguy
s

t
hathesol
dthem t
o.

Wel
l
,thi
sti
mei
snodi
ff
erent
.TheI
srael
i
tesl
aveshada

bi
gar
my,
toobi
g,i
nfact
,forGod'
sli
ki
ng.Hewor
ri
ed

t
hati
ftheyki
l
ledal
ltheMi
diani
teswi
thabi
gar
my,
no
onewoul
dbel
i
evet
hati
twasGodt
hatdi
dtheki
l
li
ng.

AndGodwant
sal
lthecr
edi
tforhi
ski
l
li
ngs.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oGi
deon,
Thepeopl
ethatar
ewi
tht
heear
etoo

manyf
ormet
ogi
vet
heMi
diani
tesi
ntot
hei
rhands,
lestI
srael

v
auntt
hemsel
vesagai
nstme,
say
ing,
Mineownhandhat
hsav
ed

me.7.
2

SoGodt
ell
sGi
deont
ogetr
idofsomeoft
hemen.St
art

wi
tht
hechi
ckenshi
ts.

Nowt
her
efor
egot
o,pr
ocl
aimi
ntheear
soft
hepeopl
e,say
ing,

Whosoev
eri
sfear
ful
andaf
rai
d,l
ethi
mret
urnanddepar
tear
ly

f
rom mountGi
l
ead.Andt
her
eret
urnedoft
hepeopl
etwent
yand

t
wot
housand;
andt
her
eremai
nedt
ent
housand.7.
3

Thatgotr
idof22,
000.But10,
000wer
est
il
lther
e,whi
ch

wasst
il
ltoomany
.ButGodhadapl
an.

Godt
oldGi
deont
ohav
ethesol
dier
sgodownt
othe

wat
ert
ogetadr
ink.Thoset
hatl
apt
hewat
er"
asadog
l
appet
h"ar
ethenat
ural
-bor
nki
l
ler
sthathe'
slooki
ngf
or,

whi
l
ethoset
hatgetdownont
hei
rkneest
ouseacupor

t
hei
rhandsshoul
dbesenthome.

Sohebr
oughtdownt
hepeopl
eunt
othewat
er:
andt
heLORDsai
d

unt
oGi
deon,
Ever
yonet
hatl
appet
hoft
hewat
erwi
thhi
stongue,

asadogl
appet
h,hi
m shal
tthousetbyhi
msel
f;l
i
kewi
seev
eryone

t
hatbowet
hdownuponhi
skneest
odr
ink.7.
5

SoGi
deonhadt
hem al
lgodownt
othewat
ert
ogeta

dr
ink.Outoft
he10,
000non-
chi
ckenshi
ts,
onl
y300

l
appedwat
erl
i
keadog.Thosewer
ethef
ewgoodmen

t
hatGodwasl
ooki
ngf
or.

Thenumberoft
hem t
hatl
apped,
put
ti
ngt
hei
rhandt
othei
rmout
h,

wer
ethr
eehundr
edmen.
..Andt
heLORDsai
dunt
oGi
deon,
Byt
he

t
hreehundr
edment
hatl
appedwi
l
lIsav
eyou.7.
6-7

Yousee,
Godknowst
hatr
eal
menpeest
andi
ngupand
l
apwat
erl
i
kedogs.

Nowt
heBi
blet
ell
sust
hatt
her
ewer
egazi
l
li
onsof

Mi
diani
tes.Theywer
eli
kegr
asshopper
s.Li
ket
hesands

oft
heseashor
e.Li
ket
hat
.

TheMi
diani
tesandt
heAmal
eki
tesandal
lthechi
l
drenoft
heeast

l
ayal
ongi
nthev
all
eyl
i
kegr
asshopper
sformul
ti
tude;
andt
hei
r

camel
swer
ewi
thoutnumber
,ast
hesandbyt
heseasi
def
or

mul
ti
tude.7.
12

Whi
chi
sst
rangesi
nceGodki
l
ledev
erymal
eMi
diani
te

dur
ingt
het
imeofMoses(
26)
,andy
ether
e,250y
ear
s

l
ater
,theyf
lour
ishl
i
kegr
asshopper
s"wi
thoutnumber
."

WasGi
deonwor
ri
edaboutat
tacki
ngagazi
l
li
onMi
diani
tes

wi
th300wat
erl
apper
s?

No.Becausesomeguyhadadr
eam aboutbar
leycakes

andt
ent
s,andt
hatguyt
oldsomeot
herguyaboutt
he

dr
eam t
hathehad,
andt
henl
aterGi
deonhear
dabouti
t.
Behol
d,t
her
ewasamant
hatt
oldadr
eam unt
ohi
sfel
l
ow,
and

sai
d,Behol
d,Idr
eamedadr
eam,
and,
lo,
acakeofbar
leybr
ead

t
umbl
edi
ntot
hehostofMi
dian,
andcameunt
oat
ent
,andsmot
e

i
tthati
tfel
l
,andov
ert
urnedi
t,t
hatt
het
entl
ayal
ong.Andhi
s

f
ell
owanswer
edandsai
d,Thi
sisnot
hingel
sesav
etheswor
dof

Gi
deon.
..f
ori
ntohi
shandhat
hGoddel
i
ver
edMi
dian,
andal
lthe

host
.Andi
twasso,
whenGi
deonhear
dthet
ell
i
ngoft
hedr
eam,

andt
hei
nter
pret
ati
ont
her
eof
,thathewor
shi
ped,
andr
etur
ned

i
ntot
hehostofI
srael
,andsai
d,Ar
ise;
fort
heLORDhat
hdel
i
ver
ed

i
ntoy
ourhandt
hehostofMi
dian.7.
13-
15

Butenoughwi
tht
hedr
eams.I
t'
sti
met
ogetdownt
o

ki
l
li
ng.Gi
deongi
veseachdog-
lapperat
rumpetanda

pi
tcherwi
thal
ampi
nit
.

He.
..putat
rumpeti
nev
eryman'
shand,
wit
hempt
ypi
tcher
s,and

l
ampswi
thi
nthepi
tcher
s.7.
16

Andt
ell
sthem:
WhenIbl
owwi
that
rumpet.
..t
henbl
owy
ethet
rumpet
sal
soon

ev
erysi
deofal
lthecamp,
andsay
,Theswor
doft
heLORD,
andof

Gi
deon.7.
18

Andt
hat
'swhatt
heydi
d.

Andt
het
hreecompani
esbl
ewt
het
rumpet
s,andbr
aket
he

pi
tcher
s,andhel
dthel
ampsi
nthei
rlef
thands,
andt
het
rumpet
s

i
nthei
rri
ghthandst
obl
owwi
thal
:andt
heycr
ied,
Theswor
dof

t
heLORD,
andofGi
deon.7.
20

Gr
eati
dea,
eh?Buti
tdi
dn'
treal
l
ydoany
thi
ng.I
twas

Godt
hatdi
dal
lthedi
rt
ywor
kbyf
orci
ngt
hegazi
l
li
onsof

Mi
diani
test
oki
l
leachot
her
.

TheLORDsetev
eryman'
sswor
dagai
nsthi
sfel
l
ow.7:
22

Thest
oryget
sabi
tconf
usedaf
tert
hat
.Twopr
incesar
e

caught
,decapi
tat
ed,
andt
hei
rheadsar
ebr
oughtt
o

Gi
deon.

Theyt
ookt
wopr
incesoft
heMi
diani
tes,
OrebandZeeb;
andt
hey

sl
ewOr
eb.
..andZeeb.
..andbr
oughtt
heheadsofOr
ebandZeeb
t
oGi
deon.7.
25

Thent
hepr
incesofSuccot
hquest
ionGi
deon'
s

l
eader
shi
p.

Thepr
incesofSuccot
hsai
d,Ar
ethehandsofZebahand

Zal
munnanowi
nthi
nehand,
thatweshoul
dgi
vebr
eadunt
othi
ne

ar
my?8.
6

Andhepr
omi
sest
ocomebackandt
ort
uret
hem l
ater
.

Gi
deonsai
d,Ther
efor
ewhent
heLORDhat
hdel
i
ver
edZebahand

Zal
munnai
ntomi
nehand,
thenIwi
l
lteary
ourf
leshwi
tht
he

t
hor
nsoft
hewi
l
der
nessandwi
thbr
ier
s.8.
7

ThenGi
deondef
eat
sZebahandZal
munna(
theMi
diani
te

ki
ngs)
.

WhenZebahandZal
munnaf
led,
hepur
suedaf
tert
hem,
andt
ook

t
het
woki
ngsofMi
dian,
ZebahandZal
munna,
anddi
scomf
it
edal
l

t
hehost
.8.
12

Andt
hencomesbackt
oSuccot
htot
ort
uret
heel
der
s
(
li
kehepr
omi
sedhewoul
d)andki
l
lthemeni
nthei
rci
ty.

Het
ookt
heel
der
soft
heci
ty,
andt
hor
nsoft
hewi
l
der
nessand

br
ier
s,andwi
tht
hem het
aughtt
hemenofSuccot
h.Andhe.
..

sl
ewt
hemenoft
heci
ty.8.
16-
17

Gi
deont
hent
ell
shi
sol
destsont
oki
l
lZebahand

Zal
munna.

Hesai
dunt
oJet
herhi
sfi
rst
bor
n,Up,
andsl
ayt
hem.Butt
hey
out
h

dr
ewnothi
sswor
d:f
orhef
ear
ed.8.
20

Butheendsuphav
ingt
odoi
thi
msel
f,si
ncehi
ssonwas

achi
cken-
shi
t,cup-
dri
nki
ng,
sit
-down-
pee-
er.

Gi
deonar
ose,
andsl
ewZebahandZal
munna.8.
21

Butatl
eastwear
etol
dthat120,
000Mi
diani
teswer
e

ki
l
ledi
nthewhol
ewet
-f
leece,
wat
er-
lappi
ng,
trumpet
-

bl
owi
ng,
pit
cher
-smashi
ng,
the-
Swor
d-of
-t
he-
Lor
d-and-

of
-Gi
deonepi
sode.
Ther
efel
lanhundr
edandt
went
ythousandment
hatdr
ewswor
d.

8.
10

Sor
ryt
hatwassol
ong.Butatl
eastnowy
ouknowwhy

t
heGi
deonschoseGi
deonast
hei
rnamesake.

They
'r
efucki
ngcr
azy
.

(
Ther
ewer
epr
obabl
ymor
ethan120,
000ki
l
ledi
nthi
s

one,
ift
hepeopl
eofSuccot
har
eincl
uded.ButIcan'
ttel
l

f
orsur
ethatGodwasi
nvol
vedi
nthatt
ort
ure/
massacr
e

at
roci
ty,
soI
'
lll
eav
ethem outofi
t.
)

49.Aci
tyi
smassacr
ed

and1000bur
ntodeat
h

becauseofGod'
sev
il

spi
ri
t

Judges9.
23-
57
Est
imat
edTot
alVi
cti
ms:
2000

Amassacr
e,1000bur
ntodeat
h,andAbi
mel
echi
ski
l
led

Af
terGi
deondi
ed,
itwast
imef
orhi
ssonst
otakeov
er.

Andhehadl
otsoft
hem.

Gi
deonhadt
hreescor
eandt
ensonsofhi
sbodybegot
ten:
forhe

hadmanywi
ves.Andhi
sconcubi
net
hatwasi
nShechem,
sheal
so

bar
ehi
m ason,
whosenamehecal
l
edAbi
mel
ech.Judges8.
30-
31

Whi
chwasapr
obl
em si
nceonl
yonesoncoul
dsucceed

hi
m.Lucki
l
y,Abi
mel
echcameupwi
thacr
eat
ivesol
uti
on.

Heki
l
ledal
lofhi
s70br
other
sononest
one.

Abi
mel
ech.
..wentunt
ohi
sfat
her
'shouseatOphr
ah,
andsl
ewhi
s

br
ethr
ent
hesonsofJer
ubbaal
,bei
ngt
hreescor
eandt
enper
sons,

upononest
one.9.
4-5a

Wel
l
,al
lexceptone,
any
way
.Jot
ham gotaway
.
YetJot
ham t
hey
oungestsonofJer
ubbaal
wasl
eft
;forhehi
d

hi
msel
f.9.
5b

Sot
het
wor
emai
ningsons,
Abi
mel
echandJot
ham,

schemedagai
nsteachot
herf
orcont
rol
,wi
thAbi
mel
ech

wi
nni
ngout
,becomi
ngki
ng.

Al
lthemenofShechem gat
her
edt
oget
her.
..andmadeAbi
mel
ech

ki
ng.9.
6

ThenGoddeci
dedt
ogeti
nvol
vedbysendi
nganev
il

spi
ri
t.

Godsentanev
ilspi
ri
tbet
weenAbi
mel
echandt
hemenof

Shechem;
andt
hemenofShechem deal
ttr
eacher
ousl
ywi
th

Abi
mel
ech:
Thatt
hecr
uel
tydonet
othet
hreescor
eandt
ensonsof

Jer
ubbaal
mightcome,
andt
hei
rbl
oodbel
aiduponAbi
mel
ech

t
hei
rbr
other
,whi
chsl
ewt
hem;
andupont
hemenofShechem,

whi
chai
dedhi
mint
heki
l
li
ngofhi
sbr
ethr
en.9.
23-
24

(
Nowy
oumi
ghtt
hinki
tst
ranget
hatanev
ilspi
ri
twoul
d

besentbyGod.Buti
fso,
youhav
en'
tbeenr
eadi
ngy
our

Bi
bleenough.I
ntheBi
ble,
evi
lspi
ri
tsar
eei
thersent
di
rect
lybyGodort
hei
ror
igi
nisunknown.TheBi
ble

nev
erat
tri
but
esev
ilspi
ri
tst
oSat
an.
)

Thi
ngsgetcompl
i
cat
edaf
terGod'
sev
ilspi
ri
tar
ri
ves.But

t
heshor
tst
oryi
sthatShechem r
evol
tsagai
nstAbi
mel
ech

andAbi
mel
echmassacr
esev
ery
onei
nShechem.

Abi
mel
echf
oughtagai
nstt
heci
tyal
lthatday
;andhet
ookt
heci
ty,

andsl
ewt
hepeopl
ethatwast
her
ein,
andbeatdownt
heci
ty,
and

sowedi
twi
thsal
t.9.
45

Exceptf
or1000t
hatescapet
oat
ower
.

Al
lthemenoft
het
owerofShechem wer
egat
her
edt
oget
her
.9.
47

WhenAbi
mel
echf
oundoutaboutt
hepeopl
eint
he

t
ower
,heseti
tonf
ir
e,bur
ning1000peopl
etodeat
h.

Abi
mel
ech.
..sett
hehol
donf
ir
eupont
hem;
sot
hatal
lthemenof

t
het
owerofShechem di
edal
so,
aboutat
housandmenand
women.9.
49

Thenhewentt
oanei
ghbor
ingci
ty,
Thebez
,andwhen

t
hepeopl
eescapedt
oat
owert
her
e,t
oo,
het
ri
edt
oli
ght

i
tonf
ir
e.

ThenwentAbi
mel
echt
oThebez,
andencampedagai
nstThebez,

andt
ooki
t.Butt
her
ewasast
rongt
owerwi
thi
ntheci
ty,
and

t
hit
herf
ledal
lthemenandwomen.
..AndAbi
mel
echcameunt
o

t
het
ower.
..t
obur
nitwi
thf
ir
e.9.
50-
52

Butwhi
l
ehewasbusywi
tht
hat
,awomandr
oppeda

mi
l
lst
oneandi
tlandedonAbi
mel
ech'
shead,
crushi
nghi
s

skul
l
.

Acer
tai
nwomancastapi
eceofami
l
lst
oneuponAbi
mel
ech'
s

head.
..t
obr
akehi
sskul
l
.9.
53

Abi
mel
echsawt
hati
twasawoman,
sohet
oldasol
dier

t
oki
l
lhi
m si
ncehedi
dn'
twanti
tsai
dthathewaski
l
led
byawoman.(
Int
heBi
ble,
ther
e'snot
hingwor
set
han

bei
ngki
l
ledbyawoman.
)

Thenhecal
l
edhast
il
yunt
othey
oungmanhi
sar
mour
bear
er,
and

sai
dunt
ohi
m,Dr
awt
hyswor
d,andsl
ayme,
thatmensaynotof

me,
Awomensl
ewhi
m.Andhi
syoungmant
hrusthi
mthr
ough,

andhedi
ed.9.
54

Sowi
tht
hehel
pofGod'
sev
ilspi
ri
t,ev
ery
thi
ngwor
ked

outaccor
dingt
oGod'
spl
an.

ThusGodr
ender
edt
hewi
ckednessofAbi
mel
ech,
whi
chhedi
d

unt
ohi
sfat
her
,insl
ayi
nghi
ssev
ent
ybr
ethr
en:
Andal
ltheev
ilof

t
hemenofShechem di
dGodr
enderupont
hei
rheads:
andupon

t
hem camet
hecur
seofJot
ham.9.
56-
57

Not
e:I
t'
shar
dtokeepscor
eont
hisone,
butIt
hinkGod

deser
vescr
edi
tforki
l
li
ngAbi
mel
ech,
the1000t
hat

bur
nedal
i
vei
nthet
owerofShechem,
andanunknown
numberofpeopl
einAbi
mel
ech'
smassacr
eofSchechem.

I
'
llguess2000f
ort
hel
otoft
hem.

50.TheAmmoni
te

massacr
e

Judges11.
32-
33

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
20,
000

Ammoni
tes

Thi
sist
hef
if
tht
imet
hatt
hesamest
upi
dst
oryi
s

r
epeat
edi
nJudges(
See42,
43,
46,
and48f
ort
he

ot
her
s),
soy
ouknowbynowwhat
'
sgoi
ngt
ohappen.

TheI
srael
i
tesdoev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLor
d.

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
didev
ilagai
nint
hesi
ghtoft
heLORD,
and

ser
vedBaal
i
m,andAsht
arot
h,andt
hegodsofSy
ria,
andt
hegods

ofZi
don,
andt
hegodsofMoab,
andt
hegodsoft
hechi
l
drenof

Ammon,
andt
hegodsoft
hePhi
l
ist
ines,
andf
orsookt
heLORD,
and

ser
vednothi
m.Judges10.
6
Godget
sangr
yandsel
l
sthem assl
aves.

Theangeroft
heLORDwashotagai
nstI
srael
,andhesol
dthem

i
ntot
hehandsoft
hePhi
l
ist
ines,
andi
ntot
hehandsoft
hechi
l
dren

ofAmmon.10.
7

TheI
srael
i
tescr
youtt
oGod.

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
cri
edunt
otheLORD,
say
ing,
Wehav
esi
nned

agai
nstt
hee,
bot
hbecausewehav
efor
sakenourGod,
andal
so

ser
vedBaal
i
m.10.
10

Godsl
aught
erst
hepeopl
ehesol
dtheI
srael
i
test
o(whi
ch

i
swhatt
hiski
l
li
ngi
sabout
).

Af
ewdet
ail
schangeeacht
imet
hest
oryi
stol
d:t
he

numberofy
ear
sthatt
heI
srael
i
tesar
eensl
aved,
the

peopl
ethathesel
l
sthem t
o,andt
heper
sont
hathe

choosest
ohel
phi
m wi
tht
hemassacr
e.Thi
sti
meGod

choosesJepht
hah.

Asusual
,ev
ery
thi
ngst
art
stogot
ohel
lwhent
hespi
ri
tof
t
heLor
dcomesuponJepht
hah.

Thespi
ri
toft
heLORDcameuponJepht
hah,
andhe.
..v
oweda

v
owunt
otheLORD,
andsai
d,I
fthoushal
twi
thoutf
ail
del
i
vert
he

chi
l
drenofAmmoni
ntomi
nehands,
Theni
tshal
lbe,
that

what
soev
ercomet
hfor
thoft
hedoor
sofmyhouset
omeetme,

whenIr
etur
ninpeacef
rom t
hechi
l
drenofAmmon,
shal
lsur
ely

bet
heLORD'
S,andIwi
l
lof
feri
tupf
orabur
ntof
fer
ing.11:
29-
31

Di
dyoucat
cht
hat
?Thespi
ri
toft
heLor
dcomesupon

Jepht
hahandhepr
omi
sest
oki
l
lwhat
evercomesoutt
o

gr
eethi
mifGodwi
l
lhel
phi
m massacr
etheAmmoni
tes.

Godnotonl
yappr
ovedofJepht
hah'
svow,
hei
nspi
redi
t.

And,
ofcour
se,
Godcomest
hroughwi
thhi
sendoft
he

deal
bygi
vi
ngJepht
hah"
aver
ygr
eatsl
aught
er.
"

SoJepht
hahpassedov
erunt
othechi
l
drenofAmmont
ofi
ght

agai
nstt
hem;
andt
heLORDdel
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntohi
shands.Andhe

smot
ethem .
..ev
ent
went
yci
ti
es.
..wi
thav
erygr
eatsl
aught
er.

11:
32-
33
Goddel
i
ver
ed20ci
ti
esi
ntoJepht
hah'
shandand"
he

smot
ethem .
..wi
thav
erygr
eatsl
aught
er.
"Andt
hen

Jepht
hahcamehome.

(
Igav
eeachci
tyt
heusual
1000sl
aught
eramount
,fora

t
otal
of20,
000.
)

51.Jepht
hah'
sdaught
er

Judges11.
39

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Jepht
hah'
sdaught
er

I
nthel
astki
l
li
ng(
50)
,thespi
ri
toft
heLor
dcameupon

Jepht
hahandhepr
omi
sedt
hathewoul
dof
fert
oGoda

bur
nedsacr
if
iceofwhat
evercomesoutt
ogr
eethi
mif

Godwoul
dhel
phi
m massacr
etheAmmoni
tes.Godcame
t
hroughwi
thhi
sendoft
hedeal
bydel
i
ver
ing20ci
ti
es

i
ntoJepht
hah'
shandand"
hesmot
ethem .
..wi
thav
ery

gr
eatsl
aught
er.
"

WhenJepht
hahr
etur
nedhomeaf
tersl
aught
eri
ngt
he

Ammoni
tes,
hisdaught
ercameoutt
omeethi
m.

Jepht
hahcamet
oMi
zpehunt
ohi
shouse,
and,
behol
d,hi
s

daught
ercameoutt
omeethi
m wi
tht
imbr
elsandwi
thdances.

Judges11.
34

WhenJepht
hahsawhi
sdaught
er,
het
orehi
scl
othesand

t
oldhert
hathehadopenedhi
smout
htoGod.

Whenhesawher
,thather
enthi
scl
othes,
andsai
d,Al
as,
my

daught
er.
..f
orIhav
eopenedmymout
hunt
otheLORD,
andI

cannotgoback.11.
35

Hi
sdaught
er(
whoi
sunnamedi
ntheBi
ble)sai
d

Jepht
hahshoul
ddowhat
evert
hehel
lhesai
dhe'
ddo
whenheopenedhi
sbi
gmout
htot
heLor
d.

Myf
ather
,ift
houhastopenedt
hymout
hunt
otheLORD,
dot
ome

accor
dingt
othatwhi
chhat
hpr
oceededoutoft
hymout
h.11.
36

Whathadpr
oceededoutofJepht
hah'
smout
hwas,
of

cour
se,
aGod-
inspi
redpr
omi
set
oGodt
oki
l
lwhat
ever

gr
eet
edhi
m.Andso,
byGod,
that
'
swhathedi
d.Aman'
s

gott
odowhataman'
sgott
odo.

And.
..herf
ather.
..di
dwi
thheraccor
dingt
ohi
svowwhi
chhe

hadv
owed.11.
39

Godi
nspi
redJepht
haht
omaket
hev
ow,
soheexpect
ed

hi
mtoabi
debyi
t.AndGodwassopl
easedwhen

Jepht
hahki
l
ledhi
sdaught
erf
orhi
mthathedeci
dedt
o

ki
l
lhi
sownsonf
ory
ou.

ButI
'
llsav
ethatst
oryf
orl
ater
.

52.42,
000ki
l
ledf
or
f
ail
i
ngt
he"
shi
bbol
eth"

t
est

Judges12.
5-6

NumberKi
l
led:
42,
000

Ephr
aimi
tes

Af
terJepht
hahf
ini
shedki
l
li
ngandbur
ninghi
sdaught
er

f
orGod(
51)t
opayGodbackf
orhel
pinghi
m sl
aught
er

t
went
yAmmoni
teci
ti
es(
50)
,her
ani
ntosome

Ephr
aimi
teswhower
eangr
yaboutbei
ngl
eftoutoft
he

Ammoni
tesl
aught
er.

ThemenofEphr
aim gat
her
edt
hemsel
vest
oget
her
,andwent

nor
thwar
d,andsai
dunt
oJepht
hah,
Wher
efor
epassedst
thouov
er

t
ofi
ghtagai
nstt
hechi
l
drenofAmmon,
anddi
dstnotcal
lust
ogo

wi
tht
hee?Judges12.
1a

Theywer
esopi
ssedof
faboutt
hewhol
ethi
ngt
hatt
hey
t
hreat
enedt
obur
ndownJepht
hah'
shouse.

Wewi
l
lbur
nthi
nehouseupont
heewi
thf
ir
e.12.
1b

Jepht
hahcl
aimedt
hathei
nvi
tedt
hem t
ojoi
nhi
mint
he

God-
assi
stedsl
aught
er,
butt
heydi
dn'
tcome.

Jepht
hahsai
dunt
othem,
Iandmypeopl
ewer
eatgr
eatst
ri
fewi
th

t
hechi
l
drenofAmmon;
andwhenIcal
l
edy
ou,
yedel
i
ver
edme

not.
..andt
heLORDdel
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntomyhand.12.
2-3

Cl
ear
ly,
ther
ewasonl
yonet
hingf
orJepht
haht
odo:
cal
l

f
orahol
yci
vi
lwar
.

ThenJepht
hahgat
her
edt
oget
heral
lthemenofGi
l
ead,
andf
ought

wi
thEphr
aim.12.
4a

Sot
hat
'swhathedi
d,andt
hemenf
rom Gi
l
eaddef
eat
ed

t
heEphr
aimi
tes.

Andt
hemenofGi
l
eadsmot
eEphr
aim.12.
4b

Af
tert
hebat
tl
e,Jepht
hahpost
edguar
dsatt
heJor
dan
Ri
verwher
ethef
leei
ngEphr
aimi
teswoul
dhav
etocr
oss.

TheGi
l
eadi
test
ookt
hepassagesofJor
danbef
oret
heEphr
aimi
tes.

12.
5a

Whenanescapi
ngEphr
aimi
tewoul
dcomet
othe

cr
ossi
ng,
theGi
l
eadi
teswoul
daskhi
mifhewasan

Ephr
aimi
te.I
fhesai
d,"
No"
,they
'daskhi
mtosay

"
Shi
bbol
eth.
"(Ephr
aimi
tescoul
dn'
tpr
onouncei
t

cor
rect
ly.I
twasl
i
keaski
ngGeor
geBushorSar
ahPal
i
n

t
osay"
nucl
ear
."
)

Whent
hoseEphr
aimi
teswhi
chwer
eescapedsai
d,Letmego

ov
er;
thatt
hemenofGi
l
eadsai
dunt
ohi
m,Ar
tthouan

Ephr
aimi
te?I
fhesai
d,Nay
;Thensai
dtheyunt
ohi
m,Saynow

Shi
bbol
eth:
andhesai
dSi
bbol
eth:
forhecoul
dnotf
ramet
o

pr
onouncei
tri
ght
.12.
5b-
6a

Thenwhent
heEphr
aimi
temi
spr
onouncedShi
bbol
ethby

say
ingSi
bbol
eth,
they
'dki
l
lhi
m.

Thent
heyt
ookhi
m,andsl
ewhi
m att
hepassagesofJor
dan.
12.
6b

Andt
heShi
bbol
etht
estwor
kedl
i
keachar
m.42,
000

Ephr
aimi
tesf
ail
edt
het
estandwer
eki
l
ledt
ryi
ngt
ocr
oss

t
heJor
dan.

Andt
her
efel
latt
hatt
imeoft
heEphr
aimi
tesf
ort
yandt
wo

t
housand.12.
6c

Andt
heydeser
vedi
t,t
oo,
fornotpar
ti
cipat
ingi
nthe

sl
aught
eroft
heAmmoni
tes,
thr
eat
eni
ngt
obur
ndown

Jepht
hah'
shouse,
fai
l
ingt
opr
onounce"
Shi
bbol
eth"

cor
rect
ly,
orwhat
ever
.

(
Not
e:Jepht
hahi
soneoft
heher
oesofGodi
nHebr
ews

11,
sowecanbepr
ett
ysur
ethatGodappr
ovedoft
he

whol
e"Shi
bbol
eth"t
est
/hol
yci
vi
lwarmassacr
e.)

53.Thespi
ri
toft
heLor
d

cameuponSamsonand
hemur
der
edt
hir
tymen

f
ort
hei
rcl
othes

Judges14.
19

NumberKi
l
led:
30

Phi
l
ist
ines

Justwheny
out
hinkt
hest
ori
esi
nJudgescoul
dn'
tget

anyst
upi
der
,thenextonecomesal
ongt
opr
ovey
ou

wr
ong.

Taket
hest
oryofSamson,
forexampl
e.

I
tst
art
souti
ntheusual
way
,wi
tht
hechi
l
drenofI
srael

doi
ngev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLor
dandt
heLor
ddoi
ng

whatheal
way
sdoesi
nsuchcases:
hesel
l
sthem.

(
Exceptt
hatt
hist
imet
heBi
blesay
she"
del
i
ver
ed"t
hem

t
othePhi
l
ist
inesf
orf
ort
yyear
s,somay
bet
heI
srael
i
tes

wer
eagi
ftandhedi
dn'
tgetpai
dfort
hem.
)

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
didev
ilagai
nint
hesi
ghtoft
heLORD;
and
t
heLORDdel
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntot
hehandoft
hePhi
l
ist
inesf
ort
y

y
ear
s.Judges13.
1

Ofcour
se,
aft
ergi
vi
ng,
sel
l
ing,
orr
ent
ingt
heI
srael
i
test
o

t
hePhi
l
ist
ines,
Godneededt
ofi
ndsomeonet
ohel
pki
l
l

t
heI
srael
i
tes'
newowner
s.Andt
hat
,asy
oupr
obabl
y

guessed,
iswher
eSamsoncomesi
n.

(
Thi
sist
hef
ir
stt
imet
hatt
het
hir
dst
epi
nGod'
sfamous

f
our
-st
eppr
ocesswasski
pped.Atl
eastIcan'
tfi
ndwher
e

t
heI
srael
i
tescr
youtt
otheLor
d.Ohwel
l
,may
bet
hey

cr
iedout
,butGodcoul
dn'
theart
hem orj
ustf
orgott
o

t
ell
usabouti
t.
)

NowSamson'
sbi
rt
hwasal
otl
i
keJesus'
.Anangel
visi
ted

hi
smom t
oannouncet
hatshewasgoi
ngt
ohav
eason.

Theangel
oft
heLORDappear
edunt
othewoman,
andsai
dunt
o

her
,Behol
dnow.
..t
houshal
tconcei
ve,
andbearason.13.
3

Heev
encameagai
nunt
oherwhenherhusbandwasn'
t

ar
oundandgotherpr
egnant
.
Theangel
ofGodcameagai
nunt
othewomanasshesati
nthe

f
iel
d:butManoahherhusbandwasnotwi
thher
.13.
9

Andt
hewomanbar
eason,
andcal
l
edhi
snameSamson.13.
24a

SoSamson'
sbi
rt
hwasaf
ucki
ngmi
racl
e.

SamsonwasoneofGod'
sspeci
alher
oes.Hewasbl
essed

byGodandmov
edbyt
heSpi
ri
toft
heLor
d.(
Samson

mi
ghthav
ebeenadecentper
soni
fhecoul
dhav
ekept

t
heSpi
ri
toft
heLor
dof
fofhi
m.)

TheLor
dbl
essedhi
m..
.andt
heSpi
ri
toft
heLORDbegant
omov
e

hi
m att
imes.13.
24b-
25

Thef
ir
stt
hingt
heBi
blet
ell
susaboutSamsoni
sthi
s:

Samson.
..sawawoman.
..oft
hedaught
ersoft
hePhi
l
ist
ines.
..

AndSamsonsai
dunt
ohi
sfat
her.
..Getherf
orme;
forshe

pl
easet
hmewel
l
.14.
1-3

NowSamson'
spar
ent
swer
eabi
ttr
oubl
edbyt
his,
since
t
heyknewhowcr
azyGodget
swhenanI
srael
i
teev
en

t
hinksaboutmar
ryi
nganon-
Isr
ael
i
te.Butt
hent
hey

di
dn'
tknowt
hatt
hiswasal
lapar
tofGod'
spl
ant
oki
l
l

Phi
l
ist
ines.

Buthi
sfat
herandhi
smot
herknewnott
hati
twasoft
heLORD,

t
hathesoughtanoccasi
onagai
nstt
hePhi
l
ist
ines.14.
4

Samsonwasonhi
swayt
ovi
sithi
snewPhi
l
ist
ine

gi
rl
fr
iendwhen"
theSpi
ri
toft
heLORDcamemi
ght
il
y"on

hi
m.Nowi
ntheBi
ble,
ther
e'spr
ett
ymuchonl
yonet
hing

t
hathappenswhent
heSpi
ri
toft
heLor
dcomesupon

somebody
:thespi
ri
t-
fi
ll
edper
sonki
l
lssomet
hing.That
's

whathappenedher
e.

Behol
d,ay
oungl
i
onr
oar
edagai
nsthi
m.Andt
heSpi
ri
toft
he
LORDcamemi
ght
il
yuponhi
m,andher
enthi
m ashewoul
dhav
e

r
entaki
d.14.
5-6

Whenhear
ri
vedathi
sPhi
l
ist
inegi
rl
fr
iend'
spl
ace"
she

pl
easedSamsonwel
l
"andt
henher
etur
nedhome.Onhi
s

wayhesawt
hel
i
oncar
cass.

Behol
d,t
her
ewasaswar
m ofbeesandhoneyi
nthecar
caseof

t
hel
i
on.14.
8

Whi
ch,
ofcour
se,
wasanot
hermi
racl
e.

Thespi
ri
tofGodcameuponSamsonandheki
l
ledal
i
on.

ThenGodsentbeest
omakehoneyf
rom t
hedeadl
i
on'
s

body
.

Ofcour
se,
it'
sal
sopossi
blet
hatt
hedeadl
i
onwas

cov
eredwi
thf
li
es(
notbees)andt
heput
ref
yingf
leshand

maggot
slookedl
i
kehoneyt
othedumbasshi
tSamson.

(
Inwhi
chcaset
he"
honey
"woul
dhav
ebeenpr
ett
ynast
y

st
uff
!)

Butwhat
everi
twas,
Samsont
houghti
ttast
edpr
ett
y
dar
nedsweet
.Heev
enbr
oughtsomehomet
ohi
sfol
ks,

al
thoughhedi
dn'
ttel
lthem wher
eitcamef
rom.

Het
ookt
her
eofi
nhi
shands,
andwentoneat
ing,
andcamet
ohi
s

f
atherandmot
her
,andhegav
ethem,
andt
heydi
deat
:buthe

t
oldnott
hem t
hathehadt
akent
hehoneyoutoft
hecar
caseoft
he

l
i
on.14.
9

TheBi
bledoesn'
tact
ual
l
ysayso,
butIguessSamson

mar
ri
edt
hePhi
l
ist
inewomant
hatpl
easedhi
m wel
l
.And

t
heyhadaweek-
longpar
tywi
tht
hir
tyofSamson'
snew-

f
oundPhi
l
ist
inef
ri
ends.

Att
hepar
ty,
Samsont
oldar
iddl
e.

Iwi
l
lnowputf
ort
har
iddl
eunt
oyou.
..Outoft
heeat
ercame

f
ort
hmeat
,andoutoft
hest
rongcamef
ort
hsweet
ness.14.
12-
14

Wasn'
tthatagr
eatr
iddl
e?Any
way
,Samsont
oldhi
s

guest
sthatwhoev
ercoul
dfi
gur
eitoutbef
oret
heweek
ofpar
tyi
ngi
sov
erwoul
dget30sheet
sand30gar
ment
s.

Butwhoev
ercoul
dn'
t,
woul
dhav
etogi
veSamson30

sheet
sand30gar
ment
s.

I
fyecancer
tai
nlydecl
arei
tmewi
thi
nthesev
enday
soft
hef
east
,

andf
indi
tout
,thenIwi
l
lgi
vey
out
hir
tysheet
sandt
hir
tychange

ofgar
ment
s:Buti
fyecannotdecl
arei
tme,
thenshal
lyegi
veme

t
hir
tysheet
sandt
hir
tychangeofgar
ment
s.14.
12-
13

Nowt
hepar
tygoer
stookt
her
iddl
epr
ett
yser
iousl
y.So

t
heyaskedSamson'
snewwi
fet
otel
lthem t
heansweror

t
hey
'dbur
nherhousedown.

Ont
hesev
ent
hday.
..t
heysai
dunt
oSamson'
swi
fe,
Ent
icet
hy

husband,
thathemaydecl
areunt
oust
her
iddl
e,l
estwebur
nthee

andt
hyf
ather
'shousewi
thf
ir
e.14.
15

Shef
inal
l
ygott
heanswerf
rom Samsonandt
henshe

t
oldt
heguy
satt
hepar
ty.
Sheweptbef
orehi
mthesev
enday
s..
.and.
..ont
hesev
ent
hday

.
..het
oldher.
..andshet
oldt
her
iddl
etot
hechi
l
drenofher

peopl
e.14.
17

SoSamsondi
dn'
tgethi
s30set
sofsheet
sandgar
ment
s.

Samsonwaspi
ssed.Heaccusedhi
sguest
sof
...
wel
l
,I'
m

notsur
ewhat
.Her
e'swhathesai
d:

I
fyehadnotpl
owedwi
thmyhei
fer
,yehadnotf
oundoutmy

r
iddl
e.14.
18

Sot
hepar
tyani
mal
spl
owedwi
thSamson'
shei
ferand

t
heyf
oundouthi
sri
ddl
e.

Andt
henGodget
sinv
olv
edagai
n.

TheSpi
ri
toft
heLORDcameuponhi
m,andhewentdownt
o

Ashkel
on,
andsl
ewt
hir
tymenoft
hem,
andt
ookt
hei
rspoi
l
,and

gav
echangeofgar
ment
sunt
othem whi
chexpoundedt
her
iddl
e.

14.
19
SoSamsonwentt
oanot
herPhi
l
ist
inet
own(
Ashkel
on)

and,
whent
heSpi
ri
toft
heLor
dcameuponhi
m,ki
l
led

30menandt
ookt
hei
rcl
othest
ogi
vet
otheguy
sathi
s

par
tyf
orsol
vi
ngt
her
iddl
e.

Oh,
andt
heni
nthenextv
erse,
Samson'
snewwi
fei
s

gi
vent
othebestmanathi
sweddi
ng.

ButSamson'
swi
fewasgi
vent
ohi
scompani
on,
whom hehadused

ashi
sfr
iend.14.
20

Soev
ery
thi
ngwor
kedoutaccor
dingt
oGod'
spl
an.

Samson'
sbr
ief(
1week)mar
ri
age,
thel
i
onandhoney

epi
sode,
thecl
everr
iddl
e,andt
hecl
othi
ngbet
.Itwasal
l

car
eful
l
ypl
annedbyGodsot
hat
,int
heend,
Samson

woul
dmur
dert
hir
tymenf
ort
hei
rcl
othes.

TheLor
dwor
ksi
nmy
ster
iousway
s.

Oh,
didy
ougetSamson'
sri
ddl
e?Menei
ther
.
54.Thespi
ri
toft
heLor
d

cameuponSamsonand

heki
l
led1000menwi
th

t
hej
awboneofanass

Judges15.
14-
15

NumberKi
l
led:
1000

Phi
l
ist
ines

I
nthel
astki
l
li
ng(
53'
),
wesawt
hatSamson'
sbr
ief(
week-

l
ong)mar
ri
aget
oaPhi
l
ist
inewomanwaspr
ear
rangedby

Godsot
hatSamsonwoul
dmur
der30Phi
l
ist
inesf
ort
hei
r

cl
othes.Thatwast
hef
ir
stchapt
erofSamson'
sli
fe

(
Judges14)
.Her
e'st
henext
.

Af
terSamsonmur
der
edt
he30Phi
l
ist
ines,
hewentt
ohi
s

wi
fe'
shouset
ohav
esexwi
thher
.Heev
enbr
oughta

y
ounggoatal
ongt
opayherf
orherser
vices.
Samsonv
isi
tedhi
swi
fewi
thaki
d;andhesai
d,Iwi
l
lgoi
ntomy

wi
fei
ntot
hechamber
.Judges15.
1

Butt
henherf
atherhadt
otel
lhi
mthebadnews:
hehad

gi
venSamson'
swi
fet
ooneofhi
sPhi
l
ist
inef
ri
ends

becausehet
houghtt
hatSamson"
hat
ed"her
.

Herf
athersai
d,Iv
eri
l
ythoughtt
hatt
houhadstut
ter
lyhat
edher
;

t
her
efor
eIgav
ehert
othycompani
on.15.
2a

Hi
sfat
her
-i
n-l
awsuggest
edt
hatSamsonj
ustt
akehi
s

y
oungerdaught
er.Heck,
she'
spr
ett
ierany
way
,isn'
tshe?

I
snothery
oungersi
sterf
air
ert
hanshe?t
akeher
,Ipr
ayt
hee,

i
nst
eadofher
.15.
2b

ButSamsondi
dn'
twanthi
swi
fe'
sli
tt
lesi
ster
.Hewant
ed

hi
swi
feback,
becauseasy
ou'
l
lrecal
lfr
om t
hel
astki
l
li
ng,

"
Shepl
easedSamsonwel
l
."
SoSamsonhadani
dea,
ani
deat
hatonl
yoneofGod'
s

speci
alher
oescoul
dcomeupwi
th.He'
dcat
ch300f
oxes,

t
iet
hei
rtai
l
stoget
her
,li
ghtt
hem onf
ir
e,andsett
hem

l
oosei
nthePhi
l
ist
ine'
sgr
ainf
iel
ds.May
bet
hent
he

Phi
l
ist
ineswoul
dgi
vehi
m hi
swi
feback.

Samsonwentandcaughtt
hreehundr
edf
oxes,
andt
ook

f
ir
ebr
ands,
andt
urnedt
ail
tot
ail
,andputaf
ir
ebr
andi
nthemi
dst

bet
weent
wot
ail
s.Andwhenhehadsett
hebr
andsonf
ir
e,hel
et

t
hem go.15.
4-5

Buti
tdi
dn'
twor
koutaspl
anned.Af
tert
hebur
ningf
oxes

dest
roy
edt
hei
rfi
elds,
thePhi
l
ist
inesdi
dn'
tgi
veSamson

hi
swi
feback;
theybur
nedherandherf
athert
odeat
h.

Thent
hePhi
l
ist
inessai
d,Whohat
hdonet
his?Andt
heyanswer
ed,

Samson.
..becausehehadt
akenhi
swi
fe,
andgi
venhert
ohi
s

compani
on.Andt
hePhi
l
ist
inescameup,
andbur
ntherandher
f
atherwi
thf
ir
e.15.
6

I
nresponse,
Samsonsmot
ethePhi
l
ist
ines"
hipand

t
high"wi
thagr
eatsl
aught
er.(
I'
m noti
ncl
udi
ngt
his

ki
l
li
ngonGod'
sli
st,
sincet
heBi
bledoesn'
ttel
lust
hat

"
theSpi
ri
toft
heLor
dcameuponhi
m"orot
her
wise

di
rect
lysayt
hatGodwasi
nvol
ved.
)

Samsonsai
dunt
othem,
Thoughy
ehav
edonet
his,
yetwi
l
lIbe

av
engedofy
ou,
andaf
tert
hatIwi
l
lcease.Andhesmot
ethem hi
p

andt
highwi
thagr
eatsl
aught
er.15.
7-8

ThenSamsonwentt
ohangout"
int
het
opoft
her
ock

Et
am"
forawhi
l
e.Whi
l
ehewast
her
e,3000menof

Judahcame,
tiedhi
m upandt
ookhi
mtot
hePhi
l
ist
ines.

Whent
heydel
i
ver
edSamson"
theSpi
ri
toft
heLor
dcame
uponhi
m"andhebr
oket
her
opesandki
l
led1000men

wi
tht
hej
awboneofanass.

Thespi
ri
toft
heLor
dcamemi
ght
il
yuponhi
m..
.Andhef
ounda

newj
awboneofanassandsl
ewat
housandment
her
ewi
th.

15.
14-
15

Samsonwast
hir
styaf
tert
heki
l
li
ng,
soGodmadewat
er

comeoutoft
hesamej
awbonesot
hatSamsoncoul
dget

adr
ink.

Hewassor
eat
hir
st,
andcal
l
edont
heLORD,
and.
..Godcl
avean

hol
l
owpl
acet
hatwasi
nthej
aw,
andt
her
ecamewat
ert
her
eout
;

andwhenhehaddr
unk,
hisspi
ri
tcameagai
n.15.
18-
19

Doesany
oner
eal
l
ybel
i
evet
hisst
uff
?Wel
l
,yest
heydo,

unf
ort
unat
ely
.Ov
ert
wobi
l
li
onpeopl
ebel
i
eve(
orpr
etend

t
obel
i
eve)t
hatt
hisst
oryact
ual
l
yhappenedexact
lyasi
t
i
srecor
dedi
nJudges15.Samsont
iedt
het
ail
sof300

f
oxest
oget
herandsett
hem onf
ir
eandt
henheki
l
led

1000menwi
tht
hej
awboneofanass.

Ofcour
semostbel
i
ever
shav
enev
err
eadt
hest
oryand

don'
tev
enknowi
texi
sts,
butt
heybel
i
evei
tany
way
,

compl
etel
yandi
mpl
i
cit
ly,
becauset
heybel
i
evet
hat

ev
ery
thi
ngi
ntheBi
blei
str
ue.

I
t'
seasi
ert
obel
i
evei
nst
ori
esl
i
ket
hisi
fyoudon'
tknow

t
heyexi
st.

55.Samsonki
l
led3000

i
nasui
cidet
err
ori
st

at
tack

Judges16.
27-
30

NumberKi
l
led:
3,000

Phi
l
ist
ines
Af
terSamsonf
ini
shedki
l
li
ng1000menwi
thaj
awbone

ofanass(
54)
,hehadsexwi
thapr
ost
it
ute.

ThenwentSamsont
oGaz
a,andsawt
her
eanhar
lot
,andwenti
n

unt
oher
.Judges16.
1

Atmi
dni
ghthel
eftt
hepr
ost
it
uteandr
ippedoutt
he

door
sandgat
epost
soft
heci
tyandcar
ri
edt
hem t
othe

t
opofahi
l
l.

Samsonl
ayt
il
lmi
dni
ght
,andar
oseatmi
dni
ght
,andt
ookt
hedoor
s

oft
hegat
eoft
heci
ty,
andt
het
wopost
s,andwentawaywi
th

t
hem,
barandal
l
,andputt
hem uponhi
sshoul
der
s,andcar
ri
ed

t
hem upt
othet
opofanhi
l
lthati
sbef
oreHebr
on.16.
3

ThenSamsonsawandf
ell
inl
ovewi
thDel
i
lah.

Af
ter
war
d..
.hel
ovedawoman.
..whosenamewasDel
i
lah.16.
4

NowDel
i
lahwaspai
dbyt
hePhi
l
ist
inest
ofi
ndt
he

magi
cal
sour
ceofSamson'
sst
rengt
handhowhecoul
d
ber
est
rai
ned.SosheaskedSamsont
hreet
imesabouti
t,

whi
l
esomePhi
l
ist
ineshi
dinanot
herr
oom.

Thef
ir
stt
imet
hatsheasked,
hesai
dthathe'
dbecomeas

weakasanyot
hermani
fhewer
eti
edupwi
th

bowst
ri
ngs.Soshedi
dthatandt
henshout
ed,
"Hey

Samson,
thePhi
l
ist
inesar
ecomi
ng!
"Buthebr
oket
he

bowst
ri
ngsast
hought
heywer
ebur
ntst
ri
ngs.(
16.
6-9)

Sheaskedagai
nandhet
oldhert
ouser
opes.Soshet
ied

hi
m wi
thr
opesandt
henshout
ed,
"HeySamson,
the

Phi
l
ist
inesar
ecomi
ng!
"Buthebr
oket
her
opesl
i
ket
hey

wer
ethr
eads.(
16.
10-
12)

Sheaskedhi
m at
hir
dti
me,
andhet
oldhert
oweav
ehi
s

sev
enbr
aidsi
ntoacl
othandf
ast
ent
hewhol
emesst
o

t
hewal
l
.Soshedi
dthatandt
henshout
ed,
"HeySamson

(
youdumbshi
t)
,thePhi
l
ist
inesar
ecomi
ng!
"Buthe

br
okeoutoft
hatone,
too.(
16.
13-
14)

ButDel
i
lahdi
dn'
tgi
veup.Shekeptpest
eri
nghi
m unt
il

f
inal
l
ySamsont
oldhert
het
ruesour
ceofhi
sst
rengt
h.I
t

washi
shai
r.I
fhi
shai
rwasshav
edof
f,he'
dbecomeas
weakasanyot
herman.

I
fIbeshav
en,
thenmyst
rengt
hwi
l
lgof
rom me,
andIshal
l

becomeweak,
andbel
i
keanyot
herman.16.
17

SowhenSamsonf
ell
asl
eeponherl
ap,
shecuthi
shai
r.

Andbot
htheLor
dandhi
sst
rengt
hdepar
tedf
rom hi
m.

Shemadehi
m sl
eepuponherknees.
..t
oshav
eof
fthesev
en

l
ocksofhi
shead.
..andhi
sst
rengt
hwentf
rom hi
m..
.theLORD

wasdepar
tedf
rom hi
m.16.
19-
20

Thent
hePhi
l
ist
inescapt
uredSamson,
gougedouthi
s

ey
es,
andputhi
minpr
ison.

ThePhi
l
ist
inest
ookhi
m,andputouthi
sey
es,
andbr
oughthi
m

downt
oGaza,
andboundhi
m wi
thf
ett
ersofbr
ass;
andhedi
d

gr
indi
nthepr
isonhouse.16.
21

Lat
eratoneoft
hei
rbi
gpar
ti
es,
thePhi
l
ist
inesbr
ought
Samsonoutt
oent
ert
aint
hem.Her
e'swhathappened.

Nowt
hehousewasf
ull
of.
..aboutt
hreet
housandmenand

women.
..AndSamsoncal
l
edunt
otheLORD,
andsai
d,Lor
d

God.
..st
rengt
henme.
..t
hatImaybeatonceav
engedoft
he

Phi
l
ist
inesf
ormyt
woey
es.
..andt
hehousef
ell
upont
hel
ords,

anduponal
lthepeopl
ethatwer
ether
ein.Sot
hedeadwhi
chhe

sl
ewathi
sdeat
hwer
emor
ethant
heywhi
chhesl
ewi
nhi
sli
fe.

16.
27-
30

Thi
swast
hef
ir
stsui
cidet
err
ori
stact
.Itr
esul
tedi
nthe

deat
hsof3000ci
vi
li
anmenandwomen.Godappr
oved

ofi
tandgav
eSamsont
hest
rengt
htodoi
t.And

al
thought
heBi
bledoesn'
tsayso,
ther
ear
eunconf
ir
med

r
epor
tst
hatSamsonshout
ed"
Godi
sgr
eat(
All
ahu

Akbar
)"ast
hewal
l
scamet
umbl
i
ngdown.

Ti
-.r
**^
B.W*

■Wl
1
"
.-
'■'
"JOS'
•*-

56.Ahol
yci
vi
lwar(
It

hadsomet
hingt
odowi
th

r
ott
ing,
concubi
nebody
-

par
tmessages)

Judges20.
18-
48

NumberKi
l
led:
65,
100

Non-
Benj
ami
tesandBenj
ami
tes

Doy
ouknowt
hest
oryaboutt
heLev
iteandhi
s

concubi
ne?Youknowt
heonei
nJudges19wher
ethe

Lev
iteandhi
sconcubi
near
est
ayi
ngataguy
'shouse

whenamobcomesandaskst
ohav
esexwi
tht
heLev
ite,
andt
hehostsay
snoy
oucan'
thav
esexwi
thhi
m butI
'
ll

gi
vey
oumyv
irgi
ndaught
erandhi
sconcubi
nei
nst
ead,

sot
heLev
itegi
vest
hem hi
sconcubi
neandt
heyr
apeher

al
lni
ghtandshecr
awl
sbackt
othehouseanddi
est
he

nextmor
ning,
andt
hent
heLev
iteput
sherbodyonhi
s

donkeyandgoeshomeandchopsherbodyi
nto12

pi
ecesandsendsapi
ecet
oeacht
ri
beofI
srael
?Yeah

t
hatone.

Wel
l
,thi
sist
her
estoft
hest
ory
.

Yousee,
whent
he12t
ri
besgott
hepi
ecesofdecay
ing

concubi
nebodypar
ts,
theyi
mmedi
atel
yassembl
ed

bef
oret
heLor
dinMi
zpeh,
alongwi
tht
heent
ir
e

popul
ati
onofI
srael
and400,
000sol
dier
s.(
Whatel
se

woul
dyoudoi
fyougotahunkofr
ott
ingf
leshi
nthe

mai
l
?)
Al
lthechi
l
drenofI
srael
wentout
,andt
hecongr
egat
ionwas

gat
her
edt
oget
herasoneman.
..unt
otheLORDi
nMi
zpeh.And.
..

f
ourhundr
edt
housandf
oot
ment
hatdr
ewswor
d.Judges20.
1-2

Whent
heyar
ri
vedatMi
zpeh,
theI
srael
i
tesaskedt
he

meani
ngoft
her
ott
ing-
fl
eshmessages.Sot
heLev
itet
old

t
hem t
henast
yst
oryt
hati
sfoundi
nJudges19.

Whent
heI
srael
i
teshear
dthi
s,al
l400,
000sai
din

compl
eteuni
son:

Al
lthepeopl
ear
oseasoneman,
say
ing.
..Thi
sshal
lbet
het
hing

whi
chwewi
l
ldot
oGi
beah;
wewi
l
lgoupbyl
otagai
nsti
t.20.
8-9

Thent
heyaskedGodwhatt
heyshoul
ddoabouti
t.God

t
oldt
hem t
ogot
owarwi
tht
heBenj
ami
tes,
say
ingt
hat

t
het
ri
beofJudahshoul
dgof
ir
st.

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
arose,
andwentupt
othehouseofGod,
and

askedcounsel
ofGod,
andsai
d,Whi
chofusshal
lgoupf
ir
stt
othe

bat
tl
eagai
nstt
hechi
l
drenofBenj
ami
n?Andt
heLORDsai
d,Judah

shal
lgoupf
ir
st.20.
18
(
God'
sjustwart
heor
y:Si
ncet
het
ownofGi
beahwas

wher
ethei
nci
dentwi
tht
heconcubi
neoccur
red,
andt
he

i
nhabi
tant
sofGi
beahwer
efr
om t
het
ri
beofBenj
ami
n,

t
heot
herI
srael
i
tet
ri
besmustgot
owarwi
tht
he

Benj
ami
tes.Thi
smaynotmakemuchsenset
oyou,
buti
t

doest
oGod.
)

Sot
heydi
dthat
,buti
tdi
dn'
twor
koutt
oowel
l
,and

22,
000I
srael
i
tesdi
ed.

ThemenofI
srael
wentoutt
obat
tl
eagai
nstBenj
ami
n..
.Andt
he

chi
l
drenofBenj
ami
ncamef
ort
houtofGi
beah,
anddest
roy
ed

downt
othegr
oundoft
heI
srael
i
test
hatdayt
went
yandt
wo

t
housandmen.20.
20-
21

Af
tert
hei
rfi
rstdef
eat
,theI
srael
i
tesweptbef
oreGodand

askedhi
m whatt
heyshoul
ddonext
.Godsai
dtogof
ight

t
heBenj
ami
tes(
agai
n).

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
wentupandweptbef
oret
heLORDunt
il
ev
en,
andaskedcounsel
oft
heLORD,
say
ing,
Shal
lIgoupagai
n

t
obat
tl
eagai
nstt
hechi
l
drenofBenj
ami
nmybr
other
?Andt
he

LORDsai
d,Goupagai
nsthi
m.20.
23

Sot
henextdayt
heyt
ri
edt
hat
,buti
tdi
dn'
ttur
noutso

wel
lthi
sti
meei
ther
.Anot
her18,
000I
srael
i
teswer
e

ki
l
led.

Thechi
l
drenofI
srael
camenearagai
nstt
hechi
l
drenofBenj
ami
n

t
hesecondday
.AndBenj
ami
nwentf
ort
hagai
nstt
hem outof

Gi
beaht
hesecondday
,anddest
roy
eddownt
othegr
oundoft
he

chi
l
drenofI
srael
agai
nei
ght
eent
housandmen.20.
24-
25

Onceagai
nal
loft
heI
srael
i
tessi
tandweepbef
oreGod,

andaskhi
m(f
ort
het
hir
dti
me)i
ftheyshoul
dat
tackt
he

Benj
ami
tes.

Thenal
lthechi
l
drenofI
srael
,andal
lthepeopl
e,wentup,
and

cameunt
othehouseofGod,
andwept
,andsatt
her
ebef
oret
he

LORD.
..Andt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
enqui
redoft
heLORD.20.
26-
27
Godgav
ethem hi
susual
answer
:At
tack.Thi
sti
mehe

pr
omi
sedt
hathewoul
ddel
i
vert
hem i
ntot
hei
rhands.

TheLORDsai
d,Goup;
fort
omor
rowIwi
l
ldel
i
vert
hem i
ntot
hine

hand.20.
28

Andhedi
d.I
t'
snotent
ir
elycl
ear
,though,
howmany

Benj
ami
teswer
eki
l
led,
25,
100(
asi
tsay
sin20.
35)
,

25,
000(
asi
n20.
46)
,ormay
bebot
hint
wosepar
ate

bat
tl
es.Butsi
ncet
her
ewer
eonl
yat
otal
of26,
000

Benj
ami
tessol
dier
s(20.
15)
,I'
l
ljustgi
veGodcr
edi
tfor

ki
l
li
nganot
her25,
100.

TheLORDsmot
eBenj
ami
nbef
oreI
srael
:andt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael

dest
roy
edoft
heBenj
ami
test
hatdayt
went
yandf
ivet
housandand

anhundr
edmen:
all
thesedr
ewt
heswor
d.20.
35

Sot
hatal
lwhi
chf
ell
thatdayofBenj
ami
nwer
etwent
yandf
ive

t
housandmen.20.
46
TheI
srael
i
teski
l
ledal
lbut600Benj
ami
tesol
dier
sand

t
henki
l
ledev
eryoneel
sei
nthet
ri
beofBenj
ami
n—ol
d

men,
women,
chi
l
dren,
andbabi
es,
evenal
lthei
r

ani
mal
s.

Butsi
xhundr
edment
urnedandf
ledt
othewi
l
der
nessunt
othe

r
ockRi
mmon,
andabodei
nther
ockRi
mmonf
ourmont
hs.Andt
he

menofI
srael
tur
nedagai
nupont
hechi
l
drenofBenj
ami
n,and

smot
ethem wi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d,aswel
lthemenofev
ery

ci
ty,
ast
hebeast
,andal
lthatcamet
ohand:
alsot
heysetonf
ir
e

al
ltheci
ti
est
hatt
heycamet
o.20.
47-
48

I
tseemst
omet
hatGodwasal
soatl
eastpar
tl
y

r
esponsi
blef
ort
he40,
000I
srael
i
test
hatwer
eki
l
ledi
n

t
hef
ir
stt
wounsuccessf
ulbat
tl
est
hathet
oldt
he

I
srael
i
test
ofi
ght
,al
ongwi
tht
he25,
100Benj
ami
te

sol
dier
s.SoI
'
lladd65,
100t
oGod'
stot
al.
57.TheendofJudges:

Twogenoci
desand200

st
olenv
irgi
ns

Judges21.
10-
14

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
4,000

Peopl
eofJabeshgi
l
ead

God'
s56t
hki
l
li
ngwasaGod-
inspi
redci
vi
lwarbet
ween

t
het
ri
beofBenj
ami
nandt
heot
herI
srael
i
tes.I
twas

God'
swayofdeal
i
ngwi
tht
hatmessyaf
fai
rinv
olv
ingt
he

Lev
iteandhi
sconcubi
ne.

Asy
ou'
l
lrecal
l
,Godt
oldt
heI
srael
i
test
ofi
ghtt
he

Benj
ami
test
hreet
imes.I
nthef
ir
stt
wobat
tl
es,
the

I
srael
i
teswer
edef
eat
edand40,
000oft
hei
rsol
dier
swer
e

ki
l
led.Butt
het
hir
dti
me"
Godsmot
eBenj
ami
n,
"ki
l
li
ng
25,
100oft
hem.But600Benj
ami
tessur
viv
ed.

Butsi
xhundr
ed[
Benj
ami
te]ment
urnedandf
ledt
othewi
l
der
ness

unt
other
ockRi
mmon,
andabodei
nther
ockRi
mmonf
our

mont
hs.Judges20.
47

Af
tert
hebat
tl
e,t
heI
srael
i
teski
l
ledev
ery
thi
ng(
human

andani
mal
)inev
eryBenj
ami
tev
il
lage,
town,
andci
ty

andt
henbur
nedev
ery
thi
ngt
othegr
ound.

ThemenofI
srael
tur
nedagai
nupont
hechi
l
drenofBenj
ami
n,and

smot
ethem wi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d,aswel
lthemenofev
ery

ci
ty,
ast
hebeast
,andal
lthatcamet
ohand:
alsot
heysetonf
ir
e

al
ltheci
ti
est
hatt
heycamet
o.20.
48

Thent
heyr
emember
edt
he600sur
viv
ingBenj
ami
te

sol
dier
s.

Wher
etheheckwer
etheseguy
sgoi
ngt
ofi
ndwi
ves?The

non-
Benj
ami
teski
l
ledal
ltheBenj
ami
tewomen(56)and

swor
etoGodt
hatnoneoft
hem woul
d"gi
ve"t
hei
r
daught
erst
oanyBenj
ami
te.

Nowt
hemenofI
srael
hadswor
ninMi
zpeh,
say
ing,
Ther
eshal
l

notanyofusgi
vehi
sdaught
erunt
oBenj
ami
ntowi
fe.21.
1

Thent
heyt
houghtofagr
eatsol
uti
on.They
'dcheckt
he

r
ecor
dsoft
heMi
zpehmeet
ingandseewhodi
dn'
tshow

upwhent
heygotabodypar
tint
hemai
l
.

Theysai
d,Whatonei
sther
eoft
het
ri
besofI
srael
thatcamenot

upt
oMi
zpeht
otheLORD?And,
behol
d,t
her
ecamenonet
othe

campf
rom Jabeshgi
l
eadt
otheassembl
y.21.
8

I
ttur
nedoutt
hatJabeshgi
l
eadwasabsent
.Sot
heysent

12,
000sol
dier
stoJabeshgi
l
eadt
oki
l
lev
ery
onei
ntown

exceptf
ort
hev
irgi
nwomen.Thatpr
oduced400v
irgi
ns,

whi
cht
heydel
i
ver
edt
otheBenj
ami
tesur
viv
orsatt
he

r
ockRi
mmon.

Thecongr
egat
ionsentt
hit
hert
wel
vet
housandmenoft
he

v
ali
ant
est
,andcommandedt
hem,
say
ing,
Goandsmi
tet
he
i
nhabi
tant
sofJabeshgi
l
eadwi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d,wi
tht
he

womenandt
hechi
l
dren.Andt
heyf
oundamongt
hei
nhabi
tant
sof

Jabeshgi
l
eadf
ourhundr
edy
oungv
irgi
ns,
thathadknownnoman

byl
yi
ngwi
thanymal
e..
.andt
heygav
ethem wi
veswhi
cht
hey

hadsav
edal
i
veoft
hewomenofJabeshgi
l
ead.21.
10-
14

Butdar
n!Ther
ewer
e600Benj
ami
tes,
sot
heywer
est
il
l

200v
irgi
nsshor
t.Wher
ethef
uckar
etheygoi
ngt
ofi
nd

200mor
evi
rgi
ns?

Wel
l
,someonehear
daboutt
hisdanci
ngf
est
ival
thatt
hey

hadatShi
l
oheachy
ear
.Sot
heyt
oldt
her
emai
ning200

Benj
ami
temenwi
thoutv
irgi
nst
ohi
dei
nthebushesand

cat
cht
heShi
l
ohgi
rl
swhent
heycameoutt
odance.

Ther
efor
etheycommandedt
hechi
l
drenofBenj
ami
n,say
ing,
Go

andl
i
einwai
tint
hev
iney
ards.
..And.
..i
fthedaught
ersofShi
l
oh

comeoutt
odancei
ndances,
thencomey
eoutoft
hev
iney
ards,

andcat
chy
ouev
erymanhi
swi
feoft
hedaught
ersofShi
l
oh.
..

Andt
hechi
l
drenofBenj
ami
ndi
dso,
andt
ookt
hem wi
ves,

accor
dingt
othei
rnumber
,oft
hem t
hatdanced,
whom t
hey

caught
.21.
20-
23

Soeachoft
he600sur
viv
ingBenj
ami
tesol
dier
sgota

v
irgi
nandev
ery
thi
ngwor
kedoutaccor
dingt
oGod'
s
pl
an.

(
Ifi
gur
edt
her
ewer
eatl
east10chi
l
dren,
men,
andnon-

v
irgi
nwomenf
orev
eryv
irgi
nwomani
nJabeshgi
l
ead.I
f

so,
then4000wer
eki
l
ledt
ogett
he400v
irgi
nwomen

f
ort
hesur
viv
ingBenj
ami
tes.
)

58.Godki
l
lsEl
i
'ssons

and34,
000I
srael
i
te

sol
dier
s

1Samuel
4.2-
11

NumberKi
l
led:
34,
002

Hophni
,Phi
nehasand34,
000I
srael
i
tesol
dier
s

Ther
ewasanol
dpr
iestnameEl
i
,whohadt
wosons,

Hophni
andPhi
nehas.(
Thi
sisanot
herPhi
nehas,
not

God'
sher
ofr
om ki
Hing_
2_5.
)Li
keEl
i
,hi
ssonswer
e
pr
iest
s,butt
heywer
ebadpr
iest
swhodi
dn'
tknowGod,

st
olemeatf
rom bur
ntof
fer
ings,
andhadsexwi
th

womenatt
hedooroft
het
aber
nacl
e.

ThesonsofEl
iwer
esonsofBel
i
al;
theyknewnott
heLORD.1

Samuel
2.12

I
fanymansai
dunt
ohi
m,Lett
hem notf
ail
tobur
nthef
at

pr
esent
ly,
andt
hent
akeasmuchast
hysoul
desi
ret
h;t
henhe

woul
danswerhi
m,Nay
;butt
houshal
tgi
vei
tmenow:
andi
fnot
,I

wi
l
ltakei
tbyf
orce.2.
16

El
i.
..hear
dal
lthathi
ssonsdi
d..
.howt
heyl
aywi
tht
hewomen

t
hatassembl
edatt
hedooroft
het
aber
nacl
eoft
hecongr
egat
ion.

2.
22

El
ital
kedt
ohi
ssonsabouti
tandt
ri
edt
ogett
hem t
o

changet
hei
rway
s,butt
heywoul
dn'
tl
ist
ent
ohi
m si
nce

Godhadal
readydeci
dedt
oki
l
lthem.
Theyhear
kenednotunt
othev
oiceoft
hei
rfat
her
,becauset
he

LORDwoul
dsl
ayt
hem.2.
25

Bef
oreki
l
li
ngEl
i
'ssons,
though,
Godt
orment
edEl
iabi
t.

Fi
rst
,a"
manofGod"t
ell
sEl
ithatGodwi
l
l"consumehi
s

ey
es"and"
gri
evehi
shear
t"andmakesur
ethatal
lofhi
s

descendant
sdi
eyoung.

AmanofGod.
..sai
dunt
ohi
m,Thussai
tht
heLORD.
..Iwi
l
lcut

of
fthi
near
m..
.Ther
eshal
lnotbeanol
dmani
nthi
nehousef
or

ev
er.
..Ishal
l.
..consumet
hineey
esand.
..gr
iev
ethi
nehear
t.

2.
27-
33

Then,
justi
ncaset
hef
ir
stmessagedi
dn'
tgett
hrough,

Godsendsanot
heronet
oEl
ithr
ought
heboypr
ophet
,

Samuel
.Itt
akesGodt
hreet
ri
est
odel
i
vert
hemessage,

buthef
inal
l
ydoes.Andi
t'
sthesamenast
ymessage:

Godwi
l
lmakeev
ery
one'
sear
sti
ngl
ebypuni
shi
ngal
lof
El
i
'sunbor
ndescendant
sfort
hesi
nsofhi
ssons.

TheLORDsai
dtoSamuel
,Behol
d,Iwi
l
ldoat
hingi
nIsr
ael
,at

whi
chbot
htheear
sofev
eryonet
hathear
ethi
tshal
lti
ngl
e.Iwi
l
l

per
for
m agai
nstEl
ial
lthi
ngswhi
chIhav
espoken.
..Iwi
l
ljudge

hi
shousef
orev
er.
..becausehi
ssonsmadet
hemsel
vesv
il
e,and

her
est
rai
nedt
hem not
.3.
11-
13

Samuel
del
i
ver
sthemessaget
oEl
iandher
espondst
he

waybel
i
ever
sal
way
sdo.(
Godcandowhat
everhewant
s

—howev
erabsur
d,cr
uel
,orunj
ust
—andt
heywi
l
lcal
li
t

good.
)

I
tist
heLORD:
lethi
m dowhatseemet
hhi
m good.3.
18

SonowGodhadt
ofi
gur
eouthowhewasgoi
ngt
oki
l
l

El
i
'ssons.

Andt
hat
'swher
ethePhi
l
ist
inescamei
n.Godusedt
hem

t
oki
l
lEl
i
'ssons,
alongwi
th34,
000I
srael
i
tesol
dier
s.

I
nthef
ir
stbat
tl
e,t
heI
srael
i
tesl
ost4000men.
ThePhi
l
ist
inesputt
hemsel
vesi
nar
rayagai
nstI
srael
:andwhen

t
heyj
oinedbat
tl
e,I
srael
wassmi
tt
enbef
oret
hePhi
l
ist
ines:
and

t
heysl
ewoft
hear
myi
nthef
iel
daboutf
ourt
housandmen.4.
2

Whi
chsur
pri
sedt
heheckoutoft
heI
srael
i
tes,
sinceGod

wassupposedt
obeont
hei
rsi
de.

Sot
heywentt
ogett
hear
koft
hecov
enant
,fi
gur
ingi
t

woul
dpr
otectt
hem f
rom t
hePhi
l
ist
ines.

Whent
hepeopl
ewer
ecomei
ntot
hecamp,
theel
der
sofI
srael

sai
d,Wher
efor
ehat
htheLORDsmi
tt
enust
odaybef
oret
he

Phi
l
ist
ines?Letusf
etcht
hear
koft
hecov
enantof.
..t
hat.
..i
tmay

sav
eusoutoft
hehandofourenemi
es.4.
3

Al
ongwi
tht
hear
k,t
heyal
sogotEl
i
'ssons,
Hophni
and

Phi
nehas.

Sot
hepeopl
esentt
oShi
l
oh,
thatt
heymi
ghtbr
ingf
rom t
hencet
he

ar
koft
hecov
enantoft
heLORD.
..andt
het
wosonsofEl
i
,Hophni

andPhi
nehas,
wer
ether
ewi
tht
hear
koft
hecov
enantofGod.4.
4
Whent
hear
kcamet
otheI
srael
i
tes'
camp,
theyal
l

shout
edatonce,
causi
nganear
thquake.

Whent
hear
koft
hecov
enantoft
heLORDcamei
ntot
hecamp,
all

I
srael
shout
edwi
thagr
eatshout
,sot
hatt
heear
thr
angagai
n.4.
5

Theear
thshooksomucht
hatt
hePhi
l
ist
inesf
elti
tat

t
hei
rcamp,
andt
heyknewj
ustwhati
tmeant
.Godwas

wi
tht
heI
srael
i
tesandhewasont
hei
rsi
de.

ThePhi
l
ist
ineswer
eaf
rai
d,f
ort
heysai
d,Godi
scomei
ntot
he

camp.Andt
heysai
d,Woeunt
ous!f
ort
her
ehat
hnotbeensucha

t
hingher
etof
ore.4.
7

ThePhi
l
ist
ineshadhear
dwhatGoddi
dtot
heEgy
pti
ans

andt
heywer
eaf
rai
dthatnowhe'
ddoi
ttot
hem.Sot
hey

al
lsai
dtoget
her
:"Woeunt
ous.
"
Woeunt
ous!whoshal
ldel
i
verusoutoft
hehandoft
hesemi
ght
y

Gods?t
hesear
etheGodst
hatsmot
etheEgy
pti
answi
thal
lthe

pl
aguesi
nthewi
l
der
ness.4.
8

Thent
heysnappedoutofi
tandst
art
edt
oactl
i
ke

Phi
l
ist
inesagai
n,andki
l
ledanot
her30,
000I
srael
i
tes.

ThePhi
l
ist
inesf
ought
,andI
srael
wassmi
tt
en,
andt
heyf
ledev
ery

mani
ntohi
stent
:andt
her
ewasav
erygr
eatsl
aught
er;
fort
her
e

f
ell
ofI
srael
thi
rt
ythousandf
oot
men.4.
10

And,
int
hepr
ocess,
thePhi
l
ist
inesst
olet
hear
kofGod

andal
soki
l
ledEl
i
'ssons.

Thear
kofGodwast
aken;
andt
het
wosonsofEl
i
,Hophni
and

Phi
nehas,
wer
esl
ain.4.
11

JustasGodsai
dhewoul
ddoi
n1Samuel
2.25

(
Igav
eGodcr
edi
tfor34,
002,
34,
000I
srael
i
tesol
dier
s

andEl
i
'st
wosons.
)
59.Godsmot
ethem wi
th

hemor
rhoi
dsi
nthei
r

secr
etpar
ts

1Samuel
5.6-
12

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
3,000

Phi
l
ist
ines

Youmayhav
enot
icedatt
heendoft
hel
astki
l
li
ng(
581,

t
hatt
hePhi
l
ist
inesst
olet
hear
koft
hecov
enantf
rom t
he

I
srael
i
tes.Andt
hat
'swhent
hei
rtr
oubl
esr
eal
l
ybegan.

ThePhi
l
ist
inesbr
oughtt
hear
ktoAshdodandseti
tup

nextt
othei
rgod,
Dagon.
ThePhi
l
ist
inest
ookt
hear
kofGod.
..unt
oAshdod.
..i
ntot
he

houseofDagon,
andseti
tbyDagon.1Samuel
5.1-
2

Thenextmor
ningDagonhadf
all
enonhi
sface.

Whent
heyofAshdodar
oseear
lyont
hemor
row,
behol
d,Dagon

wasf
all
enuponhi
sface.5.
3

Sot
heyputDagonbacki
nhi
spl
ace,
butt
henext

mor
ninghehadf
all
endownagai
n,andt
hist
imehi
s

headandhandshadf
all
enof
f,sohewasnomor
ethana

st
ump.

Whent
heyar
oseear
lyont
hemor
rowmor
ning,
behol
d,Dagon

wasf
all
enuponhi
sfacet
othegr
oundbef
oret
hear
koft
heLORD;

andt
heheadofDagonandbot
hthepal
msofhi
shandswer
ecut

of
fupont
het
hreshol
d;onl
ythest
umpofDagonwasl
eftt
ohi
m.

5.
4

ThenGodst
art
edt
ogetnast
y.Hedest
roy
edt
hepeopl
e
ofAsdodandsmot
ethoset
hatsur
viv
edwi
th

hemor
rhoi
ds.

Butt
hehandoft
heLORDwasheav
yupont
hem ofAshdod,
andhe

dest
roy
edt
hem,
andsmot
ethem wi
themer
ods(
hemor
rhoi
ds)
.5.
6

Sot
hepeopl
eofAshdoddeci
dedt
osendt
hear
kto

anot
herPhi
l
ist
ineci
ty:
Gat
h.

Whatshal
lwedowi
tht
hear
koft
heGodofI
srael
?Andt
hey

answer
ed,
Lett
hear
koft
heGodofI
srael
becar
ri
edaboutunt
o

Gat
h.Andt
heycar
ri
edt
hear
koft
heGodofI
srael
aboutt
hit
her
.

5.
8

Andt
henGodsmot
ethepeopl
eofGat
h,t
hesmal
land

t
hegr
eat
,wi
thhemor
rhoi
dsi
nthei
rsecr
etpar
ts.

Thehandoft
heLORDwasagai
nstt
heci
tywi
thav
erygr
eat

dest
ruct
ion:
andhesmot
ethemenoft
heci
ty,
bot
hsmal
land

gr
eat
,andt
heyhademer
odsi
nthei
rsecr
etpar
ts.5.
9

Af
tert
hat
,whatdoy
out
hinkt
heGat
hit
esdi
dwi
thGod'
s

ar
k?Theysenti
ttoEkr
on.
Ther
efor
etheysentt
hear
kofGodt
oEkr
on.5.
10

Whent
hear
kar
ri
vedatEkr
on,
Goddi
dtheusual
thi
ng:

heki
l
ledmostoft
hepeopl
eandgav
ether
est

hemor
rhoi
ds.

Ther
ewasadeadl
ydest
ruct
iont
hroughoutal
ltheci
ty;
thehandof

Godwasv
eryheav
yther
e.Andt
hement
hatdi
ednotwer
esmi
tt
en

wi
tht
heemer
ods:
andt
hecr
yoft
heci
tywentupt
oheav
en.5.
11-

12

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanypeopl
eGodki
l
ledi
n

Ashdod,
Gat
h,andEkr
on.SoI
'
llj
ustcal
li
t3000,
1000

f
rom eachci
ty.

60.50,
070ki
l
ledf
or

l
ooki
ngi
ntot
hear
kof
t
heLor
d

1Samuel
6.19

NumberKi
l
led:
50,
070

Bet
hshemeshi
tes

I
nhi
slastki
l
li
ng(
59'
).Godwasbusyf
ashi
oni
ng

hemor
rhoi
dsandpl
aci
ngt
hem i
nthePhi
l
ist
ines'
secr
et

par
ts.St
uffl
i
ket
hatget
sannoy
ingaf
terawhi
l
e.

Sot
hePhi
l
ist
inesaskedt
hei
rpr
iest
showt
heycanget

Godt
ost
op.Thepr
iest
stol
dthem t
omakef
ivegol
den

hemor
rhoi
dsandf
ivegol
denmi
ceast
respassof
fer
ings,

andputt
hear
kandt
heof
fer
ingsi
nacar
tpul
l
edbyt
wo

cows.Thenl
ett
hecowsgowher
evert
heychoose.I
fthey
got
owar
dBet
hshemesh,
theni
twasGodwhowas

st
ri
ki
ngt
hepeopl
ewi
thhemor
rhoi
dsi
nthei
rsecr
etpar
ts.

ThePhi
l
ist
inescal
l
edf
ort
hepr
iest
sandt
hedi
vi
ner
s,say
ing,
What

shal
lwedot
othear
koft
heLORD?Andt
heysai
d,I
fyesendaway

t
hear
koft
heGodofI
srael
,sendi
tnotempt
y;but.
..r
etur
nhi
ma

t
respassof
fer
ing:
theny
eshal
lbeheal
ed.
..Whatshal
lbet
he

t
respassof
fer
ing?Theyanswer
ed,
Fiv
egol
denemer
ods,
andf
ive

gol
denmi
ce.
..t
aket
hear
koft
heLORD,
andl
ayi
tupont
hecar
t;

andputt
he.
..t
respassof
fer
ing.
..andsendi
taway.
..Andsee,
if

i
tgoet
hupbyt
hewayofhi
sowncoastt
oBet
hshemesh,
thenhe

hat
hdoneust
hisgr
eatev
il
:buti
fnot
,thenweshal
lknowt
hati
tis

nothi
shandt
hatsmot
eus:
itwasachancet
hathappenedt
ous.1

Samuel
6.2-
9

Si
ncet
hatsoundedl
i
kear
easonabl
epl
an,
that
'
swhat

t
heydi
d.Andt
hecowsheadedst
rai
ghtf
orBet
hshemesh

"
andt
urnednotasi
det
other
ighthandort
othel
eft
."

Theyl
aidt
hear
koft
heLORDupont
hecar
t,andt
hecof
ferwi
th

t
hemi
ceofgol
dandt
hei
magesoft
hei
remer
ods.Andt
heki
ne
t
ookt
hest
rai
ghtwayt
othewayofBet
hshemesh,
andwental
ong

t
hehi
ghway
,lowi
ngast
heywent
,andt
urnednotasi
det
other
ight

handort
othel
eft
.6.
11-
12

Sot
hewor
ldnowknowsf
orsur
ethati
twasGodwho

ki
l
ledt
hePhi
l
ist
inepeopl
ebyput
ti
nghemor
rhoi
dsi
n

t
hei
rsecr
etpar
ts.

Thatwoul
dhav
ebeenahappyendi
ng,
Isuppose,
except

someoft
heBet
hshemeshi
tesl
ookedi
ntot
hear
k.SoGod

hadt
oki
l
l50,
070oft
hem.

Hesmot
ethemenofBet
hshemesh,
becauset
heyhadl
ookedi
nto

t
hear
koft
heLORD,
evenhesmot
eoft
hepeopl
efi
ft
ythousand

andt
hreescor
eandt
enmen:
andt
hepeopl
elament
ed,
because

t
heLORDhadsmi
tt
enmanyoft
hepeopl
ewi
thagr
eatsl
aught
er.

6.
19

St
ori
esl
i
ket
hiscanonl
ybef
oundi
ntheBi
ble.

61.TheLor
dthunder
ed
gr
eatt
hunderupont
he

Phi
l
ist
ines

1Samuel
7.10-
11

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Phi
l
ist
ines

Af
terGodki
l
ledmor
ethan50,
000f
orl
ooki
ngi
ntot
he

ar
k(60)
,thear
kwasmov
edt
oKi
rj
athj
ear
im andt
he

peopl
eofI
srael
"lament
edaf
tert
heLor
d"—whi
chmeans,

Iguess,
thatt
heywant
edt
hedamnedt
hingback.

Andi
tcamet
opass,
whi
l
ethear
kabodei
nKi
rj
athj
ear
im,
thatt
he

t
imewasl
ong;
fori
twast
went
yyear
s:andal
lthehouseofI
srael

l
ament
edaf
tert
heLORD.1Samuel
7.2
SoSamuel
tol
dthem whatt
odo.Getr
idofal
lthei
rot
her

godsandwor
shi
pYahwehal
one.Sot
heI
srael
i
tes

r
oundedupal
lthei
rgodsandt
hrewt
hem away
.Then

Samuel
tol
dal
lthepeopl
eofI
srael
togat
heratMi
zpeh

andhewoul
dsayal
i
ttl
epr
ayerf
ort
hem.

Samuel
sai
d,Gat
heral
lIsr
ael
toMi
zpeh,
andIwi
l
lpr
ayf
ory
ou

unt
otheLORD.7.
5

Soev
ery
onei
nIsr
ael
camet
oMi
zpeh,
pour
edwat
erout

f
ort
heLor
d,f
ast
ed,
andsai
dthey
'dsi
nned.

Andt
heygat
her
edt
oget
hert
oMi
zpeh,
anddr
ewwat
er,
and

pour
edi
toutbef
oret
heLORD,
andf
ast
edont
hatday
,andsai
d

t
her
e,Wehav
esi
nnedagai
nstt
heLORD.7.
6

Whent
hePhi
l
ist
ineshear
daboutal
lthi
s,t
heypr
epar
ed

t
oat
tackI
srael
.

Whent
hePhi
l
ist
ineshear
dthatt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
wer
e
gat
her
edt
oget
hert
oMi
zpeh,
thel
ordsoft
hePhi
l
ist
ineswentup

agai
nstI
srael
.7.
7a

TheI
srael
i
teswer
eaf
rai
doft
hePhi
l
ist
ines,
sot
heyasked

Samuel
toaskGodt
osav
ethem.

Whent
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
hear
dit
,theywer
eaf
rai
doft
he

Phi
l
ist
ines.7.
7b

SoSamuel
kil
l
edababyl
ambandbur
nedi
tsdeadbody

f
orGod.

Samuel
tookasucki
ngl
amb,
andof
fer
edi
tforabur
ntof
fer
ing

whol
l
yunt
otheLORD.7.
9a

ThenSamuel
cri
edoutt
oGodandGodhear
dhi
m.

AndSamuel
cri
edunt
otheLORDf
orI
srael
;andt
heLORDhear
d

hi
m.7.
9b

Whi
l
eSamuel
wasbusyr
oast
ingt
hel
ambf
orGod,
the

Phi
l
ist
inesat
tacked.AndGod"
thunder
edwi
thagr
eat

t
hunder
"and"
discomf
it
edt
hem."
Thent
heI
srael
i
tes
chasedt
hem downandki
l
ledt
hem.

AsSamuel
wasof
fer
ingupt
hebur
ntof
fer
ing,
thePhi
l
ist
inesdr
ew

neart
obat
tl
eagai
nstI
srael
:butt
heLORDt
hunder
edwi
thagr
eat

t
hunderont
hatdayupont
hePhi
l
ist
ines,
anddi
scomf
it
edt
hem;

andt
heywer
esmi
tt
enbef
oreI
srael
.Andt
hemenofI
srael
went

outofMi
zpeh,
andpur
suedt
hePhi
l
ist
ines,
andsmot
ethem.7.
10-

11

Af
tert
hesl
aught
er,
Samuel
putupamonumentt
hat

sai
d,"
Sof
art
heLor
dhashel
pedus.
"

ThenSamuel
tookast
one.
..say
ing,
Hit
her
tohat
htheLORD

hel
pedus.7.
12

Onceagai
ntheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanyPhi
l
ist
ines

wer
eki
l
led.SoI
'
llj
ustcal
li
t1000.

62.Anot
herAmmoni
te
massacr
e(andanot
her

God-
inspi
red,
body
-par
t

message)

1Samuel
11.
11

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Ammoni
tes

Remembert
heHol
yCi
vi
lWaraf
ewki
l
li
ngsback?(
56)

Thi
sisal
otl
i
kei
t.

I
tst
art
swi
tht
hepeopl
efr
om Jabeshgi
l
eadmaki
nga

pr
oposi
ti
ont
otheAmmoni
tes.

ThenNahasht
heAmmoni
tecameup,
andencampedagai
nst

Jabeshgi
l
ead:
andal
lthemenofJabeshsai
dunt
oNahash,
Makea
cov
enantwi
thus,
andwewi
l
lser
vet
hee.1Samuel
11.
1

DoesJabeshgi
l
eadsoundf
ami
l
iart
oyou?Wel
l
,ify
ou

r
eadaboutGod'
s57t
hki
l
li
ng,
itshoul
d.(
Int
hatst
ory
,

t
heI
srael
i
teski
l
ledev
ery
onei
ntheci
tyofJabeshgi
l
ead

exceptf
ort
hev
irgi
nwomen,
whom t
heygav
etot
he

sur
viv
ingBenj
ami
tesf
orwi
ves.
)

Soev
ery
onei
nJabeshgi
l
eadwaski
l
ledaf
ewy
ear
s

bef
oret
heev
ent
sin1Samuel
11supposedl
ytookpl
ace.

Yether
einv
erse1t
heyar
emaki
ngat
reat
ywi
tht
he

Ammoni
tes.Dodeadpeopl
emaket
reat
ies?Iguesst
hey

doi
ntheBi
ble.

Any
way
,her
e'st
hedeal
thatNahashof
fer
edt
he(
dead?
)

peopl
efr
om Jabeshgi
l
ead:

Nahasht
heAmmoni
teanswer
edt
hem,
Ont
hiscondi
ti
onwi
l
lI

makeacov
enantwi
thy
ou,
thatImayt
hrustoutal
lyourr
ightey
es,

andl
ayi
tforar
epr
oachuponal
lIsr
ael
.11.
2

Nowy
oumi
ghtt
hinkt
hatt
hiswoul
dbeanobr
ainert
o
t
hepeopl
eofJabeshgi
l
ead.Butsi
ncet
heywer
eal
ready

dead,
may
bet
heydi
dn'
thav
eanyey
est
opokeout
.In

anycase,
thepeopl
eofJabshgi
l
eadaskedf
oraweekt
o

seei
ftheycoul
dgetanar
myt
oget
hert
ofi
ghtt
he

Ammoni
tes.I
ftheycoul
dn'
t,
they
'dl
ett
heAmmoni
tes

pokeoutoneoft
hei
rey
es.

Theel
der
sofJabeshsai
dunt
ohi
m,Gi
veussev
enday
s'r
espi
te,

t
hatwemaysendmessenger
sunt
oal
lthecoast
sofI
srael
:and

t
hen,
ift
her
ebenomant
osav
eus,
wewi
l
lcomeoutt
othee.11.
3

TheAmmoni
tessai
d,"
Sur
e,goaheadandgetanar
my

t
oget
her
.We'
l
lgi
vey
ouaweek.
"Sot
hel
eader
sof

Jabeshgi
l
eadsentmessenger
stoSaul
,whohadr
ecent
ly

becomet
hef
ir
stki
ngofI
srael
(1Sam 10.
20-
24)
.

WhenSaul
hear
dabouti
t,"
theSpi
ri
toft
heLor
dcame

uponhi
m,"andSaul
didwhatanyspi
ri
t-
fi
ll
edper
son

woul
ddo:
heki
l
ledsomeoxen,
choppedt
hei
rbodi
esup

i
nto12pi
eces,
andsentt
hepi
ecest
othe12t
ri
besof

I
srael
.
TheSpi
ri
tofGodcameuponSaul
...Andhet
ookay
okeofoxen,

andhewedt
hem i
npi
eces,
andsentt
hem t
hroughoutal
lthe

coast
sofI
srael
byt
hehandsofmessenger
s.11.6-7a

Andi
twor
ked,
too.Messagesl
i
ket
hatal
way
swor
kint
he

Bi
ble.

Thef
earoft
heLORDf
ell
ont
hepeopl
e,andt
heycameoutwi
th

oneconsent
.11.
7b

Wi
thi
naweekt
heoxbodypar
tswer
esentar
oundt
oal
l

t
het
ri
besofI
srael
andal
lthepeopl
eofI
srael
responded

"
asone,
"for
minganar
myof330,
000.

Whenhenumber
edt
hem i
nBezek,
thechi
l
drenofI
srael
wer
e

t
hreehundr
edt
housand,
andt
hemenofJudaht
hir
tyt
housand.

11.
8

I
t'
samazi
ngwhatt
wel
ver
ott
ingpi
ecesofmeatcando!

ThenSaul
tol
dthepeopl
eofJabeshgi
l
ead:
Tomor
row,
byt
hatt
imet
hesunbehot
,yeshal
lhav
ehel
p.And

t
hemessenger
scameandshewedi
ttot
hemenofJabesh;
and

t
heywer
egl
ad.11.
9

Sot
hemessenger
swentbackandt
oldt
hegoodnewst
o

l
eader
sofJabeshgi
l
ead,
andt
heyt
oldNahasht
hat

t
omor
rowt
hey
'dl
ett
hem pokeoutt
hei
rey
es.

ThemenofJabeshsai
d,Tomor
rowwewi
l
lcomeoutunt
oyou,

andy
eshal
ldowi
thusal
lthatseemet
hgoodunt
oyou.11.
10

ThenextdaySaul
andhi
sar
myki
l
ledAmmoni
tesunt
il

t
heheatoft
heday
.Whent
heywer
edonet
heyhadki
l
led

al
ltheAmmoni
tes.

Saul
...sl
ewt
heAmmoni
tesunt
ilt
heheatoft
heday
:andi
tcame

t
opass,
thatt
heywhi
chr
emai
nedwer
escat
ter
ed,
sot
hatt
woof

t
hem wer
enotl
eftt
oget
her
.11.
11

Af
tert
hesl
aught
erSaul
sai
d,

Todayt
heLORDhat
hwr
oughtsal
vat
ioni
nIsr
ael
.11.
13
SoGoddeser
vesatl
eastsomeoft
hecr
edi
t.

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanyAmmoni
teswer
eki
l
led;

I
'
llcal
li
tast
andar
dmassacr
eandsay1000.

63.Jonat
han'
sver
yfi
rst

sl
aught
er(
notcount
ing

t
heonebef
ore)

1Samuel
14.
12-
14

NumberKi
l
led:
20

Phi
l
ist
ines

Wel
l
,itwasabi
tdi
sappoi
nti
ngt
ome,
butIguessi
twas

OKf
orav
eryf
ir
stsl
aught
er.

Her
e'showi
thappened.
OnedayJonat
hanandhi
sar
morbear
erdeci
dedt
ogo

f
indsomeunci
rcumci
sedguy
stoki
l
l.Whoknows?May
be

Godwoul
dhel
pthem.

Jonat
hansai
dtot
hey
oungmant
hatbar
ehi
sar
mour
,Come,
and

l
etusgoov
erunt
othegar
ri
sonoft
heseunci
rcumci
sed:
itmaybe

t
hatt
heLORDwi
l
lwor
kforus.1Samuel
14.
6

Jonat
han'
samor
ousar
morbear
ersai
dtohi
m,"
Do

what
everi
siny
ourhear
t.What
everi
siny
ourhear
tisi
n

myhear
t,t
oo.
"(Theyhadav
erycl
ose,
int
imat
e

r
elat
ionshi
p.)

Hi
sar
mour
bear
ersai
dunt
ohi
m,Doal
lthati
sint
hinehear
t:t
urn

t
hee;
behol
d,Iam wi
tht
heeaccor
dingt
othyhear
t.14.
7

SoJonat
hant
oldhi
m hi
spl
an.Theywi
l
lgoov
ert
othe

Phi
l
ist
inesandi
ftheysay
,"Wai
tther
eandwe'
l
lcome
ov
ert
oyou,
"thenJonat
hanandhi
sar
morbear
erwi
l
l

st
ayput
.Buti
fthePhi
l
ist
inessay
,"Comeupt
ous,
and

wewi
l
lshowy
ousomet
hing,
"thent
heywi
l
lat
tack,

knowi
ngt
hatGodwi
l
lhel
pthem ki
l
lthem.

Thensai
dJonat
han,
Behol
d,wewi
l
lpassov
erunt
othesemen,

andwewi
l
ldi
scov
erour
sel
vesunt
othem.I
ftheysayt
husunt
ous,

Tar
ryunt
ilwecomet
oyou;
thenwewi
l
lst
andst
il
li
nourpl
ace,

andwi
l
lnotgoupunt
othem.Buti
ftheysayt
hus,
Comeupunt
o

us;
thenwewi
l
lgoup:
fort
heLORDhat
hdel
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntoour

hand:
andt
hisshal
lbeasi
gnunt
ous.14.
8-10

Sot
heydi
dthat
.Andwhent
hePhi
l
ist
inessawt
hem,

t
heysai
d,"
Lookt
heHebr
ewshav
ecr
awl
edoutoft
he

hol
est
heywer
ehi
dingi
n."

Bot
hoft
hem di
scov
eredt
hemsel
vesunt
othegar
ri
sonoft
he

Phi
l
ist
ines:
andt
hePhi
l
ist
inessai
d,Behol
d,t
heHebr
ewscome

f
ort
houtoft
hehol
eswher
etheyhadhi
dthemsel
ves.14.
11
Andt
hent
hePhi
l
ist
inessai
dthemagi
cwor
dsofdoom,

"
Comeonupandwe'
l
lshowy
ouat
hingort
wo.
"

Themenoft
hegar
ri
sonanswer
edJonat
hanandhi
s

ar
mour
bear
er,
andsai
d,Comeupt
ous,
andwewi
l
lshewy
oua

t
hing.14.
12a

WhenJonat
hanhear
dthat
,het
oldhi
sar
morbear
ert
hat

Godwoul
dhel
pthem ki
l
lthePhi
l
ist
ines.

Jonat
hansai
dunt
ohi
sar
mour
bear
er,
Comeupaf
terme:
fort
he

LORDhat
hdel
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntot
hehandofI
srael
.14.
12b

SoJonat
hanandhi
sar
morbear
ercr
awl
edoutoft
hei
r

hol
eandbegant
oki
l
lPhi
l
ist
ines.

Jonat
hancl
i
mbedupuponhi
shandsanduponhi
sfeet
,andhi
s

ar
mour
bear
eraf
terhi
m:andt
heyf
ell
bef
oreJonat
han;
andhi
s

ar
mour
bear
ersl
ewaf
terhi
m.14.
13
Theyki
l
ledabout20oft
hem,
all
inanar
eaofhal
fan

acr
eorso,
whi
chi
snott
oobadf
orav
eryf
ir
stsl
aught
er.

Thatf
ir
stsl
aught
er,
whi
chJonat
hanandhi
sar
mour
bear
ermade,

wasaboutt
went
ymen,
wit
hinasi
twer
eanhal
facr
eofl
and,

whi
chay
okeofoxenmi
ghtpl
ow.14.
14

Thet
hingt
hatbot
her
smeaboutt
hisst
oryi
sthe"
fi
rst

sl
aught
er"par
t.Becausei
fthi
swasJonat
han'
sver
yfi
rst

sl
aught
er,
whatwashedoi
ngi
nthel
astchapt
er?

Jonat
hansmot
ethegar
ri
sonoft
hePhi
l
ist
inest
hatwasi
nGeba.

13.
3

64.Godf
orcest
he

Phi
l
ist
inest
oki
l
leach

ot
her
1Samuel
14.
15-
20

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Phi
l
ist
ines

Af
terhel
pingJonat
hanwi
thhi
sfi
rstsl
aught
er(
whi
ch

wasn'
treal
l
yhi
sfi
rst
,butOhwel
l
),Godt
ookov
ert
he

ki
l
li
nghi
msel
f.Hedi
dn'
thav
emuchchoi
cei
fhewant
ed

t
ogett
heki
l
li
ngdone,
becauset
her
ewer
eonl
ytwo

swor
dsi
nal
lIsr
ael
att
het
ime,
Jonat
han'
sandSaul
'
s.

Andi
t'
shar
dtoki
l
lPhi
l
ist
ineswi
thonl
yst
icksandst
ones.

Soi
tcamet
opassi
nthedayofbat
tl
e,t
hatt
her
ewasnei
ther

swor
dnorspearf
oundi
nthehandofanyoft
hepeopl
ethatwer
e

wi
thSaul
andJonat
han:
butwi
thSaul
andwi
thJonat
hanhi
sson

wast
her
efound.1Samuel
13.
22

ButGodhadapl
an.He'
dfor
cet
hePhi
l
ist
inest
oki
l
leach
ot
her(
andt
hrowi
nanear
thquakef
ordr
amat
icef
fect
).

Andt
her
ewast
rembl
i
ng.
..andt
heear
thquaked:
soi
twasav
ery

gr
eatt
rembl
i
ng.
..Andt
hemul
ti
tudemel
tedaway
,andt
heywent

onbeat
ingdownoneanot
her
..
.Ev
eryman'
sswor
dwasagai
nsthi
s

f
ell
ow,
andt
her
ewasav
erygr
eatdi
scomf
it
ure.14:
15-
20

Af
tert
hePhi
l
ist
ineski
l
ledeachot
her
,theI
srael
i
tesmust

hav
egat
her
edupt
hei
rswor
dsandspear
s,becauseby

t
heendoft
hesamechapt
erSaul
isf
ight
ingev
ery
bodyat

once,
"vexi
ng"t
hem al
l
.

SoSaul
...f
oughtagai
nstal
lhi
senemi
esonev
erysi
de,
agai
nst

Moab,
andagai
nstt
hechi
l
drenofAmmon,
andagai
nstEdom,
and

agai
nstt
heki
ngsofZobah,
andagai
nstt
hePhi
l
ist
ines:
and

whi
ther
soev
erhet
urnedhi
msel
f,hev
exedt
hem.Andhegat
her
ed

anhost
,andsmot
etheAmal
eki
tes,
anddel
i
ver
edI
srael
outoft
he

handsoft
hem t
hatspoi
l
edt
hem.14.
47-
48

(
Iguessedt
hatGodf
orced1000Phi
l
ist
inest
oki
l
leach
ot
her
.Butsi
ncet
heBi
bledoesn'
tsayt
hatGodwas

i
nvol
vedi
nthesecondki
l
li
ng,
Idi
dn'
ti
ncl
udei
tont
he

of
fi
cial
li
st.
)

65.TheAmal
eki
te

genoci
de

1Samuel
15.
2-9

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
10,
000

Amal
eki
tes

Not
hingmuchneedst
obesai
daboutt
hisone.

Youonl
yneedt
oreadt
hef
ir
stt
hreev
ersesf
rom 1

Samuel
15t
oknowf
orsur
ethatt
heGodoft
heBi
blei
s

ev
il
.(Thankgoodnesshedoesn'
texi
st!
)

St
il
l,
iti
sgoodi
deat
olookatt
hest
oryi
ncont
ext
.

(
Bibl
ebel
i
ever
sof
tent
ell
ust
olookatt
hecont
ext
.But

cont
extnear
lyal
way
smakesBi
blest
ori
eswor
se,
not
bet
ter
.Thi
sst
oryi
snoexcept
ion.
)

Samuel
alsosai
dunt
oSaul
...Thussai
tht
heLORDofhost
s,I

r
emembert
hatwhi
chAmal
ekdi
dtoI
srael
,howhel
aidwai
tfor

hi
mint
heway
,whenhecameupf
rom Egy
pt.Nowgoandsmi
te

Amal
ek,
andut
ter
lydest
royal
lthatt
heyhav
e,andspar
ethem not
;

butsl
aybot
hmanandwoman,
inf
antandsuckl
i
ng,
oxandsheep,

camel
andass.1Samuel
15.
1-3

Not
icet
hatSamuel
speaksher
eforGod.Whywoul
d

any
onebel
i
evet
hatt
henornow?Wasi
tbecausei
t

soundedl
i
kesomet
hingGodwoul
dsay
?

Andi
fthegenoci
dewassoi
mpor
tantt
oGod,
whydi
dn'
t

het
ell
Saul
dir
ect
ly?

Butl
et'
sassumet
hatt
heBi
blei
sri
ghtandSamuel
quot
ed

Godcor
rect
ly.I
fso,
then(
unl
i
kemanyofGod'
ski
l
li
ngs)

weknowwhyGodwant
edSaul
toki
l
lal
ltheAmal
eki
tes

—becauseGodr
emember
edwhatt
hei
rancest
orsdi
d

hundr
edsofy
ear
sbef
oret
heywer
ebor
n(t
heydef
ended
t
hemsel
veswhent
heI
srael
i
test
ri
edt
oki
l
lthem andt
ake

t
hei
rland)
.

AndSaul
pret
tymuchdi
dasGodcommanded.Hesent

210,
000sol
dier
stoki
l
lev
ery
oneandev
ery
thi
ngamong

t
heAmal
eki
tes:
men,
women,
chi
l
dren,
babi
es,
ani
mal
s—

exceptf
ort
heki
ng,
Agag,
andsomeoft
hemor
e

v
aluabl
esheep,
oxen,
andl
ambs.

Saul
gat
her
edt
hepeopl
etoget
her.
..t
wohundr
edt
housand

f
oot
men,
andt
ent
housandmenofJudah..
..AndSaul
smot
ethe

Amal
eki
tes.
..Andhet
ookAgagt
heki
ngoft
heAmal
eki
tesal
i
ve,

andut
ter
lydest
roy
edal
lthepeopl
ewi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d.

ButSaul
andt
hepeopl
espar
edAgag,
andt
hebestoft
hesheep,

andoft
heoxen,
andoft
hef
atl
i
ngs,
andt
hel
ambs,
andal
lthat

wasgood,
andwoul
dnotut
ter
lydest
royt
hem:
butev
eryt
hingt
hat

wasv
il
eandr
efuse,
thatt
heydest
roy
edut
ter
ly.15.
4-9

Saul
kil
l
edt
heol
dmen,
thepr
egnantwomen,
the

chi
l
drenandbabi
es.Buthespar
edt
heki
ngandsome

ani
mal
s.AndGodwoul
dnev
erf
orgi
vehi
mfori
t.

Samuel
cri
edhi
sli
tt
leey
esoutal
lni
ghtandGod
r
epent
edofmaki
ngSaul
king.

Thencamet
hewor
doft
heLORDunt
oSamuel
,say
ing,
It

r
epent
ethmet
hatIhav
esetupSaul
tobeki
ng:
forhei
stur
ned

backf
rom f
oll
owi
ngme,
andhat
hnotper
for
medmy

commandment
s.Andi
tgr
iev
edSamuel
;andhecr
iedunt
othe

LORDal
lni
ght
.15.
10-
11

I
t'
sgoodt
oknowt
hatGodr
epent
ed.Wheny
ouor
der

someonet
ocommi
tgenoci
def
orst
ufft
hathappened

cent
uri
esago,
youshoul
dbeabi
tsor
ryabouti
t.

Butt
hatwasn'
twhatGodwassor
ryabout
.Godwant
ed

al
loft
heAmal
eki
teski
l
led.I
nsomesi
ckwayi
tmade

Godhappyev
eryt
imeanol
dAmal
eki
tewomanoral
i
ttl
e

babywaski
l
led.

No,
Godr
epent
edofmaki
ngSaul
kingbecausehedi
dn'
t

ki
l
lev
ery
one,
andGodwant
edev
ery
oneki
l
led.

Andi
fyoubel
i
evei
ntheBi
ble,
youwant
edt
hem ki
l
led,

t
oo.

[
Ift
hisBi
blest
oryi
str
ue(
whi
chi
tisn'
t,
ofcour
se)
,how
manyAmal
eki
teswer
eki
l
ledatGod'
scommand?I

or
igi
nal
l
ygav
eitt
heusual
1000f
orast
andar
dmassacr
e,

butSaul
sent210,
000sol
dier
stodot
heki
l
li
ng.He

woul
dn'
tsendt
hatmanysol
dier
stoki
l
lonl
y1000

ci
vi
li
ans,
woul
dhe?SoIi
ncr
easedi
tto10,
000.
]

66.Samuel
hacksAgag

t
odeat
hbef
oret
heLor
d

1Samuel
15.
32-
33

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Agag

Saul
rui
nedGod'
slastki
l
li
ng(
65)bynotki
l
li
ngal
lthe

Amal
eki
tes.Godwant
edacompl
etegenoci
de,
andSaul

bl
ewi
tbykeepi
ngonemanal
i
ve(
alongwi
thaf
ew

ani
mal
sthathepl
annedt
oki
l
llat
erf
orGod)
.Poor

Samuel
wassoupsett
hathet
orehi
sski
rtandcr
iedal
l

ni
ght
.
I
tgr
iev
edSamuel
;andhecr
iedunt
otheLORDal
lni
ght
.1Samuel

15.
11b

Samuel
...l
aidhol
dupont
heski
rtofhi
smant
le,
andi
trent
.15.
27

Butaccor
dingt
othest
ory
,itwasn'
tGodt
hatt
oldSaul
to

commi
tgenoci
de.I
twasSamuel
.Samuel
sai
d"t
hussai
th

t
heLor
d"andSaul
wasst
upi
denought
obel
i
evehi
m.

Andbel
i
ever
shav
efol
l
owedal
ongev
ersi
nce.

Af
tert
hegenoci
de,
Samuel
justkeptmaki
ngnast
yshi
t

upandbl
ami
ngi
tonGod.

Thencamet
hewor
doft
heLORDunt
oSamuel
,say
ing,
It

r
epent
ethmet
hatIhav
esetupSaul
tobeki
ng:
forhei
stur
ned

backf
rom f
oll
owi
ngme,
andhat
hnotper
for
medmy

commandment
s.15.
10-
ll
a

TheLORDsentt
heeonaj
our
ney
,andsai
d,Goandut
ter
lydest
roy

t
hesi
nner
stheAmal
eki
tes,
andf
ightagai
nstt
hem unt
ilt
heybe

consumed.15.
18
ThecommandmentofGodt
hatSaul
brokewas"
Thou

shal
tki
l
lev
ery
one,
manandwoman,
inf
antandsuckl
i
ng,

oxandsheep,
camel
andass.
"

Thussai
tht
heLor
dofhost
s..
.Goandsmi
teAmal
ek,
andut
ter
ly

dest
royal
lthatt
heyhav
e,andspar
ethem not
;butsl
aybot
hman

andwoman,
inf
antandsuckl
i
ng,
oxandsheep,
camel
andass.

15.
2-3

SoSamuel
hadt
ofi
nisht
hehol
ygenoci
debyhacki
ng

Agagt
opi
ecesbef
oret
heLor
d.

Thensai
dSamuel
,Br
ingy
ehi
thert
omeAgagt
heki
ngoft
he

Amal
eki
tes.AndAgagcameunt
ohi
m del
i
cat
ely
.AndAgagsai
d,

Sur
elyt
hebi
tt
ernessofdeat
hispast
.AndSamuel
sai
d,Ast
he

swor
dhat
hmadewomenchi
l
dless,
soshal
lthymot
herbe

chi
l
dlessamongwomen.AndSamuel
hewedAgagi
npi
ecesbef
ore

t
heLORDi
nGi
l
gal
.15.
32-
33

Samuel
wasamonst
er.Buthewasaher
otoGodand

st
il
li
stoal
lBi
blebel
i
ever
s.

'
"
<*?J
/

:
:k,

67.I
nthev
all
eyofEl
ah:

Gol
i
ath

1Samuel
17.
49-
54

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Gol
i
ath

Af
terSamuel
cri
edal
lni
ghtandt
orehi
sski
rtov
erSaul
'
s

i
ncompl
etegenoci
de(
65)
,hef
ini
shedt
hej
obt
henext
daybyhacki
ngAgagt
opi
ecesbef
oret
heLor
d(661,

ButGodandSamuel
wer
est
il
lupsetbyt
hewhol
ethi
ng.

I
tbr
oket
hei
rli
tt
lehear
ts.Af
teral
l
,Godt
oldSaul
toki
l
l

al
ltheAmal
eki
tes,
andSaul
sav
edoneguyal
i
ve,
along

wi
thsomeani
mal
shepl
annedt
osacr
if
icet
oGodl
ater

on.(
Howwoul
dyouf
eel
ify
out
oldsomeonet
ocommi
t

genoci
deandt
hent
heywentandl
eftoneper
sonal
i
ve?
)

Samuel
nev
ersawSaul
agai
n(notwi
thhi
scl
otheson,

any
way-See1Samuel
19.
24)
,buthe"
mour
ned"f
or

hi
m.AndGodr
epent
edofmaki
ngSaul
king.

Samuel
camenomor
etoseeSaul
unt
ilt
hedayofhi
sdeat
h:

nev
ert
hel
essSamuel
mour
nedf
orSaul
:andt
heLORDr
epent
ed

t
hathehadmadeSaul
kingov
erI
srael
.1Samuel
15.
35

SoGodandSamuel
foundanot
herki
ng,
someonewho

woul
dgl
adl
yki
l
lany
oneatanyt
imef
oranyr
eason,
a

manaf
terGod'
sownhear
t:Dav
id.
I
'
m goi
ngt
oski
pthedet
ail
sabouthowGodandSamuel

sel
ect
edDav
idsoIcangetonwi
tht
hest
oryathand.But

si
ncet
hesamepai
r(GodandSamuel
)thatconspi
redt
o

pr
oducet
heAmal
eki
tegenoci
de(
65)sel
ect
edDav
idas

ki
ng,
youknowi
twasagoodsel
ect
ion!

WhenSamuel
anoi
ntedDav
idaski
ng,
theSpi
ri
toft
he

Lor
dcameonDav
idandi
twaswi
thhi
mfort
her
estof

hi
sli
fe.Att
hesamet
ime,
ofcour
se,
theSpi
ri
toft
he

Lor
ddepar
tedf
rom Saul
andwasr
epl
acedbyanev
il

spi
ri
tfr
om God,
asr
equi
redbyt
hef
ir
stl
awofspi
ri
tual

t
her
mody
nami
cs.

ThenSamuel
tookt
hehor
nofoi
l
,andanoi
ntedhi
m..
.andt
he

Spi
ri
toft
heLORDcameuponDav
idf
rom t
hatdayf
orwar
d..
..But

t
heSpi
ri
toft
heLORDdepar
tedf
rom Saul
,andanev
ilspi
ri
tfr
om

t
heLORDt
roubl
edhi
m.16.
13-
14

Thi
sdast
ardl
yev
ilspi
ri
tfr
om GodcausedSaul
lot
sof

pr
obl
ems.Andonl
yonet
hingseemedt
ohel
p:Dav
idand

hi
shar
p.

Dav
idcamet
oSaul
,andst
oodbef
orehi
m:andhel
ovedhi
m
gr
eat
ly.
..AndSaul
sentt
oJesse,
say
ing,
LetDav
id,
Ipr
ayt
hee,

st
andbef
oreme;
forhehat
hfoundf
avouri
nmysi
ght
.Andi
tcame

t
opass,
whent
heev
ilspi
ri
tfr
om GodwasuponSaul
,thatDav
id

t
ookanhar
p,andpl
ayedwi
thhi
shand:
soSaul
wasr
efr
eshed,

andwaswel
l
,andt
heev
ilspi
ri
tdepar
tedf
rom hi
m.16.
21-
23

Andnowwef
inal
l
ygett
hest
oryI
'
m supposedt
obe

t
ell
i
ng.Theoney
oual
readyknow.Dav
idandGol
i
ath.

I
tbegi
nswi
thaPhi
l
ist
inenamedGol
i
ath,
whowasabi
g

guy
,ev
enbyNBAst
andar
ds.At6cubi
tsandaspan,
he

woul
dhav
ebeenabout3met
ers(
near
ly10f
eet
)tal
l
.

Ther
ewentoutachampi
onoutoft
hecampoft
hePhi
l
ist
ines,

namedGol
i
ath,
ofGat
h,whosehei
ghtwassi
xcubi
tsandaspan.

17.
4

Gol
i
athhadapl
ant
oli
mitt
hesmi
ti
ngt
hatwasal
way
s

goi
ngonbet
weent
hePhi
l
ist
inesandt
heI
srael
i
tes—af
air
f
ightbet
weent
woguy
s:hi
m andwhomev
ert
heI
srael
i
tes

chose.

Hest
oodandcr
iedunt
othear
miesofI
srael
,andsai
dunt
othem,

Whyar
eyecomeoutt
osety
ourbat
tl
einar
ray
?am notIa

Phi
l
ist
ine,
andy
eser
vant
stoSaul
?choosey
ouamanf
ory
ou,
and

l
ethi
m comedownt
ome.I
fhebeabl
etof
ightwi
thme,
andt
oki
l
l

me,
thenwi
l
lwebey
ourser
vant
s:buti
fIpr
evai
lagai
nsthi
m,and

ki
l
lhi
m,t
henshal
lyebeourser
vant
s,andser
veus.17.
8-9

Dav
idhear
dabouti
tandv
olunt
eer
edf
ort
hej
ob.I
t

mi
ghthav
ehadsomet
hingt
odowi
tht
her
ewar
d.

Dav
idSpaket
othement
hatst
oodbyhi
m,say
ing,
whatshal
lbe

donet
othemant
hatki
l
let
hthi
sPhi
l
ist
ine,
andt
aket
hawayt
he

r
epr
oachf
rom I
srael
?forwhoi
sthi
sunci
rcumci
sedPhi
l
ist
ine,
that

heshoul
ddef
ythear
miesoft
hel
i
vingGod?17.
26

Andt
hemenofI
srael
sai
d..
.itshal
lbe,
thatt
hemanwhoki
l
let
h

hi
m,t
heki
ngwi
l
lenr
ichhi
m wi
thgr
eatr
iches,
andwi
l
lgi
vehi
m

hi
sdaught
er,
andmakehi
sfat
her
'shousef
reei
nIsr
ael
.17.
25
(
Iknow,
thev
ersesar
eoutofor
der
,buthey
,thi
sist
he

Bi
ble.
)

ThenEl
i
ab,
Dav
id'
sol
destbr
other
,sai
dthatDav
idwas

j
ustdoi
ngi
tbecausehehadapr
oud,
naught
yhear
tand

want
edt
ogetoutofwat
chi
ngt
hesheep.

El
i
ab'
sangerwaski
ndl
edagai
nstDav
id,
andhesai
d,Whyear
nest

t
houdownhi
ther
?andwi
thwhom hastt
houl
eftt
hosef
ewsheep

i
nthewi
l
der
ness?Iknowt
hypr
ide,
andt
henaught
inessoft
hine

hear
t.17.
28

ButDav
idi
gnor
edEl
i
abandwentt
otal
ktoKi
ngSaul
.

Dav
idf
indsSaul
andof
fer
shi
sser
vicesasgi
antki
l
lerbut

Saul
isskept
ical
.

Dav
idsai
dtoSaul
...t
hyser
vantwi
l
lgoandf
ightwi
tht
his

Phi
l
ist
ine.AndSaul
sai
dtoDav
id,
Thouar
tnotabl
etogoagai
nst

t
hisPhi
l
ist
inet
ofi
ghtwi
thhi
m:f
ort
houar
tbutay
out
h,andhea

manofwarf
rom hi
syout
h.17.
32-
33
SoDav
idt
ell
shi
m aconf
usi
ngst
oryabouthowonce,

whi
l
etendi
ngsheep,
heki
l
ledal
i
on(
andabear
?)wi
th

hi
sbar
ehands.Godhel
pedhi
m ki
l
lthel
i
on(
andt
he

bear
?);
he'
l
ldot
hesamewi
tht
he10f
ootgi
ant
.

Dav
idsai
dunt
oSaul
,Thyser
vantkepthi
sfat
her
'ssheep,
and

t
her
ecameal
i
on,
andabear
,andt
ookal
amboutoft
hef
lock:

AndIwentoutaf
terhi
m,andsmot
ehi
m,anddel
i
ver
edi
toutof

hi
smout
h:andwhenhear
oseagai
nstme,
Icaughthi
m byhi
s

bear
d,andsmot
ehi
m,andsl
ewhi
m.Thyser
vantsl
ewbot
hthe

l
i
onandt
hebear
:andt
hisunci
rcumci
sedPhi
l
ist
ineshal
lbeasone

oft
hem,
seei
nghehat
hdef
iedt
hear
miesoft
hel
i
vingGod.Dav
id

sai
dmor
eov
er,
TheLORDt
hatdel
i
ver
edmeoutoft
hepawoft
he

l
i
on,
andoutoft
hepawoft
hebear
,hewi
l
ldel
i
vermeoutoft
he

handoft
hisPhi
l
ist
ine.17.
34-
37a

SoSaul
giv
esDav
idt
hej
ob,
put
ti
nghi
sownswor
d,

hel
met
,andcoatofmai
lonhi
m.
Saul
sai
dunt
oDav
id,
Go,
andt
heLORDbewi
tht
hee.AndSaul

ar
medDav
idwi
thhi
sar
mour
,andheputanhel
metofbr
assupon

hi
shead;
alsohear
medhi
m wi
thacoatofmai
l
.17.
37b-
38

ButDav
idwasn'
tusedt
oit
,sohedeci
dedt
ogowi
thj
ust

hi
sst
aff
,asl
i
ng,
andf
ivest
onesi
nst
ead.

Dav
idsai
dunt
oSaul
,Icannotgowi
tht
hese;
forIhav
enotpr
oved

t
hem.AndDav
idputt
hem of
fhi
m.Andhet
ookhi
sst
affi
nhi
s

hand,
andchosehi
mfi
vesmoot
hst
onesoutoft
hebr
ook,
andput

t
hem i
nashepher
d'sbagwhi
chhehad,
eveni
nascr
ip;
andhi
s

sl
i
ngwasi
nhi
shand:
andhedr
ewneart
othePhi
l
ist
ine.17.
39-
40

Ashewasl
eav
ing,
Saul
sai
dtohi
scapt
ainAbner
,"Who'
s

soni
sthatboy
?"

WhenSaul
sawDav
idgof
ort
hagai
nstt
hePhi
l
ist
ine,
hesai
dunt
o

Abner
,thecapt
ainoft
hehost
,Abner
,whosesoni
sthi
syout
h?

AndAbnersai
d,Ast
hysoul
li
vet
h,ki
ng,
Icannott
ell
.Andt
he

ki
ngsai
d,Enqui
ret
houwhosesont
hest
ri
pli
ngi
s.17.
55-
56

[
Int
hepr
evi
ouschapt
er(
1Samuel
16)
,Saul
senta

messengert
otel
lJesset
osendhi
ssonDav
id;
Dav
id

cameandpl
ayedhi
shar
pforSaul
togetr
idofGod'
sev
il
spi
ri
t,andSaul
"lov
edhi
m gr
eat
ly"f
ori
t.Yetnowhe

doesn'
tev
enknowwhoDav
idi
s.]

SoDav
idgoesof
fandconf
ront
sGol
i
ath,
aft
ermaki
nga

l
i
ttl
espeech.

Thensai
dDav
idt
othePhi
l
ist
ine,
Thoucomestt
omewi
thaswor
d,

andwi
thaspear
,andwi
thashi
eld:
butIcomet
otheei
nthe

nameoft
heLORDofhost
s,t
heGodoft
hear
miesofI
srael
,whom

t
houhastdef
ied.Thi
sdaywi
l
ltheLORDdel
i
vert
heei
ntomi
ne

hand;
andIwi
l
lsmi
tet
hee,
andt
aket
hineheadf
rom t
hee;
andI

wi
l
lgi
vet
hecar
casesoft
hehostoft
hePhi
l
ist
inest
hisdayunt
othe

f
owl
soft
heai
r,andt
othewi
l
dbeast
soft
heear
th;
thatal
lthe

ear
thmayknowt
hatt
her
eisaGodi
nIsr
ael
.Andal
lthi
sassembl
y

shal
lknowt
hatt
heLORDsav
ethnotwi
thswor
dandspear
:fort
he

bat
tl
eist
heLORD'
S,andhewi
l
lgi
vey
oui
ntoourhands.17.
45-
47

Andy
ouknowt
her
estoft
hest
ory
:Dav
idki
l
ledGol
i
ath,

cutof
fhi
sheadandbr
oughti
ttoJer
usal
em.

Dav
idputhi
shandi
nhi
sbag,
andt
ookt
henceast
one,
andsl
ang
i
t,andsmot
ethePhi
l
ist
inei
nhi
sfor
ehead,
thatt
hest
onesunki
nto

hi
sfor
ehead;
andhef
ell
uponhi
sfacet
otheear
th.SoDav
id

pr
evai
l
edov
ert
hePhi
l
ist
inewi
thasl
i
ngandwi
thast
one,
and

smot
ethePhi
l
ist
ine,
andsl
ewhi
m;butt
her
ewasnoswor
dint
he

handofDav
id.Ther
efor
eDav
idr
an,
andst
oodupont
hePhi
l
ist
ine,

andt
ookhi
sswor
d,anddr
ewi
toutoft
hesheat
hther
eof
,and

sl
ewhi
m,andcutof
fhi
sheadt
her
ewi
th.Andwhent
hePhi
l
ist
ines

sawt
hei
rchampi
onwasdead,
theyf
led.
..AndDav
idt
ookt
he

headoft
hePhi
l
ist
ine,
andbr
oughti
ttoJer
usal
em.17.
49-
54

(
Ther
eisacompl
etel
ydi
ff
erentBi
blest
oryabout

Gol
i
ath'
sdeat
h,butI
'
m goi
ngt
oignor
ethatf
ornow.2

Samuel
21:
19say
sthatEl
hananki
l
ledGol
i
ath.
)

Not
e:Al
thought
heBi
bledoesn'
texpl
i
cit
lysayt
hatGod

hel
pedDav
idki
l
lGol
i
ath,
Dav
idcl
aimst
hathedi
d.(
"Thi
s

daywi
l
ltheLor
ddel
i
vert
heei
ntomi
nehand.
"1Sam

17.
46)Butwhat
everGod'
sinv
olv
ementmayhav
ebeen

i
nthi
ski
l
li
ng,
hecl
ear
lyappr
ovedofi
t.SoI
'
mincl
udi
ng

i
tont
hel
i
st.
68.Dav
idbuy
sawi
fe

wi
th200Phi
l
ist
ine

f
oreski
ns

1Samuel
18.
27

NumberKi
l
led:
200

Phi
l
ist
ines

Af
terDav
idki
l
ledGol
i
ath,
Jonat
hanf
ell
inl
ovewi
thhi
m.

Thesoul
ofJonat
hanwaskni
twi
tht
hesoul
ofDav
id,
andJonat
han

l
ovedhi
m ashi
sownsoul
.1Samuel
18.
1

Hel
ovedhi
m somuch,
inf
act
,thathest
ri
ppedof
fal
lhi
s

cl
othesandgav
ethem,
alongwi
thhi
sbowandswor
d,t
o
Dav
id.

Jonat
hanst
ri
ppedhi
msel
foft
her
obet
hatwasuponhi
m,andgav
e

i
ttoDav
id,
andhi
sgar
ment
s,ev
ent
ohi
sswor
d,andt
ohi
sbow,

andt
ohi
sgi
rdl
e.18.
4

Ofcour
se,
Jonat
hanwasn'
tal
onei
nthi
s.Ev
ery
onel
oved

Dav
idbecausehebehav
edsowi
sel
y.

Dav
id.
..behav
edhi
msel
fwi
sel
y:andSaul
sethi
m ov
ert
hemenof

war
,andhewasaccept
edi
nthesi
ghtofal
lthepeopl
e,andal
soi
n

t
hesi
ghtofSaul
'
sser
vant
s.18.
5

OnedaywhenDav
idwasr
etur
ningf
rom sl
aught
eri
ng

Phi
l
ist
ines,
they
oungwomenf
rom al
ltheci
ti
esofI
srael

camet
ogr
eethi
m.Theydancedandsangasongt
hat

wentl
i
ket
his:

Saul
hat
hsl
ainhi
sthousands,
andDav
idhi
stent
housands.18.
7

Saul
didn'
tl
iket
hesong,
though,
becausehe,
li
keGod,
waspr
oudofhi
ski
l
li
ngs.Soi
tpi
ssedhi
m of
fwhent
he

danci
nggi
rl
spr
aisedDav
idf
orki
l
li
ngt
ent
imesmor
e

t
hanhi
m.

Saul
wasv
erywr
oth,
andt
hesay
ingdi
spl
easedhi
m;andhesai
d,

Theyhav
eascr
ibedunt
oDav
idt
ent
housands,
andt
omet
heyhav
e

ascr
ibedbutt
housand.18.
8

SoSaul
wasoutt
ogetDav
idf
rom t
hatdayf
orwar
d.

Saul
eyedDav
idf
rom t
hatdayandf
orwar
d.18.
9

Any
way
,thenextt
hingy
ouknowGod'
sev
ilspi
ri
tisback

andi
sal
lov
erSaul
agai
n.Andguesswhathedi
dthi
s

t
ime:
hepr
ophesi
ed.

Theev
ilspi
ri
tfr
om GodcameuponSaul
,andhepr
ophesi
ed.

18.
10a

Whi
l
eSaul
prophesi
edundert
hei
nfl
uenceofGod'
sev
il

spi
ri
t,"
Dav
idpl
ayedwi
thhi
shand"andSaul
tri
edt
oki
l
l

hi
m byt
hrowi
ngaspearathi
m.Twi
ce.Buthegotaway
.
Dav
idpl
ayedwi
thhi
shand,
asatot
hert
imes:
andt
her
ewasa

j
avel
i
ninSaul
'
shand.AndSaul
castt
hej
avel
i
n;f
orhesai
d,Iwi
l
l

smi
teDav
idev
ent
othewal
lwi
thi
t.AndDav
idav
oidedoutofhi
s

pr
esencet
wice.18.10b-11

Si
nceSaul
coul
dn'
tki
l
lDav
idwi
thhi
sspear
,hef
igur
ed

t
henextbestt
hingwoul
dbet
ogi
veDav
idhi
sol
dest

daught
erasawi
fe.

Saul
sai
dtoDav
id,
Behol
dmyel
derdaught
erMer
ab,
herwi
l
lIgi
ve

t
heet
owi
fe.18.
17

ButDav
idr
efusedt
otakeher
.

Dav
idsai
dunt
oSaul
,Whoam I.
..t
hatIshoul
dbesoni
nlawt
o

t
heki
ng?18.
18

Sohet
ri
edanot
herdaught
er,
Michal
,whol
i
keev
ery
one

el
se"
lov
edDav
id.
"ButDav
idr
efusedher
,too.

Mi
chal
Saul
'
sdaught
erl
ovedDav
id:
andt
heyt
oldSaul
,andt
he
t
hingpl
easedhi
m.AndSaul
sai
d,Iwi
l
lgi
vehi
m her.
..AndSaul

commandedhi
sser
vant
s,say
ing,
Communewi
thDav
idsecr
etl
y,

andsay.
..bet
heki
ng'
ssoni
nlaw.
..AndDav
idsai
d,Seemet
hit

t
oyoual
i
ghtt
hingt
obeaki
ng'
ssoni
nlaw,
seei
ngt
hatIam a

poorman,
andl
i
ght
lyest
eemed?18.
20-
23

Fi
nal
l
ySaul
cameupwi
thadeal
thatDav
idj
ustcoul
dn'
t

r
efuse.Heof
fer
edt
osel
lMi
chal
for100Phi
l
ist
ine

f
oreski
ns.

Saul
sai
d,Thusshal
lyesayt
oDav
id,
Theki
ngdesi
ret
hnotany

dowr
y,butanhundr
edf
oreski
nsoft
hePhi
l
ist
ines.18.
25

Andt
his"
pleasedDav
idwel
l
."

Andwhenhi
sser
vant
stol
dDav
idt
hesewor
ds,
itpl
easedDav
id

wel
l
.18.
26

Hewassopl
eased,
inf
act
,thathegotabi
tcar
ri
edaway

andpai
dtwi
cet
heaski
ngpr
ice.
Wher
efor
eDav
idar
oseandwent.
..andsl
ewoft
hePhi
l
ist
inest
wo

hundr
edmen;
andDav
idbr
oughtt
hei
rfor
eski
ns,
andt
heygav
e

t
hem i
nful
ltal
etot
heki
ng,
thathemi
ghtbet
heki
ng'
ssoni
nlaw.

AndSaul
gav
ehi
m Mi
chal
hisdaught
ert
owi
fe.18.
27

Af
terDav
idpai
dSaul
the200f
oreski
ns,
Saul
knewf
or

sur
ethat"
theLor
dwaswi
thDav
id.
"(Howel
secoul
d

Dav
idgetsomanyf
oreski
ns?
)

AndSaul
sawandknewt
hatt
heLORDwaswi
thDav
id.18.
28

69.TheLor
dsai
dto

Dav
id,
Goandsmi
tet
he

Phi
l
ist
ines

1Samuel
23.
5

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
10,
000

Phi
l
ist
ines
Thi
sonei
spr
ett
ysi
mpl
e.Dav
idhear
dthatt
hePhi
l
ist
ines

wer
efi
ght
ingt
heci
tyofKei
l
ahandr
obbi
ngt
hei
r

t
hreshi
ngf
loor
s.SoheaskedGodi
fheshoul
dgoand

smi
tet
hem.AndGodsai
d,"
Yes,
gosmi
tet
hem.
"

Dav
idenqui
redoft
heLORD,
say
ing,
Shal
lIgoandsmi
tet
hese

Phi
l
ist
ines?Andt
heLORDsai
dunt
oDav
id,
Go,
andsmi
tet
he

Phi
l
ist
ines,
andsav
eKei
l
ah.1Samuel
23.
2

ButDav
id'
smenwer
eaf
rai
dofPhi
l
ist
ines.

AndDav
id'
smensai
dunt
ohi
m,Behol
d,webeaf
rai
dher
ein

Judah.23.
3

Dav
idaskedGodagai
n,andGodsai
d,"
Gosmi
tet
hem;
I

wi
l
ldel
i
vert
hem i
ntoy
ourhand.
"

ThenDav
idenqui
redoft
heLORDy
etagai
n.Andt
heLORD

answer
edhi
m andsai
d,Ar
ise,
godownt
oKei
l
ah;
forIwi
l
ldel
i
ver

t
hePhi
l
ist
inesi
ntot
hinehand.23.
4
AndsoDav
idwentt
ofi
ghtt
hePhi
l
ist
inesandhe"
smot
e

t
hem wi
thagr
eatsl
aught
er.
"

SoDav
idandhi
smenwentt
oKei
l
ah,
andf
oughtwi
tht
he

Phi
l
ist
ines,
andbr
oughtawayt
hei
rcat
tl
e,andsmot
ethem wi
tha

gr
eatsl
aught
er.23.
5

(
Sincet
hiswas"
agr
eatsl
aught
er,
Iaddedanot
her

10,
000t
oGod'
stot
al.
)

70.Godki
l
ledNabal
(and

Dav
idgothi
swi
feand

ot
herst
uff
)

1Samuel
25.
38

NumberKi
l
led:
1
Nabal

Af
terhi
slastki
l
li
ng(
69)
.Dav
idt
rackeddownSaul
and

snucki
nwhi
l
eSaul
was"
cov
eri
nghi
sfeet
"(t
hebi
bli
cal

equi
val
entof"
goi
ngt
othebat
hroom"
)andcutof
fthe

endofSaul
'
sski
rt
.

Saul
wenti
ntocov
erhi
sfeet.
..ThenDav
idar
ose,
andcutof
fthe

ski
rtofSaul
'
srobepr
ivi
l
y.1Samuel
24.
3-4

Thi
sfeati
mpr
essedSaul
somucht
hathesai
d:

Thouar
tmor
eri
ght
eoust
hanI.
..Andnow,
behol
d,Iknowwel
l

t
hatt
houshal
tsur
elybeki
ng.24.
17-
20

AndIsupposet
hatI
'
dbepr
ett
yimpr
essedt
oo,
if

someonecutof
fmyshi
rt
tai
lorsomet
hingwi
thaswor
d

whi
l
eIwasdoi
ngmybusi
nesswi
thoutmeev
ennot
ici
ng.
Af
terDav
id'
samazi
ngbat
hroom caper
,hehungout"
in

t
hewi
l
der
ness"wi
thagangofout
laws.Whi
l
ether
e,he

hear
daboutar
ichmannamedNabal
anddeci
dedt
o

sendt
enofhi
s"y
oungmen"t
opayhi
m av
isi
t.Sot
hey

wentandi
ntr
oducedt
hemsel
vest
oNabal
andt
oldhi
mto

gi
vet
hem what
everheowned.

Gi
ve,
Ipr
ayt
hee,
what
soev
ercomet
htot
hinehandunt
othy

ser
vant
s,andt
othysonDav
id.25.
8

ButNabal
wasont
othei
rpr
otect
ionr
acket
.Her
efusedt
o

gi
vehi
sbel
ongi
ngst
opeopl
ehedi
dn'
tev
enknowj
ustt
o

gett
hem t
ogoawayandl
eav
ehi
m al
one.

Nabal
answer
edDav
id'
sser
vant
s,andsai
d,Whoi
sDav
id?and

whoi
sthesonofJesse?t
her
ebemanyser
vant
snowaday
sthat

br
eakawayev
erymanf
rom hi
smast
er.Shal
lIt
hent
akemy

br
ead,
andmywat
er,
andmyf
lesht
hatIhav
eki
l
ledf
ormy

shear
ers,
andgi
vei
tunt
omen,
whom Iknownotwhencet
heybe?

25.
10-
11

WhenDav
idhear
dabouti
t,heswor
ehe'
dki
l
lNabal
and

al
lofhi
smen(
ever
yonet
hatpi
ssesagai
nstawal
l
).
Soandmor
eal
sodoGodunt
otheenemi
esofDav
id,
ifIl
eav
eof

al
lthatper
tai
ntohi
m byt
hemor
ningl
i
ghtanyt
hatpi
sset
hagai
nst

t
hewal
l
.25.
22

Meanwhi
l
e,Nabal
'
swi
fe,
Abi
gai
l
,deci
dedt
ogov
isi
t

Dav
idandt
ryt
osmoot
hthi
ngsov
erabi
t.Shebr
ought

l
otsoff
oodandwi
ne.

ThenAbi
gai
lmadehast
e,andt
ookt
wohundr
edl
oav
es,
andt
wo

bot
tl
esofwi
ne,
andf
ivesheepr
eadydr
essed,
andf
ivemeasur
es

ofpar
chedcor
n,andanhundr
edcl
ust
ersofr
aisi
ns,
andt
wo

hundr
edcakesoff
igs,
andl
aidt
hem onasses.25.
18

Andt
hebr
ibewor
ked.Dav
idsai
dthathenol
onger

pl
annedt
oki
l
lev
eryl
astswi
ngi
ngdi
ck(
thoset
hatpi
ss

agai
nstt
hewal
l
).

Exceptt
houhadsthast
edandcomet
omeetme,
sur
elyt
her
ehad

notbeenl
eftunt
oNabal
byt
hemor
ningl
i
ghtanyt
hatpi
sset
h
agai
nstt
hewal
l
.25.
34

Abi
gai
lret
urnedhomeandf
oundt
hatNabal
waspar
tyi
ng

wi
thhi
sfr
iends,
cel
ebr
ati
nghi
sfr
eedom f
rom Dav
id'
s

ext
ort
ion.Shewai
tedunt
ilhewokeupt
henextmor
ning,

si
ncehewast
oodr
unkt
heni
ghtbef
oret
otel
lhi
m what

hadhappened.(
Thatshegav
eDav
idahugebr
ibet
o

keephi
mfr
om ki
l
li
ngNabal
andhi
smen.
)Whenshet
old

hi
m,hehadast
rokeorhear
tat
tackandwaspar
aly
zed.

I
nthemor
ning,
whent
hewi
newasgoneoutofNabal
,andhi
s

wi
fehadt
oldhi
mtheset
hings,
thathi
shear
tdi
edwi
thi
nhi
m,and

hebecameasast
one.25.
37

Aboutt
enday
slat
er,
Godki
l
ledhi
m.

Andi
tcamet
opassaboutt
enday
saf
ter
,thatt
heLORDsmot
e

Nabal
,thathedi
ed.25.
38

WhenDav
idhear
dthatNabal
wasdead,

Hesai
d,Bl
essedbet
heLORD.
..AndDav
idsentandcommuned

wi
thAbi
gai
l
,tot
akehert
ohi
mtowi
fe.25.
39

SoGodki
l
ledNabal
andDav
idgothi
swi
feandal
lhi
s
ot
herst
uff
.

(
Act
ual
l
yhegott
wonewwi
ves,
Abi
gai
landAhi
noam,

al
ongwi
thf
iveot
her"
damsel
s."ButSaul
gav
eawayhi
s

f
ir
stwi
fet
osomeot
herguy
.So,
fort
hosekeepi
ngscor
e,

Iguesshegai
nedsev
enwi
vesandl
ostone.Idon'
tknow

whathappenedt
oal
lthewal
lpi
sser
s.)

71.Dav
idcommi
ts

r
andom act
sofgenoci
de

(
asamer
cenar
yfort
he

Phi
l
ist
ines)

1Samuel
27.
8-11
Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
60,
000

Si
xgenoci
des

I
n1Samuel
24,
Dav
idsnucki
nandcutof
fSaul
'
sski
rt

whi
l
ehe(
Saul
,thati
s)wasdef
ecat
ing.AndSaul
didn'
t

ev
ennot
ice.

Yeah,
wel
l
,thatwor
kedoutsowel
lforDav
idt
hathe

deci
dedt
otr
ysomet
hingl
i
kei
tagai
n.Thi
sti
me,
though,

hesnucki
ntoSaul
'
scampandst
olehi
sswor
dandwat
er

j
ugwhi
l
eSaul
wassl
eepi
ng.

SoDav
idandAbi
shai
camet
othepeopl
ebyni
ght
:and,
behol
d,

Saul
laysl
eepi
ngwi
thi
nthet
rench,
andhi
sspearst
ucki
nthe

gr
oundathi
sbol
ster
:butAbnerandt
hepeopl
elayr
oundabout

hi
m..
.SoDav
idt
ookt
hespearandt
hecr
useofwat
erf
rom Saul
'
s

bol
ster
;andt
heygatt
hem away
,andnomansawi
t,norknewi
t,

nei
therawaked:
fort
heywer
eal
lasl
eep;
becauseadeepsl
eep

f
rom t
heLORDwasf
all
enupont
hem.1Samuel
26.
7-12
Notnear
lyasi
mpr
essi
ve,
I'
dsay
.Especi
all
ywheny
ou

consi
dert
hat"
adeepsl
eepf
rom t
heLORDwasf
all
en

upont
hem.
"Thatsoundsl
i
kecheat
ingt
ome.

ButSaul
wentgagaov
eri
t,j
ustl
i
kehedi
dforDav
id'
s

l
astt
ri
ck.Her
e'swhathesai
dwhenDav
idwav
edSaul
'
s

swor
dandwat
erj
ugi
nfr
ontofhi
m:

Ihav
esi
nned:
ret
urn,
mysonDav
id:
forIwi
l
lnomor
edot
hee

har
m,becausemysoul
waspr
eci
ousi
nthi
neey
est
hisday
:

behol
d,Ihav
epl
ayedt
hef
ool
,andhav
eer
redexceedi
ngl
y..
..

Bl
essedbet
hou,
mysonDav
id:
thoushal
tbot
hdogr
eatt
hings,

andal
soshal
tst
il
lpr
evai
l
.26.
21-25

ButDav
idst
il
ldi
dn'
ttr
ustSaul
,sohedeci
dedt
ojoi
nup

wi
tht
hePhi
l
ist
ines.Andev
erydayheandhi
smenwoul
d

gooutandsl
aught
erpeopl
e.ThePhi
l
ist
ineki
ngwoul
d

askhi
m,"
HeyDav
id,
who'
dyousl
aught
ert
oday
"and

he'
dsay
,"Oht
hesout
hofJudah,
ort
heJer
ahmeel
i
tes,

ort
heKeni
tes,
ort
heGeshur
it
es,
ort
heGezr
it
es,
ort
he

Amal
eki
tes,
ort
heEgy
pti
ans.
"
AndDav
idandhi
smenwentup,
andi
nvadedt
heGeshur
it
es,
and

t
heGezr
it
es,
andt
heAmal
eki
tes.
..ev
enunt
othel
andofEgy
pt..
..

AndAchi
shsai
d,Whi
therhav
eyemadear
oadt
oday
?AndDav
id

sai
d,Agai
nstt
hesout
hofJudah,
andagai
nstt
hesout
hoft
he

Jer
ahmeel
i
tes,
andagai
nstt
hesout
hoft
heKeni
tes.27.
8-10

Hewasaki
l
li
ngmachi
ne.Ev
erydayhesl
aught
ered

t
housandsofpeopl
efort
hePhi
l
ist
ines.Andheki
l
led

ev
ery
one:
women,
chi
l
dren,
babi
es,
theaged,
thesi
ck,

t
hepoor
.Ev
ery
one.

AndDav
idsav
ednei
thermannorwomanal
i
ve.27.
11

Sot
hePhi
l
ist
ineki
ng,
Achi
sh,
lov
edDav
idbecauseDav
id

ki
l
ledI
srael
i
tesal
ongwi
thev
ery
bodyel
se.

AndAchi
shbel
i
evedDav
id,
say
ing,
Hehat
hmadehi
speopl
eIsr
ael

ut
ter
lyt
oabhorhi
m;t
her
efor
eheshal
lbemyser
vantf
orev
er.

27.
12

(
Dav
idbr
agsaboutatl
eastsi
xgenoci
desi
n1Sam 27.
8-

10.SoI
'
lladdanot
her60,
000t
othet
otal
,10,
000f
or
eachgenoci
de.
)

72.Dav
idspendst
heday

ki
l
li
ngAmal
eki
tes

1Samuel
30.
17

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Amal
eki
tes

Whi
l
eDav
idwashangi
ngoutwi
tht
hePhi
l
ist
ines

per
for
mingdai
l
yact
sofgenoci
def
ort
hem (
71)
,di
sast
er

st
ruck.ThePhi
l
ist
ineswer
eat
tackedbyt
heAmal
eki
tes.

That
'sr
ight
,theAmal
eki
tes.Youknow,
theonest
hat

Godhat
esmor
ethananyot
herpeopl
e,andt
hat
'
ssay
ing

somet
hingsi
nceGodhat
esev
ery
oneexceptf
ort
he

I
srael
i
tes(
andhehat
est
hem somet
imes,
too)
.
HowmuchdoesGodhat
etheAmal
eki
tes?Wel
l
,just

l
i
stent
ohi
m.

TheLORDhat
hswor
nthatt
heLORDwi
l
lhav
ewarwi
thAmal
ek

f
rom gener
ati
ont
ogener
ati
on.Exodus17.
16

Thoushal
tbl
otoutt
her
emembr
anceofAmal
ekf
rom under

heav
en;
thoushal
tnotf
orgeti
t.Deut
eronomy25.
19

Thussai
tht
heLORDofhost
s..
.goandsmi
teAmal
ek,
andut
ter
ly

dest
royal
lthatt
heyhav
e,andspar
ethem not
;butsl
aybot
hman

andwoman,
inf
antandsuckl
i
ng,
oxandsheep,
camel
andass.1

Samuel
15.
2-3

Soweknowf
orsur
ethatGodhat
esAmal
eki
tes.That
'
s

whyheor
der
edt
heI
srael
i
test
oki
l
lthem al
l
.Andt
he

I
srael
i
tesdi
djustt
hat(65,
66"
).

Yether
e,j
ustaf
ewy
ear
saf
tert
heywer
ecompl
etel
y

ki
l
ledi
naGod-
order
edgenoci
de,
theyat
tackt
he

Phi
l
ist
ines.Iguesssomet
imesy
ouhav
etoki
l
lpeopl
e
sev
eral
timest
omakesur
ethey
'r
enotmer
elydead,
but

posi
ti
vel
y,absol
utel
y,undeni
abl
y,r
eli
abl
y,andsi
ncer
ely

dead.

WhatIf
indespeci
all
yint
erest
ingi
nthi
sst
ory
,though,
is

t
hatt
heAmal
eki
tesshowsomemer
cyt
othePhi
l
ist
ines.

Rat
hert
hanut
ter
lydest
roy
ingt
hem,
slay
ing"
bot
hman

andwoman,
inf
antandsuckl
i
ng,
oxandsheep,
camel

andass"asGodt
oldt
heI
srael
i
test
odo(
65)
,they"
slew

notany
,ei
thergr
eatorsmal
l
,butcar
ri
edt
hem away
,

andwentont
hei
rway
."

TheAmal
eki
tes.
..sl
ewnotany
,ei
thergr
eatorsmal
l
,butcar
ri
ed

t
hem away
,andwentont
hei
rway
.1Samuel
30.
1-2

Yett
hemostcommonexcuset
hatbel
i
ever
sgi
vef
or

God'
sgenoci
dal
commandsont
heAmal
eki
tesi
sthatt
he

Amal
eki
teswer
esoev
ilt
hatt
heyal
lhadt
obeki
l
led—

ev
ent
hei
rwoman,
chi
l
dren,
inf
ant
s,andbabi
es.
WhenDav
idandhi
smer
rymenr
etur
ntoZi
kl
ag(
the

Phi
l
ist
ineci
tyt
hatt
heAmal
eki
tesdest
roy
ed)
,theywept

unt
ilt
heycoul
dn'
tweepanyl
onger
.

SoDav
idandhi
smencamet
otheci
ty,
and,
behol
d,i
twasbur
ned

wi
thf
ir
e;andt
hei
rwi
ves,
andt
hei
rsons,
andt
hei
rdaught
ers,

wer
etakencapt
ives.ThenDav
idandt
hepeopl
ethatwer
ewi
th

hi
mli
ft
edupt
hei
rvoi
ceandwept
,unt
ilt
heyhadnomor
epowert
o

weep.30.
3-4

Thent
heygotupandt
alkedaboutst
oni
ngDav
idt
o

deat
h.

Dav
idwasgr
eat
lydi
str
essed;
fort
hepeopl
espakeofst
oni
nghi
m.

30.
6

Meanwhi
l
e,Dav
idaskedapr
iestt
ousehi
sephodt
oask

Godwhatheshoul
ddo.(
Anephodi
ssor
tofabi
bli
cal

v
ersi
onofamagi
cei
ghtbal
loracoi
ntoss.I
tonl
ywor
ks

ony
esornoquest
ions.
)
Dav
idsai
dtoAbi
athart
hepr
iest
,Ahi
mel
ech'
sson,
Ipr
ayt
hee,

br
ingmehi
thert
heephod.AndAbi
atharbr
oughtt
hit
hert
heephod

t
oDav
id.AndDav
idenqui
redatt
heLORD,
say
ing,
Shal
lIpur
sue

af
tert
hist
roop?shal
lIov
ert
aket
hem?30.
7-8a

Sot
hepr
iestgotouthi
str
ust
yephodandaskedGodi
f

Dav
idshoul
dki
l
ltheAmal
eki
tes.Godsai
d"HeckYeah.

Goki
l
ltheAmal
eki
tes(
onemor
eti
me)andgetbackal
l

y
ourwi
vesandot
herst
uff
."

Heanswer
edhi
m,Pur
sue:
fort
houshal
tsur
elyov
ert
aket
hem,

andwi
thoutf
ail
recov
eral
l
.30.
8b

Sot
hat
'swhatt
heydi
d.Dav
idand400ofhi
smen(
he

l
eft200behi
ndbecauset
heywer
ejustt
oot
ir
edt
oki
l
l

peopl
e)spentt
hedayki
l
li
ngAmal
eki
tes.Theyki
l
led

t
hem al
l
,exceptf
or400guy
swhoescapedoncamel
s.
Dav
idsmot
ethem f
rom t
het
wil
i
ghtev
enunt
otheev
eni
ngoft
he

nextday
:andt
her
eescapednotamanoft
hem,
sav
efour

hundr
edy
oungmen,
whi
chr
odeuponcamel
s,andf
led.30.
17

SoDav
idgotbackal
lofhi
sst
uff
,incl
udi
nghi
stwowi
ves.

Dav
idr
ecov
eredal
lthatt
heAmal
eki
teshadcar
ri
edaway
:and

Dav
idr
escuedhi
stwowi
ves.30.
18

Andheshar
edt
hepl
underwi
l
lhi
smen,
event
hoset
hat

wer
etoot
ir
edt
oki
l
l.

Dav
idwassuchani
ceguy
.YoucanseewhyGodl
i
ked

hi
m somuch.

(
Thet
extdoesn'
tsayhowmanyAmal
eki
teswer
eki
l
led.

I
'
llj
ustsay1000.
)

73.Godki
l
ledSaul
(and

hi
ssonsandsol
dier
s)f
or

notki
l
li
ngal
lthe
Amal
eki
tes

1Samuel
31.
1-4

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
100

Saul
,hi
ssons(
Jonat
han,
Abi
nadab,
andMel
chi
shua)
,

andhi
ssol
dier
s

I
nGod'
s65t
hki
l
li
ng,
Saul
kil
l
edev
eryAmal
eki
teman,

woman,
chi
l
d,i
nfant
,andbaby-j
ustl
i
keGodt
oldhi
m

t
o.Wel
l
,al
mostany
way
.Hekeptoneguyal
i
ve:
King

Agag.AndGodnev
erf
orgav
ehi
mfori
t.

BecauseSaul
didn'
tcompl
etel
yper
for
m God'
s

commandment(
tocommi
tcompl
etegenoci
deont
he

Amal
eki
tes)
,Godr
epent
edofmaki
ngSaul
kingandgav
e

hi
ski
ngdom t
oDav
id.

Butt
hatwasn'
ttheonl
ypuni
shmentGodhadi
nmi
nd.

NowGodj
ustneededt
ofi
ndawayt
otel
lSaul
abouti
t.
Hedi
ditt
hroughadeadman(
Samuel
)whowasbr
ought

backt
oli
febyawi
tch.

Samuel
'
sghostt
oldSaul
thatt
omor
rowGodwoul
dki
l
l

Saul
andhi
ssonsbydel
i
ver
ingt
heI
srael
i
tear
myi
ntot
he

handsoft
hePhi
l
ist
ines.

Becauset
houobey
edstnott
hev
oiceoft
heLORD,
norexecut
edst

hi
sfi
ercewr
athuponAmal
ek,
ther
efor
e..
.theLORDwi
l
lal
so

del
i
verI
srael
wit
htheei
ntot
hehandoft
hePhi
l
ist
ines:
andt
o

mor
rowshal
tthouandt
hysonsbewi
thme[
i.
e.,
youandy
our

sonswi
l
lbedead]
:theLORDal
soshal
ldel
i
vert
hehostofI
srael

i
ntot
hehandoft
hePhi
l
ist
ines.1Samuel
28.
18-
19

Wel
l
,Idon'
tknowi
fitwast
henextdayornotbutt
he

Phi
l
ist
inesat
tackedandt
heI
srael
i
tes"
fel
ldownsl
aini
n

mountGi
l
boa.
"
Nowt
hePhi
l
ist
inesf
oughtagai
nstI
srael
:andt
hemenofI
srael

f
ledf
rom bef
oret
hePhi
l
ist
ines,
andf
ell
downsl
aini
nmount

Gi
l
boa.1Samuel
31.
1

Sot
hatl
eftSaul
andhi
ssons.Godt
ookcar
eofSaul
'
s

sonsbyhav
ingt
hePhi
l
ist
ineski
l
lthem.(
Iknowi
tsounds

cr
uel
,butt
heydeser
vedi
tsi
ncet
hei
rfat
hersav
edone

Amal
eki
teal
i
veandGodt
oldhi
mtoki
l
lthem al
l
.)

ThePhi
l
ist
inesf
oll
owedhar
duponSaul
anduponhi
ssons;
andt
he

Phi
l
ist
inessl
ewJonat
han,
andAbi
nadab,
andMel
chi
shua,
Saul
'
s

sons.1Samuel
31.
2

Saul
musthav
ebeenespeci
all
yhar
dforGodt
oki
l
l,

t
hough,
becausehehadt
odoi
tfourdi
ff
erentway
s.

Saul
commi
tt
edsui
cide.

Ther
efor
eSaul
tookaswor
d,andf
ell
uponi
t.SoSaul
died.1

Samuel
31.
4
Thensai
dSaul
tohi
sar
mour
bear
er,
Drawt
hyswor
d,andt
hrust

met
hrought
her
ewi
th;
lestt
heseunci
rcumci
sedcomeandabuse

me.Buthi
sar
mour
bear
erwoul
dnot
;forhewassor
eaf
rai
d.So

Saul
tookaswor
d,andf
ell
uponi
t.1Chr
oni
cles10.
4

AnAmal
eki
teki
l
ledhi
m.

Andhe[
Saul
]sai
dunt
ome,
Whoar
tthou?AndIanswer
edhi
m,I

am anAmal
eki
te.Hesai
dunt
omeagai
n,St
and,
Ipr
ayt
hee,
upon

me,
andsl
ayme.SoIst
ooduponhi
m,andsl
ewhi
m.2Samuel

1.
8-10

ThePhi
l
ist
ineski
l
ledhi
m.

ThePhi
l
ist
ineshadsl
ainSaul
.2Samuel
21.
12

Godki
l
ledhi
m.

SoSaul
diedf
orhi
str
ansgr
essi
onwhi
chhecommi
tt
edagai
nstt
he

LORD,
evenagai
nstt
hewor
doft
heLORD,
whi
chhekeptnot
,and

al
sof
oraski
ngcounsel
ofonet
hathadaf
ami
l
iarspi
ri
t,t
oenqui
re

ofi
t;Andenqui
rednotoft
heLORD:
ther
efor
ehesl
ewhi
m,and

t
urnedt
heki
ngdom unt
oDav
idt
hesonofJesse.1Chr
oni
cles

10.
13-
14
Butonewayoranot
her
,Godgott
hej
obdone,
andSaul
,

hi
sthr
eesons,
andwhoknowshowmanyI
srael
i
te

sol
dier
sal
ldi
ed—becauseGodwaspi
ssedof
fatSaul
for

t
hei
ncompl
etegenoci
deoft
heAmal
eki
tes.Orwasi
tfor

noti
nqui
ri
ngoft
heLor
d?(
1Chr10.
14)Iguessi
treal
l
y

doesn'
tmat
ter
,doesi
t?Godcanki
l
lany
onef
orany

r
eason,
orf
ornor
easonatal
l
,andev
erybel
i
everwi
l
lbe

OKwi
thi
t.

(
Saul
andhi
sthr
eesonswer
eki
l
ledal
ongwi
tht
he

I
srael
i
tesol
dier
s.Si
ncet
heBi
bledoesn'
tsayany
thi
ng

abouthowmanysol
dier
swer
eki
l
led,
Iguessed100.
)

74.Dav
idki
l
ledt
he

messenger

2Samuel
1.15
NumberKi
l
led:
1

AnAmal
eki
temessenger

Thef
ir
stv
erseofSecondSamuel
ist
his:

Nowi
tcamet
opassaf
tert
hedeat
hofSaul
,whenDav
idwas

r
etur
nedf
rom t
hesl
aught
eroft
heAmal
eki
tes,
andDav
idhad

abodet
woday
sinZi
kl
ag.2Samuel
1.1

That
'sr
ight
.SecondSamuel
begi
nswi
thDav
idr
etur
ning

"
from t
hesl
aught
eroft
heAmal
eki
tes.
"It
'shar
dtosee

howDav
idcoul
dhav
efoundanyAmal
eki
test
osl
aught
er

si
nceSaul
kil
l
edt
hem al
lj
ustal
i
ttl
ewhi
l
ebef
ore(
65"
),

butmay
beGodcr
eat
edsomemor
eAmal
eki
tesj
ustso

Dav
idcoul
dsl
aught
ert
hem agai
n.Hemi
ghthav
e.He'
s

t
het
ype.

I
nanycase,
whenDav
idcamebackf
rom sl
aught
eri
ng

Amal
eki
tes,
amessengerwaswai
ti
ngf
orhi
m.Andwho

doy
out
hinkt
hemessengerwas?That
'
sri
ght
,an

Amal
eki
te!
l
am anAmal
eki
te.1.
8

TheAmal
eki
tet
oldDav
idt
hatwhenSaul
wasmor
tal
l
y

wounded,
heaskedhi
mtoputhi
m outofhi
smi
ser
y.So

hedi
d.Thenher
emov
edSaul
'
sbr
acel
etandcr
ownand

br
oughtt
hem t
oDav
id.

SoIst
ooduponhi
m,andsl
ewhi
m,becauseIwassur
ethathe

coul
dnotl
i
veaf
tert
hathewasf
all
en:
andIt
ookt
hecr
ownt
hat

wasuponhi
shead,
andt
hebr
acel
ett
hatwasonhi
sar
m,and

hav
ebr
oughtt
hem hi
therunt
omyl
ord.1.
10

WhenDav
idhear
dthi
s,heandal
lofhi
smen"
rentt
hei
r

cl
othes"(
Bibl
efol
ksar
eal
way
sdoi
ngt
hat
).

ThenDav
idt
ookhol
donhi
scl
othes,
andr
entt
hem;
andl
i
kewi
se

al
lthement
hatwer
ewi
thhi
m.1.
11

Dav
idt
hent
hankedt
heAmal
eki
tef
orhi
ski
ndnessby

hav
ingoneofhi
s"y
oungmenf
all
uponhi
m."
Dav
idcal
l
edoneoft
hey
oungmen,
andsai
d,Gonear
,andf
all

uponhi
m.Andhesmot
ehi
mthathedi
ed.1.
15

75.Dav
idki
l
ledRechab

andBaanah,
cutof
fthei
r

handsandf
eet
,andhung

t
hei
rbodi
esov
ert
he

pool

2Samuel
4.12

NumberKi
l
led:
2

RechabandBaanah

Af
terSaul
'
sdeat
h,Dav
idbecameki
ngofJudahand

Saul
'
sson,
Ishboshet
h,ki
ngofI
srael
.Thi
ngsdi
dn'
tgo

wel
lforpoorI
shboshet
h,t
hough.Fi
rsthi
sfat
herand
br
other
swer
eki
l
ledbyGod(
73)
.Thenhi
scapt
ain,

Abner
,waski
l
ledbyDav
id'
scapt
ain,
Joel
.Andhi
sar
my

wasal
way
sfi
ght
ingal
osi
ngbat
tl
ewi
thDav
id'
s.Hewas

aboutr
eadyt
ocal
li
tqui
ts.

WhenSaul
'
ssonhear
dthatAbnerwasdeadi
nHebr
on,
hishands

wer
efeebl
e,andal
ltheI
srael
i
teswer
etr
oubl
ed.2Samuel
4.1

Af
terAbnerdi
ed,
RechabandBaanahbecame

I
shboshet
h'scapt
ains.

Saul
'
ssonhadt
woment
hatwer
ecapt
ainsofbands:
thenameof

t
heonewasBaanah,
andt
henameoft
heot
herRechab.4.
2

OnedayRechabandBaanahwentt
ovi
sitI
shboshet
h,

whowast
aki
nganapatt
het
ime.
RechabandBaanah,
went
,andcameaboutt
heheatoft
hedayt
o

t
hehouseofI
shboshet
h,whol
ayonabedatnoon.4.
5

Theypr
etendedt
obepi
cki
ngupsomewheat
,butt
hey

r
eal
l
yst
oppedbyt
oki
l
lhi
m.Andt
hey"
smot
ehi
m under

t
hef
if
thr
ib"(
thepr
efer
redpl
acet
osmi
tesomeonei
nthe

Bi
ble)
.

Theycamet
hit
heri
ntot
hemi
dstoft
hehouse,
ast
hought
hey

woul
dhav
efet
chedwheat
;andt
heysmot
ehi
m undert
hef
if
thr
ib.

4.
6

Af
tersmi
ti
nghi
m,t
heycutof
fhi
sheadandt
ooki
tto

Dav
id.

Whent
heycamei
ntot
hehouse,
hel
ayonhi
sbedi
nhi
s

bedchamber
,andt
heysmot
ehi
m,andsl
ewhi
m,andbeheaded

hi
m,andt
ookhi
shead.Andt
heybr
oughtt
heheadofI
shboshet
h

unt
oDav
id.4.
7-8

Theyf
igur
edDav
idwoul
dbepl
eased,
sinceheand

I
shboshet
hwer
eenemi
es.Butt
heywer
ewr
ong.

Dav
idt
oldt
hem abouthowheki
l
ledt
heAmal
eki
tewho
ki
l
ledSaul
(74)
,ev
ent
houghSaul
askedhi
mtosi
ncehe

wasmor
tal
l
ywounded.Nowhewasqoi
nqt
oki
l
lthem

f
orki
l
li
ngSaul
'
sson,
Ishboshet
h.

Whenonet
oldme,
say
ing,
Behol
d,Saul
isdead,
thi
nki
ngt
ohav
e

br
oughtgoodt
idi
ngs,
Itookhol
dofhi
m,andsl
ewhi
m..
.How

muchmor
e,whenwi
ckedmenhav
esl
ainar
ight
eousper
soni
nhi
s

ownhouseuponhi
sbed?4.
10-
11

SoDav
idhadhi
s"y
oungmen"ki
l
lRechabandBaanah,

cutof
fthei
rhandsandf
eet
,andhangt
hei
rbodi
esup

ov
ert
hepool
inHebr
on.

Dav
idcommandedhi
syoungmen,
andt
heysl
ewt
hem,
andcutof
f

t
hei
rhandsandt
hei
rfeet
,andhangedt
hem upov
ert
hepool
in

Hebr
on.4.
12

Mut
il
atedbodi
eshangi
ngov
erpool
smakesuchni
ce

decor
ati
ons!
76.Godhel
psDav
id

smi
tet
hePhi
l
ist
ines

f
rom t
hef
rontandt
he

r
ear

2Samuel
5.19-
25

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
2,000

Phi
l
ist
ines

Nowt
hatI
shboshet
hisdead,
Dav
idi
ski
ngofbot
hIsr
ael

andJudah,
andhe'
sfi
ght
inghi
sol
dfr
iends,
the

Phi
l
ist
ines—wi
thGod'
shel
p,ofcour
se.

Godi
sDav
id'
smi
l
itar
yadv
iser
.Dav
idaskedhi
mifhe
shoul
dat
tackt
hePhi
l
ist
ines,
andGodsai
d,"
Att
ack:
Iwi
l
l

hel
pyouki
l
lthem.
"

Dav
idenqui
redoft
heLORD,
say
ing,
Shal
lIgoupt
othePhi
l
ist
ines?

wi
l
tthoudel
i
vert
hem i
ntomi
nehand?Andt
heLORDsai
dunt
o

Dav
id,
Goup:
forIwi
l
ldoubt
lessdel
i
vert
hePhi
l
ist
inesi
ntot
hine

hand.2Samuel
5.19

Whent
heyf
ini
shedsl
aught
eri
ngt
hePhi
l
ist
ines,
Dav
id

askedGodi
ftheyshoul
ddoi
tagai
n.AndGodsai
d,

"
Yeah,
let
'sdoi
tagai
n.Onl
ythi
sti
meat
tackf
rom behi
nd

wheny
ouheart
roopsmar
chi
ngi
nthet
reet
ops.
"

WhenDav
idenqui
redoft
heLORD,
hesai
d,Thoushal
tnotgoup;

butf
etchacompassbehi
ndt
hem,
andcomeupont
hem ov
er

agai
nstt
hemul
ber
ryt
rees.Thenshal
ltheLORDgooutbef
ore

t
hee,
tosmi
tet
hehostoft
hePhi
l
ist
ines.Andl
eti
tbe,
whent
hou

hear
estt
hesoundofagoi
ngi
nthet
opsoft
hemul
ber
ryt
rees,
that

t
hent
houshal
tbest
irt
hysel
f:f
ort
henshal
ltheLORDgooutbef
ore

t
hee,
tosmi
tet
hehostoft
hePhi
l
ist
ines.5.
23-
24
God,
Itel
lyou,
isami
l
itar
ygeni
us!

SoDav
idwai
tedunt
ilhehear
dnoi
sesi
nthemul
ber
ry

t
reesandt
henf
oll
owedGod,
smi
ti
ngt
hePhi
l
ist
inesf
rom

behi
nd.

AndDav
iddi
dso,
ast
heLORDhadcommandedhi
m;andsmot
e

t
hePhi
l
ist
ines.5.
25

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanyPhi
l
ist
inesdi
edi
nthese

t
woki
l
li
ngs,
soI
'
llj
ustgi
vei
ttheusual
1000f
oreach.

77.Godki
l
ledUzzahf
or

t
ryi
ngt
okeept
hear
k

f
rom f
all
i
ng

2Samuel
6.7
NumberKi
l
led:
1

Uzzah

Thear
koft
heLor
disnot
hingbutt
roubl
e.

Rememberwhent
hePhi
l
ist
ineshadi
t?Godpl
agued

t
hem wi
thhemor
rhoi
dsi
nthei
rsecr
etpar
ts,
sot
heysent

i
ttooneci
tyaf
teranot
her
.ButGod'
shemor
rhoi
d'
s

f
oll
owedt
hear
kwher
everi
twent
.(59)
.

Fi
nal
l
ythePhi
l
ist
inesgotr
idoft
hedamnedt
hingby

gi
vi
ngGodf
ivegol
denhemor
rhoi
dsandsendi
ngt
hear
k

t
oBet
hshemesh.Butt
hent
heBet
hshemeshi
tesl
ooked

i
ntot
hear
k(al
loft
hem?
),soGodki
l
led50,
070(
60)
-

AndnowDav
iddeci
dest
obr
ingt
hear
kbackt
o

Jer
usal
em.Dur
ingt
het
ri
pDav
idandhi
sgangof30,
000

wer
emadl
ysi
ngi
nganddanci
ngaway
,whent
heoxen

st
umbl
edandt
hear
kst
art
edt
ofal
l
.Uzzahr
eachedout
andt
ri
edt
ost
eadyt
hecar
tand,
insodoi
ng,
touchedt
he

ar
koft
heLor
d.SoGod,
ofcour
se,
hadt
oki
l
lhi
m.

Thatwast
hecondensedv
ersi
on.Her
e'st
hest
oryf
rom

t
heBi
ble.

Dav
idgat
her
edt
oget
heral
lthechosenmenofI
srael
,thi
rt
y

t
housand.AndDav
idar
ose,
andwentwi
thal
lthepeopl
ethatwer
e

wi
thhi
mfr
om Baal
eofJudah,
tobr
ingupf
rom t
hencet
hear
kof

God.
..Andt
heysett
hear
kofGoduponanewcar
t..
.andUzzah

.
..dr
avet
henewcar
t..
.Dav
idandal
lthehouseofI
srael
play
ed

bef
oret
heLORDonal
lmannerofi
nst
rument
smadeoff
irwood,

ev
enonhar
ps,
andonpsal
ter
ies,
andont
imbr
els,
andoncor
net
s,

andoncy
mbal
s.Andwhent
heycamet
oNachon'
sthr
eshi
ngf
loor
,

Uzzahputf
ort
hhi
shandt
othear
kofGod,
andt
ookhol
dofi
t;f
or

t
heoxenshooki
t.Andt
heangeroft
heLORDwaski
ndl
edagai
nst

Uzzah;
andGodsmot
ehi
mther
eforhi
ser
ror
;andt
her
ehedi
ed

byt
hear
kofGod.2Samuel
6.1-
7

Iguessi
twasGod'
swayofsay
ing,
"ThanksUzzah.
"

78.Dav
idki
l
ledt
wo-

t
hir
dsoft
heMoabi
te
POWsandensl
avedt
he

r
est

2Samuel
8.1-
2

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
667

Moabi
tes

Howshoul
dwet
reatpr
isoner
sofwar
?For
tunat
ely
,as

wi
thsomanydi
ff
icul
tquest
ions,
theBi
blehast
he

answer
!

Bi
blebel
i
ever
sdon'
tneedt
owor
ryaboutt
heGenev
a

Conv
ent
ion.Godt
ell
sthem di
rect
lywhatt
odowi
tht
hei
r

POWsi
ntheBi
ble.Al
ltheyhav
etodoi
sfol
l
owDav
id'
s

exampl
e.

Dav
id.
..smot
eMoab,
andmeasur
edt
hem wi
thal
i
ne,
cast
ing
t
hem downt
othegr
ound;
evenwi
tht
wol
i
nesmeasur
edhet
oput

t
odeat
h,andwi
thonef
ull
li
net
okeepal
i
ve.Andsot
heMoabi
tes

becameDav
id'
sser
vant
s,andbr
oughtgi
ft
s.2Samuel
8:1-
2

Sowheni
tcomest
oPOWs,
weknowwhati
sri
ghti
nthe

ey
esoft
heLor
d:ki
l
ltwo-
thi
rdsoft
hem andensl
avet
he

r
est
.

Thati
stheBi
ble'
sinf
all
i
bleanswer
.

(
Myest
imat
eof667i
stwot
hir
dsoft
hest
andar
dBi
bli
cal

sl
aught
erof1000.
)

79.TheLor
dgav
eDav
id

v
ict
orywher
everhe

went
2Samuel
8.5-
6

NumberKi
l
led:
65,
850Sy
rianspl
usabout1000

Phi
l
ist
ines

Phi
l
ist
inesandSy
rians

AsIment
ionedi
nthei
ntr
oduct
ion,
Godappr
ovedal
lof

Dav
id'
ski
l
li
ngs(
exceptf
ort
hemat
terofUr
iah)
.

Dav
iddi
dthatwhi
chwasr
ighti
ntheey
esoft
heLORD,
andt
urned

notasi
def
rom anyt
hingt
hathecommandedhi
m al
ltheday
sof

hi
sli
fe,
sav
eonl
yint
hemat
terofUr
iaht
heHi
tt
it
e.1Ki
ngs15:
5

Heev
enhel
pedoutwi
thmostoft
hem.St
il
l,
someoft
he

onesf
rom 2Samuel
8-10ar
ejustt
oodamnedbor
ingt
o

deal
wit
hsepar
atel
y,soI
'
mlumpi
ngt
hem t
oget
herher
e.

2Samuel
8begi
nsbyt
ell
i
ngust
hatDav
idsomehow

f
oundsomemor
ePhi
l
ist
inest
osmi
te.

I
tcamet
opasst
hatDav
idsmot
ethePhi
l
ist
ines,
andsubdued

t
hem.2Samuel
8:1
ThenDav
idsmot
eHadadezer
,theki
ngofZobah,
"taki
ng"

1000char
iot
s,700(
or7000,
ify
oubel
i
evet
hest
oryi
n1

Chr
oni
cles18:
3-4)hor
semen,
and20,
000f
ootsol
dier
s.

[
Sincet
het
extdoesn'
tsayt
hatDav
idki
l
ledt
he20,
700

(
or27,
000)sol
dier
s,I
'
nnotcount
ingt
hem aski
l
li
ngs.
]

Dav
idsmot
eal
soHadadez
er.
..ki
ngofZobah.
..AndDav
idt
ook

f
rom hi
m at
housandchar
iot
s,andsev
enhundr
edhor
semen,
and

t
went
ythousandf
oot
men.2Samuel
8:3-
4a

Dav
idsmot
eHadar
ezerki
ngofZobah.
..AndDav
idt
ookf
rom hi
m

at
housandchar
iot
s,andsev
ent
housandhor
semen,
andt
went
y

t
housandf
oot
men.1Chr
oni
cles18:
3-4

Dav
idhamst
rung(
"houghed"i
ntheKJV)al
lbut100of

t
he1000hor
ses.
Dav
idhoughedal
lthechar
iothor
ses,
butr
eser
vedoft
hem f
oran

hundr
edchar
iot
s.2Samuel
8:4b

Thenheki
l
led22,
000Sy
rians."
Andt
heLor
dgav
eDav
id

v
ict
orywher
everhewent
."(
NIV)

Whent
heSy
riansofDamascuscamet
osuccourHadadezerki
ngof

Zobah,
Dav
idsl
ewoft
heSy
rianst
woandt
went
ythousandmen.
..

andt
heSy
riansbecameser
vant
stoDav
id,
andbr
oughtgi
ft
s..
..

Andt
heLORDpr
eser
vedDav
idwhi
ther
soev
erhewent
.2Samuel

8.
5-6

Andanot
her40,
700Sy
rians(
orwasi
t47,
000?
).

TheSy
riansf
ledbef
oreI
srael
;andDav
idsl
ewt
hemenofsev
en

hundr
edchar
iot
soft
heSy
rians,
andf
ort
ythousandhor
semen.2

Samuel
10.
18

Butt
heSy
riansf
ledbef
oreI
srael
;andDav
idsl
ewoft
heSy
rians

sev
ent
housandmenwhi
chf
oughti
nchar
iot
s,andf
ort
ythousand

f
oot
men.1Chr
oni
cles19.
8
SoI
'
llgi
veDav
id(
andGod)cr
edi
tfor66,
850:
1000

Phi
l
ist
inesand65,
850Sy
rians.(
22,
000i
nthef
ir
stki
l
li
ng

and43,
850i
nthesecond,
taki
ngt
heav
erageof47,
000

and40,
070f
rom t
hest
ori
esi
n2Samuel
10and1

Chr
oni
cles19.
)

80.Dav
idki
l
ledev
ery

mal
einEdom

2Samuel
8.13-
14,
1Ki
ngs11.
15-
16,
1

Chr
oni
cles18.
12,
Psal
m 60.
1

15,
000Sy
rian(
orEdomi
te)sol
dier
spl
usev
erymal
ein

Edom (
~50,
000)

Sy
riansandEdomi
tes

Ther
e'snotal
ott
ogoonher
e,j
ustaf
ewcont
radi
ctor
y

v
ersesf
rom f
ourdi
ff
erentbooks.

Ther
e'saone-
ver
sest
oryf
rom 2Samuel
say
ingt
hat
Dav
idgotanamef
orhi
msel
fbyki
l
li
ng18,
000Sy
riansi
n

t
hev
all
eyofsal
t.

Dav
idgathi
m anamewhenher
etur
nedf
rom smi
ti
ngoft
he

Sy
riansi
nthev
all
eyofsal
t,bei
ngei
ght
eent
housandmen.2

Samuel
8.13

Thent
her
e'sa(
sor
tof
)si
mil
arv
ersef
rom 1Chr
oni
cles

t
hatagr
eeswi
th2Samuel
ont
henumberki
l
led(
18,
000)

andt
hesi
teoft
heki
l
li
ng(
thev
all
eyofsal
t)
,but

di
sagr
eesaboutt
hei
dent
it
iesoft
heki
l
ler(
Abi
shai
vs.

Dav
id)andt
hepeopl
eki
l
led(
Syr
iansv
s.Edomi
tes)
.

Abi
shai
...sl
ewoft
heEdomi
tesi
nthev
all
eyofsal
tei
ght
een

t
housand.1Chr
oni
cles18.
12

Andt
her
e'saPsal
m st
oryt
hatsay
sitwasJoabwhoki
l
led

12,
000i
nthev
all
eyofsal
twi
tht
hecandl
est
ick(
orwasi
t

t
hel
eadpi
pe?
).
Joabr
etur
ned,
andsmot
eofEdom i
nthev
all
eyofsal
ttwel
ve

t
housand.Psal
m 60.
1

Ther
e'ssomet
hingel
sewear
etol
daboutt
hiski
l
li
ng.

Af
tert
he18,
000(
or12,
000)Edomi
tes(
orSy
rians)wer
e

ki
l
ledi
nthev
all
eyofsal
tbyDav
id(
orAbi
shai
orJoab)
,

Joabki
l
ledev
erymal
einEdom.

WhenDav
idwasi
nEdom,
andJoabt
hecapt
ainoft
hehostwas

goneupt
obur
ythesl
ain,
aft
erhehadsmi
tt
enev
erymal
ein

Edom;
(Forsi
xmont
hsdi
dJoabr
emai
nther
ewi
thal
lIsr
ael
,unt
il

hehadcutof
fev
erymal
einEdom:
)1Ki
ngs11.
15-
16

Sohowmanywer
eki
l
ledi
nthi
ski
l
li
ng?18,
000or

12,
000i
nthev
all
eyofsal
t?Andhowmanymal
eswer
e

ki
l
ledi
nEdom i
nJoab'
smal
egenoci
de?

I
'
llt
ake15,
000(
theav
erageof12,
000and18,
000)f
or

t
henumberofEdomi
te(
orSy
rian)sol
dier
sthatwer
e

ki
l
led,
andguesst
hat50,
000mal
esofal
lageswer
e

sl
aught
ered,
forat
otal
of65,
000i
nal
l
.
81.Thusdi
dDav
idunt
o

al
lthechi
l
drenof

Ammon

2Samuel
11.
1,1Chr
oni
cles20.
1

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Ammoni
tes

I
'
m notsur
ewhat"
thus"was,
buti
twhat
everi
twas,
it

wasn'
tver
yni
ce.

Fi
rstDav
idsentJoab"
andal
lIsr
ael
,
"and"
theydest
roy
ed

t
hechi
l
drenofAmmon"andbesi
egedt
heci
tyofRabbah.

Att
het
imewhenki
ngsgof
ort
htobat
tl
e..
.Dav
idsentJoab,
and

hi
sser
vant
swi
thhi
m,andal
lIsr
ael
;andt
heydest
roy
edt
he

chi
l
drenofAmmon,
andbesi
egedRabbah.2Samuel
11.
1

Joabl
edf
ort
hthepoweroft
hear
my,
andwast
edt
hecount
ryof
t
hechi
l
drenofAmmon,
andcameandbesi
egedRabbah.ButDav
id

t
arr
iedatJer
usal
em.AndJoabsmot
eRabbah,
anddest
roy
edi
t.1

Chr
oni
cles20.
1

Thenhewentt
oRabbahandputagol
dcr
ownonhi
s

headt
hatwei
ghedonet
alent(
about30ki
l
ogr
ams)
.

Dav
id.
..
wentt
oRabbahand.
..t
ookt
hei
rki
ng'
scr
ownf
rom of
fhi
s

head,
thewei
ghtwher
eofwasat
alentofgol
dwi
tht
hepr
eci
ous

st
ones:
andi
twassetonDav
id'
shead.Andhebr
oughtf
ort
hthe

spoi
loft
heci
tyi
ngr
eatabundance.Samuel
12.
30

Andf
inal
l
yhedi
dthi
sto"
all
theci
ti
esoft
hechi
l
drenof

Ammon"
:

Hebr
oughtf
ort
hthepeopl
ethatwer
ether
ein,
andputt
hem under

saws,
andunderhar
rowsofi
ron,
andunderaxesofi
ron,
and

madet
hem passt
hrought
hebr
ick-
kil
n:andt
husdi
dheunt
oal
l

t
heci
ti
esoft
hechi
l
drenofAmmon.Samuel
12.
31

Dav
id'
str
eat
mentoft
heAmmoni
tesi
sst
atedabi
tmor
e
cl
ear
lyi
nthe1Chr
oni
clesv
ersi
onoft
hisst
ory
.

Hebr
oughtoutt
hepeopl
ethatwer
eini
t,andcutt
hem wi
thsaws,

andwi
thhar
rowsofi
ron,
andwi
thax
es.Ev
ensodeal
tDav
idwi
th

al
ltheci
ti
esoft
hechi
l
drenofAmmon.1Chr
oni
cles20.
3

Nei
therst
orysay
showmanyAmmoni
teswer
eki
l
led.I
'
ll

guess1000.

2?

£3

^
r^^
;"
'^-

y
issk*
*--
j
rVi

HH^
^^s^
f

82.Godsl
owl
yki
l
lsa

baby

2Samuel
12.
15-
18

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Dav
idandBat
hsheba'
sbabyboy

You'
vepr
obabl
yhear
dthest
oryaboutDav
idand

Bat
hsheba.Youknow,
theonewher
eDav
idsees
Bat
hshebat
aki
ngabat
h,andsi
ncehel
i
keswhathesees,

hehassexwi
thher
.

I
nanev
eni
ngt
ide,
thatDav
idar
osef
rom of
fhi
sbed,
andwal
ked

upont
her
oofoft
heki
ng'
shouse:
andf
rom t
her
oofhesawa

womanwashi
ngher
sel
f;andt
hewomanwasv
erybeaut
if
ult
olook

upon.AndDav
idsentandenqui
redaf
tert
hewoman.Andone

sai
d,I
snott
hisBat
hsheba,
thedaught
erofEl
i
am,
thewi
feofUr
iah

t
heHi
tt
it
e?AndDav
idsentmessenger
s,andt
ookher
;andshe

camei
nunt
ohi
m,andhel
aywi
thher
.2Samuel
11.
2-4

Shebecomespr
egnantwi
thDav
id'
schi
l
dandDav
id

sendsherhusband(
Uri
ah)i
ntot
hef
rontl
i
nest
obe

ki
l
led.

Thewomanconcei
ved,
andsentandt
oldDav
id,
andsai
d,Iam

wi
thchi
l
d.11.
5

I
nthemor
ning.
..Dav
idwr
oteal
ett
ert
oJoab,
andsenti
tbyt
he

handofUr
iah.
..say
ing,
Sety
eUr
iahi
nthef
oref
rontoft
hehot
test

bat
tl
e,andr
eti
rey
efr
om hi
m,t
hathemaybesmi
tt
en,
anddi
e..
.
AndUr
iaht
heHi
tt
it
edi
ed.11.
14-
17

Wel
l
,that
'snotwhatt
hisst
oryi
sabout
.Inf
act
,the

ki
l
li
ngofUr
iahi
stheonl
yoneofDav
id'
smanyki
l
li
ngs

t
hatGoddi
sappr
ovedof
.Dav
idhadUr
iahki
l
ledandGod

hadnot
hingt
odowi
thi
t.

Thet
hingt
hatDav
idhaddonedi
spl
easedt
heLORD.11.
27

Godwasdi
spl
easedwi
thDav
idf
orki
l
li
ngUr
iahand

t
aki
nghi
swi
fe,
buthef
orgav
ehi
mfori
t.

TheLORDal
sohat
hputawayt
hysi
n;t
houshal
tnotdi
e.12.
13

St
il
l,
Godhadt
odosomet
hingt
oshowhi
sdi
spl
easur
e.

Her
e'swhathedeci
dedt
odo:
he'
dhav
eDav
id'
swi
ves

r
apedbyhi
snei
ghborwhi
l
eev
ery
oneel
sewat
ches.

Thussai
tht
heLORD,
Behol
d,Iwi
l
lrai
seupev
ilagai
nstt
heeoutof

t
hineownhouse,
andIwi
l
ltaket
hywi
vesbef
oret
hineey
es,
and

gi
vet
hem unt
othynei
ghbour
,andheshal
ll
iewi
tht
hywi
vesi
nthe

si
ghtoft
hissun.12.
11

I
ttur
nsoutt
hatt
he"
nei
ghbor
"thatGodsendst
odohi
s
di
rt
ywor
kisDav
id'
sownson,
Absal
om.

Ahi
thophel
sai
dunt
oAbsal
om,
Goi
nunt
othyf
ather
'sconcubi
nes,

whi
chhehat
hlef
ttokeept
hehouse.
..Sot
heyspr
eadAbsal
om a

t
entupont
het
opoft
hehouse;
andAbsal
om wenti
nunt
ohi
s

f
ather
'sconcubi
nesi
nthesi
ghtofal
lIsr
ael
.2Samuel
16.
21-
22

Butt
hatdi
dn'
tqui
tedoi
t.Dav
idhadcausedGod'
s

enemi
est
obl
aspheme,
soGodhadt
ogi
vet
hem

somet
hingel
set
obl
asphemeabout
.Butwhat
?

Becausebyt
hisdeedt
houhastgi
vengr
eatoccasi
ont
othe

enemi
esoft
heLORDt
obl
aspheme.
..12.
14a

Ki
l
lthebaby
,that
'swhat
.

.
..
thechi
l
dal
sot
hati
sbor
nunt
otheeshal
lsur
elydi
e.12.
14b

Andt
hat
'swhatGoddi
d,butnotal
latonce.Hel
ett
he

babysuf
ferf
orawhi
l
e.
TheLORDst
ruckt
hechi
l
dthatUr
iah'
swi
febar
eunt
oDav
id,
andi
t

wasv
erysi
ck.12.
15

WhenGodmadet
hebabysi
ck,
Dav
idpl
eadedwi
thGod

t
ost
opt
orment
inghi
m.ButGodwoul
dn'
tl
ist
en.

Dav
idt
her
efor
ebesoughtGodf
ort
hechi
l
d;andDav
idf
ast
ed,
and

wenti
n,andl
ayal
lni
ghtupont
heear
th.12.
16

Fi
nal
l
y,af
tert
hebabysuf
fer
edf
orsev
enday
s,Godki
l
led

hi
m.

Ont
hesev
ent
hday
,thatt
hechi
l
ddi
ed.12.
18

Af
tert
hebabydi
ed,
Dav
idwashed,
gotdr
essed,
hada

ni
cemeal
,andwor
shi
pedt
heGodwhoki
l
ledhi
sson.

Dav
idar
osef
rom t
heear
th,
andwashed,
andanoi
ntedhi
msel
f,

andchangedhi
sappar
el,
andcamei
ntot
hehouseoft
heLORD,

andwor
shi
pped:
thenhe.
..di
deat
.12.
20

Thest
oryhasahappyendi
ng,
though.Af
terBat
hsheba'
s

babyboyi
ski
l
ledbyGod,
Dav
idcomf
ort
sherbygoi
ng
"
inunt
oher
."(
He'
ssuchani
ceguy
!)

Dav
idcomf
ort
edBat
hshebahi
swi
fe,
andwenti
nunt
oher
.12.
24a

AndBat
hshebaconcei
vesandbear
sanot
herson

(
Sol
omon)
.

Andshebar
eason,
andhecal
l
edhi
snameSol
omon.12.
24b

AndGodl
ovedSol
omon.

Andt
heLORDl
ovedhi
m.12.
24c

Hepr
obabl
ysai
dtohi
msel
f,ast
heBr
ickTest
ament

(www.
bri
ckt
est
ament
.com )suggest
s,"
Idon'
tthi
nkI
'
llki
l
l

t
hisone.
"

83.Fami
neandhuman

sacr
if
ice:
Sev
ensonsof

Saul
arehungupbef
ore

t
heLor
d
2Samuel
21.
1-9

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
3,000

2sonsand5gr
andsonsofSaul
,pl
ust
hoset
hatdi
edi
n

t
hef
ami
ne

I
tal
lst
art
edwi
thoneofGod'
sfamoust
hree-
year

f
ami
nes.Dav
idaskedGodwhyhesentt
hef
ami
ne.

Thent
her
ewasaf
ami
nei
ntheday
sofDav
idt
hreey
ear
s,y
ear

af
tery
ear
;andDav
idenqui
redoft
heLORD.2Samuel
21.
1a

Godsai
ditwasbecauseSaul
kil
l
edsomeGi
beoni
tes.

(
TheBi
bledoesn'
tsaywhenorwher
eSaul
supposedl
y

di
dthi
s.)

TheLORDanswer
ed,
Iti
sforSaul
,andf
orhi
sbl
oodyhouse,
becausehesl
ewt
heGi
beoni
tes.21.
1b

SoDav
idaskedt
heGi
beoni
teswhathecoul
ddot
omake

at
onement
.

Wher
efor
eDav
idsai
dunt
otheGi
beoni
tes,
Whatshal
lIdof
ory
ou?

andwher
ewi
thshal
lImaket
heat
onement
?21.
3

TheGi
beoni
tessai
dthatDav
idshoul
dgi
vet
hem Saul
'
s

sev
ensonssot
heycoul
dhangt
hem upbef
oret
heLor
d.

Theyanswer
edt
heki
ng.
..Letsev
enmenofhi
ssonsbedel
i
ver
ed

unt
ous,
andwewi
l
lhangt
hem upunt
otheLORD.21.
5-6

Dav
idagr
eed,
giv
ingt
hem t
woofSaul
'
ssonsandf
iveof

hi
sgr
andsons."
Andt
heyhangedt
hem i
nthehi
l
lbef
ore

t
heLor
d."

Theki
ngt
ookt
het
wosonsofRi
zpaht
hedaught
erofAi
ah,
whom
shebar
eunt
oSaul
,Ar
moni
andMephi
boshet
h;andt
hef
ivesons

ofMi
chal
thedaught
erofSaul
...Andhedel
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntot
he

handsoft
heGi
beoni
tes,
andt
heyhangedt
hem i
nthehi
l
lbef
ore

t
heLORD.21.
8-9

Andt
hatsat
isf
iedGodsot
hathequi
tst
arv
ingt
he

I
srael
i
tes.

Andaf
tert
hatGodwasi
ntr
eat
edf
ort
hel
and.21.
14

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanyI
srael
i
tesdi
edi
nGod'
s

t
hreey
earf
ami
ne.I
'
llguess3000,
1000f
oreachy
earf
or

t
hef
ami
ne.

84.Dav
id'
smi
ght
ymen

andt
hei
ramazi
ng

ki
l
li
ngs

2Samuel
23,
1Chr
oni
cles11

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
3,400
1403pl
ust
wo"
greatv
ict
ori
es"

Ther
eisal
i
stofcr
azysi
ngl
e-handedki
l
li
ngsi
n2Samuel

23and1Chr
oni
cles11t
hatGodobv
iousl
yappr
ovedof

si
ncet
heBi
blebr
agsaboutt
hem somuch.I
'
mincl
udi
ng

t
hem al
lher
e.

Thesebet
henamesoft
hemi
ght
ymenwhom Dav
idhad:
2

Samuel
23:
8a

Theseal
soar
ethechi
efoft
hemi
ght
ymenwhom Dav
idhad.
..t
o

makehi
m ki
ng,
accor
dingt
othewor
doft
heLORDconcer
ning

I
srael
.Andt
hisi
sthenumberoft
hemi
ght
ymenwhom Dav
idhad:

1Chr
oni
clesl
l
:10-
ll
a

Adi
noand/
orJashobeam

Ther
eissomeconf
usi
onaboutt
hisone.Whowast
he

chi
efofDav
id'
scapt
ains(
Adi
noorJashobeam)andhow

manydi
dheki
l
lwi
thhi
sspearatonet
ime(
300or800"
)?

Wasi
ttwodi
ff
erentcapt
ainsi
ntwodi
ff
erentsl
aught
ers?
I
'
llgi
vet
hem bot
hcr
edi
tandcal
li
t1100.

TheTachmoni
tet
hatsati
ntheseat
,chi
efamongt
hecapt
ains;
the

samewasAdi
not
heEzni
te:
hel
i
ftuphi
sspearagai
nstei
ght

hundr
ed,
whom hesl
ewatonet
ime.2Samuel
23:
8

Jashobeam,
anHachmoni
te,
thechi
efoft
hecapt
ains:
hel
i
ftedup

hi
sspearagai
nstt
hreehundr
edsl
ainbyhi
m atonet
ime.1

Chr
oni
cles11:
11b

ThesonofDodo

Nextwehav
ethesonofDodowhosmot
ePhi
l
ist
inesunt
il

hi
shandst
uckt
ohi
sswor
d,"
andt
heLORDwr
oughta

gr
eatv
ict
oryt
hatday
."I
tdoesn'
tsayhowmanyhe

ki
l
led;
I'
ll
guess1000.

El
eazart
hesonofDodo.
..smot
ethePhi
l
ist
inesunt
ilhi
shandwas

wear
y,andhi
shandcl
aveunt
otheswor
d:andt
heLORDwr
ought

agr
eatv
ict
oryt
hatday
.2Samuel
23:
9-10

El
eazart
hesonofDodo.
..oneoft
het
hreemi
ght
ies.
..sl
ewt
he
Phi
l
ist
ines;
andt
heLORDsav
edt
hem byagr
eatdel
i
ver
ance.1

Chr
oni
cles11:
12-
14

Shammah

Shammahi
sn'
tment
ionedi
nthe1Chr
oni
clesaccount
,

butaccor
dingt
o2Samuel
,Godwasi
nvol
vedsi
nce"
the

Lor
dwr
oughtagr
eatv
ict
ory
."I
'
llgi
veGodand

Shammahcr
edi
tforanot
her1000f
ort
his"
greatv
ict
ory
."

Shammaht
hesonofAgee.
..sl
ewt
hePhi
l
ist
ines:
andt
heLORD

wr
oughtagr
eatv
ict
ory
.2Samuel
23:
11-
12

Abi
shai

Abi
shai
kil
l
ed300Phi
l
ist
ineswi
thhi
sspear
.

Abi
shai
...l
i
fteduphi
sspearagai
nstt
hreehundr
ed,
andsl
ew

t
hem.2Samuel
23:
18
Abi
shai
thebr
otherofJoab,
hewaschi
efoft
het
hree:
forl
i
fti
ngup

hi
sspearagai
nstt
hreehundr
ed,
hesl
ewt
hem.1Chr
oni
cles11:
20

Benai
ah

Thi
sonei
smyf
avor
it
e.Banai
ahki
l
ledt
wol
i
on-
li
kemen

andt
henal
i
oni
nasnowypi
t.Af
tert
hatheki
l
leda

good-
looki
ng,
7.5f
oott
all
Egy
pti
anwi
tht
heEgy
pti
an'
s

spear
.

Benai
aht
hesonofJehoi
ada.
..sl
ewt
wol
i
onl
i
kemenofMoab:
he

wentdownal
soandsl
ewal
i
oni
nthemi
dstofapi
tint
imeof

snow.Andhesl
ewanEgy
pti
an,
agoodl
yman:
andt
heEgy
pti
an

hadaspeari
nhi
shand.2Samuel
23:
20-
21

Benai
aht
hesonofJehoi
ada.
..sl
ewt
wol
i
onl
i
kemenofMoab:

al
sohewentdownandsl
ewal
i
oni
napi
tinasnowyday
.Andhe

sl
ewanEgy
pti
an,
amanofgr
eatst
atur
e,f
ivecubi
tshi
gh;
andi
n

t
heEgy
pti
an'
shandwasaspearl
i
keaweav
er'
sbeam;
andhe

wentdownt
ohi
m wi
thast
aff
,andpl
uckedt
hespearoutoft
he

Egy
pti
an'
shand,
andsl
ewhi
m wi
thhi
sownspear
.1Chr
oni
cles

11:
22-
23
85.Godki
l
led70,
000

becauseDav
idhada

censust
hatGod(
or

Sat
an)t
oldhi
mtodo

2Samuel
24.
1,1Chr
oni
cles21.
1

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
200,
000

NumberofI
srael
i
temenki
l
led:
70,
000

Thi
sisnotaneasyonet
oexpl
ain,
butI
'
llgi
vei
tat
ry.

I
tal
lst
art
swi
thGodt
ell
i
ngDav
idt
odoacensus,
you

knowl
i
ket
heonet
heU.
S.Const
it
uti
onr
equi
resust
odo

ev
eryt
eny
ear
s.

Andagai
ntheangeroft
heLORDwaski
ndl
edagai
nstI
srael
,and

hemov
edDav
idagai
nstt
hem t
osay
,Go,
numberI
srael
andJudah.

2Samuel
24.
1
Orwasi
tSat
ant
hataskedDav
idt
odot
hecensus,
asi
t

say
sin1Chr
oni
cles21.
1?

Sat
anst
oodupagai
nstI
srael
,andpr
ovokedDav
idt
onumber

I
srael
.1Chr
oni
cles21.
1

Ohwel
l
,may
bei
twasbot
h.Theyof
tenwor
ktoget
her

(1301.I
nanycase,
Dav
idsentJoaboutt
otaket
he

census,
andaf
ter9mont
hsand20day
s,Joabcameback

wi
tht
her
esul
ts:
ther
ewer
e800,
000swor
d-y
iel
dingmen

i
nIsr
ael
and500,
000i
nJudah.

Sowhent
heyhadgonet
hroughal
lthel
and,
theycamet
o

Jer
usal
em att
heendofni
nemont
hsandt
went
yday
s.AndJoab

gav
eupt
hesum oft
henumberoft
hepeopl
eunt
otheki
ng:
and

t
her
ewer
einI
srael
eighthundr
edt
housandv
ali
antment
hatdr
ew

t
heswor
d;andt
hemenofJudahwer
efi
vehundr
edt
housand
men.2Samuel
24.
8-9

Orwasi
twas1,
100,
000and470,
000meni
nIsr
ael
and

Judah,
asi
tsay
sin1Chr
oni
cles21:
5?

Joabgav
ethesum oft
henumberoft
hepeopl
eunt
oDav
id.Andal
l

t
heyofI
srael
wer
eat
housandt
housandandanhundr
edt
housand

ment
hatdr
ewswor
d:andJudahwasf
ourhundr
edt
hreescor
e

andt
ent
housandment
hatdr
ewswor
d.1Chr
oni
cles21.
5

Whi
chev
eri
tmayhav
ebeen,
eit
heri
scompar
abl
etot
he

numberofact
ivedut
ysol
dier
sint
heU.
S.mi
l
itar
ytoday
.

Notbadf
orsmal
ltr
ibal
kingdom i
n1000BCE!

Af
tert
hecensus,
Dav
iddeci
dedt
hathehaddone

somet
hingwr
ong,
whi
chi
swei
rdsi
ncehehadonl
ytaken

acensust
hatGodt
oldhi
mtot
ake.

Dav
id'
shear
tsmot
ehi
m af
tert
hathehadnumber
edt
hepeopl
e.

AndDav
idsai
dunt
otheLORD,
Ihav
esi
nnedgr
eat
lyi
nthatIhav
e

done.2Samuel
24.
10
AndGodwasanqr
y,t
oo,
atl
eastt
hat
'
swhatt
hepr
ophet

Gadt
oldhi
m.Gadsai
dGodof
fer
edDav
idt
hreechoi
ces:

Thussai
tht
heLORD,
Iof
fert
heet
hreet
hings;
chooset
heeoneof

t
hem,
thatImaydoi
tunt
othee.2Samuel
24.
11-
12

1.Sev
eny
ear
soff
ami
ne,

Shal
lsev
eny
ear
soff
ami
necomeunt
otheei
nthyl
and?2Samuel

24.
11-
1

(
ort
hreey
ear
sify
oubel
i
evet
hest
oryi
n1Chr
oni
cles

21)

Ei
thert
hreey
ear
s'f
ami
ne.1Chr
oni
cles21.
13a

2.Thr
eemont
hsofl
osi
ngbat
tl
es,

Orwi
l
tthouf
leet
hreemont
hsbef
oret
hineenemi
es,
whi
l
ethey

pur
suet
hee?2Samuel
24.
13b

3.Thr
eeday
sofpest
il
ence.
Ort
hatt
her
ebet
hreeday
s'pest
il
encei
ntheyl
and?2Samuel

24.
13c

Dav
idcoul
dn'
tdeci
de,
soGoddeci
dedf
orhi
m.God

choset
het
hreeday
sofpest
il
ence,
ther
ebyki
l
li
ng70,
000

men,
whi
chwoul
dmeanatl
eastacoupl
ehundr
ed

t
housandpeopl
e(si
nceonl
ymencountt
oGod)
.

Sot
heLORDsentapest
il
enceuponI
srael
from t
hemor
ningev
en

t
othet
imeappoi
nted:
andt
her
edi
edoft
hepeopl
efr
om Danev
en

t
oBeer
shebasev
ent
ythousandmen.2Samuel
24.
15

ButGodwasst
il
lpi
ssedof
f,ev
enaf
terhef
ini
shedki
l
li
ng

acoupl
ehundr
edt
housandpeopl
eint
hepest
il
ence.So

hesentanangel
todest
royt
heci
tyofJer
usal
em.But

bef
oret
heangel
dest
roy
edt
heci
ty,
God"
repent
edhi
m of
t
heev
il
"thathei
ntendedt
odo,
andhet
oldt
heangel
to

st
op.

Whent
heangel
str
etchedouthi
shanduponJer
usal
em t
odest
roy

i
t,t
heLORDr
epent
edhi
m oft
heev
il
,andsai
dtot
heangel
that

dest
roy
edt
hepeopl
e,I
tisenough:
staynowt
hinehand.2Samuel

24.
16

WhenDav
idsawt
heangel
thatwasst
il
lki
l
li
ngpeopl
e,he

sai
d,"
I'
vesi
nned,
butwhathav
ethesepeopl
edone?
"A

goodquest
ion,
thatGod,
ofcour
se,
compl
etel
yignor
es.

Dav
idspakeunt
otheLORDwhenhesawt
heangel
thatsmot
ethe

peopl
e,andsai
d,Lo,
Ihav
esi
nned,
andIhav
edonewi
ckedl
y:but

t
hesesheep,
whathav
etheydone?2Samuel
24.
17

Fi
nal
l
y,Gadt
ell
sDav
idt
obuysomel
and,
makeanal
tar
,

andki
l
lsomeani
mal
stomakeGodqui
tki
l
li
ngpeopl
e.So

Dav
idbuy
ssomel
andf
or50shekel
sofsi
l
ver(
or600

shekel
sofgol
dify
oupr
efert
hest
oryi
n1Chr
oni
cles

21)
,set
supanal
tar
,andki
l
lssomeani
mal
sforGod.
Gadcamet
hatdayt
oDav
id,
andsai
dunt
ohi
m,Goup,
rearan

al
tarunt
otheLORDi
nthet
hreshi
ngf
loorofAr
aunaht
heJebusi
te

.
..SoDav
idboughtt
het
hreshi
ngf
loorandt
heoxenf
orf
if
tyshekel
s

ofsi
l
ver
.AndDav
idbui
l
tther
eanal
tarunt
otheLORD,
andof
fer
ed

bur
ntof
fer
ingsandpeaceof
fer
ings.Sot
heLORDwasi
ntr
eat
edf
or

t
hel
and,
andt
hepl
aguewasst
ayedf
rom I
srael
.2Samuel
24.
18-

25

AndGodf
inal
l
yst
oppedki
l
li
ngpeopl
e.

Sot
heLORDwasi
ntr
eat
edf
ort
hel
and,
andt
hepl
aguewas

st
ayedf
rom I
srael
.2Samuel
24.
25

86.Sol
omoncar
ri
edout

t
hedeat
hbedwi
shof

Dav
idbyhav
ingJoaband

Shi
mei
mur
der
ed
1Ki
ngs2.
29-
46

NumberKi
l
led:
2

JoabandShi
mei

Youcant
ell
alotaboutaper
sonbyhi
sorherl
astwor
ds.

TakeDav
id'
slastwor
ds,
forexampl
e.

I
nDav
id'
slastwor
dst
ohi
ssonSol
omon,
heaskedhi
m

t
omur
derJoab.

Nowt
heday
sofDav
iddr
ewni
ght
hatheshoul
ddi
e;andhe

char
gedSol
omonhi
sson,
say
ing.
..t
houknowestal
sowhatJoab

t
hesonofZer
uiahdi
dtome.
..l
etnothi
shoarheadgodownt
o

t
hegr
avei
npeace.1Ki
ngs2.
1-6

SoSol
omonsentBenai
aht
omur
derJoab.

I
twast
oldki
ngSol
omont
hatJoabwasf
ledunt
othet
aber
nacl
eof

t
heLORD;
and,
behol
d,hei
sbyt
heal
tar
.ThenSol
omonsent

Benai
ah.
..say
ing,
Go,
fal
luponhi
m..
.SoBenai
ah.
..f
ell
upon
hi
m,andsl
ewhi
m.2.
29-
34

Andanot
herper
sont
hatDav
idaskedhi
ssont
omur
der

wasShi
mei
.

Thouhastwi
tht
heeShi
mei
...whi
chcur
sedmewi
thagr
iev
ous

cur
sei
nthedaywhenIwentt
oMahanai
m:buthecamedownt
o

meetmeatJor
dan,
andIswar
etohi
m byt
heLORD,
say
ing,
Iwi
l
l

notputt
heet
odeat
hwi
tht
heswor
d.Nowt
her
efor
ehol
dhi
m not

gui
l
tless:
fort
houar
tawi
seman,
andknowestwhatt
houought
est

t
odount
ohi
m;buthi
shoarheadbr
ingt
houdownt
othegr
ave

wi
thbl
ood.1Ki
ngs2.
8-9

SoSol
omonsentBenai
aht
o"f
all
on"Shi
mei
,too.

Sot
heki
ngcommandedBenai
ah.
..whi
chwentout
,andf
ell
upon

hi
m,t
hathedi
ed.1Ki
ngs2.
44-
46

God,
ofcour
se,
want
edt
hesepeopl
emur
der
ed,
too.He

appr
ovedofev
ery
thi
ngDav
iddi
d,exceptf
ort
hemat
ter

ofUr
iah(
1Ki
ngs15.
5).
87.At
aleoft
wo

pr
ophet
s

1Ki
ngs13.
23-
24

NumberKi
l
led:
1

AmanofGod

Thest
orybegi
nswi
thanol
d,namel
esspr
ophetf
rom

Bet
hel
whof
oundanot
hernamel
esspr
ophet
,the"
manof

God"f
rom Judah,
sit
ti
ngunderanoakt
ree.

Nowt
her
edwel
tanol
dpr
opheti
nBet
hel
...Andhe.
..wentaf
ter

t
hemanofGod,
andf
oundhi
m si
tt
ingunderanoak.1Ki
ngs

13.
11-
14

Theol
dpr
opheti
nvi
tedt
hemanofGodt
ocomeov
ert
o

hi
shouset
oeat
,butt
hemanofGodsai
dthathe

coul
dn'
t,
sinceGodt
oldhi
m nott
oeatordr
inkany
thi
ng.
Thenhesai
dunt
ohi
m,Comehomewi
thme,
andeatbr
ead.And

hesai
d,Imaynotr
etur
nwi
tht
hee,
norgoi
nwi
tht
hee:
nei
ther

wi
l
lIeatbr
eadnordr
inkwat
erwi
tht
heei
nthi
spl
ace:
Fori
twas

sai
dtomebyt
hewor
doft
heLORD,
Thoushal
teatnobr
eadnor

dr
inkwat
ert
her
e.13.
15-
17

Butt
heol
dpr
ophett
oldt
hemanofGodt
hathewasal
so

apr
ophetandt
hatanangel
tol
dhi
mtogof
indt
heman

ofGod,
bri
nghi
m backt
ohi
shouse,
andgi
vehi
m some

f
oodandwat
er.

Hesai
dunt
ohi
m,l
amapr
ophetal
soast
houar
t;andanangel

spakeunt
omebyt
hewor
doft
heLORD,
say
ing,
Bri
nghi
m back

wi
tht
heei
ntot
hinehouse,
thathemayeatbr
eadanddr
inkwat
er.

13.
18a

Toobadf
ort
hemanofGod,
butt
heol
dpr
ophetwas

l
yi
ng.(
Ify
oucan'
ttr
ustanol
dpr
ophet
,whocany
ou

t
rust
?)
Buthel
i
edunt
ohi
m.13.
18b

Sot
hemanofGodwentt
oeatatt
hel
yi
ng,
oldpr
ophet
'
s

house.

Sohewentbackwi
thhi
m,anddi
deatbr
eadi
nhi
shouse,
and

dr
ankwat
er.13.
19

ThenGodt
oldt
hemanofGod(
thr
ought
hemout
hofhi
s

l
yi
ngpr
ophet
)thatGodwaspi
ssedathi
mfor
...
Idon'
t

knowwhat
.Eat
inganddr
inki
ngwhenGodt
oldhi
m not

t
o(ev
ent
houghapr
ophetofGodt
oldhi
mthatGodsai
d

t
hatheshoul
d)?Bel
i
evi
ngal
yi
ngpr
ophetofGod?What
?

Idon'
tknow.Buther
e'swhatt
heGod'
sly
ingpr
ophet

sai
d:

Thewor
doft
heLORDcameunt
othepr
ophet.
..say
ing,
Thussai
th

t
heLORD,
For
asmuchast
houhastdi
sobey
edt
hemout
hoft
he

LORD.
..Butear
nestback,
andhasteat
enbr
eadanddr
unkwat
er

.
..t
hycar
caseshal
lnotcomeunt
othesepul
chr
eoft
hyf
ather
s.
13.
20-
22

Af
tert
hemeal
,themanofGodwentonhi
sway
.And

t
henal
i
onmethi
m ont
her
oadandki
l
ledhi
m.

Andi
tcamet
opass,
aft
erhehadeat
enbr
ead,
andaf
terhehad

dr
unk,
thathesaddl
edf
orhi
mtheass.
..Andwhenhewasgone,

al
i
onmethi
m byt
heway
,andsl
ewhi
m.13.
23-
24a

Thel
i
onhungar
oundt
hedeadmanofGodf
orqui
tea

whi
l
e.Lot
sofpeopl
ecamet
oseet
hecar
cassandt
heass

andt
hel
i
onbyt
hesi
deoft
her
oad.

Andhi
scar
casewascasti
ntheway
,andt
heassst
oodbyi
t,t
he

l
i
onal
sost
oodbyt
hecar
case.And,
behol
d,menpassedby
,and

sawt
hecar
casecasti
ntheway
,andt
hel
i
onst
andi
ngbyt
he

car
case.13.24b-25
^

88.Jer
oboam'
sson:
God

ki
l
lsanot
herchi
l
d

1Ki
ngs14.
17

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Jer
oboam'
sson

Thest
orybegi
nswi
thasi
ckchi
l
d,Abi
j
ah,
thesonofKi
ng

Jer
oboam.

Att
hatt
imeAbi
j
aht
hesonofJer
oboam f
ell
sick.1Ki
ngs14.
1
Jer
oboam waswor
ri
edabouthi
sson,
sohet
oldhi
swi
fe

t
ogoaskt
hebl
i
ndpr
ophetAhi
j
ahwhatwi
l
lbecomeof

hi
m.

Jer
oboam sai
dtohi
swi
fe,
Ari
se,
Ipr
ayt
hee,
anddi
sgui
set
hysel
f

.
..andgett
heet
oShi
l
oh:
behol
d,t
her
eisAhi
j
aht
hepr
ophet
,

whi
cht
oldmet
hatIshoul
dbeki
ngov
ert
hispeopl
e..
.Heshal
ltel
l

t
heewhatshal
lbecomeoft
hechi
l
d.14.
2-3

Soshewentt
oAhi
j
ah'
shouse.

Jer
oboam'
swi
fe.
..ar
ose,
andwentt
oShi
l
oh,
andcamet
othe

houseofAhi
j
ah.14.
4a

Bef
oreshear
ri
ved,
Godcamet
otel
lAhi
j
aht
hat

Jer
oboam'
swi
fewoul
dbecomi
ngt
ovi
sit
.Godt
oldhi
m

whathepl
annedt
odo.
ButAhi
j
ahcoul
dnotsee;
forhi
sey
eswer
esetbyr
easonofhi
s

age.Andt
heLORDsai
dunt
oAhi
j
ah,
Behol
d,t
hewi
feofJer
oboam

comet
htoaskat
hingoft
heef
orherson;
forhei
ssi
ck:
thusand

t
husshal
tthousayunt
oher
:fori
tshal
lbe,
whenshecomet
hin,

t
hatsheshal
lfei
gnher
sel
ftobeanot
herwoman.14:
4b-
5

SowhenJer
oboam'
swi
fear
ri
ved,
Ahi
j
aht
oldherhehad

somebadnews.

WhenAhi
j
ahhear
dthesoundofherf
eet
,asshecamei
natt
he

door.
..hesai
d,Comei
n,t
houwi
feofJer
oboam;
whyf
eignest

t
hout
hysel
ftobeanot
her
?forIam sentt
otheewi
thheav
y

t
idi
ngs.14.
6

Hesai
dthatGodmadeJer
oboam ki
ng,
butt
hat

Jer
oboam wasn'
tper
fectl
i
keGod'
sser
vantDav
idwas.I
n

f
act
,Jer
oboam hadact
edwor
set
hanany
onewhohad

ev
erl
i
vedupt
othatt
ime.(
Godl
ovest
oexagger
ate!
)

Go,
tel
lJer
oboam,
Thussai
tht
heLORDGodofI
srael
,For
asmuch

asIexal
tedt
heef
rom amongt
hepeopl
e,andmadet
heepr
ince
ov
ermypeopl
eIsr
ael
,Andr
entt
heki
ngdom awayf
rom t
hehouse

ofDav
id,
andgav
eitt
hee:
andy
ett
houhastnotbeenasmy

ser
vantDav
id,
whokeptmycommandment
s,andwhof
oll
owedme

wi
thal
lhi
shear
t,t
odot
hatonl
ywhi
chwasr
ighti
nmi
neey
es;
But

hastdoneev
ilabov
eal
lthatwer
ebef
oret
hee:
fort
houhastgone

andmadet
heeot
hergods,
andmol
teni
mages,
topr
ovokemet
o

anger
,andhastcastmebehi
ndt
hyback.14.
7-9

Sot
opuni
shJer
oboam,
Godwoul
dki
l
lal
lofJer
oboam'
s

sons(
or,
asGodputi
t,al
lthose"
thatpi
sset
hagai
nstt
he

wal
l
").

Ther
efor
e,behol
d,Iwi
l
lbr
ingev
ilupont
hehouseofJer
oboam,

andwi
l
lcutof
ffr
om Jer
oboam hi
mthatpi
sset
hagai
nstt
hewal
l
.

14.
10a

Anddi
sposeofJer
oboam'
sfami
l
yast
hought
heywer
e

pi
ecesofshi
t.

Andwi
l
ltakeawayt
her
emnantoft
hehouseofJer
oboam,
asa

mant
aket
hawaydung.14.
10b
Thenhe'
l
lfeedwhat
everi
slef
toft
hem t
othedogs,
if

t
heyl
i
vedi
ntheci
ty,
ort
othebi
rds,
ift
heywer
ecount
ry

f
olk.

Hi
mthatdi
ethofJer
oboam i
ntheci
tyshal
lthedogseat
;andhi
m

t
hatdi
ethi
nthef
iel
dshal
lthef
owl
soft
heai
reat
:fort
heLORD

hat
hspokeni
t.14.
11

Andf
inal
l
y,Godwi
l
lki
l
lJer
oboam'
ssi
ckson.Assoonas

t
hemot
heroft
hesi
ckboyr
etur
nshome,
hersonwi
l
l

di
e.

Ar
iset
hout
her
efor
e,gett
heet
othi
neownhouse:
andwhent
hy

f
eetent
eri
ntot
heci
ty,
thechi
l
dshal
ldi
e.14.
12

Af
terhear
ingt
hewor
dsofGodf
rom hi
spr
ophetAhi
j
ah,

Jer
oboam'
swi
fer
etur
nedhome.AndGodki
l
ledt
hesi
ck

boyt
hemomenthi
smot
herent
eredhi
sroom.
Jer
oboam'
swi
fear
ose,
anddepar
ted.
..andwhenshecamet
othe

t
hreshol
doft
hedoor
,thechi
l
ddi
ed.14.
17

89.Jer
oboam'
sfami
l
y

1Ki
ngs15.
29-
30

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
10

Jer
oboam'
sfami
l
y

Ther
easonf
ort
hiski
l
li
ngwast
hesameast
hel
ast(
88)
:

Goddi
sli
kedJer
oboam (
hewast
hewor
stper
soni
nthe

wor
ld)soheki
l
ledhi
sson.

Nowhe'
sbackf
ort
her
estoft
hef
ami
l
y.

It
hinkGodmayhav
egot
tenabi
tcar
ri
edawaywi
tht
his
one,
though.Rememberhowhet
oldJer
oboam'
swi
fe

t
hathewasgoi
ngt
oki
l
lev
ery
onei
nthehouseof

Jer
oboam "
thatpi
sset
hagai
nstt
hewal
l
"?

Behol
d,Iwi
l
lbr
ingev
ilupont
hehouseofJer
oboam,
andwi
l
lcut

of
ffr
om Jer
oboam hi
mthatpi
sset
hagai
nstt
hewal
l
.1Ki
ngs14.
10

Wel
l
,usual
l
y"wal
lpi
sser
s"ar
etakent
obemal
es,
but

appar
ent
lyGodki
l
ledt
heent
ir
efami
l
y,i
ncl
udi
ngf
emal
es.

Goddi
dn'
tdot
heki
l
li
nghi
msel
f,t
hough,
thi
sti
me.He

hadBaashadoi
tforhi
m.Fi
rstBaashaki
l
ledJer
oboam'
s

sonNadab,
whobecameki
ngofI
srael
aft
erJer
oboam

di
ed.(
Nadabwascompl
etel
yev
il
,too,
justl
i
kehi
sdad.
)

Nadabt
hesonofJer
oboam begant
orei
gnov
erI
srael
...Andhe

di
dev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLORD,
andwal
kedi
nthewayofhi
s

f
ather
,andi
nhi
ssi
nwher
ewi
thhemadeI
srael
tosi
n..
.and

Baashasmot
ehi
m..
.andr
eignedi
nhi
sst
ead.15.
25-
28

ThenGodhadBaashaki
l
lJer
oboam'
sent
ir
efami
l
y,wal
l
pi
sser
sandnonwal
lpi
sser
s,al
i
ke."
Hesmot
e..
.anyt
hat

br
eat
hed.
..accor
dingunt
othesay
ingoft
heLor
d."

Hesmot
eal
lthehouseofJer
oboam;
hel
eftnott
oJer
oboam any

t
hatbr
eat
hed,
unt
ilhehaddest
roy
edhi
m,accor
dingunt
othe

say
ingoft
heLORD,
whi
chhespakebyhi
sser
vantAhi
j
aht
he

Shi
l
oni
te:
Becauseoft
hesi
nsofJer
oboam whi
chhesi
nned,
and

whi
chhemadeI
srael
sin,
byhi
spr
ovocat
ionwher
ewi
thhe

pr
ovokedt
heLORDGodofI
srael
toanger
.15.
29-
30

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsaywhet
herornott
hebodi
esoft
he

deadf
ami
l
ywer
etr
eat
edl
i
keshi
t,asGodsai
dthey

woul
dbe.

Behol
d,I.
..wi
l
ltakeawayt
her
emnantoft
hehouseofJer
oboam,

asamant
aket
hawaydung.14.
10

Orwhet
herGodf
edt
hei
rremai
nst
othedogsandt
he

bi
rds,
ashesai
dhewoul
d.
Hi
mthatdi
ethofJer
oboam i
ntheci
tyshal
lthedogseat
;andhi
m

t
hatdi
ethi
nthef
iel
dshal
lthef
owl
soft
heai
reat
:fort
heLORD

hat
hspokeni
t.14.
11

ButIsupposet
hat
'swhathappened.

Thet
extdoesn'
tsayhowmanywer
eki
l
ledi
nthi
ski
l
li
ng,

soI
'
llj
ustsay10.

90.Baasha'
sfami
l
yand

f
ri
ends

1Ki
ngs16:
11-
12

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
20

Baasha'
sfami
l
yandf
ri
ends

RememberhowGodmadeJer
oboam ki
ngandt
hen

ki
l
ledhi
sson(
88)andt
her
estofhi
sfami
l
y(89)because

hedi
dn'
tl
ikesomet
hingt
hatJer
oboam di
d?Yeah,
wel
l
,

he'
sati
tagai
n.

Thi
sti
mei
t'
sKi
ngBaashat
hathe'
spi
ssedof
fabout
.
Baashabecameki
ngbyki
l
li
ngJer
oboam'
sson,
Nadab,

andt
hensl
aught
eredt
her
estofJer
oboam'
sfami
l
y,

"
accor
dingt
othesay
ingoft
heLor
d."

Nowy
ou'
dthi
nkt
hatGodwoul
dthankBaashaf
ordoi
ng

hi
sdi
rt
ywor
kforhi
m.Buti
fso,
you'
dbewr
ongabout

t
hat
.Godwasangr
yatBaashaf
orki
l
li
ngJer
oboam'
s

f
ami
l
y,ev
ent
houghhei
nspi
redhi
mtodoi
t.Godwor
ks

i
nreal
l
ycr
eepyway
s.

Godmadehi
spl
ansknowni
ntheusual
way
:hesenta

pr
ophet(
Jehu)t
otel
lBaashat
hebadnews.

Thent
hewor
doft
heLORDcamet
oJehu.
..Behol
d,Iwi
l
ltake

awayt
hepost
eri
tyofBaasha,
andt
hepost
eri
tyofhi
shouse;
and

wi
l
lmaket
hyhousel
i
ket
hehouseofJer
oboam .
..Hi
mthatdi
eth

ofBaashai
ntheci
tyshal
lthedogseat
;andhi
mthatdi
ethofhi
sin

t
hef
iel
dsshal
lthef
owl
soft
heai
reat.
..f
oral
ltheev
ilt
hathedi
d

i
nthesi
ghtoft
heLORD,
inpr
ovoki
nghi
mtoangerwi
tht
hewor
k

ofhi
shands,
inbei
ngl
i
ket
hehouseofJer
oboam;
andbecausehe

ki
l
ledhi
m.1Ki
ngs16.
1-7
Yep,
that
'sr
ight
.Godwi
l
lki
l
lev
ery
onei
nBaasha'
sfami
l
y

andf
eedt
hei
rbodi
est
othedogsandbi
rds.

ButGoddoesn'
tdoany
thi
ngt
oBaasha.Hej
ustwai
tsf
or

hi
mtodi
eandt
henhashi
sfami
l
ysl
aught
eredt
oteach

hi
m al
esson.(
Thebestwayt
oteachamanal
essoni
sto

ki
l
lhi
sfami
l
yaf
terhedi
es.
)

SoBaashasl
eptwi
thhi
sfat
her
s,andwasbur
iedi
nTi
rzah:
and

El
ahhi
ssonr
eignedi
nhi
sst
ead.16.
6

Af
terBaashadi
ed,
hissonEl
ahwaski
ngf
ort
woy
ear
s.

OneofEl
ah'
scapt
ains(
Zimr
i)wassel
ect
edbyGodt
odo

t
heki
l
li
ng.Fi
rstheki
l
ledEl
ah(
whi
l
ehewas"
dri
nki
ng

hi
msel
fdr
unk"
)andt
henal
lofBaasha'
sfami
l
yand

f
ri
ends—al
lthoset
hatpi
ssedagai
nstawal
l
,any
way
.

Hi
sser
vantZi
mri
,capt
ainofhal
fhi
schar
iot
s,conspi
redagai
nst
hi
m..
.dr
inki
nghi
msel
fdr
unk.
..AndZi
mri
wenti
nandsmot
ehi
m,

andki
l
ledhi
m..
.andr
eignedi
nhi
sst
ead.
..

Whenhebegant
orei
gn.
..
hesl
ewal
lthehouseofBaasha:
hel
eft

hi
m notonet
hatpi
sset
hagai
nstawal
l
,nei
therofhi
ski
nsf
olks,
nor

ofhi
sfr
iends.Thusdi
dZi
mri
dest
royal
lthehouseofBaasha,

accor
dingt
othewor
doft
heLORD,
whi
chhespakeagai
nstBaasha

byJehut
hepr
ophet
.16.
9-12

SoGodhadal
lofBaasha'
swal
l
-pi
ssi
ngf
ri
endsandf
ami
l
y

ki
l
led.I
tdoesn'
tsayhowmanyt
hatwas,
soI
'
llj
ustguess

20:
10f
ri
endsand10f
ami
l
ymember
s.

91.Zi
mri
bur
nst
odeat
h

1Ki
ngs16:
18

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Zi
mri
RememberZi
mri
?Theguyt
hatki
l
ledBaasha'
swal
l
-

pi
ssi
ngf
ami
l
yandf
ri
endsf
orGod(
"901?Wel
l
,nowi
t'
shi
s

t
urn.Whatgoesar
ound,
comesar
ound—al
oti
nthe

Bi
ble!

Af
terZi
mri
kil
l
edEl
ah(
Baasha'
sson)
,her
epl
acedhi
m as

ki
ngofI
srael
.

I
nthet
went
yandsi
xthy
earofAsaki
ngofJudahbeganEl
aht
o

r
eignov
erI
srael
...Andhi
sser
vantZi
mri
,capt
ainofhal
fhi
s

char
iot
s,conspi
redagai
nsthi
m,ashewasi
nTi
rzah,
dri
nki
ng

hi
msel
fdr
unk.
..AndZi
mri
wenti
nandsmot
ehi
m,andki
l
ledhi
m

.
..andr
eignedi
nhi
sst
ead.1Ki
ngs16.
8-10

Hewasn'
tki
ngl
ongt
hough,
justl
ongenought
oper
for
m

hi
smi
ssi
onf
rom God.

Assoonashesatonhi
sthr
one.
..hesl
ewal
lthehouseof

Baasha:
hel
efthi
m notonet
hatpi
sset
hagai
nstawal
l
,nei
therof

hi
ski
nsf
olks,
norofhi
sfr
iends.Thusdi
dZi
mri
dest
royal
lthe
houseofBaasha,
accor
dingt
othewor
doft
heLORD.16.
11-
12

Aweekl
ater
,thepeopl
eofI
srael
choseOmr
iaski
ng.

I
nthet
went
yandsev
ent
hyearofAsaki
ngofJudahdi
dZi
mri
rei
gn

sev
enday
sinTi
rzah.Andt
hepeopl
e..
.madeOmr
i,t
hecapt
ainof

t
hehost
,ki
ngov
erI
srael
.16.
15-
16

Andt
hen,
ofcour
se,
Omr
i,al
ongwi
thev
ery
onei
nIsr
ael
,

wentt
opayZi
mri
avi
sit
.

AndOmr
i..
.andal
lIsr
ael
wit
hhi
m..
.besei
gedTi
rzah.16.
17

WhenZi
mri
sawOmr
iand"
all
Isr
ael
"at
tacki
ng,
he

bur
nedhi
msel
ftodeat
h.

WhenZi
mri
sawt
hatt
heci
tywast
aken,
thathewenti
ntot
he

pal
aceoft
heki
ng'
shouse,
andbur
ntt
heki
ng'
shouseov
erhi
m

wi
thf
ir
e,anddi
ed.16.
18

Godwaspl
easedwi
tht
hewayt
hewhol
ethi
ngt
urned

out
.Zi
mri
bur
nedt
odeat
hfor"
doi
ngev
ili
nthesi
ghtof
t
heLor
d."

Forhi
ssi
nswhi
chhesi
nnedi
ndoi
ngev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLORD,

i
nwal
ki
ngi
nthewayofJer
oboam,
andi
nhi
ssi
nwhi
chhedi
d,t
o

makeI
srael
tosi
n.16.
19

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsaywhatt
heev
ilwas.Theonl
ythi
ng

t
hatweknowaboutZi
mri
ist
hathemur
der
edBaasha'
s

son,
Elah,
andal
lofBaasha'
swal
l
-pi
ssi
ngf
ami
l
yand

f
ri
ends.

Butt
hatwasn'
tev
il
,si
nceGodwant
edt
hem ki
l
led.So

whatwasi
t?

May
beZi
mri
hadsomegol
dencal
vesi
nhi
scl
osetor

somet
hing.

92.Thedr
oughtofEl
i
jah
1Ki
ngs17:
1,Luke4.
25,
James5.
17-
18

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
3,000

I
srael
i
tes

Thest
oryofEl
i
jahbegi
nswi
thadr
ought
.

El
i
jah.
..sai
dunt
oAhab,
Ast
heLORDGodofI
srael
li
vet
h,bef
ore

whom Ist
and,
ther
eshal
lnotbedewnorr
aint
hesey
ear
s,but

accor
dingt
omywor
d.1Ki
ngs17.
1

Andaccor
dingt
o1Ki
ngs,
thedr
oughtendedi
nit
sthi
rd

y
ear(
soi
tlast
edmor
ethant
wobutl
esst
hant
hree

y
ear
s).

TheLORDcamet
oEl
i
jahi
nthet
hir
dyear
,say
ing,
Go,
shewt
hysel
f

unt
oAhab;
andIwi
l
lsendr
ainupont
heear
th.1Ki
ngs18.
1

Buti
fyoubel
i
evet
heNewTest
amentaut
hor
s,t
he
dr
oughtl
ast
edf
or3y
ear
sandsi
xmont
hs,
dur
ingwhi
ch

t
imet
her
ewasnor
ainany
wher
eonear
thbecauseEl
i
jah

"
pray
edear
nest
lyt
hati
tmi
ghtnotr
ain.
"

I
ntheday
sofEl
i
as[
Eli
j
ah]
...
theheav
enwasshutupt
hreey
ear
s

andsi
xmont
hs,
whengr
eatf
ami
newast
hroughoutal
lthel
and.

Luke4.
25

El
i
as[
Eli
j
ah]
..
.pr
ayedear
nest
lyt
hati
tmi
ghtnotr
ain:
andi
trai
ned

notont
heear
thbyt
hespaceoft
hreey
ear
sandsi
xmont
hs.And

hepr
ayedagai
n,andt
heheav
engav
erai
n,andt
heear
thbr
ought

f
ort
hherf
rui
t.James5.
17-
18

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsaywhyt
hedr
oughtoccur
red;

appar
ent
lyi
twasj
ustt
ogetEl
i
jah'
spr
ophecycar
eerof
f

t
oagoodst
art
.Buti
fthebookofJamesi
sri
ghtandi
t

di
dn'
trai
nany
wher
eonear
thf
or3andahal
fyear
s,t
hen

manypeopl
emusthav
edi
edofst
arv
ati
on.

I
'
llj
ustguesst
hat3,
000peopl
est
arv
edt
odeat
h(1000
pery
ear
)inGod'
spr
omot
ional
campai
gnf
orEl
l
ij
ah.

93.El
i
jahki
l
ls450

r
eli
giousl
eader
sina

pr
ayercont
est

1Ki
ngs18.
40

NumberKi
l
led:
atl
east450,
possi
bly850

Pr
ophet
sofBaal
(andt
hegr
ove?
)

Ahab,
theki
ngofI
srael
,wasaf
oll
owerofBaal
,whi
ch,
of

cour
se,
YahwehandEl
i
jahdi
dn'
tl
ikev
erymuch.So

El
i
jahsuggest
edapr
ayercont
estt
odet
ermi
newhi
chgod

wast
her
eal
God.

El
i
jaht
oldAhabt
ogetal
lthepr
ophet
sofBaal
tomeet

hi
m onMt
.Car
mel
.
Send,
andgat
hert
omeal
lIsr
ael
unt
omountCar
mel
,andt
he

pr
ophet
sofBaal
fourhundr
edandf
if
ty,
andt
hepr
ophet
soft
he

gr
ovesf
ourhundr
ed,
whi
cheatatJezebel
'
stabl
e.1Ki
ngs18.
19

Whent
heyar
ri
ved,
het
oldt
hem t
ogetabul
l
,ki
l
lit
,chop

i
tint
opi
eces,
andputt
hewhol
ebl
oodymessonsome

wood.Butdon'
tl
ighti
tonf
ir
e.

Lett
hem t
her
efor
egi
veust
wobul
l
ocks;
andl
ett
hem chooseone

bul
l
ockf
ort
hemsel
ves,
andcuti
tinpi
eces,
andl
ayi
tonwood,
and

putnof
ir
eunder
:andIwi
l
ldr
esst
heot
herbul
l
ock,
andl
ayi
ton

wood,
andputnof
ir
eunder
.18.
23

ThenaskBaal
tol
i
ghti
tal
lonf
ir
e.

Andcal
lyeont
henameofy
ourgods,
andIwi
l
lcal
lont
hename

oft
heLORD:
andt
heGodt
hatanswer
ethbyf
ir
e,l
ethi
m beGod.

18.
24

Sot
hepr
ophet
sofBaal
didt
hat
.Theypr
ayedandpr
ayed

al
lmor
ningandj
umpedupanddownont
heal
tar
,but

not
hinghappened.
Theyt
ookt
hebul
l
ockwhi
chwasgi
vent
hem,
andt
heydr
essedi
t,

andcal
l
edont
henameofBaal
from mor
ningev
enunt
ilnoon,

say
ing,
Baal
,hearus.Butt
her
ewasnov
oice,
noranyt
hat

answer
ed.Andt
heyl
eapedupont
heal
tarwhi
chwasmade.18.
26

El
i
jaht
aunt
edt
hem,
say
ing,
"Pr
ayhar
der
!May
bey
our

godi
sonat
ri
porsl
eepi
ngorsomet
hing.
"Butst
il
lther
e

wasnof
ir
e.

Andi
tcamet
opassatnoon,
thatEl
i
jahmockedt
hem,
andsai
d,

Cr
yal
oud:
forhei
sagod;
eit
herhei
stal
ki
ng,
orhei
spur
sui
ng,
or

hei
sinaj
our
ney
,orper
adv
ent
urehesl
eepet
h,andmustbe

awaked.18.
27

Thepr
iest
sofBaal
cutt
hemsel
veswi
thkni
vesunt
ilt
hei
r

bl
oodwasgushi
ngar
oundal
lov
er.Butnot
hing

happened.

Andt
heycr
iedal
oud,
andcutt
hemsel
vesaf
tert
hei
rmannerwi
th

kni
vesandl
ancet
s,t
il
lthebl
oodgushedoutupont
hem .
..unt
ilt
he
t
imeoft
heof
fer
ingoft
heev
eni
ngsacr
if
ice.
..t
her
ewasnei
ther

v
oice,
noranyt
oanswer
,noranyt
hatr
egar
ded.18.
28-
29

Theni
twasEl
i
jah'
stur
n.Justt
oshowof
f,hepour
ed

wat
erov
ert
hewhol
ebl
oodymesst
hreet
imes.

Heputt
hewoodi
nor
der
,andcutt
hebul
l
ocki
npi
eces,
andl
aid

hi
m ont
hewood,
andsai
d,Fi
l
lfourbar
rel
swi
thwat
er,
andpouri
t

ont
hebur
ntsacr
if
ice,
andont
hewood.Andhesai
d,Doi
tthe

secondt
ime.Andt
heydi
ditt
hesecondt
ime.Andhesai
d,Doi
t

t
het
hir
dti
me.Andt
heydi
ditt
het
hir
dti
me.Andt
hewat
err
an

r
oundaboutt
heal
tar
;andhef
il
ledt
het
renchal
sowi
thwat
er.

18.
33-
35

Hepr
ayedt
oGodandaf
ir
efel
ldownf
rom heav
enand

consumedi
tal
l
,ev
ent
hesur
roundi
ngst
ones.

Thef
ir
eoft
heLORDf
ell
,andconsumedt
hebur
ntsacr
if
ice,
and

t
hewood,
andt
hest
ones,
andt
hedust
,andl
i
ckedupt
hewat
er

t
hatwasi
nthet
rench.18.
38
ThenEl
i
jaht
oldt
hespect
ator
stosl
aught
ert
he450

pr
ophet
sofBaal
(al
ongwi
tht
he400pr
ophet
soft
he

gr
ove?See18.
19)
.

Baal
'
spr
ophet
sar
efourhundr
edandf
if
tymen.
..AndEl
i
jahsai
d

unt
othem,
Taket
hepr
ophet
sofBaal
;l
etnotoneoft
hem escape.

18.
22,
40a

Sot
hat
'swhatt
heydi
d.

Andt
heyt
ookt
hem:
andEl
i
jahbr
oughtt
hem downt
othebr
ook

Ki
shon,
andsl
ewt
hem t
her
e.18.
40b

Andt
hehandofoft
heLor
dwasonEl
i
jah.

Andt
hehandoft
heLORDwasonEl
i
jah.18.
46

i
lXj
1
|
fi
||

r
JaET_
-uf
iBV

9r-
■-.

14A

-'
'
-MHB

i
ff
-H^
KwBi
i
^ai
B
p?
P®j
j
il
<f■

HC|
u2*
''"
^_.:
-*'
^^j
j
B

94.Thef
ir
stGod-
assi
sted

sl
aught
eroft
heSy
rians

1Ki
ngs20.
20-
21

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
10,
000

Sy
rians

Thi
sisaf
air
lysi
mpl
est
ory
.

Anamel
esspr
ophett
ell
sKi
ngAhabt
hatGodwi
l
ldel
i
ver

t
he"
greatmul
ti
tude"ofSy
riansi
ntohi
shandt
hatv
ery

day
,justt
oletAhabknowt
hat"
Godi
stheLor
d."
Ther
ecameapr
ophetunt
oAhabki
ngofI
srael
,say
ing,
Thussai
th

t
heLORD,
Hastt
houseenal
lthi
sgr
eatmul
ti
tude?behol
d,Iwi
l
l

del
i
veri
tint
othi
nehandt
hisday
;andt
houshal
tknowt
hatIam

t
heLORD.1Ki
ngs20.
13

SoAhabr
oundedup232pr
incesand7000"
chi
l
drenof

I
srael
"andwentof
ftof
ightt
he"
greatmul
ti
tude"of

Sy
rians.

Thenhenumber
edt
hey
oungmenoft
hepr
incesoft
hepr
ovi
nces,

andt
heywer
etwohundr
edandt
hir
tyt
wo:
andaf
tert
hem he

number
edal
lthepeopl
e,ev
enal
lthechi
l
drenofI
srael
,bei
ng

sev
ent
housand.20.
15

Theywentoutatnoonwhi
l
etheSy
rianki
ngBenhadad

wasbusy"
dri
nki
nghi
msel
fdr
unk"wi
tht
hehel
pof32

ot
herki
ngs.
Theywentoutatnoon.ButBenhadadwasdr
inki
nghi
msel
fdr
unk

i
nthepav
il
ions,
heandt
heki
ngs,
thet
hir
tyandt
woki
ngst
hat

hel
pedhi
m.20.
16

Benhadadmusthav
etakenhi
sor
der
sfr
om adi
ff
erent

God,
though,
becausehet
oldhi
ssol
dier
snott
oki
l
lany

pr
isoner
s.(
TheGodoft
heBi
blewoul
dnev
eral
l
owt
hat
.

I
nfact
,Ahab—al
ongwi
thhi
swi
fe,
fami
l
yandf
ri
ends-

wi
l
llat
erbeki
l
ledbyGodf
ornotki
l
li
ngBenhadadwhen

het
ookhi
m pr
isoner
.Seeki
l
li
ngs(
96)
,(98)
,(105)
,

(
106)
,(102)
,(1Q8)
,and(110).

Hesai
d,Whet
hert
heybecomeoutf
orpeace,
taket
hem al
i
ve;
or

whet
hert
heybecomeoutf
orwar
,taket
hem al
i
ve.20.
18

Sot
heI
srael
i
tesgooutandki
l
llot
sofSy
rianswi
tha

"
greatsl
aught
er.
"

Theysl
ewev
eryonehi
sman:
andt
heSy
riansf
led;
andI
srael

pur
suedt
hem .
..Andt
heki
ngofI
srael
...sl
ewt
heSy
rianswi
tha

gr
eatsl
aught
er.20.
20-
21

Andnowweal
lknowf
orsur
ethatGodi
stheLor
d.

(
Whoel
sewoul
dbesopr
oudofki
l
li
ngsomanypeopl
e?)
Iguessed10,
000f
ort
hisonesi
ncei
twasa"
great

sl
aught
er.
"

95.Godki
l
led100,
000

Sy
riansf
orcal
l
inghi
ma

godoft
hehi
l
ls

1Ki
ngs20.
29

NumberKi
l
led:
100,
000

Sy
rians

Don'
tcal
lGodaGodoft
hehi
l
ls.Her
eal
l
ydoesn'
tl
ikei
t.

TheSy
rianscal
l
edhi
mthat
.

Theser
vant
soft
heki
ngofSy
riasai
dunt
ohi
m,Thei
rgodsar
e
godsoft
hehi
l
ls;
ther
efor
etheywer
est
rongert
hanwe;
butl
etus

f
ightagai
nstt
hem i
nthepl
ain,
andsur
elyweshal
lbest
ronger

t
hant
hey
.1Ki
ngs20.
23

Thenananony
mous"
manofGod"t
oldt
heki
ngofI
srael

(
Ahab)t
hatGodwoul
dsl
aught
ert
heSy
riansf
orcal
l
ing

hi
m ahi
l
lgodand,
bysodoi
ng,
showAhabt
hathei
sthe

Lor
d.

Ther
ecameamanofGod,
andspakeunt
otheki
ngofI
srael
,and

sai
d,Thussai
tht
heLORD,
Becauset
heSy
rianshav
esai
d,The

LORDi
sGodoft
hehi
l
ls,
buthei
snotGodoft
hev
all
eys,
ther
efor
e

wi
l
lIdel
i
veral
lthi
sgr
eatmul
ti
tudei
ntot
hinehand,
andy
eshal
l

knowt
hatIam t
heLORD.20.
28

SoGoddel
i
ver
edt
heSy
riansi
ntoAhab'
shandandt
he

I
srael
i
teski
l
led100,
000i
noneday
.
Andt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
slewoft
heSy
riansanhundr
edt
housand

f
oot
meni
noneday
.20.
29

(
That
'saboutt
wiceasmanyaswer
eki
l
ledi
nthet
hree-

dayBat
tl
eofGet
tysbur
g.Butt
hen,
Godwasn'
ti
nvol
ved

i
nthatone.Hecoul
dn'
tdeci
dewhi
chsi
dehewason.
)

j
&*"
'
^"'
''
'
.sSf
^^.

96.Godki
l
led27,
000

Sy
riansbymaki
ngawal
l

f
all
ont
hem

1Ki
ngs20.
30

NumberKi
l
led:
27,
000

Sy
rians

I
nhi
slastki
l
li
ng,
Godki
l
ledt
he100,
000Sy
riansf
or
cal
l
inghi
m ahi
l
lgod(
95)
.Butsomeoft
hename-
cal
l
ing

Sy
riansescaped.Godt
ookcar
eoft
hem byhav
ingawal
l

f
all
ont
hem,
kil
l
ing27,
000.

Butt
her
estf
ledt
oAphek,
int
otheci
ty;
andt
her
eawal
lfel
lupon

t
went
yandsev
ent
housandoft
hement
hatwer
elef
t.1Ki
ngs

20.
30a

I
twasar
eal
l
ybi
gwal
l
.

Not
e:Benhadad(
theki
ngofSy
ria)somehowmanagedt
o

escapet
hef
all
i
ngwal
l
.

AndBenhadadf
led,
andcamei
ntot
heci
ty,
int
oani
nnerchamber
.

1Ki
ngs20.
30b

HeaskedAhabt
olethi
mli
ve,
off
eri
ngt
orest
oret
he

ci
ti
est
hatSy
riahadpr
evi
ousl
ytakenf
rom I
srael
.
Thyser
vantBenhadadsai
th,
Ipr
ayt
hee,
letmel
i
ve.
..AndBen-

hadadsai
dunt
ohi
m,Theci
ti
es,
whi
chmyf
athert
ookf
rom t
hy

f
ather
,Iwi
l
lrest
ore;
andt
houshal
tmakest
reet
sfort
heei
n

Damascus,
asmyf
athermadei
nSamar
ia.20.
32-
34a

SoAhabmadeat
reat
ywi
thBenhadadandl
ethi
mli
ve.

Thensai
dAhab,
Iwi
l
lsendt
heeawaywi
tht
hiscov
enant
.Sohe

madeacov
enantwi
thhi
m,andsenthi
m away
.1Ki
ngs20.
34b

Godwoul
dlat
erki
l
lhi
m(98)andhi
sfami
l
y(105,
106,

107,
108,
and110)f
ort
hisactofmer
cy.

97.Godsental
i
ont
oki
l
l

amanf
ornotsmi
ti
nga

pr
ophet

1Ki
ngs20.
36

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Anei
ghbori
nthewor
doft
heLor
d
Idon'
tcompl
etel
yunder
standGod'
sthi
nki
ngont
hisone.

May
beabel
i
evercanexpl
aini
ttome.

I
tal
lhappensf
ast
,inj
ustt
wov
erses.Her
e'sasummar
y:

A"
sonofapr
ophet
"askeda"
nei
ghbori
nthewor
dof

t
heLor
d"t
osmi
tehi
m.

Acer
tai
nmanoft
hesonsoft
hepr
ophet
ssai
dunt
ohi
snei
ghbour

i
nthewor
doft
heLORD,
Smi
teme,
Ipr
ayt
hee.1Ki
ngs20.
35a

Thenei
ghborr
efused.

Andt
hemanr
efusedt
osmi
tehi
m.20.
35b

SoGodsental
i
ont
oki
l
lhi
m.

Thensai
dheunt
ohi
m,Becauset
houhastnotobey
edt
hev
oiceof

t
heLORD,
behol
d,assoonast
houar
tdepar
tedf
rom me,
ali
on

shal
lsl
ayt
hee.Andassoonashewasdepar
tedf
rom hi
m,al
i
on

f
oundhi
m,andsl
ewhi
m.20.
36
I
ttur
nsout
,though,
thatt
her
ewassomer
easonf
ort
he

pr
ophet
'smadness.Thepr
ophetwant
edagooddi
sgui
se

whenhemetKi
ngAhab,
andhef
igur
edawoundwoul
d

hel
p.Sohewant
edhi
snei
ghbort
ocuthi
sface,
sohe

coul
dputabandageoni
t,soKi
ngAhabwoul
dn'
t

r
ecogni
zehi
m whenhesawhi
m.Orsomet
hingl
i
ket
hat
.

(
Idon'
tknowwhyt
hepr
ophetcoul
dn'
tj
ustputa

bandageonhi
sfaceorabagov
erhi
sheadt
odi
sgui
se

hi
msel
f.AndI
'
m notsur
ewhyt
hedi
sgui
sewas

necessar
yany
way
.ButIguessi
twasal
lver
yimpor
tant

t
oGod.
)

Any
way
,thebat
shi
tcr
azypr
ophetf
oundanot
herguy

whowaswi
l
li
ngt
osmi
tehi
m.

Thenhef
oundanot
herman,
andsai
d,Smi
teme,
Ipr
ayt
hee.And

t
hemansmot
ehi
m,sot
hati
nsmi
ti
nghewoundedhi
m.20.
37

Andsot
hepr
ophetgothi
scost
umer
eadyf
orhi
s

meet
ingwi
thKi
ngAhab.
Sot
hepr
ophetdepar
ted,
andwai
tedf
ort
heki
ngbyt
heway
,and

di
sgui
sedhi
msel
fwi
thashesuponhi
sface.20.
38

Whi
chl
eadsust
oGod'
snextki
l
li
ng.

98.Godki
l
ledAhabf
or

notki
l
li
ngacapt
ured

ki
ng

1Ki
ngs20.
39-
42,
22.
35

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Ahab

I
nGod'
slastki
l
li
ng(
971,
hesental
i
ont
oki
l
lamanf
or

notsmi
ti
ngapr
ophetwhent
hepr
ophetaskedhi
mto.

Butt
henextguyt
hatcameal
ongwaswi
l
li
ngt
odoi
t,so

t
hepr
ophetwasabl
etoputashesonhi
sfaceandhav
ea

pr
operdi
sgui
sef
orhi
smeet
ingwi
thKi
ngAhab.

WhenKi
ngAhabpassedby
,thepr
ophet(
wit
hhi
scool
di
sgui
se)sai
dtohi
m:

Thyser
vantwentouti
ntot
hemi
dstoft
hebat
tl
e;and,
behol
d,a

mant
urnedasi
de,
andbr
oughtamanunt
ome,
andsai
d,Keept
his

man:
ifbyanymeanshebemi
ssi
ng,
thenshal
lthyl
i
febef
orhi
s

l
i
fe,
orel
set
houshal
tpayat
alentofsi
l
ver
.Andast
hyser
vant

wasbusyher
eandt
her
e,hewasgone.1Ki
ngs20.
39-
40a

Whi
ch,
ofcour
se,
wascompl
etebul
l
shi
t.God'
spr
ophet

wasnotonl
ycr
azy
,butal
i
ar,
aswel
l
.

Ki
ngAhabpl
ayedal
ongt
hough,
andsai
d,"
OK,

what
ever
."

Theki
ngofI
srael
sai
dunt
ohi
m,Soshal
lthyj
udgmentbe;
thy
sel
f

hastdeci
dedi
t.20:
40b

Thent
hepr
ophetwi
pedof
ftheashesonhi
sfaceand

r
eveal
edhi
str
uei
dent
it
y.Hewasapr
ophet
!(I
t'
sreal
l
y
har
dtot
ell
apr
ophetwhenhehasashesonhi
sface.
)

He.
..t
ookt
heashesawayf
rom hi
sface;
andt
heki
ngofI
srael

di
scer
nedhi
mthathewasoft
hepr
ophet
s.20.
41

Andt
hent
hepr
ophett
oldKi
ngAhabt
hebadnews.God

wasgoi
ngt
oki
l
ltheki
ng(
andhi
sfami
l
y,ofcour
se)f
or

l
ett
ingki
ngBenhadadl
i
ve.(
See1Ki
ngs20.
34andnot
e

att
heendof96)

Thussai
tht
heLORD,
Becauset
houhastl
etgooutoft
hyhanda

manwhom Iappoi
ntedt
out
terdest
ruct
ion,
ther
efor
ethyl
i
feshal
l

gof
orhi
sli
fe,
andt
hypeopl
eforhi
speopl
e.20.
42

Andt
hat
'swhathappened.Godcar
eful
l
yar
rangedt
hings

sot
hatKi
ngAhabwoul
ddi
ewhi
l
efi
ght
ingt
heSy
rians.

Thebat
tl
eincr
easedt
hatday
:andt
heki
ng[
Ahab]wasst
ayedup

i
nhi
schar
iotagai
nstt
heSy
rians,
anddi
edatev
en:
andt
hebl
ood

r
anoutoft
hewoundi
ntot
hemi
dstoft
hechar
iot
.22.
35
Andt
hati
sGod'
slastki
l
li
ngi
n1Ki
ngs20.(
Fiv
einone

chapt
er!
)

99.Godbur
ned102men

t
odeat
hforaski
ngEl
i
jah

t
ocomedownf
rom hi
s

hi
l
l

2Ki
ngs1.
10-
12

NumberKi
l
led:
102

I
srael
i
tesmessenger
s

Ki
ngAhazi
ah(
ofI
srael
)becamei
l
laf
terf
all
i
ngt
hougha

l
att
icef
loor
.Sohesentsomemessenger
stoask

Baal
zebubi
fhewoul
drecov
er.

Ahazi
ahf
ell
downt
hroughal
att
icei
nhi
supperchambert
hatwas
i
nSamar
ia,
andwassi
ck:
andhesentmessenger
s,andsai
dunt
o

t
hem,
Go,
enqui
reofBaal
zebubt
hegodofEkr
onwhet
herIshal
l

r
ecov
eroft
hisdi
sease.2Ki
ngs1.
2

Thenanangel
tol
dEl
i
jaht
otel
lsomemessenger
stot
ell

Ahazi
aht
hatGodwoul
dki
l
lhi
mforaski
ngt
hewr
ong

god.

Theangel
...sai
dtoEl
i
jah.
..Ar
ise,
goupt
omeett
hemessenger
s

.
..andsayunt
othem,
Isi
tnotbecauset
her
eisnotaGodi
nIsr
ael
,

t
haty
egot
oenqui
reofBaal
zebubt
hegodofEkr
on?Now

t
her
efor
ethussai
tht
heLORD,
Thoushal
tnotcomedownf
rom

t
hatbed.
..butshal
tsur
elydi
e.1.
3-4

Sot
hemessenger
sdel
i
ver
edt
hemessaget
oKi
ng

Ahazi
ah.

Themessenger
s..
.sai
dunt
ohi
m,Ther
ecameamanupt
omeet

us,
andsai
dunt
ous,
Go,
tur
nagai
nunt
otheki
ngt
hatsenty
ou,

andsayunt
ohi
m,Thussai
tht
heLORD,
Isi
tnotbecauset
her
eis

notaGodi
nIsr
ael
,thatt
housendestt
oenqui
reofBaal
zebubt
he
godofEkr
on?t
her
efor
ethoushal
tnotcomedownf
rom t
hatbed

onwhi
cht
houar
tgoneup,
butshal
tsur
elydi
e.1.
5-6

Ahazi
ahaskedt
hem whatt
heguywhogav
ethem t
he

messagel
ookedl
i
ke.Theysai
dhewas"
ahai
ryman"

wi
th"
leat
herabouthi
sloi
ns.
"

Whatmannerofmanwashewhi
chcameupt
omeety
ou,
andt
old

y
out
hesewor
ds?Andt
heyanswer
edhi
m,Hewasanhai
ryman,

andgi
rtwi
thagi
rdl
eofl
eat
herabouthi
sloi
ns.1.
7-8

Whent
heki
nghear
dthat
,heknewi
twasEl
i
jah.Nobody

dr
essesl
i
keEl
i
jah!

Hesai
d,I
tisEl
i
jah.1.
8b

Sot
heki
ngsentacapt
ainandf
if
tyment
ogof
indEl
i
jah.

Theyf
oundhi
m si
tt
ingont
opofahi
l
landsai
dtohi
m,

"
Comedown.
"

Thent
heki
ngsentunt
ohi
m acapt
ainoff
if
tywi
thhi
sfi
ft
y.Andhe
wentupt
ohi
m:and,
behol
d,hesatont
het
opofanhi
l
l.Andhe

spakeunt
ohi
m,ThoumanofGod,
theki
nghat
hsai
d,Comedown.

1.
9

Whi
chwast
hewr
ongt
hingt
osay
,judgi
ngf
rom El
i
jah'
s

r
esponse.

El
i
jahanswer
edandsai
dtot
hecapt
ainoff
if
ty,
IfIbeamanof

God,
thenl
etf
ir
ecomedownf
rom heav
en,
andconsumet
heeand

t
hyf
if
ty.1.
10a

Andt
hat
'swhathappened.Fi
recamedownf
rom heav
en

andbur
nedt
he51guy
stodeat
h.

Ther
ecamedownf
ir
efr
om heav
en,
andconsumedhi
m andhi
s

f
if
ty.1.
10b

I
'
m notsur
ehowAhazi
ahf
oundoutaboutal
lthi
s,buthe

di
d,andhesentanot
hercapt
ainand50ment
otr
y

agai
n.
Agai
nal
sohesentunt
ohi
m anot
hercapt
ainoff
if
tywi
thhi
sfi
ft
y.

1.
11a

Theyf
oundEl
i
jahsi
tt
ingont
opoft
hesamehi
l
landt
he

capt
aint
oldhi
mthesamet
hing:
"Comedownqui
ckl
y.
"(I

guesst
heyaddedt
hequi
ckl
yforemphasi
s.)

He.
..sai
dunt
ohi
m,manofGod,
thushat
htheki
ngsai
d,Come

downqui
ckl
y.1.
11b

El
i
jahr
espondedi
ntheusual
way
.

El
i
jahanswer
edandsai
dunt
othem,
IfIbeamanofGod,
letf
ir
e

comedownf
rom heav
en,
andconsumet
heeandt
hyf
if
ty.1.
12a

Youpr
obabl
ycanguesswhathappenednext
.

Thef
ir
eofGodcamedownf
rom heav
en,
andconsumedhi
m and

hi
sfi
ft
y.1.
12b
Onceagai
ntheki
ngf
oundoutwhathadhappened.So

hesentanot
hercapt
ainwi
th50men.(
Hef
igur
edi
t

wor
kedoutwel
lthef
ir
stt
wot
imes.
)

Hesentagai
nacapt
ainoft
het
hir
dfi
ft
ywi
thhi
sfi
ft
y.1.
13a

Butt
hist
imet
hecapt
aindi
dn'
taskEl
i
jaht
ocomedown.

Hegotonhi
skneesandgr
ovel
edi
nfr
ontofEl
i
jah,

beggi
nghi
m nott
obur
nhi
mtodeat
h.

Thet
hir
dcapt
ainoff
if
tywentup,
andcameandf
ell
onhi
sknees

bef
oreEl
i
jah.
..andsai
dunt
ohi
m,manofGod,
Ipr
ayt
hee,
let

myl
i
fe,
andt
hel
i
feoft
hesef
if
tyt
hyser
vant
s,bepr
eci
ousi
nthy

si
ght
.Behol
d,t
her
ecamef
ir
edownf
rom heav
en,
andbur
ntupt
he

t
wocapt
ainsoft
hef
ormerf
if
ti
eswi
tht
hei
rfi
ft
ies:
ther
efor
eletmy

l
i
fenowbepr
eci
ousi
nthysi
ght
.1.
13b-14

Andt
hatwor
kedal
otbet
ter
.Anangel
oft
heLor
dtol
d

El
i
jaht
ogodownwi
tht
hem t
oseeAhazi
ah.Andhedi
d.

Theangel
oft
heLORDsai
dunt
oEl
i
jah,
Godownwi
thhi
m:benot

af
rai
dofhi
m.Andhear
ose,
andwentdownwi
thhi
m unt
othe

ki
ng.1.
15
Sot
hemor
aloft
hest
oryi
sthi
s:I
fyouseeahai
ryman

dr
essedi
nal
eat
herl
oincl
othsi
tt
ingont
opofahi
l
l,

don'
taskhi
mtocomedown(
unl
essy
ougr
ovel
fir
st)or

Godwi
l
lbur
nyout
odeat
h.

Mk

100.Godki
l
ledAhazi
ah

(
ofI
srael
)foraski
ngt
he

wr
ongGod

2Ki
ngs1.
16-
17
NumberKi
l
led:
1

Ahazi
ahofI
srael

I
nhi
slastki
l
li
ng(
99'
),
Godbur
ned102ment
odeat
h(i
n

t
woshi
ft
sof51each)f
oraski
ngEl
i
jaht
ocomedown

f
rom hi
shi
l
l.Thepr
obl
em,
Iguess,
wasnotsomuchi
n

whatt
heyasked,
buti
nhowt
heyaskedi
t.Thef
ir
stt
wo

t
imes,
thecapt
ainaskeddi
rect
ly,
andGodbur
nedt
hem

al
ltodeat
h.Thet
hir
dti
met
hecapt
aingr
ovel
edf
ir
stand

askedl
ater
,andt
hatwor
kedoutf
ine.Ther
e'sal
esson

t
her
esomewher
e.

Ther
ewasar
eason,
though,
thatAhazi
ahwant
edEl
i
jah

t
ocomedownf
rom hi
shi
l
l.Hewant
edt
oaskEl
i
jaht
o

askGodi
fhewasgoi
ngt
orecov
erf
rom hi
sil
l
ness.And

nowt
hatt
het
hir
dgr
oupof51gotEl
i
jaht
ocomedown

f
rom hi
shi
l
l,Ahazi
ahcoul
daskEl
i
jaht
oaskGodabout

i
t.

[
ButEl
i
jahhadal
readyt
oldAhazi
ah(
viamessenger
s)

backi
n2Ki
ngs1.
6thatGodwasgoi
ngt
oki
l
lhi
mfor
aski
ngt
hewr
onggod,
soIdon'
tknowwhyhehadt
o

sendt
het
hreeset
sof51t
oaskedEl
i
jahagai
n.Iguess

hewant
edEl
i
jaht
ocomedownandgi
vehi
mthe

messagedi
rect
ly.
]

I
nanycase,
Eli
j
ahcamedownt
hemount
aint
otal
ktot
he

ki
ng.

Hear
ose,
andwentdownwi
thhi
m unt
otheki
ng.2Ki
ngs1.
15

Her
e'swhatEl
i
jaht
oldt
heki
ng(
agai
n).

Thussai
tht
heLORD,
For
asmuchast
houhastsentmessenger
sto

enqui
reofBaal
zebubt
hegodofEkr
on,
isi
tnotbecauset
her
eisno

Godi
nIsr
ael
toenqui
reofhi
swor
d?t
her
efor
ethoushal
tnotcome

downof
fthatbedonwhi
cht
houar
tgoneup,
butshal
tsur
elydi
e.

1.
16

Andi
nthenextv
erse,
KingAhazi
ahdi
es"
accor
dingt
o

t
hewor
doft
heLor
d."

Sohedi
edaccor
dingt
othewor
doft
heLORDwhi
chEl
i
jahhad

spoken.1.
17
101.Godsentt
wobear
s

t
ori
papar
t42boy
sfor

maki
ngf
unofa

pr
ophet
'sbal
dhead

2Ki
ngs2.
23-
24

NumberKi
l
led:
42

Boy
s

Af
terEl
i
jahwentupt
oheav
eni
nachar
iotoff
ir
e,hi
s

di
sci
ple,
Eli
sha,
putonEl
i
jah'
smant
leandst
art
edt
o

per
for
m mi
racl
esofhi
sown.Fi
rsthepar
tedt
heJor
dan

Ri
verbysl
appi
ngi
twi
thEl
i
jah'
smant
le,
andt
henhe

heal
edsomewat
erbyaddi
ngabi
tofsal
t.
Thenhedeci
dedt
ogot
oBet
hel
.

Whi
l
ehewaswal
ki
ngal
ong,
agr
oupof42y
oungboy
s

st
art
edt
omakef
unofEl
i
sha'
sbal
dhead.

Ashewasgoi
ngupbyt
heway
,ther
ecamef
ort
hli
tt
lechi
l
drenout

oft
heci
ty,
andmockedhi
m,andsai
dunt
ohi
m,Goup,
thoubal
d

head;
goup,
thoubal
dhead.2Ki
ngs2.
23

SoEl
i
shadeci
dedt
otr
yhi
snew-
foundpr
ophetpower
s

bycur
singt
hel
i
ttl
ebugger
sint
henameoft
heLor
d.

Thenhest
oodbackt
owat
chwhatwoul
dhappen.

Het
urnedback,
andl
ookedont
hem,
andcur
sedt
hem i
nthename

oft
heLORD.2.
24a

Whathappenedmusthav
ebeenhar
dtowat
ch.Twoshe

bear
scameoutoft
hewoodsandt
oreal
l42boy
sapar
t.
Ther
ecamef
ort
htwoshebear
soutoft
hewood,
andt
aref
ort
y

andt
wochi
l
drenoft
hem.2.
24b

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowEl
i
shar
eact
edt
othesl
aught
er.

I
tjustsay
sthathekeptgoi
ngonhi
sjour
neyt
oBet
hel
.

Hewentf
rom t
hencet
omountCar
mel
,andf
rom t
hencehe

r
etur
nedt
oSamar
ia.2.
25

IbetGodgotaki
ckoutoft
hewhol
ethi
ng,
though.He'
s

t
het
ype.

102.TheLor
ddel
i
ver
ed

t
heMoabi
tes

2Ki
ngs3.
24-
25

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
5,000

Moabi
tes

Thi
sisabor
ingone.Butsi
ncet
heBi
blegi
vesGodt
he

cr
edi
tfort
hiski
l
li
ng,
sowi
l
lI.
Her
e'st
hest
ory
.

El
i
shat
ell
stheI
srael
i
test
hatGodwi
l
ldel
i
vert
he

Moabi
tesi
ntot
hei
rhand.

TheLORD.
..wi
l
ldel
i
vert
heMoabi
tes.
..i
ntoy
ourhand.2Ki
ngs

3.
18

Andwhenhedoes,
Godwant
stheI
srael
i
test
ochop

downt
het
rees,
rui
nthewel
l
s,anddest
royt
hel
and.

Yeshal
lsmi
teev
eryf
encedci
ty,
andev
erychoi
ceci
ty,
andshal
l

f
ell
ever
ygoodt
ree,
andst
opal
lwel
l
sofwat
er,
andmarev
ery

goodpi
eceofl
andwi
thst
ones.3.
19

Sot
heI
srael
i
teski
l
ltheMoabi
tes,
thei
rtr
eesandcr
ops,

andr
uint
hei
rci
ti
esandwel
l
s.

TheI
srael
i
tesr
oseupandsmot
etheMoabi
tes,
sot
hatt
heyf
led

bef
oret
hem:
butt
heywentf
orwar
dsmi
ti
ngt
heMoabi
tes.
..And

t
heybeatdownt
heci
ti
es,
andonev
erygoodpi
eceofl
andcast
ev
erymanhi
sst
one,
andf
il
ledi
t;andt
heyst
oppedal
lthewel
l
sof

wat
er,
andf
ell
edal
lthegoodt
rees.3.
24-
25

Fi
nal
l
y,t
heMoabi
teki
ngsacr
if
icedhi
ssonasabur
nt

of
fer
ingi
nadesper
ateat
temptt
ost
opt
hemassacr
e.And

i
tseemedt
owor
k,t
oo,
sincet
heI
srael
i
tesst
oppedki
l
li
ng

af
tert
hat
.

Thenhet
ookhi
sel
destsont
hatshoul
dhav
erei
gnedi
nhi
sst
ead,

andof
fer
edhi
mforabur
ntof
fer
ingupont
hewal
l
.Andt
her
ewas

gr
eati
ndi
gnat
ionagai
nstI
srael
:andt
heydepar
tedf
rom hi
m,and

r
etur
nedt
othei
rownl
and.3.
27

Si
nceGodhel
pedt
heI
srael
i
tessmi
tesev
eral
Moabi
te

ci
ti
es,
I'
ll
guess1000Moabi
teswer
eki
l
ledi
nfi
veci
ti
es,

f
orat
otal
of5000.

103.Askept
ici
s

t
rampl
edt
odeat
h
2Ki
ngs7.
17-
20

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Askept
ical
off
icer

Ther
ewasaf
ami
nei
nSamar
iat
hatwassosev
eret
hata

donkey
'sheadandacupofbi
rddungsol
dfor80and5

shekel
sofsi
l
ver
,respect
ivel
y.(
About500and32cur
rent

U.
S.dol
l
ars)

Ther
ewasagr
eatf
ami
nei
nSamar
ia:
and,
behol
d,t
heybesi
eged

i
t,unt
ilanass'
sheadwassol
dforf
our
scor
epi
ecesofsi
l
ver
,and

t
hef
our
thpar
tofacabofdov
e'sdungf
orf
ivepi
ecesofsi
l
ver
.2

Ki
ngs6.
25

Womenwer
ebusynegot
iat
ingaschedul
eforeat
ingeach

ot
her
'ssons.

Thi
swomansai
dunt
ome,
Giv
ethyson,
thatwemayeathi
mto

day
,andwewi
l
leatmysont
omor
row.Soweboi
l
edmyson,
and

di
deathi
m:andIsai
dunt
oheront
henextday
,Gi
vet
hyson,
that

wemayeathi
m.6.
28-
29

ButEl
i
shaandGodsai
dthi
ngswer
eaboutt
ochange.
Tomor
row,
7.5l
i
ter
soff
lourand15l
i
ter
sofbar
leywi
l
l

sel
lfor1shekel
ofsi
l
ver
.(About6cur
rentU.
S.dol
l
ars)

ThenEl
i
shasai
d,Heary
ethewor
doft
heLORD;
Thussai
tht
he

LORD,
Tomor
rowaboutt
hist
imeshal
lameasur
eoff
inef
lourbe

sol
dforashekel
,andt
womeasur
esofbar
leyf
orashekel
,i
nthe

gat
eofSamar
ia.7.
1

Anof
fi
cerov
erhear
dEl
i
sha'
sfor
ecastf
ort
hecommodi
ti
es

mar
ket
,andhedi
dn'
tbel
i
evei
t.Hesai
dthatev
eni
fGod

madei
trai
n,pr
iceswoul
dn'
tfal
lsomuchi
nasi
ngl
eday
.

Thenal
ordonwhosehandt
heki
ngl
eanedanswer
edt
hemanof

God,
andsai
d,Behol
d,i
ftheLORDwoul
dmakewi
ndowsi
n

heav
en,
mightt
hist
hingbe?7.
2a

El
i
shar
espondedt
hatt
heskept
ical
off
icerwoul
dseei
t

happen,
butwoul
dn'
tbeabl
etot
akeadv
ant
ageoft
he

l
owpr
ices.(
Becausehe'
dbedead.
)
Behol
d,t
houshal
tseei
twi
tht
hineey
es,
butshal
tnoteatt
her
eof
.

7.
2b

Lat
ert
hatday
,Godmadet
heSy
riansheart
hings.The

whol
eSy
rianar
myhear
dthenoi
seofnon-
exi
stent

char
iot
s,hor
ses,
andsol
dier
s.I
twasonemassi
ve,
God-

i
nduced,
col
l
ect
ive,
audi
tor
yhal
l
uci
nat
ion.I
twasl
i
ket
he

ent
ir
ear
mywasonabadaci
dtr
ip,
andi
tscar
edt
hehel
l

outoft
hem.

TheLORDhadmadet
hehostoft
heSy
rianst
ohearanoi
seof

char
iot
s,andanoi
seofhor
ses,
event
henoi
seofagr
eathost
:

andt
heysai
donet
oanot
her
,Lo,
theki
ngofI
srael
hat
hhi
red

agai
nstust
heki
ngsoft
heHi
tt
it
es,
andt
heki
ngsoft
heEgy
pti
ans,

t
ocomeuponus.7.
6

Sot
heSy
rianar
myl
eftSamar
iabecauseoft
henoi
ses

t
hatGodputi
nthei
rheads.

Wher
efor
etheyar
oseandf
ledi
nthet
wil
i
ght
,andl
eftt
hei
rtent
s,
andt
hei
rhor
ses,
andt
hei
rasses,
event
hecampasi
twas,
and

f
ledf
ort
hei
rli
fe.7.
7

Andt
hepr
iceofcommodi
ti
esf
ell
,j
ustl
i
keGodand

El
i
shapr
edi
cted.

Soameasur
eoff
inef
lourwassol
dforashekel
,andt
wo

measur
esofbar
leyf
orashekel
,accor
dingt
othewor
doft
he

LORD.7.
16

Andwhathappenedt
otheskept
ical
off
icer
?

Hewast
rampl
edt
odeat
h.

Andt
heki
ngappoi
ntedt
hel
ordonwhosehandhel
eanedt
ohav
e

t
hechar
geoft
hegat
e:andt
hepeopl
etr
odeuponhi
mint
hegat
e,

andhedi
ed,
ast
hemanofGodhadsai
d..
.Andsoi
tfel
loutunt
o

hi
m:f
ort
hepeopl
etr
odeuponhi
mint
hegat
e,andhedi
ed.7:
17-

20

(
Idon'
tknowi
fGodcausedt
hist
ohappenornot
.Buti
t

seemspr
ett
ycl
eart
hatheappr
ovedofi
t.
)
104.God'
ssev
eny
ear

f
ami
ne

2Ki
ngs8.
1

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
7,000

I
srael
i
tes

Wel
l
,ther
e'snotmucht
osayaboutt
hisone.I
tal
l

happensi
nasi
ngl
ever
se.

ThenspakeEl
i
shaunt
othewoman,
whosesonhehadr
est
oredt
o

l
i
fe,
say
ing,
Ari
se,
andgot
houandt
hinehousehol
d,andsoj
our
n

wher
esoev
ert
houcanstsoj
our
n:f
ort
heLORDhat
hcal
l
edf
ora

f
ami
ne;
andi
tshal
lal
socomeupont
hel
andsev
eny
ear
s.2Ki
ngs

8.
1

Godcal
l
edf
orasev
eny
earf
ami
ne.TheBi
bledoesn'
tsay

whyGoddi
dthi
s.ButIguessGodcanst
arv
epeopl
eto

deat
hifhewant
sto,
foranyr
eason,
orf
ornor
easonat

al
l
.
TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanyst
arv
edi
nGod'
ssev
en

y
earf
ami
ne,
soI
'
llj
ustguess7000,
1000pery
ear
.

105.Jehor
am ofI
srael

2Ki
ngs9.
24-
26

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Jehor
am ofI
srael

Rememberbacki
nGod'
s98t
hki
l
li
ngwhenGodki
l
led

Ahabf
ornotki
l
li
ngacapt
uredki
ng?Youmi
ghthav
e

t
houghtt
hatt
hatwoul
dbet
heendofi
t.Butno.Godst
il
l

hadAhab'
sfami
l
ytoki
l
l.I
twashi
swayofpay
ingi
t

f
orwar
d.

Thest
oryi
sabi
tcompl
i
cat
ed,
buti
tst
art
swi
thEl
i
sha,

whocal
l
edoneof"
thechi
l
drenoft
hepr
ophet
s"andt
old
hi
mto"
gir
dhi
sloi
ns,
"getsomeoi
l
,andgoanoi
ntJehu

aski
ngofI
srael
.(Youknowy
ou'
rei
nforsomebi
g-t
ime

pr
ophetact
ionwhenEl
i
shat
ell
syout
ogr
absomeoi
land

gi
rdy
ourl
oins.
)

El
i
shat
hepr
ophetcal
l
edoneoft
hechi
l
drenoft
hepr
ophet
s,and

sai
dunt
ohi
m,Gi
rdupt
hyl
oins,
andt
aket
hisboxofoi
l.
..And

whent
houcomestt
hit
her
,lookoutt
her
eJehu.
..and.
..t
aket
he

boxofoi
l
,andpouri
tonhi
shead,
andsay
,Thussai
tht
heLORD,
I

hav
eanoi
ntedt
heeki
ngov
erI
srael
.2Ki
ngs9.
1-3

Sot
hat
'swhatt
hatsonofapr
ophetdi
d.Hegi
rdedhi
s

l
oinsandmadeJehuki
ng.

Sot
hey
oungman,
event
hey
oungmant
hepr
ophet.
..ar
ose,
and

wenti
ntot
hehouse;
andhepour
edt
heoi
lonhi
shead,
andsai
d

unt
ohi
m,Thussai
tht
heLORDGodofI
srael
,Ihav
eanoi
ntedt
hee

ki
ngov
ert
hepeopl
eoft
heLORD,
evenov
erI
srael
.9.
4-6
Thenhet
oldt
henewki
ngt
hatGodhadaj
obf
orhi
m.

Thussai
tht
heLORDGod.
..t
houshal
tsmi
tet
hehouseofAhabt
hy

mast
er,
thatImayav
enget
hebl
oodofmyser
vant
sthepr
ophet
s,

andt
hebl
oodofal
ltheser
vant
soft
heLORD,
att
hehandof

Jezebel
.9.
6-7

Justi
ncasei
twasn'
tcl
ear
,thesonoft
hepr
ophet

el
abor
atedabi
t.Godwant
edJehut
oki
l
lev
ery
onei
n

Ahab'
sfami
l
y,especi
all
ythoset
hathadev
er"
pissed

agai
nstawal
l
."

Fort
hewhol
ehouseofAhabshal
lper
ish:
andIwi
l
lcutof
ffr
om

Ahabhi
mthatpi
sset
hagai
nstt
hewal
l
.9.
8

Her
emi
ndedJehuoft
hel
astt
wof
ami
l
iest
hatGodhad

execut
ed:
Jer
oboam'
s(88)
,89)andBaasha'
s(90)
.He

want
edJehut
ogoanddol
i
kewi
set
oAhab'
sfami
l
y.

Iwi
l
lmaket
hehouseofAhabl
i
ket
hehouseofJer
oboam .
..and

Baasha.9.
9

Butt
her
ewasoneper
sont
hatGodwant
edmor
ethan

j
ustdead.Ahab'
swi
fe,
Jez
ebel
,wast
obenotj
ustki
l
led,
butf
edt
othedogs,
sot
hatt
her
ewoul
dbenot
hingl
eft

ofherbodyt
obur
y.

Thedogsshal
leatJezebel
int
hepor
ti
onofJezr
eel
,andt
her
eshal
l

benonet
obur
yher
.9.
10

Andt
hatwast
heendoft
hemessagef
rom God.

SoJehut
ookof
finhi
schar
iott
ogetst
art
edonGod'
s

ki
l
li
ngs.Whenpeopl
esawhi
m comi
ng,
they
'dsay
,"That

mustbeJehubecausehe'
sdr
ivi
ngl
i
kecr
azy
."(
Jehui
s

t
hepat
ronsai
ntofr
eckl
essdr
iver
s.)

Andt
hewat
chmant
old,
say
ing,
Hecameev
enunt
othem,
and

comet
hnotagai
n:andt
hedr
ivi
ngi
sli
ket
hedr
ivi
ngofJehut
heson

ofNi
mshi
;forhedr
ivet
hfur
iousl
y.9.
20

I
twasn'
tl
ongbef
oreJehuf
oundGod'
sfi
rstv
ict
im:

Ahab'
sson,
Jehor
am ofI
srael
—awal
l
-pi
sseri
fther
eev
er

wasone!
SoJehudi
dwhatGodt
oldhi
mtodo.Heshothi
mri
ght

t
hrought
hehear
tandt
hrewhi
sdeadbodyi
nthef
iel
dof

Nabot
h,"
accor
dingt
othewor
doft
heLor
d."

Jehudr
ewabowwi
thhi
sful
lst
rengt
h,andsmot
eJehor
am

bet
weenhi
sar
ms,
andt
hear
rowwentoutathi
shear
t..
.Then

sai
dJehut
oBi
dkarhi
scapt
ain.
..casthi
mint
othepl
atofgr
ound,

accor
dingt
othewor
doft
heLORD.9.
24-
26

Andsodi
edt
hef
ir
stwal
l
-pi
sseri
nAhab'
sfami
l
y.

ThenJehugotbacki
nhi
schar
iotanddr
oveof
ffur
iousl
y

t
ofi
ndt
her
est
.

106.Jezebel

2Ki
ngs9.
33

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Jezebel
NextonGod'
shi
tli
stf
orJehuwasJezebel
.Sohedr
ove

hi
schar
iotov
ert
oherhouse.

Whenshehear
dJehuwascomi
ng,
sheputonhermake-

upandsatbyt
hewi
ndow.

WhenJehuwascomet
oJezr
eel
,Jezebel
hear
dofi
t;andshe

pai
ntedherf
ace,
andt
ir
edherhead,
andl
ookedoutatawi
ndow.

2Ki
ngs9.
30

Asheent
eredt
hegat
e,shesai
d,"
Isi
tpeace,
Zimr
i,

mur
der
erofy
ourmast
er?
",r
efer
ri
ngt
oZi
mri
'
smur
derof

ki
ngBaashaandhi
sfami
l
y(90)
.

AsJehuent
eredi
natt
hegat
e,shesai
d,HadZi
mri
peace,
who

sl
ewhi
smast
er?9.
31

Jehupokedhi
sheadi
nthewi
ndowandsai
dtoJezebel
'
s

eunuchs,
"Whoi
sonmysi
de?
"
Hel
i
fteduphi
sfacet
othewi
ndow,
andsai
d,Whoi
sonmysi
de?

who?Andt
her
elookedoutt
ohi
mtwoort
hreeeunuchs.9.
32

Andt
hen,
"Thr
owherdown.
"

Andhesai
d,Thr
owherdown.9.
33a

Sot
heeunuchst
hrewheroutt
hewi
ndow,
wher
eshe

wast
rampl
edbyhor
ses,
herbl
oodspl
att
eri
ng

ev
ery
wher
e.

Sot
heyt
hrewherdown:
andsomeofherbl
oodwasspr
inkl
edon

t
hewal
l
,andont
hehor
ses:
andhet
radeherunderf
oot
.9.
33b

ThenJehuwentof
ftoeatanddr
ink,
tel
l
inghi
speopl
eto

got
akeal
ookt
he"
cur
sedwoman"andt
henbur
yher
.

Whenhewascomei
n,hedi
deatanddr
ink,
andsai
d,Go,
seenow

t
hiscur
sedwoman,
andbur
yher
:forshei
saki
ng'
sdaught
er.

9.
34
Butwhent
heywentt
obur
yher
,theycoul
dn'
tfi
ndher
,at

l
eastnotv
erymuchofher
.Dogshadal
readyeat
en

ev
ery
thi
ngexceptherskul
l
,feet
,andt
hepal
msofher

hands.

Andt
heywentt
obur
yher
:butt
heyf
oundnomor
eofhert
hant
he

skul
l
,andt
hef
eet
,andt
hepal
msofherhands.9.
35

Whi
ch,
ofcour
se,
isj
ustl
i
keGodsai
ditwoul
dbe.

Jezebel
woul
dbeeat
enbydogsandherbodywoul
dbe

t
reat
edl
i
keshi
t.

Thi
sist
hewor
doft
heLORD,
whi
chhespakebyhi
sser
vantEl
i
jah

t
heTi
shbi
te,
say
ing,
Int
hepor
ti
onofJezr
eel
shal
ldogseatt
he

f
leshofJezebel
:Andt
hecar
caseofJezebel
shal
lbeasdungupon

t
hef
aceoft
hef
iel
d9.
36-
37

.
m

107.Ahab'
ssons:

Sev
ent
yheadsi
ntwo

heaps

2Ki
ngs10.
7

NumberKi
l
led:
70

Ahab'
ssons

Jehuwasonami
ssi
onf
rom God.(
LikeAnt
onChi
gur
hin

"
NoCount
ryf
orOl
dMen,
"butwi
thoutt
hecoi
ntosses.
)

Fi
rstheki
l
ledoneofAhab'
ssons,
Jehor
am (
105)
.Then

heki
l
ledAhab'
swi
fe,
Jezebel
(106)
.Nowi
twast
imet
o

t
akecar
eoft
her
estofAhab'
sfami
l
y.
Hest
art
edbywr
it
ingl
ett
erst
other
uler
sofJezr
eel

chal
l
engi
ngt
hem f
ightf
orAhab'
ssons.

Ahabhadsev
ent
ysonsi
nSamar
ia.AndJehuwr
otel
ett
ers,
and

sentt
oSamar
ia,
unt
other
uler
sofJezr
eel
,tot
heel
der
s,andt
o

t
hem t
hatbr
oughtupAhab'
schi
l
dren,
say
ing.
..f
ightf
ory
our

mast
er'
shouse.2Ki
ngs10.
1-3

Butt
heywer
eint
imi
dat
edbyJehu(
they
'dpr
obabl
yhear
d

abouthi
spr
evi
ousmur
der
s)andsai
dthatt
heywoul
ddo

what
everhewant
ed.

Butt
heywer
eexceedi
ngl
yaf
rai
d,andsai
d..
.Wear
ethyser
vant
s,

andwi
l
ldoal
lthatt
houshal
tbi
dus;
wewi
l
lnotmakeanyki
ng:
do

t
hout
hatwhi
chi
sgoodi
nthi
neey
es.10.
4-5

SoJehuwr
oteanot
herl
ett
ert
ell
i
ngt
hem whathe

want
ed:
Bri
nghi
mtheheadsofal
l70ofAhab'
ssons

t
omor
row.

Thenhewr
oteal
ett
ert
hesecondt
imet
othem,
say
ing.
..t
akey
e
t
heheadsoft
hemeny
ourmast
er'
ssons,
andcomet
omet
o

Jezr
eel
byt
omor
rowt
hist
ime.Nowt
heki
ng'
ssons,
bei
ngsev
ent
y

per
sons,
wer
ewi
tht
hegr
eatmenoft
heci
ty,
whi
chbr
oughtt
hem

up.10.
6

Andt
hat
'swhatt
heydi
d.Theyki
l
ledAhab'
s70sons,
put

t
heheadsi
nbasket
s,andbr
oughtt
hem t
oJehu.

Whent
hel
ett
ercamet
othem,
thatt
heyt
ookt
heki
ng'
ssons,
and

sl
ewsev
ent
yper
sons,
andputt
hei
rheadsi
nbasket
s,andsenthi
m

t
hem t
oJezr
eel
.10.
7

WhenJehuhear
dthatt
heheadshadar
ri
ved,
hesai
dto

putt
hem i
ntwoheapsatt
heci
tygat
eandl
ett
hem st
ay

t
her
eov
erni
ght
.

Ther
ecameamessenger
,andt
oldhi
m,say
ing,
Theyhav
e

br
oughtt
heheadsoft
heki
ng'
ssons.Andhesai
d,Layy
ethem i
n

t
woheapsatt
heent
eri
ngi
noft
hegat
eunt
ilt
hemor
ning.10.
8

Thenextmor
ningJehuwentoutandt
oldt
hepeopl
ethat

"
theLORDhat
hdonet
hatwhi
chhespakebyhi
sser
vant
El
i
jah.
"

I
nthemor
ning,
thathewentout
,andst
ood,
andsai
d..
.theLORD

hat
hdonet
hatwhi
chhespakebyhi
sser
vantEl
i
jah.10.
9-10

(
Eli
j
ah.
..answer
ed.
..Behol
d,Iwi
l
lbr
ingev
ilupont
hee,
andwi
l
l

t
akeawayt
hypost
eri
ty,
andwi
l
lcutof
ffr
om Ahabhi
mthatpi
sset
h

agai
nstt
hewal
l
.1Ki
ngs21.
20-
21)

Butt
her
ewer
est
il
lot
her
sthatGodwant
edJehut
ovi
sit
.

108.Ahab'
shomet
own

f
ami
l
y,f
ri
ends,
and

pr
iest
s

2Ki
ngs10.
11

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
20

Ahab'
sfami
l
y,f
ri
ends,
andpr
iest
s
I
nGod'
slastki
l
li
ng(1071,
thechi
cken-
shi
tleader
sof

Jezr
eel
sentJehut
heheadsofAhab'
ssons,
all
70of

t
hem.

Butt
hatdi
dn'
tqui
tesat
isf
yJehu.Hehadhi
sor
der
sfr
om

God,
giv
ent
ohi
m byEl
i
shawhenJehuwasmadeki
ng.

Thussai
tht
heLORDGod.
..t
houshal
tsmi
tet
hehouseofAhabt
hy

mast
er.
..Thewhol
ehouseofAhabshal
lper
ish:
andIwi
l
lcutof
f

f
rom Ahabhi
mthatpi
sset
hagai
nstt
hewal
l.
..
.AndIwi
l
lmaket
he

houseofAhabl
i
ket
hehouseofJer
oboam .
..andBaasha.
..And

t
hedogsshal
leatJezebel
int
hepor
ti
onofJezr
eel
,andt
her
eshal
l

benonet
obur
yher
.2Ki
ngs9.
6-10

Soal
thoughhewasof
ftoagoodst
art
,hav
ingki
l
led

Ahab'
sson,
Jehor
am (
105)
,Ahab'
swi
fe,
Jezebel
(106)
,

and70ofAhab'
ssons(1071,
ther
est
il
lmi
ghtbeaf
ew

wal
l
-pi
ssi
ngf
ami
l
yorf
ri
endsofAhabl
eftt
oki
l
l.

Thef
ir
stpl
acet
hatJehul
ookedwasAhab'
sol
d
homet
own,
Jezr
eel
.Hesear
chedt
het
ownandf
oundal
l

ofAhab'
sfami
l
y,f
ri
ends,
andpr
iest
s—whoev
ert
hatwas

associ
atedsomehowwi
thAhabandmi
ghtal
sohav
e

pi
ssedagai
nstawal
latonet
imeoranot
her
.

Andt
henheki
l
ledt
hem al
l
.

SoJehusl
ewal
lthatr
emai
nedoft
hehouseofAhabi
nJezr
eel
,

andal
lhi
sgr
eatmen,
andhi
ski
nsf
olks,
andhi
spr
iest
s,unt
ilhe

l
efthi
m noner
emai
ning.10.
11

Thenhet
ookhi
ssear
chel
sewher
e.

Thet
extdoesn'
tsayhowmanyofAhab'
sfami
l
yand

f
ri
endswer
eki
l
ledi
nJezr
eel
.I'
l
ljustsay20.

109.Jehuki
l
led

Ahazi
ah'
sfami
l
y

2Ki
ngs10.
14

NumberKi
l
led:
42

Ahazi
ah'
sfami
l
y
Af
terJehuki
l
ledwhatr
emai
nedofAhab'
sfami
l
yin

Jezr
eel
(108),
hewentt
oSamar
iaandmetwi
tht
he

f
ami
l
yofAhazi
ah(
ofJudah)
.

Hear
oseanddepar
ted,
andcamet
oSamar
ia.And.
..metwi
tht
he

br
ethr
enofAhazi
ahki
ngofJudah,
andsai
d,Whoar
eye?Andt
hey

answer
ed,
Wear
ethebr
ethr
enofAhazi
ah;
andwegodownt
o

sal
utet
hechi
l
drenoft
heki
ngandt
hechi
l
drenoft
hequeen.2

Ki
ngs10.
12-
13

I
twasashor
t,pr
oduct
ivemeet
ing.Jehuhadonl
yone

act
ioni
tem:
kil
lal
ltheat
tendees.

Andhesai
d,Taket
hem al
i
ve.Andt
heyt
ookt
hem al
i
ve,
andsl
ew

t
hem att
hepi
toft
heshear
inghouse,
event
woandf
ort
ymen;

nei
therl
eftheanyoft
hem.10.
14

That
'sal
lthat2Ki
ngssay
sabouti
t.Butt
heki
l
li
ngi
sal
so

cov
eredi
n2Chr
oni
cles.

Thedest
ruct
ionofAhazi
ahwasofGodbycomi
ngt
oJor
am:
for
whenhewascome,
hewentoutwi
thJehor
am agai
nstJehut
he

sonofNi
mshi
,whom t
heLORDhadanoi
ntedt
ocutof
fthehouse

ofAhab.Andi
tcamet
opass,
that
,whenJehuwasexecut
ing

j
udgmentupont
hehouseofAhab,
andf
oundt
hepr
incesofJudah,

andt
hesonsoft
hebr
ethr
enofAhazi
ah,
thatmi
nist
eredt
o

Ahazi
ah,
hesl
ewt
hem.AndhesoughtAhazi
ah:
andt
heycaught

hi
m,(
forhewashi
dinSamar
ia,
)andbr
oughthi
mtoJehu:
and

whent
heyhadsl
ainhi
m.2Chr
oni
cles22.
7-9

Soweknowt
hatt
heki
l
li
ngofAhazi
ah'
s42r
elat
iveswas

"
ofGod"
—whi
chmeanst
hatGodappr
ovedoft
hese

ki
l
li
ngs.

110.Jehuandhi
spar
tner

showt
hei
rzeal
fort
he

Lor
dbyki
l
li
ngt
her
estof

Ahab'
sfami
l
y

2Ki
ngs10.
17
Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
20

Ther
estofAhab'
sfami
l
y

Af
termeet
ingwi
thAhazi
ah'
sfami
l
y(andki
l
li
ngt
hem al
l
),

Jehugoti
ntohi
schar
iotanddr
oveawayf
uri
ousl
ytowar
d

Samar
ia.Onhi
swayher
anacr
ossandol
dfr
iend,

Jehonadab.

JehuaskedJehonadab,
"Isy
ourhear
tast
ruet
omi
neas

mi
nei
stoy
our
s?"AndJehonadabsai
d,"
Iti
s."(
They

wer
ereal
l
ygoodf
ri
ends.
)

Whenhewasdepar
tedt
hence,
hel
i
ght
edonJehonadab.
..comi
ng

t
omeethi
m:andhesal
utedhi
m,andsai
dtohi
m,I
sthi
nehear
t

r
ight
,asmyhear
tiswi
tht
hyhear
t?AndJehonadabanswer
ed,
It

i
s.2Ki
ngs10.
15a

ThenJehusai
d,"
Ifi
tis,
giv
emey
ourhand.
"(Thi
sis

get
ti
ngsor
omant
ic!
)

I
fitbe,
giv
emet
hinehand.10.
15b

SoJehur
eachedouthi
shandandt
ookJehonadabi
nto

t
hechar
iot
.
Andhegav
ehi
m hi
shand;
andhet
ookhi
m upt
ohi
mint
othe

char
iot
.10.
15c

WhenJehonadabandJehuwer
efi
nal
l
ytoget
her
,Jehu

sai
d,"
Comewi
thme,
andseemyzeal
fort
heLor
d."

Hesai
d,Comewi
thme,
andseemyzeal
fort
heLORD.10.
16

Thent
het
women,
whosehear
tswer
etr
uet
oeachot
her
,

r
odeof
fint
othesunsett
owar
dSamar
ia.

Whent
heyar
ri
vedi
nSamar
ia,
theysl
aught
eredt
her
est

ofAhab'
sfami
l
y,"
accor
dingt
othesay
ingoft
heLORD,

whi
chhespaket
oEl
i
jah.
"

Whenhecamet
oSamar
ia,
hesl
ewal
lthatr
emai
nedunt
oAhabi
n

Samar
ia,
til
lhehaddest
roy
edhi
m,accor
dingt
othesay
ingoft
he

LORD,
whi
chhespaket
oEl
i
jah.10.
17

Andbysodoi
ng,
thet
rue-
hear
tedpar
tner
sexpr
essed

t
hei
rzeal
fort
heLor
d.

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanywer
eki
l
led,
soIj
ust

guessed20.
111.Jehuassembl
est
he

f
oll
ower
sofBaal
and

t
hensl
aught
erst
hem al
l

2Ki
ngs10.
25

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Fol
l
ower
sofBaal

Af
terJehuf
ini
shedki
l
li
ngAhab'
sfami
l
yinSamar
ia

(110)
,hecal
l
edanassembl
ytowor
shi
pBaal
.

Jehugat
her
edal
lthepeopl
etoget
her
,andsai
dunt
othem,
Ahab

ser
vedBaal
ali
tt
le;
butJehushal
lser
vehi
m much.2Ki
ngs10.
18

Jehusai
dthathewoul
dleadt
hesacr
if
icet
oBaal
andany

f
oll
owerofBaal
thatdi
dnotcomewoul
dbeki
l
led.

Nowt
her
efor
ecal
lunt
omeal
lthepr
ophet
sofBaal
,al
lhi
s

ser
vant
s,andal
lhi
spr
iest
s;l
etnonebewant
ing:
forIhav
ea
gr
eatsacr
if
icet
odot
oBaal
;whosoev
ershal
lbewant
ing,
heshal
l

notl
i
ve.10.
19a

Buthewasl
yi
ng,
ofcour
se.Heassembl
edt
hef
oll
ower
s

ofBaal
,nott
owor
shi
pBaal
wit
hthem ashesai
d,butt
o

ki
l
lthem al
l
.

ButJehudi
diti
nsubt
il
ty.
..t
hathemi
ghtdest
royt
hewor
shi
pper
s

ofBaal
.10.
19b

SoJehucal
l
edt
heassembl
y.

Jehusai
d,Pr
ocl
aim asol
emnassembl
yforBaal
.Andt
hey

pr
ocl
aimedi
t.AndJehusentt
hroughal
lIsr
ael
:andal
lthe

wor
shi
pper
sofBaal
came,
sot
hatt
her
ewasnotamanl
eftt
hat

camenot
.Andt
heycamei
ntot
hehouseofBaal
;andt
hehouseof

Baal
wasf
ull
from oneendt
oanot
her
.10.
20-
21

Thenhet
old80ofhi
sment
oki
l
loft
hewor
shi
per
sof

Baal
,say
inghe'
dki
l
lwhoev
erl
etanyescape.

Whent
heywenti
ntoof
fersacr
if
icesandbur
ntof
fer
ings,
Jehu

appoi
ntedf
our
scor
emenwi
thout
,andsai
d,I
fanyoft
hemen
whom Ihav
ebr
oughti
ntoy
ourhandsescape,
het
hatl
ett
ethhi
m

go,
hisl
i
feshal
lbef
ort
hel
i
feofhi
m.10.
24

WhenJehuf
ini
shedhi
ssacr
if
icet
oBaal
,heor
der
edt
he

sacr
if
iceofal
loft
hef
oll
ower
sofBaal
.

Assoonashehadmadeanendofof
fer
ingt
hebur
ntof
fer
ing,
that

Jehusai
dtot
heguar
dandt
othecapt
ains,
Goi
n,andsl
ayt
hem;

l
etnonecomef
ort
h.Andt
heysmot
ethem wi
tht
heedgeoft
he

swor
d.10.
25

Godappr
ovedoft
hisandal
lofJehu'
spr
evi
ousmass

mur
der
s.Hel
i
kedt
hem somuch,
inf
act
,thatJehu'
ssons

woul
dbeki
ngsofI
srael
fort
henextf
ourgener
ati
ons.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oJehu,
Becauset
houhastdonewel
li
n

execut
ingt
hatwhi
chi
sri
ghti
nmi
neey
es,
andhastdoneunt
othe

houseofAhabaccor
dingt
oal
lthatwasi
nmi
nehear
t,t
hychi
l
dren

oft
hef
our
thgener
ati
onshal
lsi
tont
het
hroneofI
srael
.10.
30

(
TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanyf
oll
ower
sofBaal
Jehu
ki
l
led.I
'
llguess1000.
)

112.Thepr
iestofBaal

andQueenAt
hal
i
ah

2Ki
ngs11.
18-
20

NumberKi
l
led:
2

Mat
tant
hepr
iestofBaal
andAt
hal
i
ah

Thehi
ghpr
iestJehoi
adaar
rangedanagr
eementbet
ween

God,
theki
ng,
andt
hepeopl
e.Theki
ngandt
hepeopl
e

woul
dbeGod'
speopl
e.

Jehoi
adamadeacov
enantbet
weent
heLORDandt
heki
ngandt
he

peopl
e,t
hatt
heyshoul
dbet
heLORD'
Speopl
e;bet
weent
heki
ng

al
soandt
hepeopl
e.2Ki
ngs11.
17

AndasGod'
speopl
e,t
heywoul
ddest
royt
her
eli
gious
sy
mbol
sofal
lot
herGods,
andki
l
lthei
rpr
iest
s.SoGod'
s

peopl
ewenti
ntoamur
der
ousr
ampage.Theyst
art
edby

ki
l
li
ngMat
tan,
thepr
iestofBaal
,att
heal
tar
.

Al
lthepeopl
eoft
hel
andwenti
ntot
hehouseofBaal
,andbr
akei
t

down;
hisal
tar
sandhi
simagesbr
aket
heyi
npi
ecest
hor
oughl
y,

andsl
ewMat
tant
hepr
iestofBaal
bef
oret
heal
tar
s.11.
18

Andf
ini
shedbyki
l
li
ngQueenAt
hal
i
ah.

Andal
lthepeopl
eoft
hel
andr
ejoi
ced,
andt
heci
tywasi
nqui
et:

andt
heysl
ewAt
hal
i
ahwi
tht
heswor
dbesi
det
heki
ng'
shouse.

11.
20

113.Godsentl
i
onst
oeat

t
hoset
hatdi
dn'
tfearhi
m
enough

2Ki
ngs17.
25-
26

Est
imat
edNumberki
l
led:
10

Peopl
ethatdi
dn'
tfeart
heLor
d

Godwant
syout
ofearhi
m.I
fyoudon'
tfearhi
m enough,

he'
l
ldosomet
hingt
omakey
ouaf
rai
dofhi
m.Li
kesend

l
i
onst
oeaty
ou.

Theyf
ear
ednott
heLORD:
ther
efor
etheLORDsentl
i
onsamong

t
hem,
whi
chsl
ewsomeoft
hem.2Ki
ngs17.
25

Heal
sol
i
kesy
out
oobeyhi
slaws,
eveni
fyou'
venev
er

hear
doft
hem bef
ore.I
fyouar
eunf
ami
l
iarwi
thhi
slaws

ordon'
tfol
l
owt
hem pr
oper
ly,
he'
l
lsendl
i
onst
oeaty
ou.

Thenat
ionswhi
ch.
..knownott
hemanneroft
heGodoft
hel
and:

t
her
efor
ehehat
hsentl
i
onsamongt
hem,
and,
behol
d,t
heysl
ay

t
hem,
becauset
heyknownott
hemanneroft
heGodoft
hel
and.

17.
26
Ij
ustt
houghty
oushoul
dknowt
hat
.

(
TheBi
bleonl
ysay
sthatGod'
sli
onski
l
led"
someof

t
hem.
"I'
l
lguesst
hatt
her
ewer
e10t
hatwer
eeat
enby

l
i
ons.
)

114.Anangel
kil
l
ed

185,
000sl
eepi
ngsol
dier
s

2Ki
ngs19.
35,
Isai
ah37.
36

Numberki
l
led:
185,
000

Sl
eepi
ngAssy
riansol
dier
s

Wel
l
,thet
it
lepr
ett
ymuchsay
sital
l
,si
ncei
tal
lhappens

i
nasi
ngl
ever
se(
thati
srepeat
edt
wicei
ntheBi
ble)
.

185,
000sl
eepi
ngAssy
riansol
dier
swer
eki
l
ledbyan

angel
oft
heLor
d.Andwhent
heywokeupt
henex
t
mor
ning"
behol
d,t
heywer
eal
ldead.
"

Theangel
oft
heLORDwentout
,andsmot
eint
hecampoft
he

Assy
riansanhundr
edf
our
scor
eandf
ivet
housand:
andwhent
hey

ar
oseear
lyi
nthemor
ning,
behol
d,t
heywer
eal
ldeadcor
pses.2

Ki
ngs19.
35,
Isai
ah37.
36

Theypr
obabl
yal
lwokeupandsai
dinuni
son(
asi
s

cust
omar
yint
heBi
ble)
,"Shucks,
I'
m dead.
"

115.GodcausedKi
ng

Sennacher
ibt
obeki
l
led

byhi
ssons

2Ki
ngs19.
37,
Isai
ah37.
38

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Sennacher
ib
Poorki
ngHezeki
ahwasupset
,soupset
,inf
act
,thathe

"
renthi
scl
othes.
"

Andi
tcamet
opass,
whenki
ngHezeki
ahhear
dit
,thather
enthi
s

cl
othes.2Ki
ngs19.
1,I
sai
ah37.
1

Yousee,
Hezeki
ahhadj
usthear
dthecommandi
ng

of
fi
cer(
Rabshakeh)oft
heAssy
rianar
mysayt
hat

Hezeki
ahandhi
speopl
ewoul
dsoonbe"
eat
ingt
hei
rown

dunganddr
inki
ngt
hei
rownpi
ss.
"

ButRabshakehsai
dunt
othem,
Hat
hmymast
ersentmet
othy

mast
er,
andt
othee,
tospeakt
hesewor
ds?hat
hhenotsentmet
o

t
hemenwhi
chsi
tont
hewal
l
,thatt
heymayeatt
hei
rowndung,

anddr
inkt
hei
rownpi
sswi
thy
ou?2Ki
ngs18.
27,
Isai
ah36.
12

SoHezeki
ah,
whodi
dn'
tmuchl
i
keeat
ingdungor
dr
inki
ngpi
ss,
sentamessaget
oIsai
ah,
aski
nghi
m what

heshoul
ddoabouti
t.I
sai
aht
oldhi
m nott
owor
ry.God

woul
dputaspi
ri
t(or"
abl
ast
"int
heKJV)i
ntheki
ngof

Assy
ria(
Sennacher
ib)sot
hathewi
l
l"hearar
umor
"to

r
etur
ntohi
shomei
nNi
nev
ah.ThenGodwi
l
lcausehi
m

t
obeki
l
ledwi
tht
heswor
d.

Behol
d,Iwi
l
lsendabl
astuponhi
m,andheshal
lhearar
umour
,

andshal
lret
urnt
ohi
sownl
and;
andIwi
l
lcausehi
mtof
all
byt
he

swor
dinhi
sownl
and.2Ki
ngs19.
7,I
sai
ah37.
7

Andt
hat
'swhathappened.Sennacher
ibr
etur
nedt
o

Ni
nev
ahandwaski
l
ledbyhi
ssonswhi
l
ehewasi
n

chur
chpr
ayi
ng.

Andi
tcamet
opass,
ashewaswor
shi
ppi
ngi
nthehouseof

Ni
srochhi
sgod,
thatAdr
ammel
echandShar
ezerhi
ssonssmot
e

hi
m wi
tht
heswor
d.2Ki
ngs19.
37,
Isai
ah37.
38

Butt
hen,
hewaspr
ayi
ngt
othewr
onggodsohe

deser
vedi
t.

116.Josi
ahki
l
ledal
lthe
pr
iest
soft
hehi
ghpl
aces

2Ki
ngs23.
20

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
100

Pr
iest
soft
hehi
ghpl
aces

Josi
ahwast
heki
ngofr
eli
giousi
ntol
erance.He"
put

down"t
hepr
iest
sthatbur
nedi
ncenset
othesun,
moon,

pl
anet
s,andst
ars.

Heputdownt
hei
dol
atr
ouspr
iest
s..
.thatbur
nedi
ncenseunt
o

Baal
,tot
hesun,
andt
othemoon,
andt
othepl
anet
s,andt
oal
l

t
hehostofheav
en.2Ki
ngs23.
5

Hebur
nedt
heAsher
ahpol
e(t
he"
grov
e"i
ntheKJV)and

spr
eadt
heashesont
hegr
avesoft
hechi
l
dren.

Andhebr
oughtoutt
hegr
ove.
..
andbur
nedi
t..
.andst
ampedi
t

smal
ltopowder
,andcastt
hepowdert
her
eofupont
hegr
avesof

t
hechi
l
drenoft
hepeopl
e.23.
6
Hedest
roy
edt
hehousesoft
het
empl
ehomosexual
s.

Hebr
akedownt
hehousesoft
hesodomi
tes,
thatwer
ebyt
he

houseoft
heLORD,
wher
ethewomenwov
ehangi
ngsf
ort
he

gr
ove.23.
7

Andheexecut
edt
hepr
iest
sandbur
nedhumanbones

upont
hei
ral
tar
s.

Hesl
ewal
lthepr
iest
soft
hehi
ghpl
acest
hatwer
ether
eupont
he

al
tar
s,andbur
nedmen'
sbonesupont
hem 23.
20

Thi
swasal
li
naccor
dancewi
tht
hepr
ophecyof"
theman

ofGodf
rom Judah.
"

Ther
ecameamanofGodoutofJudahbyt
hewor
doft
heLORD.
..

andhecr
iedagai
nstt
heal
tari
nthewor
doft
heLORD,
andsai
d,

al
tar
,al
tart
hussai
tht
heLORD;
Behol
d,achi
l
dshal
lbebor
nunt
o

t
hehouseofDav
id,
Josi
ahbyname;
andupont
heeshal
lheof
fer

t
hepr
iest
soft
hehi
ghpl
acest
hatbur
nincenseupont
hee,
and

men'
sbonesshal
lbebur
ntupont
hee.1Ki
ngs13.
1-2
(
TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanypr
iest
swer
eki
l
ledby

Josi
ah.I
'
llguess100.
)

117.Justanot
herhol
y

war

1Chr
oni
cles5.
20-
22

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
50,
000

Hagar
it
es

Fi
rstChr
oni
clesget
smyv
otef
ort
hemostbor
ingbook

ev
erwr
it
ten.Justt
ryr
eadi
ngt
hef
ir
stni
nechapt
erssome

t
ime.I
fyoumakei
tthr
ough,
readi
ngev
erywor
d,y
ou'
re

pr
obabl
ythef
ir
stper
sonwhoev
erhas.

Buthi
ddeni
nthel
i
stofdescendant
sofReubeni
nchapt
er

f
ive,
ther
e'sanot
heroneofGod'
ski
l
li
ngs,
onet
hatI
'
d

mi
ssedbef
ore.Ipr
obabl
ylosti
nter
estsomewher
eint
he

"
Thesear
ethechi
l
drenofAbi
hai
lthesonofHur
i,t
he

sonofJar
oah,
thesonofGi
l
ead,
thesonofMi
chael
,the

sonofJeshi
shai
,thesonofJahdo,
thesonofBuz
...
"
Soany
way
,her
e'st
hest
ory
.I'
m sor
ryi
t'
ssobor
ing.

I
tal
lst
art
swi
th44,
760sonsofReuben,
whower
e

v
ali
antment
hatcoul
dshootbowsandhackt
hingst
o

pi
eceswi
thswor
ds.

ThesonsofReuben,
andt
heGadi
tes,
andhal
fthet
ri
beof

Manasseh,
ofv
ali
antmen,
menabl
etobearbuckl
erandswor
d,

andt
oshootwi
thbow,
andski
l
ful
inwar
,wer
efourandf
ort
y

t
housandsev
enhundr
edandt
hreescor
e,t
hatwentoutt
othewar
.

1Chr
oni
cles5.
18

Al
ltheyneededwasawart
okeept
hem busy
.Andt
hey

f
oundone.

Theymadewarwi
tht
heHagar
it
es,
wit
hJet
ur,
andNephi
sh,
and

Nodab.5.
19

Whi
l
ethesonsofReubenwer
efi
ght
ing,
theycr
iedt
o

God,
soGoddeci
dedt
obeont
hei
rsi
de,
del
i
ver
ingt
he
Hagar
it
esi
ntot
hei
rhand.

Andt
heHagar
it
eswer
edel
i
ver
edi
ntot
hei
rhand,
andal
lthatwer
e

wi
tht
hem:
fort
heycr
iedt
oGodi
nthebat
tl
e,andhewasi
ntr
eat
ed

oft
hem;
becauset
heyputt
hei
rtr
usti
nhi
m.5:
20

Andt
hatpr
ett
ymuchdi
dit
.Oncey
ouhav
eGodony
our

si
dei
nahol
ywart
hati
s"ofGod,
"ki
l
li
ngpeopl
eisa

pi
eceofcake.

Fort
her
efel
ldownmanysl
ain,
becauset
hewarwasofGod.5.
22

Al
lthatwasl
eftwast
ocol
l
ectt
heboot
y.

Theyt
ookawayt
hei
rcat
tl
e;oft
hei
rcamel
sfi
ft
ythousand,
andof

sheept
wohundr
edandf
if
tyt
housand,
andofassest
wot
housand,

andofmenanhundr
edt
housand.5.
21

Whi
chi
spr
ett
ygood,
asboot
ygoes.50,
000camel
s,a

quar
termi
l
li
onsheep,
2000asses,
and100,
000sl
aves.

Buthowmanywer
eki
l
ledi
nthi
shol
ywarofGod?I
t'
sa

shamet
hatGoddoesn'
ttel
lus,
butwi
th100,
000sl
aves,
I
'
dthi
nkt
hev
ali
antsonsofReubenmusthav
eki
l
led

50,
000orso.Whatwi
thGodont
hei
rsi
deandal
l
.

118.Godki
l
ledahal
f

mi
l
li
onI
srael
i
tesol
dier
s

2Chr
oni
cles13.
15-
17

NumberKi
l
led:
500,
000

I
srael
i
tesol
dier
s

Somet
imesGodhast
oki
l
lahal
fmi
l
li
onofhi
sfav
ori
te

peopl
ejustt
omakeapoi
ntofsomeki
nd.I
'
m notsur
e

whatt
hepoi
ntwasi
nthi
scase,
butt
hat
'
sbesi
det
he

poi
nt,
what
everi
tmi
ghthav
ebeen.

Her
e'swhathappened.

Ther
ewasawarbet
weenKi
ngAbi
j
ahofJudahand

Jer
oboam ofI
srael
.Abi
j
ahhad400,
000"
chosenmen"

andJer
oboam had800,
000"
might
ymenofv
alor
."
Abi
j
ahsett
hebat
tl
einar
raywi
thanar
myofv
ali
antmenofwar
,

ev
enf
ourhundr
edt
housandchosenmen:
Jer
oboam al
sosett
he

bat
tl
einar
rayagai
nsthi
m wi
thei
ghthundr
edt
housandchosen

men,
bei
ngmi
ght
ymenofv
alour
.2Chr
oni
cles13.
3

Abi
j
ahst
oodonahi
l
ltopanddel
i
ver
edal
ong,
bor
ing

speecht
oal
l1.
2mi
l
li
onmen.(
Hehadav
eryl
oudv
oice.
)

Abi
j
ahst
oodupuponmountZemar
aim,
whi
chi
sinmount

Ephr
aim,
andsai
d,Hearme,
thouJer
oboam,
andal
lIsr
ael
;Ought

y
enott
oknowt
hatt
heLORDGodofI
srael
gav
etheki
ngdom ov
er

I
srael
toDav
idf
orev
er,
event
ohi
m andt
ohi
ssonsbyacov
enant

ofsal
t?

And,
behol
d,Godhi
msel
fiswi
thusf
orourcapt
ain,
andhi
spr
iest
s

wi
thsoundi
ngt
rumpet
stocr
yal
arm agai
nsty
ou.chi
l
drenof

I
srael
,fi
ghty
enotagai
nstt
heLORDGodofy
ourf
ather
s;f
ory
e

shal
lnotpr
osper
.13.
4-12

WhenAbi
j
ahwasdonewi
thhi
sspeech,
Jer
oboam'
s
mi
ght
ymenat
tackedf
rom behi
nd.

ButJer
oboam causedanambushmentt
ocomeaboutbehi
ndt
hem:

sot
heywer
ebef
oreJudah,
andt
heambushmentwasbehi
nd

t
hem.13.
13

Butt
hent
hechosenmenofJudahcr
iedt
oGod,
blew

somet
rumpet
s,andshout
edal
latonce.

WhenJudahl
ookedback,
behol
d,t
hebat
tl
ewasbef
oreand

behi
nd:
andt
heycr
iedunt
otheLORD,
andt
hepr
iest
ssounded

wi
tht
het
rumpet
s.Thent
hemenofJudahgav
eashout
.13.
14-
15a

Andt
henGodgoti
nvol
ved,
kil
l
ing500,
000I
srael
i
te

sol
dier
s.

Ast
hemenofJudahshout
ed.
..Godsmot
eJer
oboam andal
lIsr
ael

bef
oreAbi
j
ahandJudah.Andt
hechi
l
drenofI
srael
fledbef
ore

Judah:
andGoddel
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntot
hei
rhand.AndAbi
j
ahandhi
s

peopl
esl
ewt
hem wi
thagr
eatsl
aught
er:
sot
her
efel
ldownsl
ain

ofI
srael
fiv
ehundr
edt
housandchosenmen.13.
15b-
17
Buti
twasal
lforagoodcause.I
'
mjustnotsur
ewhatt
he

causewas.

119.Jer
oboam

2Chr
oni
cles13.
20

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Jer
oboam

Af
terGodki
l
led500,
000ofI
srael
i
tesol
dier
s(118)
,he

ki
l
ledt
hei
rleader
,Ki
ngJer
oboam.

Nei
therdi
dJer
oboam r
ecov
erst
rengt
hagai
nint
heday
sofAbi
j
ah:

andt
heLORDst
ruckhi
m,andhedi
ed.2Chr
oni
cles13.
20
Yousee,
Godhat
edJer
oboam.ToGod,
Jer
oboam was

t
hewor
stper
sonwhohadev
erl
i
ved.

Go,
tel
lJer
oboam,
Thussai
tht
heLORD.
..
.thouhast.
..doneev
il

abov
eal
lthatwer
ebef
oret
hee.1Ki
ngs14.
7-9

(
Whydi
dGodhat
eJer
oboam somuch?Becauseaf
terhe

becameki
nghemadet
wogol
dencal
ves,
putt
hem on

al
tar
satBet
hel
andDan,
andl
edt
hepeopl
einsacr
if
ices

t
othem.See1Ki
ngs12.
28)

Godhadal
readyki
l
ledJer
oboam'
sson(
88)
,andaf
ter

Godki
l
ledJer
oboam,
heki
l
ledt
her
estofhi
sfami
l
y(89)
.

I
'
m notsur
ewhy
.Iguessi
t'
sal
lapar
tofGod'
sfami
l
y

v
alues.

Thi
ski
l
li
ngi
sabi
toutofpl
acechr
onol
ogi
cal
l
y.ButI
'
ve

deci
dedt
oor
derGod'
ski
l
li
ngsaccor
dingt
otheor
dert
hat

t
heyoccuri
ntheBi
ble.I
t'
shar
dtobesur
eoft
hecor
rect

chr
onol
ogyofmy
thi
cal
event
s.
120.Godki
l
ledami
l
li
on

Et
hiopi
ans

2Chr
oni
cles14.
12-
13

NumberKi
l
led:
1,000,
000

Et
hiopi
ans

I
ntheki
l
li
ngbef
orel
ast(118)
,Godki
l
led500,
000

I
srael
i
tes.Thatwaspr
ett
yimpr
essi
ve.Buther
e,i
nthe

nextchapt
erof2Chr
oni
cles,
Godki
l
ledami
l
li
on

Et
hiopi
ans.

Godgoti
nvol
vedi
nthi
ski
l
li
ngbecausehel
i
kedAsa,
the

ki
ngofJuda,
somuch.Asadi
dwhatwasgoodandr
ight

i
ntheey
esoft
heLor
dbydest
roy
ingt
het
empl
esofot
her

godsandf
orbi
ddi
ngt
hei
rwor
shi
p.

Asadi
dthatwhi
chwasgoodandr
ighti
ntheey
esoft
heLORDhi
s

God:
Forhet
ookawayt
heal
tar
soft
hest
rangegods,
andt
hehi
gh
pl
aces,
andbr
akedownt
hei
mages,
andcutdownt
hegr
oves.2

Chr
oni
cles14.
2-3

Andhedr
ovehomosexual
soutoft
hel
and.

Andhet
ookawayt
hesodomi
tesoutoft
hel
and.1Ki
ngs15.
12

Sowhent
heEt
hiopi
ansat
tackedJudahwhi
l
eAsawas

ki
ng,
youknowwhi
chsi
deGodwason.

Ther
ecameoutagai
nstt
hem Zer
aht
heEt
hiopi
anwi
thanhostofa

t
housandt
housand.2Chr
oni
cles14.
9

Al
lAsahadt
odowasask.

Asacr
iedunt
otheLORDhi
sGod,
andsai
d,LORD,
iti
snot
hingwi
th

t
heet
ohel
p,whet
herwi
thmany
,orwi
tht
hem t
hathav
eno

power
:hel
pus,
LORDourGod;
forwer
estont
hee,
andi
nthy

namewegoagai
nstt
hismul
ti
tude.14.
11

AndGodki
l
ledal
l1,
000,
000Et
hiopi
ans,
appar
ent
lyal
lat

once,
inasi
ngl
eday
.
Sot
heLORDsmot
etheEt
hiopi
ans.
..t
heywer
edest
roy
edbef
ore

t
heLORD.14.
12-
13

I
twast
hel
argest
,si
ngl
e,God-
assi
stedsl
aught
eri
nthe

Bi
ble.[
Andaccor
dingt
oMcEv
edyandJones(
p.230)
,it

woul
dhav
eki
l
ledf
ivet
imest
heent
ir
eEt
hiopi
an

popul
ati
onatt
het
ime.
]

121.Fr
iendl
yFi
re:
God

f
orced"
agr
eat

mul
ti
tude"t
oki
l
leach

ot
her

2Chr
oni
cles20.
22-
23

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
30,
000

Ammoni
tes,
Moabi
tes,
andEdomi
tes

"
Agr
eatmul
ti
tude"ofAmmoni
tes,
Moabi
tes,
and
Edomi
tesgat
her
edt
oat
tackt
heki
ngdom ofJudah.

Ther
ecomet
hagr
eatmul
ti
tudeagai
nstt
heef
rom bey
ondt
hesea

.
..t
hechi
l
drenofAmmonandMoabandmountSei
r[t
he

Edomi
tes]
.2Chr
oni
cles20.
2,10

Theki
ngofJudah,
Jehoshaphat
,pr
aysandpr
aysand

pr
ayssomemor
e,aski
ngGodf
orhel
p.

AndJehoshaphatst
oodi
nthecongr
egat
ionofJudah.
..Andsai
d,O

LORDGodofourf
ather
s,ar
tnott
houGodi
nheav
en?andr
ulest

nott
houov
eral
ltheki
ngdomsoft
heheat
hen?andi
nthi
nehandi
s

t
her
enotpowerandmi
ght
,sot
hatnonei
sabl
etowi
thst
andt
hee?

Andnow,
behol
d,t
hechi
l
drenofAmmonandMoabandmount

Sei
r..
.inv
ade.

ourGod,
wil
tthounotj
udget
hem?f
orwehav
enomi
ghtagai
nst

t
hisgr
eatcompanyt
hatcomet
hagai
nstus;
nei
therknowwewhat

t
odo:
butourey
esar
eupont
hee.20.
5-12
Ev
ery
onei
nJudahhear
dJehoshaphat
'
sbor
ingpr
ayer
.

Al
lJudahst
oodbef
oret
heLORD,
wit
hthei
rli
tt
leones,
thei
rwi
ves,

andt
hei
rchi
l
dren.20.
13

Andt
hent
hespi
ri
toft
heLor
dcameuponJahazi
el(
the

sonofZechar
iah,
thesonofBenai
ah,
thesonofJei
el,
the

sonofMat
tani
ah,
aLev
iteoft
hesonsofAsaph)whot
old

t
hepeopl
eofJudahnott
owor
ry.Theydi
dn'
tev
enneed

t
ofi
ght
;Godwoul
dfi
ghtf
ort
hem.

ThenuponJahazi
elt
hesonofZechar
iah,
thesonofBenai
ah,
the

sonofJei
el,
thesonofMat
tani
ah,
aLev
iteoft
hesonsofAsaph,

camet
heSpi
ri
toft
heLORDi
nthemi
dstoft
hecongr
egat
ion;
And

hesai
d,Hear
keny
e,al
lJudah,
andy
einhabi
tant
sofJer
usal
em,

andt
houki
ngJehoshaphat
,Thussai
tht
heLORDunt
oyou,
Benot

af
rai
dnordi
smay
edbyr
easonoft
hisgr
eatmul
ti
tude;
fort
he

bat
tl
eisnoty
our
s,butGod'
s..
..Yeshal
lnotneedt
ofi
ghti
nthi
s

bat
tl
e.20.
14-
17
ThenJehoshaphatandt
heent
ir
epopul
ati
onofJudahf
ell

ont
hei
rfaces.

Jehoshaphatbowedhi
sheadwi
thhi
sfacet
othegr
ound:
andal
l

Judahandt
hei
nhabi
tant
sofJer
usal
em f
ell
bef
oret
heLORD,

wor
shi
ppi
ngt
heLORD.20.
18

Jehoshaphatappoi
ntedsi
nger
stopr
aiset
hebeaut
yof

hol
i
nessandsay
,"Pr
aiset
heLor
d."

Jehoshaphat.
..appoi
ntedsi
nger
sunt
otheLORD,
andt
hatshoul
d

pr
aiset
hebeaut
yofhol
i
ness,
ast
heywentoutbef
oret
hear
my,

andt
osay
,Pr
aiset
heLORD.20.
20-
21

AndGodt
ookcar
eofev
ery
thi
ngel
se.

Heambushedt
heopposi
ngar
my,
for
cingt
heAmmoni
tes

andt
heMoabi
test
oki
l
ltheEdomi
tes,
andv
icev
ersaunt
il

"
ever
yonehel
pedt
odest
royanot
her
."
Whent
heybegant
osi
ngandt
opr
aise,
theLORDset

ambushment
sagai
nstt
hechi
l
drenofAmmon,
Moab,
andmount

Sei
r,whi
chwer
ecomeagai
nstJudah;
andt
heywer
esmi
tt
en.For

t
hechi
l
drenofAmmonandMoabst
oodupagai
nstt
hei
nhabi
tant
s

ofmountSei
r,ut
ter
lyt
osl
ayanddest
royt
hem:
andwhent
hey

hadmadeanendoft
hei
nhabi
tant
sofSei
r,ev
eryonehel
pedt
o

dest
royanot
her
.20.
22-
23

Andsowhenev
ery
onei
nJudahwentupt
othewat
ch

t
ower
,theysawnot
hingbutdeadbodi
es.

WhenJudahcamet
owar
dthewat
cht
oweri
nthewi
l
der
ness,
they

l
ookedunt
othemul
ti
tude,
and,
behol
d,t
heywer
edeadbodi
es

f
all
ent
otheear
th,
andnoneescaped.20.
24

Thent
hepeopl
eofJudahcamedownf
rom t
hewat
ch

t
owerandst
ri
ppedal
ltheboot
yfr
om t
hedeadbodi
es.I
t

t
ookt
hem t
hreeday
s,butt
heygotl
otsofcool
stuf
f,

i
ncl
udi
ngpr
eci
ousj
ewel
s.Butt
her
ewasj
ustt
oomuch

f
ort
hem t
ocar
ryaway
.

WhenJehoshaphatandhi
speopl
ecamet
otakeawayt
hespoi
lof
t
hem,
theyf
oundamongt
hem i
nabundancebot
hri
cheswi
tht
he

deadbodi
es,
andpr
eci
ousj
ewel
s,whi
cht
heyst
ri
ppedof
ffor

t
hemsel
ves,
mor
ethant
heycoul
dcar
ryaway
:andt
heywer
e

t
hreeday
singat
her
ingoft
hespoi
l
,itwassomuch.20.
25

(
Sincet
her
ewas"
agr
eatmul
ti
tude"ofAmmoni
tes,

Moabi
tes,
andEdomi
tes,
Iest
imat
ed30,
000,
10,
000

f
rom eacht
ri
be.
)

122.Godmade

Jehor
am'
sbowel
sfal
lout

2Chr
oni
cles21.
19

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Jehor
am ofJudah

Jehor
am (
ofJudah)wasnotav
eryni
ceguy
.Whenhe
becameki
ngheki
l
ledal
lofhi
sbr
other
sal
ongwi
thsome

I
srael
i
tepr
inces.

NowwhenJehor
am wasr
isenupt
otheki
ngdom ofhi
sfat
her
,he

st
rengt
henedhi
msel
f,andsl
ewal
lhi
sbr
ethr
enwi
tht
heswor
d,

anddi
ver
sal
sooft
hepr
incesofI
srael
.2Chr
oni
cles21.
4

Andt
henhedi
dsomet
hingt
hatr
eal
l
ypi
ssedof
fGod:
he

madeal
lthepeopl
ecommi
tfor
nicat
ion.

Mor
eov
erhemadehi
ghpl
acesi
nthemount
ainsofJudahand

causedt
hei
nhabi
tant
sofJer
usal
em t
ocommi
tfor
nicat
ion.21.
11

Whent
henewsgott
oEl
i
jah,
hesentJehor
am al
ett
er

t
ell
i
nghi
m hewasi
nbi
gtr
oubl
ewi
thGod.Godwi
l
l

smi
tehi
schi
l
dren,
wiv
es,
andal
lthepeopl
eofJudah

wi
thagr
eatpl
ague.

Behol
d,wi
thagr
eatpl
aguewi
l
ltheLORDsmi
tet
hypeopl
e,and

t
hychi
l
dren,
andt
hywi
ves.21.
14
Andhewi
l
lsmi
teJehor
am wi
thadi
seaseofhi
sbowel
s

unt
ilhi
sbowel
sfal
lout
.

Andt
houshal
thav
egr
eatsi
cknessbydi
seaseoft
hybowel
s,unt
il

t
hybowel
sfal
lout
.21.
15

Godf
ir
st"
sti
rr
edup"somepeopl
etocar
ryawayhi
ssons

andwi
ves.

TheLORDst
ir
redupagai
nstJehor
am t
hespi
ri
toft
hePhi
l
ist
ines,

andoft
heAr
abi
ans,
thatwer
eneart
heEt
hiopi
ans:
Andt
heycame

upi
ntoJudah,
andbr
akei
ntoi
t,andcar
ri
edawayhi
ssonsal
so,

andhi
swi
ves.
..sav
eJehoahaz
,they
oungestofhi
ssons.21.
16-

17

Andt
henGodsmot
eJehor
am i
nhi
sbowel
swi
than

i
ncur
abl
edi
sease.

Af
teral
lthi
stheLORDsmot
ehi
minhi
sbowel
swi
thani
ncur
abl
e

di
sease.21.
18
Fort
woy
ear
sJehor
am suf
fer
edf
rom t
hedi
sease,
unt
il

hi
sbowel
sfi
nal
l
yfel
lout
.

Af
tert
heendoft
woy
ear
s,hi
sbowel
sfel
loutbyr
easonofhi
s

si
ckness:
sohedi
edofsor
edi
seases.21.
19

123.Godki
l
led

Jehor
am'
ssons

2Chr
oni
cles22.
1

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
3

Jehor
am'
ssons

I
nEl
i
jah'
slet
tert
oJehor
am,
hesai
dthatGodwoul
d

smi
tehi
schi
l
drenandhi
swi
veswi
thagr
eatpl
ague.

Behol
d,wi
thagr
eatpl
aguewi
l
ltheLORDsmi
tet
hypeopl
e,and

t
hychi
l
dren,
andt
hywi
ves.2Chr
oni
cles21.
14

Fr
om t
hat
,Iexpect
edGodt
osendadi
seaset
oki
l
l
Jehor
am'
swi
ves,
chi
l
dren,
andpeopl
e.Buthesentsome

Ar
abi
ansi
nst
ead.

TheLORDst
ir
redupagai
nstJehor
am t
hespi
ri
toft
hePhi
l
ist
ines,

andoft
heAr
abi
ans,
thatwer
eneart
heEt
hiopi
ans:
Andt
heycame

upi
ntoJudah,
andbr
akei
ntoi
t,andcar
ri
edawayal
lthesubst
ance

t
hatwasf
oundi
ntheki
ng'
shouse,
andhi
ssonsal
so,
andhi
s

wi
ves;
sot
hatt
her
ewasnev
erasonl
efthi
m,sav
eJehoahaz,
the

y
oungestofhi
ssons.21.
16-
17

SoIf
igur
edt
heAr
abi
ansj
ustensl
avedJehor
am'
swi
ves

andsons(
Eli
j
ah,
God,
andt
heBi
blesaynot
hingabout

t
hedaught
ers)
.Butt
hen,
thenextchapt
erst
art
swi
th

t
his:

Thei
nhabi
tant
sofJer
usal
em madeAhazi
ahhi
syoungestsonki
ng

i
nhi
sst
ead:
fort
hebandofment
hatcamewi
tht
heAr
abi
anst
o

t
hecamphadsl
ainal
ltheel
dest
.22.
1
Whi
chmeanst
hatt
heAr
abi
ansdi
dn'
tj
ustt
akehi
ssons

andwi
vesaway
;theyki
l
ledt
hem.Andsi
nceGodwast
he

onewhost
ir
redt
hem upi
nthef
ir
stpl
ace,
hedeser
ves

cr
edi
tforki
l
li
ngJehor
am'
ssons.(
Thev
ersedoesn'
tsay

whathappenedt
othewi
ves,
daught
ers,
ort
her
estoft
he

peopl
eofJudah.
)

Howmanysonswer
eki
l
ledbyt
heAr
abi
ans?Thet
ext

doesn'
tsay
,soI
'
llguess3.

124.Ahazi
ah(
ofJudah)

2Chr
oni
cles22.
6-9

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Ahazi
ahofJudah

I
t'
shar
dtokeept
rackofBi
blechar
act
ers.Theyof
ten

hav
ethesamename,
li
veatt
hesamet
ime,
dopr
ett
y
mucht
hesamet
hings(
doev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLor
d),

andhav
ethesamef
ate(
Godusual
l
yki
l
lst
hem)
.Itwi
l
l

dr
ivey
ounut
sify
ou'
renotcar
eful
.

TakeKi
ngAhazi
ah,
forexampl
e.

Fi
rstofal
l
,ther
ewer
etwooft
hem :
Ahazi
ahofI
srael
and

Ahazi
ahofJudah.Theyl
i
vedataboutt
hesamet
ime(
9th

cent
uryBCE)
,wer
eev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLor
d,andt
hey

wer
ebot
h(mor
eofl
ess)ki
l
ledbyGod.

I
'
veal
readyt
oldy
ouaboutAhazi
ahofI
srael
.Hewast
he

guyt
hatGodki
l
led(100'
)foraski
ngt
hewr
onggodi
fhe

woul
ddi
eaf
terGodbur
nedt
odeat
h102messenger
sfor

aski
ngEl
i
jaht
ocomedownf
rom hi
shi
l
lsot
hatAhaz
iah

coul
daskEl
i
jaht
oaskGodi
fhewasgoi
ngt
odi
e(ev
en

t
houghhe'
dal
readybeent
oldt
hatGodwasgoi
ngt
oki
l
l

hi
mforaski
ngt
hewr
onggod)
.

Butt
hisst
oryi
snotabouthi
m.I
t'
saboutt
heot
her

Ahazi
ah,
KingAhazi
ahofJudah.
Ther
ear
eacoupl
ethi
ngst
okeepi
nmi
ndabouthi
m.

1.Ahazi
ahofJudahhadanal
i
as:
Jehoahaz(
2Chr
oni
cles

21.
17and2Chr
oni
cles25.
23)
.

2.Andhei
stheonl
yper
soni
ntheBi
ble(
orany
wher
e

el
seasf
arasIknow)whowasol
dert
hanhi
sownf
ather
.

Her
e'showweknowt
hat
.

Ahazi
ahofJudahbegant
orei
gnwhenhewas42y
ear
s

ol
daf
terGodki
l
ledhi
sfat
herJehor
am [
bymaki
nghi
s

bowel
sfal
lout(
122)
1.

Ahazi
aht
hesonofJehor
am ki
ngofJudahr
eigned.For
tyandt
wo

y
ear
sol
dwasAhazi
ahwhenhebegant
orei
gn.2Chr
oni
cles22.
1-

Andhi
sfat
her
'sbowel
sfel
lout(
wit
hal
i
ttl
ehel
pfr
om

God)whenhewas40y
ear
sol
d.

TheLORDsmot
ehi
m[Jehor
am]i
nhi
sbowel
swi
thani
ncur
abl
e

di
sease.Andi
tcamet
opass.
..hi
sbowel
sfel
loutbyr
easonofhi
s
si
ckness.
..Thi
rt
yandt
woy
ear
sol
dwashewhenhebegant
o

r
eign,
andher
eignedi
nJer
usal
em ei
ghty
ear
s.2Chr
oni
cles

21.
18-
20

(
2Ki
ngs8.
26say
sthatAhazi
ahwas22y
ear
sol
dwhen

hebegant
orei
gn,
whi
chmeanst
hathewasbot
h22and

42y
ear
sol
dwhenGodmadehi
sdad'
sbowel
sfal
lout
—

andt
hat
'sal
mostascool
asbei
nqt
woy
earol
dert
han

y
ourownf
ather
.)

OK,
buthowdi
dAhazi
ahofJudahdi
e?

Fort
hatwehav
etogobackt
otheJehuchr
oni
cles.You

r
ememberJehu,
don'
tyou?Theguywhomadl
ydr
ove

ar
oundi
nhi
schar
iotki
l
li
ngpeopl
eforGod?Yeah,
wel
l
,

Ahazi
ahwasonhi
sli
st.

Jehu'
sfi
rstv
ict
im wasAhab'
sson,
Jehor
am (1051,
the

ki
ngofI
srael
.(Godwant
edhi
m ki
l
ledsi
ncehi
sfat
her
,

Ahab,
didn'
tki
l
lacapt
uredki
ng.
)

ButAhazi
ahwaswi
thJehor
am att
het
imeandwas
pur
suedandwoundedbyJehu.Ahazi
ahf
ledt
oMegi
ddo

anddi
edt
her
e.

WhenAhaz
iaht
heki
ngofJudahsawt
his,
hef
ledbyt
hewayoft
he

gar
denhouse.AndJehuf
oll
owedaf
terhi
m,andsai
d,Smi
tehi
m

al
soi
nthechar
iot
.Andt
heydi
dso.
..Andhef
ledt
oMegi
ddo,
and

di
edt
her
e.2Ki
ngs9.
27

Si
nceIcoul
dn'
ttel
lfr
om t
hisst
orywhet
herornot

Ahazi
ahdi
edf
rom t
hewoundorl
aterf
rom nat
ural

causes,
Ilef
titof
fthel
i
stofGod'
ski
l
li
ngs.

Butt
henIr
eadt
hest
oryi
n2Chr
oni
cles.

AndAzar
iaht
hesonofJehor
am ki
ngofJudahwentdownt
osee

Jehor
am t
hesonofAhabatJezr
eel
,becausehewassi
ck.Andt
he

dest
ruct
ionofAhazi
ahwasofGodbycomi
ngt
oJor
am [
Jehor
am]
:

f
orwhenhewascome,
hewentoutwi
thJehor
am agai
nstJehu

t
hesonofNi
mshi
,whom t
heLORDhadanoi
ntedt
ocutof
fthe

houseofAhab.Andi
tcamet
opass,
that
,whenJehuwas

execut
ingj
udgmentupont
hehouseofAhab,
andf
oundt
hepr
inces
ofJudah,
andt
hesonsoft
hebr
ethr
enofAhazi
ah,
thatmi
nist
ered

t
oAhazi
ah,
hesl
ewt
hem.AndhesoughtAhazi
ah:
andt
heycaught

hi
m,(
forhewashi
dinSamar
ia,
)andbr
oughthi
mtoJehu:
and

whent
heyhadsl
ainhi
m,t
heybur
iedhi
m.2Chr
oni
cles22.
6-9

Accor
dingt
othi
sst
ory
,Jehuki
l
ledAhazi
ahwhi
l
ehewas

hi
dingouti
nSamar
ia."
Andt
hedest
ruct
ionofAhazi
ah

wasofGod.
"

SoIdon'
tknowwhot
obel
i
eve.Di
dAhazi
ahdi
ein

Meggi
doori
nSamar
ia?

I
'
m notsur
e.ButGodappr
ovedofhi
ski
l
li
ng,
howev
er

andwher
everhemi
ghthav
edi
ed.For"
thedest
ruct
ionof

Ahazi
ahwasofGod.
"

125.Joash,
thepr
inces,

andar
myofJudah

2Chr
oni
cles24.
24-
25

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
10,
000
Joash,
thepr
inces,
andar
myofJudah

Her
e'sanot
herbor
ingone.Sor
ryaboutt
hat
.

I
tst
art
swi
tht
hespi
ri
tofGodcomi
ngonZechar
iah,

whi
ch,
ofcour
se,
makeshi
m condemnev
ery
bodyel
se.

TheSpi
ri
tofGodcameuponZechar
iaht
hesonofJehoi
adat
he

pr
iest
,whi
chst
oodabov
ethepeopl
e,andsai
dunt
othem,
Thus

sai
thGod,
Whyt
ransgr
essy
ethecommandment
soft
heLORD,

t
haty
ecannotpr
osper
?becausey
ehav
efor
sakent
heLORD,
he

hat
hal
sof
orsakeny
ou.2Chr
oni
cles24.
20

Thent
hepeopl
egetpi
ssedof
fathi
m,sot
heyst
onehi
m

(
wit
hst
ones)
.

Andt
heyconspi
redagai
nsthi
m,andst
onedhi
m wi
thst
onesatt
he

commandmentoft
heki
ng[
Joash]i
nthecour
toft
hehouseoft
he

LORD.24.
21

AsZechar
iahdi
edheaskedGodt
oav
engehi
sdeat
h.

Whenhedi
ed,
hesai
d,TheLORDl
ookuponi
t,andr
equi
rei
t.
24.
22

SoGodsends"
thehostofSy
ria"t
oJudaht
oki
l
lit
s

pr
inces.

Att
heendoft
hey
ear.
..t
hehostofSy
riacameupagai
nsthi
m:

andt
heycamet
oJudahandJer
usal
em,
anddest
roy
edal
lthe

pr
incesoft
hepeopl
efr
om amongt
hepeopl
e.24.
23

Anddef
eatt
he"
ver
ygr
eat
"ar
myofJudah,
whi
cht
he

Sy
rianswer
eabl
etodowi
th"
asmal
lcompanyofmen"

becauset
heLor
ddel
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntot
hei
rhand.

Fort
hear
myoft
heSy
rianscamewi
thasmal
lcompanyofmen,

andt
heLORDdel
i
ver
edav
erygr
eathosti
ntot
hei
rhand,
because

t
heyhadf
orsakent
heLORDGodoft
hei
rfat
her
s.Sot
heyexecut
ed

j
udgmentagai
nstJoash.24.
24

I
nthepr
ocess,
Joashwaswoundedandt
henki
l
ledi
nhi
s
bed.

Whent
heywer
edepar
tedf
rom hi
m,(
fort
heyl
efthi
mingr
eat

di
seases,
)hi
sownser
vant
sconspi
redagai
nsthi
mfort
hebl
oodof

t
hesonsofJehoi
adat
hepr
iest
,andsl
ewhi
m onhi
sbed,
andhe

di
ed24.
25

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanydi
ed,
butsi
ncet
heLor
d

del
i
ver
ed"
aver
ygr
eathost
"int
othehandoft
heSy
rians,

I
'
llsay10,
000.

126.Goddest
roy
ed

Amazi
ah

2Chr
oni
cles25.
20-
22,
27

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
1,000

Amazi
ahandhi
ssol
dier
s

Thef
ir
stt
hingwear
etol
daboutKi
ngAmazi
ah(
besi
des

whenhebegant
orei
gnandt
henameofhi
spar
ent
s)i
s
t
hathe"
didt
hatwhi
chwasr
ighti
nthesi
ghtoft
he

LORD,
butnotwi
thaper
fecthear
t.
"

Amazi
ah.
..di
dthatwhi
chwasr
ighti
nthesi
ghtoft
heLORD,
but

notwi
thaper
fecthear
t.2Chr
oni
cles25.
1-2

Andt
hef
ir
stt
hingt
hathedi
dwasmur
dert
hemur
der
ers

ofhi
sfat
her
.

Nowi
tcamet
opass,
whent
heki
ngdom wasest
abl
i
shedt
ohi
m,

t
hathesl
ewhi
sser
vant
sthathadki
l
ledt
heki
nghi
sfat
her
.25.
3

Nextheki
l
led10,
000Edomi
tes(
chi
l
drenofSei
r)
.

Amazi
ahst
rengt
henedhi
msel
f,andl
edf
ort
hhi
speopl
e,andwent

t
othev
all
eyofsal
t,andsmot
eoft
hechi
l
drenofSei
rten

t
housand.25.
11

Andt
henher
oundedupanot
her10,
000Edomi
tesand

pushedt
hem of
facl
i
ff.And"
theyal
lwer
ebr
okeni
n

pi
eces.
"
Andot
hert
ent
housandl
eftal
i
vedi
dthechi
l
drenofJudahcar
ry

awaycapt
ive,
andbr
oughtt
hem unt
othet
opoft
her
ock,
andcast

t
hem downf
rom t
het
opoft
her
ock,
thatt
heyal
lwer
ebr
okeni
n

pi
eces.25.
12

Af
terhegotbackf
rom sl
aught
eri
ngt
heEdomi
tes,

Amazi
ahbegant
owor
shi
ptheEdomi
tegods.

Af
tert
hatAmazi
ahwascomef
rom t
hesl
aught
eroft
heEdomi
tes,

t
hathebr
oughtt
hegodsoft
hechi
l
drenofSei
r,andsett
hem up

t
obehi
sgods,
andboweddownhi
msel
fbef
oret
hem,
andbur
ned

i
ncenseunt
othem.25.
14

Whi
ch,
unl
i
ket
hrowi
ng10,
000peopl
eof
facl
i
ff,
wasnot

r
ighti
ntheey
esoft
heLor
d.

SoGodsentapr
ophett
otel
lAmazi
aht
hatGodwas

goi
ngt
odest
royhi
m.

Wher
efor
etheangeroft
heLORDwaski
ndl
edagai
nstAmazi
ah,

andhesentunt
ohi
m apr
ophet
,whi
chsai
dunt
ohi
m..
.Godhat
h

det
ermi
nedt
odest
royt
hee.25.
15-
16
ThenAmaz
iahhadameet
ingwi
thKi
ngJoashofI
srael
,

whohast
hist
osayt
oAmazi
ah:

Thet
hist
let
hatwasi
nLebanonsentt
othecedart
hatwasi
n

Lebanon,
say
ing,
Giv
ethydaught
ert
omysont
owi
fe:
andt
her
e

passedbyawi
l
dbeastt
hatwasi
nLebanon,
andt
rodedownt
he

t
hist
le.25.
18

Whi
chmeansnot
hingatal
ltome.

Butt
henJoashsay
ssomet
hingabi
tmor
e

compr
ehensi
ble.

Thousay
est
,Lo,
thouhastsmi
tt
ent
heEdomi
tes;
andt
hinehear
t

l
i
ftet
htheeupt
oboast
:abi
denowathome;
whyshoul
destt
hou

meddl
etot
hinehur
t,t
hatt
houshoul
destf
all
,ev
ent
hou,
andJudah

wi
tht
hee?25.
19

Whi
chmeans,
Iguess,
"Backof
f,bi
gguy
."

ButAmazi
ahdi
dn'
tbackof
fandJoashdef
eat
edhi
m("
for
i
tcameofGod"
).

ButAmazi
ahwoul
dnothear
;fori
tcameofGod,
thathemi
ght

del
i
vert
hem i
ntot
hehandoft
hei
renemi
es,
becauset
heysought

af
tert
hegodsofEdom..
..AndJudahwasputt
othewor
sebef
ore

I
srael
.25.
20-
22

Al
thoughAmazi
ah'
sar
mywasdef
eat
edbyJoash'
s,

Amazi
ahsur
viv
edt
hebat
tl
e.Buty
ear
slat
ert
her
ewasa

conspi
racyagai
nsthi
m andhewaski
l
led.

Nowaf
tert
het
imet
hatAmazi
ahdi
dtur
nawayf
rom f
oll
owi
ngt
he

LORDt
heymadeaconspi
racyagai
nsthi
minJer
usal
em;
andhe

f
ledt
oLachi
sh:
butt
heysentt
oLachi
shaf
terhi
m,andsl
ewhi
m

t
her
e.25.
27

SoGodcausedt
hedeat
hofAmazi
ahandt
hedef
eatof

hi
sar
my,
and,
ther
efor
ethedeat
hofmanyofhi
s

sol
dier
s.SoI
'
lladdanot
her1000t
oGod'
stot
al.

127.Godsmot
eAhaz

wi
tht
heki
ngofSy
ria
2Chr
oni
cles28.
5

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
10,
000

Ahazandhi
ssol
dier
s

Ahazwasanot
herki
ngt
hatGoddi
dn'
tl
ikev
erymuch.He

j
ustwasn'
tenoughl
i
keDav
idt
osui
thi
m.

Ahaz.
..di
dnott
hatwhi
chwasr
ighti
nthesi
ghtoft
heLORD,
li
ke

Dav
idhi
sfat
her
.2Chr
oni
cl
es28.
1

And,
it'
str
ue;
hedi
dseem t
olackpar
ent
ingski
l
ls.

Mor
eov
erhe.
..bur
nthi
schi
l
dreni
nthef
ir
e.28.
3

Butwor
stofal
l
,hewasacompul
siv
eincensebur
ner
,

bur
ningi
ncensei
nthehi
ghpl
aces,
andont
hehi
l
ls,
and
underev
erygr
eent
reei
nJudah.

Hebur
nti
ncensei
nthehi
ghpl
aces,
andont
hehi
l
ls,
andunder

ev
erygr
eent
ree.28.
4

So,
ofcour
se,
Godhadt
oputast
opt
othat
.

Hedi
diti
ntheusual
way
;hesmot
ehi
m bydel
i
ver
ing

hi
mint
othehandofanot
herki
ng(
thi
sti
met
heki
ngof

Sy
ria)
.

Wher
efor
etheLORDhi
sGoddel
i
ver
edhi
mint
othehandoft
he

ki
ngofSy
ria;
andt
heysmot
ehi
m..
.Andhewasal
sodel
i
ver
ed

i
ntot
hehandoft
heki
ngofI
srael
,whosmot
ehi
m wi
thagr
eat

sl
aught
er.28.
5

Thet
extdoesn'
tsayhowmanyofJudah'
ssol
dier
sdi
edi
n

t
hissmi
ti
ng.Butsi
ncei
nthenextv
erse120,
000sol
dier
s

di
einoneday
,If
igur
eitmusthav
ebeenatl
east10,
000.
128.Godki
l
led120,
000

v
ali
antmenf
orf
orsaki
ng

hi
m

2Chr
oni
cles28.
6

NumberKi
l
led:
120,
000

Val
i
antmenofJudah

Af
terGodsmot
eAhaz(
127)bydel
i
ver
inghi
mint
othe

handoft
heSy
rianki
ng,
hedel
i
ver
edhi
mint
othehand

ofanot
herki
ng(
Pekah,
theki
ngofI
srael
)forsomemor
e

smi
ti
ng.Iguesst
heSy
rianki
ngdi
dn'
tsmi
teAhazhar
d

enough.

Godshoul
dhav
ebeenpl
easedwi
tht
hesecondsmi
ti
ng,

t
hough,
sincei
twas"
agr
eatsl
aught
er.
"
He[
Ahaz]wasal
sodel
i
ver
edi
ntot
hehandoft
heki
ngofI
srael
,

whosmot
ehi
m wi
thagr
eatsl
aught
er.2Chr
oni
cles28.
5b

Andi
twasagr
eatsl
aught
er,
too.120,
000v
ali
antmen

di
edi
noneday
!(And200,
000womenandchi
l
drenwer
e

t
akenf
orsl
aves.
)

ForPekaht
hesonofRemal
i
ahsl
ewi
nJudahanhundr
edand

t
went
ythousandi
noneday
,whi
chwer
eal
lval
i
antmen;
because

t
heyhadf
orsakent
heLORDGodoft
hei
rfat
her
s..
..Andt
he

chi
l
drenofI
srael
car
ri
edawaycapt
iveoft
hei
rbr
ethr
ent
wo

hundr
edt
housand,
women,
sons,
anddaught
ers.28.
6-8

ButGodwasn'
tpl
easedwi
tht
hissl
aught
erei
ther
.Inf
act
,

t
hef
ier
cewr
athofGodwasnowont
hesmi
ter
s.

Apr
ophetoft
heLORDwast
her
e,whosenamewasOded:
andhe

.
..sai
dunt
othem,
Behol
d,becauset
heLORDGodofy
ourf
ather
s

waswr
othwi
thJudah,
hehat
hdel
i
ver
edt
hem i
ntoy
ourhand,
and

y
ehav
esl
aint
hem i
nar
aget
hatr
eachet
hupunt
oheav
en..
..f
or

t
hef
ier
cewr
athoft
heLORDi
supony
ou.28.
9-11
Yousee,
int
hef
ir
stsmi
ti
ng,
theSy
riansdi
dn'
tki
l
l

enoughpeopl
e;i
nthesecond,
theI
srael
i
teski
l
ledt
oo

many
.Godhasagol
denmean,
sor
tofaGol
dil
ocks

st
andar
dforsmi
ti
ng.I
'
m guessi
ngt
hatGodt
houghtt
hat

60,
000t
o80,
000wast
hepr
operamountofsmi
ti
ngt
o

payf
orwar
dKi
ngAhazf
orhi
schi
l
dren/
incensebur
ning

act
ivi
ti
es.

I
nanycase,
theI
srael
i
teswor
kedt
hingsoutwi
thGodby

sendi
ngt
hesl
avesbackt
oJudahandgi
vi
ngt
hem t
hei
r

st
uffback.AndGodf
orgothi
sraget
owar
dtheI
srael
i
tes

andmov
edont
ohi
snextki
l
li
ng.

129.Thef
all
of

Jer
usal
em

2Chr
oni
cles36.
17,
Jer
emi
ah21.
4-10

Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
10,
000

Ci
ti
zensofJer
usal
em

Ther
ear
eonl
ytwoki
ndsofki
ngsi
ntheBi
ble:
thoset
hat
wer
eli
keDav
idanddi
dri
ghti
nthesi
ghtoft
heLor
dand

t
hoset
hatwer
enotl
i
keDav
idanddi
dev
ili
nthesi
ghtof

t
heLor
d.Zedeki
ahwasi
nthel
att
ergr
oup.Hedi
dn'
t

humbl
ehi
msel
finf
rontofJer
emi
ah,
her
ebel
l
edagai
nst

Nebuchadnezzar
,st
if
fenedhi
sneck,
andhar
denedhi
s

hear
t.

Zedeki
ah.
..di
dthatwhi
chwasev
ili
nthesi
ghtoft
heLORDhi
s

God,
andhumbl
ednothi
msel
fbef
oreJer
emi
aht
hepr
ophet

speaki
ngf
rom t
hemout
hoft
heLORD.Andheal
sor
ebel
l
ed

agai
nstki
ngNebuchadnezzar
,whohadmadehi
m swearbyGod:

buthest
if
fenedhi
sneck,
andhar
denedhi
shear
tfr
om t
urni
ngunt
o

t
heLORDGodofI
srael
.2Chr
oni
cles36.
11-
13

Andev
ery
oneel
sei
nJudahwasj
ustasbad.Theydi
dal
l

t
hebasi
cheat
hen-
li
keabomi
nat
ions,
pol
l
utedt
het
empl
e.

Younamei
t.
Mor
eov
eral
lthechi
efoft
hepr
iest
s,andt
hepeopl
e,t
ransgr
essed

v
erymuchaf
teral
ltheabomi
nat
ionsoft
heheat
hen;
andpol
l
uted

t
hehouseoft
heLORDwhi
chhehadhal
l
owedi
nJer
usal
em.36.
14

Theyev
eni
gnor
ed,
mocked,
andmi
str
eat
edGod'
s

messenger
s.

Andt
heLORDGodoft
hei
rfat
her
ssentt
othem byhi
smessenger
s,

r
isi
ngupbet
imes,
andsendi
ng;
becausehehadcompassi
ononhi
s

peopl
e,andonhi
sdwel
l
ingpl
ace.Butt
heymockedt
he

messenger
sofGod,
anddespi
sedhi
swor
ds,
andmi
susedhi
s

pr
ophet
s.36.
15-
16a

Wel
l
,ther
e'sonl
ysomuchoft
hatt
hatGodwi
l
lputup

wi
th.Fi
nal
l
yhecoul
dn'
ttakei
tanymor
eandunl
eashed

hi
swr
athupont
hem.

Thewr
athoft
heLORDar
oseagai
nsthi
speopl
e,t
il
lther
ewasno

r
emedy
.36.
16b

Hesentt
heBaby
loni
ans(
Chal
dees)t
osl
aught
ert
he

peopl
eofJer
usal
em.Youngmen,
li
tt
legi
rl
s,ol
dpeopl
e-
Godhadt
hem al
lki
l
ledwi
thoutpi
ty.

Ther
efor
ehebr
oughtupont
hem t
heki
ngoft
heChal
dees,
who

sl
ewt
hei
ryoungmenwi
tht
heswor
dint
hehouseoft
hei
r

sanct
uar
y,andhadnocompassi
onupony
oungmanormai
den,
old

man,
orhi
mthatst
oopedf
orage:
hegav
ethem al
li
ntohi
shand.

36.
17

Wel
l
,notal
l
,Iguess.Somesur
viv
edandwer
ecar
ri
edof
f

t
oBaby
lon.

Jer
emi
ahget
sev
enmor
ecar
ri
edawaywi
tht
hisst
ory
.

Her
e'swhathesay
s:

Thussai
tht
heLORDGodofI
srael
;Behol
d,Iwi
l
ltur
nbackt
he

weaponsofwart
hatar
einy
ourhands,
wher
ewi
thy
efi
ghtagai
nst

t
heki
ngofBaby
lon,
andagai
nstt
heChal
deans.
..AndImy
sel
fwi
l
l

f
ightagai
nsty
ouwi
thanout
str
etchedhandandwi
thast
rongar
m,

ev
eni
nanger
,andi
nfur
y,andi
ngr
eatwr
ath..
..Iwi
l
ldel
i
ver

Zedeki
ahki
ngofJudah,
andhi
sser
vant
s,andt
hepeopl
e,andsuch

asar
elef
tint
hisci
tyf
rom t
hepest
il
ence,
from t
heswor
d,and

f
rom t
hef
ami
ne,
int
othehandofNebuchadr
ezzarki
ngofBaby
lon,
andi
ntot
hehandoft
hei
renemi
es,
andi
ntot
hehandoft
hoset
hat

seekt
hei
rli
fe:
andheshal
lsmi
tet
hem wi
tht
heedgeoft
he

swor
d;heshal
lnotspar
ethem,
nei
therhav
epi
ty,
norhav
emer
cy.

.
..Het
hatabi
det
hint
hisci
tyshal
ldi
ebyt
heswor
d,andbyt
he

f
ami
ne,
andbyt
hepest
il
ence:
buthet
hatgoet
hout
,andf
all
etht
o

t
heChal
deanst
hatbesi
egey
ou,
heshal
ll
iv
e,andhi
sli
feshal
lbe

unt
ohi
mforapr
ey.ForIhav
esetmyf
aceagai
nstt
hisci
tyf
or

ev
il
,andnotf
orgood,
sai
tht
heLORD:
itshal
lbegi
veni
ntot
he

handoft
heki
ngofBaby
lon,
andheshal
lbur
nitwi
thf
ir
e.Jer
emi
ah

21:
4-10

TheBi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmanyGodki
l
ledwi
tht
he

swor
d,f
ami
ne,
anddi
sease.Butaccor
dingt
oJer
emi
ah,

ev
ery
onei
nJer
usal
em di
ed,
exceptf
ort
hosewho

sur
render
edt
oNebachadnezzar
.SoI
'
llguess10,
000.

130.GodandSat
anki
l
l

Job'
schi
l
drenandsl
aves

Job1.
14-
19
Est
imat
edNumberKi
l
led:
60

Job'
s10chi
l
drenandsl
aves

Thi
sist
heonl
yki
l
li
ngi
ntheBi
blet
hatSat
anhad

any
thi
ngt
odowi
th.Andhedi
dn'
tdoi
tal
one;
Godwasa

co-
conspi
rat
or.

Thest
orybegi
nsbyi
ntr
oduci
ngJob.

Jobwasaper
fectmanwi
th7sons,
3daught
ers,
7000

sheep,
3000camel
s,500oxen,
500sheasses,
andl
ots

ofsl
aves.Hewast
hegr
eat
estmani
ntheeast
.

Ther
ewasamani
nthel
andofUz,
whosenamewasJob;
and

t
hatmanwasper
fectandupr
ight
,andonet
hatf
ear
edGod,
and

eschewedev
il
.Andt
her
ewer
ebor
nunt
ohi
m sev
ensonsand

t
hreedaught
ers.Hi
ssubst
anceal
sowassev
ent
housandsheep,

andt
hreet
housandcamel
s,andf
ivehundr
edy
okeofoxen,
and

f
ivehundr
edsheasses,
andav
erygr
eathousehol
d;sot
hatt
his

manwast
hegr
eat
estofal
lthemenoft
heeast
.Job1.
1-3
Job'
ssonsl
i
kedt
opar
tyal
ot,
andt
heyof
teni
nvi
tedt
hei
r

si
ster
sov
ert
opar
tywi
tht
hem.

Hi
ssonswentandf
east
edi
nthei
rhouses,
ever
yonehi
sday
;and

sentandcal
l
edf
ort
hei
rthr
eesi
ster
stoeatandt
odr
inkwi
th

t
hem.1.
4

Jobwor
ri
edt
hathi
ssons(
hedi
dn'
twor
ryabouthi
s

daught
ers)mi
ghtsi
nwhi
l
etheywer
epar
tyi
ng,
soJob

spental
lhi
sti
meki
l
li
ngani
mal
sforGodi
nor
dert
o

sanct
if
yhi
ssons.

Whent
heday
soft
hei
rfeast
ingwer
egoneabout.
..Jobsentand

sanct
if
iedt
hem,
andr
oseupear
lyi
nthemor
ning,
andof
fer
ed

bur
ntof
fer
ingsaccor
dingt
othenumberoft
hem al
l
:forJobsai
d,I
t

maybet
hatmysonshav
esi
nned,
andcur
sedGodi
nthei
rhear
ts.

Thusdi
dJobcont
inual
l
y.1.
5

Onedayt
hesonsofGodcameov
ert
oGod'
spl
ace.And
Sat
anwaswi
tht
hem.

Nowt
her
ewasadaywhent
hesonsofGodcamet
opr
esent

t
hemsel
vesbef
oret
heLORD,
andSat
ancameal
soamongt
hem.

1.
6

Godi
gnor
edhi
sot
hersons,
butwasespeci
all
yint
erest
ed

i
nSat
an.Hehadn'
tseenhi
mforawhi
l
eandwant
edt
o

knowwhathe'
dbeenupt
olat
ely
.

Andt
heLORDsai
dunt
oSat
an,
Whencecomestt
hou?1.
7a

Sat
ansai
dthathe'
dbeendownhi
ki
ngar
oundonear
th.

ThenSat
ananswer
edt
heLORD,
andsai
d,Fr
om goi
ngt
oandf
ro

i
ntheear
th,
andf
rom wal
ki
ngupanddowni
nit
.1.
7b

GodaskedSat
ani
fhe'
dseenJob,
vouknow,
thequvt
hat

i
sper
fect
,upr
ight
,God-
fear
ing,
andwhat
not
.

TheLORDsai
dunt
oSat
an,
Hastt
houconsi
der
edmyser
vantJob,

t
hatt
her
eisnonel
i
kehi
mint
heear
th,
aper
fectandanupr
ight
man,
onet
hatf
ear
ethGod,
andeschewet
hev
il
?1.
8

Sat
anknewwhoGodwast
alki
ngabout
.Het
oldGodt
hat

Jobhadagoodr
easont
obegood.GodmadeJobt
he

bi
ggestbi
gshoteastofEden,
prot
ect
inghi
mfr
om

ev
ery
thi
ngbadandgi
vi
nghi
m ev
ery
thi
nggood.

ThenSat
ananswer
edt
heLORD,
andsai
d,Dot
hJobf
earGodf
or

nought
?Hastnott
houmadeanhedgeabouthi
m,andabouthi
s

house,
andaboutal
lthathehat
honev
erysi
de?t
houhastbl
essed

t
hewor
kofhi
shands,
andhi
ssubst
ancei
sincr
easedi
nthel
and.

1.
9-10

Takeawayt
hepr
otect
ionandmesswi
thhi
sst
uff
,andhe'
l
l

cur
sey
out
oyourf
ace,
BigGuy
.

Butputf
ort
hthi
nehandnow,
andt
ouchal
lthathehat
h,andhe

wi
l
lcur
set
heet
othyf
ace.1.
11

SoGodsai
d,"
You'
reon,
Sat
an.Gobackdownt
oear
th

anddowhat
evert
hehel
lyouwantwi
thhi
sst
uff
.But

don'
tdoany
thi
ngt
ohi
m."
TheLORDsai
dunt
oSat
an,
Behol
d,al
lthathehat
hisi
nthypower
;

onl
yuponhi
msel
fputnotf
ort
hthi
nehand.1.
12a

SoSat
anl
eftGod'
spl
aceand,
presumabl
y(al
thought
he

Bi
bledoesn'
tact
ual
l
ysayso)
,wentdownt
oear
tht
ovi
sit

Job.

SoSat
anwentf
ort
hfr
om t
hepr
esenceoft
heLORD.1.
12b

WhenSat
angotdownt
oear
th,
hef
oundJob'
schi
l
dren

par
tyi
ng,
asusual
.

Ther
ewasadaywhenhi
ssonsandhi
sdaught
erswer
eeat
ingand

dr
inki
ngwi
nei
nthei
rel
destbr
other
'shouse:
1.13

Andt
henal
lhel
lbr
okel
oose.

Amessengercamet
otel
lJobt
hatt
heSabeanshadt
aken

hi
soxenandassesandki
l
ledal
lhi
ssl
aves(
"ser
vant
s"i
n

t
heKJV)
.

Ther
ecameamessengerunt
oJob,
andsai
d,Theoxenwer
e
pl
owi
ng,
andt
heassesf
eedi
ngbesi
det
hem:
Andt
heSabeansf
ell

upont
hem,
andt
ookt
hem away
;yea,
theyhav
esl
aint
heser
vant
s

wi
tht
heedgeoft
heswor
d;andIonl
yam escapedal
onet
otel
l

t
hee.1.
14-
15

Andt
hen,
whi
l
eJobwasst
il
ltal
ki
ngt
othef
ir
st

messenger
,anot
hermessengershowedup,
tel
l
inghi
m

t
hat"
afi
ref
rom Godhadf
all
enf
rom heav
en"andbur
ned

upJob'
ssheepandsl
aves(
Iguesssomesl
avesmust

hav
esur
viv
edt
heSabeanat
tack)
.

Whi
l
ehewasy
etspeaki
ng,
ther
ecameal
soanot
her
,andsai
d,

Thef
ir
eofGodi
sfal
l
enf
rom heav
en,
andhat
hbur
nedupt
he

sheep,
andt
heser
vant
s,andconsumedt
hem;
andIonl
yam

escapedal
onet
otel
lthee.1.
16

Andt
henwhi
l
ethesecondmessengerwasspeaki
ng,
a

t
hir
dmessengerar
ri
vedt
otel
lJobt
hatawi
ndcameup

andknockeddownt
hepar
tyhouse,
kil
l
ingal
lofJob'
s

chi
l
dren.(
Theset
hreemessenger
swer
e,ofcour
se,
the

onl
yoneswhosur
viv
ed.
)
Whi
l
ehewasy
etspeaki
ng,
ther
ecameal
soanot
her
,andsai
d,

Thysonsandt
hydaught
erswer
eeat
inganddr
inki
ngwi
nei
nthei
r

el
destbr
other
'shouse:
And,
behol
d,t
her
ecameagr
eatwi
ndf
rom

t
hewi
l
der
ness,
andsmot
ethef
ourcor
ner
soft
hehouse,
andi
tfel
l

upont
hey
oungmen,
andt
heyar
edead;
andIonl
yam escaped

al
onet
otel
lthee.1.
18-
19

Af
terJobhear
dtheset
hreemessagesher
ippeduphi
s

cl
othes,
shav
edhi
shead,
fel
lonhi
sface,
andwor
shi
ped

t
heGodwhohadj
ustmur
der
edhi
schi
l
dren.

ThenJobar
ose,
andr
enthi
smant
le,
andshav
edhi
shead,
andf
ell

downupont
hegr
ound,
andwor
shi
pped.1.
20

Oh,
andheal
sosai
dthathewasbor
nnakedandwoul
d

di
enaked,
Godgi
vesandt
akesaway
,bl
essedbehi
s

name.

Andsai
d,NakedcameIoutofmymot
her
'swomb,
andnakedshal
l

Ir
etur
nthi
ther
:theLORDgav
e,andt
heLORDhat
htakenaway
;

bl
essedbet
henameoft
heLORD.1.
21
Godbur
nedt
odeat
hhi
ssl
avesandani
mal
sand

mur
der
edhi
schi
l
dren,
butJobdi
dn'
tbl
ameGod.

I
nal
lthi
sJobsi
nnednot
,norchar
gedGodf
ool
i
shl
y.1.
22

ButGodwast
obl
ame,
eveni
fJobdi
dn'
thav
ethegut
sto

sayso.

Weknowt
hatGodandSat
anki
l
ledJob'
ssev
ensonsand

t
hreedaught
ers.ButJobal
soownedal
otofsl
aves,

whi
chwer
eki
l
ledi
nGod'
sbetwi
thSat
an,
alt
hought
he

Bi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmany
.I'
l
lguesst
her
ewer
e50

sl
avest
hatdi
ed(
somebur
nedt
odeat
h).

131.Hanani
ah

Jer
emi
ah28.
15-
17
NumberKi
l
led:
1

Hanani
ah

Whenev
ert
wopr
ophet
sgett
oget
heri
ntheBi
ble,
youcan

bepr
ett
ysur
ethatoneoft
hem wi
l
lsoonbeki
l
ledby

God.RememberhowGodsental
i
ont
oki
l
lapr
ophetf
or

bel
i
evi
nganot
herpr
ophet
'
sli
e(871?Andt
henhesent

anot
herl
i
ont
oki
l
lanot
herpr
ophetf
orr
efusi
ngt
osmi
te

f
ell
owpr
ophet(
97)
?Yeah,
wel
l
,thesamet
hinghappens

t
oher
etoHanani
ah,
sansl
i
on.

Thet
roubl
est
art
swhenHanani
ahpr
ophesi
esgoodnews

f
ort
hepeopl
eofJudah.Godwasgoi
ngt
obr
eakt
he

y
okeoft
heki
ngofBaby
lonandbr
ingt
hepeopl
eof

Judahbackhome.

Hanani
ah.
..t
hepr
ophet.
..spake.
..i
nthepr
esenceoft
hepr
iest
s

andofal
lthepeopl
e,say
ing,
Thusspeaket
htheLORDofhost
s,t
he

GodofI
srael
,say
ing,
Ihav
ebr
okent
hey
okeoft
heki
ngof
Baby
lon.Wi
thi
ntwof
ull
year
s..
.Iwi
l
lbr
ingagai
ntot
hispl
ace.
..

al
lthecapt
ivesofJudah.
..f
orIwi
l
lbr
eakt
hey
okeoft
heki
ngof

Baby
lon.Jer
emi
ah28.
1-4

Whi
chcont
radi
ctedwhatJer
emi
ahhadbeent
ell
i
ng

ev
ery
one.Lat
ely
,inf
act
,Jer
emi
ahwasr
unni
ngar
ound

wear
ingawoodeny
oke,
symbol
i
zingNebuchadnezzar
's

absol
utepowerov
erI
srael
.SoHanani
ah'
sgoodnews

wasanat
hemat
ohi
m.

Jer
emi
ahr
epl
i
edwi
thhi
susual
sar
casm.

Amen:
theLORDdoso:
theLORDper
for
mthywor
dswhi
cht
hou

hastpr
ophesi
ed,
tobr
ingagai
nthev
essel
soft
heLORD'
Shouse,

andal
lthati
scar
ri
edawaycapt
ive,
from Baby
loni
ntot
hispl
ace.

28.
6

ThenHanai
aht
ookJer
emi
ah'
ssi
l
lyy
okeandbr
okei
tin

f
rontofev
ery
one.

ThenHanani
aht
hepr
ophett
ookt
hey
okef
rom of
fthepr
ophet

Jer
emi
ah'
sneck,
andbr
akei
t.28.
10
Andher
epeat
edhi
spr
ophecyaboutt
heendofJudah'
s

exi
l
ewi
thi
ntwoy
ear
s.

AndHanani
ahspakei
nthepr
esenceofal
lthepeopl
e,say
ing,
Thus

sai
tht
heLORD;
Evensowi
l
lIbr
eakt
hey
okeofNebuchadnezzar

ki
ngofBaby
lonf
rom t
heneckofal
lnat
ionswi
thi
nthespaceoft
wo

f
ull
year
s.28.
11

Jer
emi
ahwentawayaf
tert
hat
.Butal
i
ttl
elat
erGodt
old

Jer
emi
aht
otel
lHanani
aht
hathewant
sev
ery
onet
o

ser
veNebuchadnezzar
,ev
ent
heani
mal
s.

Goandt
ell
Hanani
ah,
say
ing,
Thussai
tht
heLORD.
..Ihav
eputa

y
okeofi
ronupont
heneckofal
lthesenat
ions,
thatt
heymayser
ve

Nebuchadnezzarki
ngofBaby
lon;
andt
heyshal
lser
vehi
m:andI

hav
egi
venhi
mthebeast
soft
hef
iel
dal
so.28.
14

Oh,
yeah,
andt
hatwi
thi
nay
earGodwoul
dki
l
lhi
m.

Hearnow,
Hanani
ah;
TheLORDhat
hnotsentt
hee;
butt
hou
makestt
hispeopl
etot
rusti
nal
i
e.Ther
efor
ethussai
tht
heLORD;

Behol
d,Iwi
l
lcastt
heef
rom of
fthef
aceoft
heear
th:
thi
syear

t
houshal
tdi
e,becauset
houhastt
aughtr
ebel
l
ionagai
nstt
he

LORD.28.
15-
16

And,
bygol
l
y,t
hat
'swhathappened.

SoHanani
aht
hepr
ophetdi
edt
hesamey
eari
nthesev
ent
hmont
h.

28.
17

132.Ezeki
el'
swi
fe

Ezeki
el24.
16-
18

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Ezeki
el'
swi
fe

IguessGodwast
ryi
ngt
omakesomeki
ndofpoi
nti
n

t
hiski
l
li
ng.
Godhadj
ustr
eveal
edsomei
mpor
tantst
ufft
oEzeki
el.

Thussai
tht
heLor
dGOD.
..Woet
othebl
oodyci
ty,
tot
hepot

whosescum i
sther
ein,
andwhosescum i
snotgoneoutofi
t!.
..

Thati
tmi
ghtcausef
uryt
ocomeupt
otakev
engeance;
Ihav
eset

herbl
oodupont
het
opofar
ock,
thati
tshoul
dnotbecov
ered..
..

Woet
othebl
oodyci
ty!.
..Heaponwood,
kindl
ethef
ir
e,consume

t
hef
lesh,
andspi
cei
twel
l
,andl
ett
hebonesbebur
ned.
..t
hatt
he

f
il
thi
nessofi
tmaybemol
teni
nit
,thatt
hescum ofi
tmaybe

consumed.Shehat
hwear
iedher
sel
fwi
thl
i
es,
andhergr
eatscum

wentnotf
ort
houtofher
:herscum shal
lbei
nthef
ir
e..
..It
he

LORDhav
espokeni
t:i
tshal
lcomet
opass,
andIwi
l
ldoi
t;Iwi
l
l

notgoback,
nei
therwi
l
lIspar
e.Ezeki
el24:
3-14

Sot
her
eyouhav
eit
.Godi
sgoi
ngt
omakeabl
oody
,

scum-
fi
ll
edsoupusi
nghumanbl
ood,
bones,
andbody

par
ts.I
twi
l
lcomet
opassandGodwi
l
lspar
enoone.

Theni
nthenextv
erseheannounceshi
snextki
l
li
ng:

Ezeki
el'
swi
fe.
Al
sot
hewor
doft
heLORDcameunt
ome,
say
ing,
Sonofman,

behol
d,It
akeawayf
rom t
heet
hedesi
reoft
hineey
eswi
tha

st
roke.24:
15-
16a

Now,
Idon'
tthi
nkGodmeantt
osayher
ethathewas

goi
ngt
oki
l
lEzeki
el'
swi
fe"
wit
hast
roke.
"Her
e'showt
he

Rev
isedSt
andar
dVer
sionput
sit
.

SonofMan,
behol
d,Iam aboutt
otaket
hedel
i
ghtofy
ourey
es

awayf
rom y
ouatast
roke.
"24:
16a(
SRV)

Soal
thoughwedon'
tknowhow,
wedoknowhe'
sgoi
ng

t
oki
l
lherr
ightaway
,"i
nast
roke.
"

Andwhenhedoes,
Goddoesn'
twantEzeki
elt
omour
n

herdeat
hinanyway
.He'
snotal
l
owedt
ocr
y,t
akehi
s

shoesof
f,cov
erhi
sli
ps,
unbi
ndt
het
ir
eofhi
shead,
or

eatt
hebr
eadofmen.

Yetnei
thershal
tt
houmour
nnorweep,
nei
thershal
lthyt
ear
srun
down.For
beart
ocr
y,makenomour
ningf
ort
hedead,
bindt
he

t
ir
eoft
hineheadupont
hee,
andputont
hyshoesupont
hyf
eet
,

andcov
ernott
hyl
i
ps,
andeatnott
hebr
eadofmen.24:
16b-
17

Andt
hat
'swhathappened.Godki
l
ledEzeki
el'
swi
feand

Ezeki
eldi
dn'
tgi
veashi
t.

Mywi
fedi
ed;
andIdi
dint
hemor
ningasIwascommanded.

24:
18

ThenGodandEzeki
elexpl
aint
hewhol
epoi
ntoft
his

ki
l
li
ngt
oev
ery
onei
nIsr
ael
.Godwi
l
lki
l
lthei
rsonsand

daught
ers,
andnoonei
sal
l
owedt
omour
nthem af
ter

t
heydi
e,j
ustl
i
keEzeki
eldi
dn'
tmour
nhi
swi
fewhenGod

ki
l
ledher
.

Thewor
doft
heLORDcameunt
ome,
say
ing.
..y
oursonsand

y
ourdaught
ers.
..shal
lfal
lbyt
heswor
d.Andy
eshal
ldoasIhav
e

done:
yeshal
lnotcov
ery
ourl
i
ps,
noreatt
hebr
eadofmen.And

y
ourt
ir
esshal
lbeupony
ourheads,
andy
ourshoesupony
our

f
eet
:yeshal
lnotmour
nnorweep.
..ThusEzeki
eli
sunt
oyoua
si
gn:
accor
dingt
oal
lthathehat
hdoneshal
lyedo.24:
20-
24

Wel
l
,now,
that
'sapoi
ntwor
thki
l
li
ngf
or,
isn'
ti
t?

133.Anani
asand

Sapphi
ra

Act
s5.
5-10

NumberKi
l
led:
2

Anani
asandSapphi
ra

Anani
asandhi
swi
fe,
Sapphi
ra,
sol
dsomel
and,
gav
e

someoft
hemoneyt
otheapost
les,
andkeptt
her
est
.

Anani
as,
wit
hSapphi
rahi
swi
fe,
sol
dapossessi
on,
Andkeptback

par
toft
hepr
ice,
hiswi
feal
sobei
ngpr
ivyt
oit
,andbr
oughta

cer
tai
npar
t,andl
aidi
tatt
heapost
les'
feet
.Act
s5:
1-2

Thebi
bledoesn'
tsayhowmucht
hel
andsol
dfororwhat
per
cent
aget
heykeptorgav
eaway
.

Butwhat
evert
hesel
l
ingpr
icemayhav
ebeen,
the

per
cent
ageoft
hedonat
ionwasn'
tenought
osat
isf
y

Pet
er.OrGod.

Pet
eraccusedAnani
asofget
ti
nghi
shear
tfi
l
ledupwi
th

Sat
anandl
yi
ngt
otheHol
yGhost
.Why
?Because

Anani
asdi
dn'
tgi
vePet
eral
loft
hemoneyf
rom t
hesal
e

ofhi
spr
oper
ty.

ButPet
ersai
d,Anani
as,
whyhat
hSat
anf
il
ledt
hinehear
ttol
i
eto

t
heHol
yGhost
,andt
okeepbackpar
toft
hepr
iceoft
hel
and?Why

hastt
houconcei
vedt
hist
hingi
nthi
nehear
t?t
houhastnotl
i
ed

unt
omen,
butunt
oGod.5:
3-4

Idon'
tknowhowPet
erwoul
dknowt
hatSat
anwas

i
nvol
vedi
nanyoft
his.Godmusthav
etol
dhi
m.But

whataboutt
his"
li
etot
heHol
yGhost
"thi
ng?Sof
ar,

Anani
ashasn'
tsai
dat
hing.Don'
tyourl
i
pshav
etomov
e

wheny
oul
i
e?

May
benot
.May
bey
oul
i
etot
heHol
yGhostev
eryt
ime
y
oudon'
tgi
veal
lofy
ourmoneyt
othechur
ch.

I
nanycase,
Anani
asf
ell
overdeadbef
oreget
ti
ngt
osay

asi
ngl
ewor
dinhi
sowndef
ense.

Anani
ashear
ingt
hesewor
dsf
ell
down,
andgav
eupt
heghost
.5:
5

Af
ewhour
slat
er,
theybr
oughti
nSapphi
ra,
whodi
dn'
t

y
etknowwhathadhappenedt
oherhusband.

I
twasaboutt
hespaceoft
hreehour
saf
ter
,whenhi
swi
fe,
not

knowi
ngwhatwasdone,
camei
n.5:
7

Pet
eraskedheri
fthel
andsol
dforacer
tai
npr
ice,
and

shesai
d,y
es,
thatwaswhatt
hel
andsol
dfor
.

Pet
eranswer
edunt
oher
,Tel
lmewhet
hery
esol
dthel
andf
orso

much?Andshesai
d,Yea,
forsomuch.5:
8

ThenPet
eraskedherwhysheandherhusbandhad

t
empt
edt
heSpi
ri
toft
heLor
d.Andt
hen,
bef
oreshe

coul
danswer
,Pet
ert
oldhert
hatt
heguy
swhohadj
ust
bur
iedherhusbandwer
egoi
ngt
odot
hesamet
oher
.

ThenPet
ersai
dunt
oher
,Howi
sitt
haty
ehav
eagr
eedt
oget
hert
o

t
emptt
heSpi
ri
toft
heLor
d?behol
d,t
hef
eetoft
hem whi
chhav
e

bur
iedt
hyhusbandar
eatt
hedoor
,andshal
lcar
ryt
heeout
.5:
9

Af
terhear
ingPet
er'
swor
ds,
shef
ell
downdead.Andt
he

"
youngmen"camei
ntobur
yher
.

Thenf
ell
shedownst
rai
ght
wayathi
sfeet
,andy
iel
dedupt
he

ghost
:andt
hey
oungmencamei
n,andf
oundherdead,
and,

car
ryi
ngherf
ort
h,bur
iedherbyherhusband.5:
10

Andi
tscar
edt
heshekel
soutofev
ery
onei
nthechur
ch.

Andgr
eatf
earcameuponal
lthechur
ch,
anduponasmanyas

hear
dtheset
hings.5:
11

134.Her
odAggr
ipa
Act
s12.
23

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Her
odAggr
ipa

Oneday
,Ki
ngHer
od(
Aggr
ipa)gav
easpeecht
othe

peopl
e.

UponasetdayHer
od,
arr
ayedi
nroy
alappar
el,
satuponhi
s

t
hrone,
andmadeanor
ati
onunt
othem.Act
s12:
21

TheBi
bledoesn'
ttel
luswhathesai
d,buti
tmusthav
e

beenonehel
lofagoodspeech,
sincewhent
hepeopl
e

hear
ditt
heyal
lshout
edatonceandi
nuni
son,
"thi
sis

t
hev
oiceofagod,
notaman.
"

Thepeopl
egav
eashout
,say
ing,
Iti
sthev
oiceofagod,
andnot

ofaman.12:
22

ButGoddi
dn'
tl
iket
hespeech.Andhewasespeci
all
y
angr
yatHer
odf
ornotgi
vi
ngt
hegl
oryt
ohi
m.God

want
sal
loft
hegl
oryandi
tpi
sseshi
m of
fwhen

someoneel
seget
ssome.Sohesentanangel
downt
o

ki
l
lhi
m.

I
mmedi
atel
ytheangel
oft
heLor
dsmot
ehi
m,becausehegav
enot

Godt
hegl
ory
.12:
23a

Andt
henGodf
edKi
ngHer
odt
othewor
ms.

Andhewaseat
enofwor
ms,
andgav
eupt
heghost
.12:
23b

(
Igi
veGodal
lthegl
oryf
ort
hisBi
blest
ory
.)

135.Jesus

Romans8.
32,
1Pet
er1.
18-
20

NumberKi
l
led:
1

Jesus
You'
vehear
dthi
sonebef
ore:
Godki
l
ledhi
ssoni
nor
der

t
ost
ophi
msel
ffr
om t
ort
uri
ngpeopl
efor
everaf
tert
hey

di
eforsomet
hingt
hatsomeoneel
sesupposedl
ydi
d

t
housandsofy
ear
sbef
oret
heywer
ebor
n.

Thest
oryi
sknownt
oowel
lal
ready
.SoI
'
m notgoi
ngt
o

wast
eanyt
imeoni
ther
e.Ther
ear
eonl
ytwot
hingst
hat

y
ouneedt
oknowabouti
t.

1.Godki
l
ledhi
sownson.

He.
..spar
ednothi
sownSon,
butdel
i
ver
edhi
m upf
orusal
l
.

Romans8:
32

2.Hehadt
hewhol
ethi
ngpl
annedf
rom t
hev
ery

begi
nni
ng.

Yewer
enotr
edeemedwi
thcor
rupt
ibl
ethi
ngs.
..Butwi
tht
he

pr
eci
ousbl
oodofChr
ist
,asofal
ambwi
thoutbl
emi
shandwi
thout

spot
:Whov
eri
l
ywasf
oreor
dai
nedbef
oret
hef
oundat
ionoft
he

wor
ld.1Pet
er1:
18-
20
I
t'
shar
dtoi
magi
nesomet
hingwor
set
hanaf
ather

pl
anni
ngt
oki
l
lhi
sownson.Exceptmay
beaf
ather

ki
l
li
nghi
ssoni
nor
dert
okeephi
msel
ffr
om t
ort
uri
ng

bi
l
li
onsofot
her
sfor
ever
.

"
Het
hatspar
ednothi
sownson"shoul
dn'
tbet
rust
edby

any
one.

Af
ter
wor
d

Nowt
hatI
'
vet
oldy
out
hesest
ori
es,
Ihav
eaconf
essi
on

t
omake.

Idon'
tbel
i
evet
hatanyoft
heseki
l
li
ngsact
ual
l
y

happened(
wit
hthepossi
bleexcept
ionoft
hel
astone)
.

Ther
ewasnowor
ld-
widef
loodofNoah,
nof
ier
y

ser
pent
s,nopr
ophet
-eat
ingl
i
ons,
nochi
l
dren-
kil
l
ing

bear
s,nodi
vi
nel
y-
fashi
onedhemor
rhoi
ds,
nor
ott
ing
body
-par
tmessages,
nogi
ant
sforGodt
oki
l
l.Samson

di
dn'
tki
l
lthi
rt
ymenf
ort
hei
rcl
othes,
Dav
iddi
dn'
tbuya

wi
fewi
th200Phi
l
ist
inef
oreski
ns,
andJehudi
dn'
tmur
der

ent
ir
efami
l
iesf
orGod.Andal
thoughJesusmayhav
e

beenexecut
edbyt
heRomans,
Godhadnot
hingt
odo

wi
thi
t.Godi
s,i
nfact
,ent
ir
elyi
nnocentofal
loft
he

mur
der
sdescr
ibedi
nthi
sbook,
insof
arasani
magi
nar
y

bei
ngcanbei
nnocentorgui
l
tyofany
thi
ng.

Isuspectt
hatmostBi
blebel
i
ever
swoul
dli
ket
oagr
ee

wi
thmeont
his(
thatGodi
sinnocent
—nott
hathe

doesn'
texi
st)
.Butt
heycan'
thav
eitbot
hway
s.I
fthey

bel
i
evei
ntheBi
ble,
theyal
sobel
i
evei
nGod'
ski
l
li
ngs.

Andy
etbel
i
ever
shav
efoundacr
eat
ive(
ifsomewhatl
azy

anddi
shonest
)wayar
oundt
hepr
obl
em:
eit
hert
hey

don'
treadt
heBi
bleort
heyi
gnor
ethepar
tst
hatar
e

di
stur
bing.I
t'
seasi
ert
obel
i
evei
ncr
uel
,nast
y,and

absur
dthi
ngsi
fyoudon'
tknowt
hatt
heyexi
st.

Butt
hatonl
ywor
kswhennon-
bel
i
ever
sar
easi
gnor
ant

anddi
shonestaboutt
heBi
bleasbel
i
ever
stendt
obe.As
t
heBi
blebecomesbet
terknown,
peopl
ewi
l
lknowbet
ter

t
hant
obel
i
evei
nit
.Andbel
i
ever
swi
l
lber
ight
ful
l
y

embar
rassedbyt
hei
rownbel
i
ef.

Ihopet
hatt
hisbookhel
pst
omaket
hatdaycomeal
i
ttl
e

sooner
.

Al
i
stofGod'
ski
l
li
ngs

wi
thbi
bli
cal
number
sandest
imat
es

LTheFl
oodofNoah:
All
FleshDi
edThatMov
edUpon

t
heEar
th

Est
imat
e:20mi
l
li
on

Z,
Abr
aham'
swart
orescueLot

Est
imat
e:1000
3.Sodom andGomor
rah:
Shal
lIhi
def
rom Abr
aham t
he

t
hingt
hatIdo?

Est
imat
e:2000

4.RememberLot
'sWi
fe(
For
getJesus)

i
LErwaswi
ckedi
nthesi
ghtoft
heLor
d(sot
heLor
d

sl
ewhi
m)

6.Onanspi
l
ledi
tont
hegr
ound(
sot
heLor
dki
l
ledhi
m

t
oo)

i
God'
ssev
eny
ear
,wor
ld-
widef
ami
ne

Est
imat
e:70,
000

SLTheSev
ent
hPl
agueofEgy
pt:
Hai
lshal
lcomedown
upont
hem andt
heyshal
ldi
e

Est
imat
e:300,
000

<LTheLor
dsmot
eal
lthef
ir
stbor
nint
hel
andofEgy
pt

Est
imat
e:500,
000

10.TheLor
dtookof
fthei
rchar
iotwheel
s

Atl
east600

Est
imat
e:5000

1LTheLor
dwi
l
lhav
ewarwi
thAmal
ekf
rom gener
ati
on

t
ogener
ati
on

Est
imat
e:1000

12.Whoi
sont
heLor
d'ssi
de:
For
cingf
ri
endsandf
ami
l
y

t
oki
l
leachot
her

3000
13.TheLor
dpl
aguedt
hepeopl
ebecauseoft
hecal
fthat

Aar
onmade

Est
imat
e:1000

14.Godbur
nsAar
on'
ssonst
odeat
hforof
fer
ing"
str
ange

f
ir
e"

15.Abl
asphemeri
sst
onedt
odeat
h

16^Whent
hepeopl
ecompl
ained,
Godbur
nedt
hem t
o

deat
h

Est
imat
e:100
17.Whi
l
ethef
leshwasst
il
lbet
weent
hei
rteet
h,t
heLor
d

smot
ethem wi
thav
erygr
eatpl
ague

Est
imat
e:10,
000

l
fLTenscout
sar
eki
l
ledf
ort
hei
rhonestr
epor
t

10

19.Amangat
her
ingst
icksont
heSabbat
hday

2(
LTheopposi
ngpar
tyi
sbur
iedal
i
ve(
alongwi
tht
hei
r

f
ami
l
ies)

Atl
east3

Est
imat
e:9

21,
Godbur
ns250peopl
etodeat
hforbur
ningi
ncense

250

H^
Godki
l
led14,
700peopl
eforcompl
aini
ngabout
God'
ski
l
li
ngs

14,
700

23.TheMassacr
eoft
heAr
adi
tes

Est
imat
e:3000

24.Godsentf
ier
yser
pent
stobi
tet
hepeopl
efor

compl
aini
ngaboutt
hel
ackoff
oodandwat
er

Est
imat
e:100

25.Aki
l
li
ngt
oendGod'
ski
l
li
ng

24,
002

26.TheMi
diani
teMassacr
e:Hav
eyousav
edal
lthe

womenal
i
ve?

Manymor
ethan6

Est
imat
e:200,
000

27.Godsl
owl
yki
l
ledt
heI
srael
i
tear
my
Est
imat
e:500,
000

2JLGodt
hegi
antki
l
ler

Est
imat
e:5000

29.Godhar
densKi
ngSi
hon'
shear
tsot
hatal
lhi
speopl
e

canbeki
l
led

Manymor
ethan1

Est
imat
e:5000

3JLOgandal
lthemen,
women,
andchi
l
dreni
n60ci
ti
es

Mor
ethan1

Est
imat
e:60,
000

31.TheJer
ichomassacr
e

Est
imat
e:1000

32^Achanandhi
sfami
l
yar
est
onedandbur
nedt
odeat
h

Atl
east1

Est
imat
e:5
^
TheAi
massacr
e

12,
000

34.Godst
opst
hesunsot
hatJoshuacangethi
ski
l
li
ng

donei
ntheday
li
ght

Est
imat
e:5000

35.Fi
veki
ngski
l
ledandhungont
rees

Manymor
ethan5

Est
imat
e:10,
000

3JLJoshuaut
ter
lydest
roy
edal
lthatbr
eat
hedast
heLor
d

Godcommanded

Manymor
ethan7

Est
imat
e:7,
000

37.Thegenoci
deoft
went
yKi
ngdoms

Manymor
ethan2
Est
imat
e:20,
000

38.TheAnaki
m:Somemor
egi
antki
l
li
ng

Est
imat
e:5000

3JLTheLor
ddel
i
ver
edt
heCanaani
tesandt
hePer
izzi
tes

10,
000

40.TheJer
usal
em massacr
e

Est
imat
e:1000

41.Fi
vemassacr
es,
aweddi
ng,
andsomeGod-
proofi
ron

char
iot
s

Est
imat
e:5,
000

4ZTheLor
ddel
i
ver
edChushanr
ishat
hai
m

Est
imat
e:1000
43.Ehuddel
i
ver
samessagef
rom God

44.Goddel
i
ver
s10,
000l
ust
yMoabi
tes

10,
000

4JLShamgarki
l
led600Phi
l
ist
ineswi
thanoxgoad

600

46.Bar
akandGodmassacr
etheCanaani
tes

Est
imat
e:1000

47^Jael
poundsat
entst
aket
hroughasl
eepi
ngman'
s

skul
l

4JLTheLor
dsetev
eryman'
sswor
dagai
nsthi
sfel
l
ow

120,
000

49.Aci
tyi
smassacr
edand1000peopl
ebur
ntodeat
h
becauseofGod'
sev
ilspi
ri
t

Mor
ethan1001

Est
imat
e:2,
000

50.TheAmmoni
temassacr
e

Est
imat
e:20,
000

51^Jepht
hah'
sDaught
er

5Z42,
000ki
l
ledf
orf
ail
i
ngt
he"
shi
bbol
eth"t
est

42,
000

53.Thespi
ri
toft
heLor
dcameuponSamsonandhe

mur
der
edt
hir
tymenf
ort
hei
rcl
othes

30

54.Thespi
ri
toft
heLor
dcameuponSamsonandhe

ki
l
led1000menwi
tht
hej
awboneofanass
1000

55.Samsonki
l
led3000i
nasui
cidet
err
ori
stat
tack

3,
000

56.Ahol
yci
vi
lwar(
Ithadsomet
hingt
odowi
thr
ott
ing

concubi
nebodypar
tmessages)

65,
100

j
LATheEndofJudges:
Twogenoci
desand200st
olen

v
irgi
ns

Est
imat
e:4,
000

58.Godki
l
lsEl
i
'ssonsand34,
000I
srael
i
tesol
dier
s

34,
002

59.Godsmot
ethem wi
thhemor
rhoi
dsi
nthei
rsecr
et

par
ts

Est
imat
e:3,
000
60.50,
070ki
l
ledf
orl
ooki
ngi
ntot
hear
koft
heLor
d

50,
070

6_
LTheLor
dthunder
edgr
eatt
hunderupont
he

Phi
l
ist
ines

Est
imat
e:1000

^
Anot
herAmmoni
temassacr
e(andanot
herGod-

i
nspi
redbodypar
tmessage)

Est
imat
e:1000

63.Jonat
han'
sver
yfi
rstsl
aught
er(
notcount
ingt
heone

bef
ore)

20

64.Godf
orcest
hePhi
l
ist
inest
oki
l
leachot
her

Est
imat
e:1000
65.TheAmal
eki
tegenoci
de

Est
imat
e:10,
000

66.Samuel
hacksAgagt
odeat
hbef
oret
heLor
d

67.I
ntheVal
l
eyofEl
ah:
Gol
i
ath

68.Dav
idbuy
sawi
fewi
th200Phi
l
ist
inesf
oreski
ns

200

6JLTheLor
dsai
dtoDav
id,
Goandsmi
tet
hePhi
l
ist
ines

Est
imat
e:10,
000

70.Godki
l
ledNabal
(andDav
idgothi
swi
feandot
her

st
uff
)

71.Dav
idcommi
tsr
andom act
sofgenoci
de(
asa
mer
cenar
yfort
hePhi
l
ist
ines)

Est
imat
e:60,
000

72.Dav
idspendst
hedayki
l
li
ngAmal
eki
tes

Est
imat
e:1000

73.Godki
l
ledSaul
(andhi
ssonsandsol
dier
s)f
ornot

ki
l
li
ngal
ltheAmal
eki
tes

Mor
ethan4

Est
imat
e:100

74.Dav
idki
l
ledt
hemessenger

75.Dav
idki
l
ledRechabandBaanah,
cutof
fthei
rhands

andf
eet
,andhungt
hei
rbodi
esov
ert
hepool

2
76.Godhel
psDav
idsmi
tet
hePhi
l
ist
inesf
rom t
hef
ront

andt
her
ear

Est
imat
e:2,
000

77.Godki
l
ledUzzahf
ort
ryi
ngt
okeept
hear
kfr
om

f
all
i
ng

78.Dav
idki
l
ledt
wot
hir
dsoft
heMoabi
tePOWsand

ensl
avedt
her
est

Est
imat
e:667

79.TheLor
dgav
eDav
idv
ict
orywher
everhewent

Mor
ethan65,
850

Est
imat
e:66,
850

80.Dav
idki
l
ledev
erymal
einEdom

Mor
ethan15,
000
Est
imat
e:65,
000

81.Thusdi
dDav
idunt
oal
lthechi
l
drenofAmmon

Est
imat
e:1000

82.Godsl
owl
yki
l
lsababy

83.Fami
neandhumansacr
if
ice

Manymor
ethan7

Est
imat
e:3,
000

84.Dav
id'
smi
ght
ymenandt
hei
ramazi
ngki
l
li
ngs

Mor
ethan1403

Est
imat
e:3,
400

8!
LGodki
l
led70,
000becauseDav
idhadacensust
hat

God(
orSat
an)t
oldhi
mtodo

Mor
ethan70,
000
Est
imat
e:200,
000

86.Sol
omoncar
ri
edoutt
hedeat
hbedwi
shofDav
idby

hav
ingJoabandShi
mei
mur
der
ed

87.At
aleoft
wopr
ophet
s

8JLJer
oboam'
sson:
Godki
l
lsanot
herchi
l
d

89.Jer
oboam'
sfami
l
y

Est
imat
e:10

90.Baasha'
sfami
l
yandf
ri
ends

Est
imat
e:20

91.Zi
mri
bur
nst
odeat
h

1
92.TheDr
oughtofEl
i
jah

Est
imat
e:3,
000

93.El
i
jahki
l
ls450r
eli
giousl
eader
sinapr
ayercont
est

Atl
east450

Possi
bly850(
450wasusedast
heest
imat
e)

94.Thef
ir
stGodassi
stedsl
aught
eroft
heSy
rians

Est
imat
e:10,
000

95.Godki
l
led100,
000Sy
riansf
orcal
l
inghi
m aGodof

t
hehi
l
ls

100,
000

9JLGodki
l
led27,
000Sy
riansbymaki
ngawal
lfal
lon

t
hem
27,
000

97.Godsental
i
ont
oki
l
lamanf
ornotsmi
ti
nga

pr
ophet

98.Godki
l
ledAhabf
ornotki
l
li
ngacapt
uredki
ng

9JLGodbur
ned102ment
odeat
hforaski
ngEl
i
jaht
o

comedownf
rom hi
shi
l
l

102

100.Godki
l
ledki
ngAhazi
ahf
oraski
ngt
hewr
ongGod

1
101.Godsentt
wobear
stor
ipapar
t42boy
sformaki
ng

f
unofapr
ophet
'sbal
dhead

42

102.TheLor
ddel
i
ver
edt
heMoabi
tes

Est
imat
e:5,
000

103.Askept
ici
str
ampl
edt
odeat
h

104.God'
ssev
eny
earf
ami
ne

Est
imat
e:7,
000

105.Jehor
am ofI
srael

106.Jezebel
1

107.Ahab'
ssons:
Sev
ent
yheadsi
ntwoheaps

70

108.Ahab'
shomet
ownf
ami
l
y,f
ri
ends,
andpr
iest
s

Est
imat
e:20

109.Jehuki
l
ledAhazi
ah'
sfami
l
y

42

110.Jehuandhi
spar
tnershowt
hei
rzeal
fort
heLor
dby

ki
l
li
ngt
her
estofAhab'
sfami
l
y

Est
imat
e:20

111.Jehuassembl
est
hef
oll
ower
sofBaal
andt
hen

sl
aught
erst
hem al
l

Est
imat
e:1000
112.Thepr
iestofBaal
andQueenAt
hal
i
ah

113.Godsentl
i
onst
oeatt
hoset
hatdi
dn'
tfearhi
m

enough

Est
imat
e:10

114.Anangel
kil
l
ed185,
000sl
eepi
ngsol
dier
s

185,
000

115.GodcausedKi
ngSennacher
ibt
obeki
l
ledbyhi
s

sons

116.Josi
ahki
l
ledal
lthepr
iest
soft
hehi
ghpl
aces

Est
imat
e:100

117.Justanot
herhol
ywar

Est
imat
e:50.000

118.Godki
l
ledahal
fmi
l
li
onI
srael
i
tesol
dier
s
500,
000

119.Jer
oboam

120.Godki
l
ledami
l
li
onEt
hiopi
ans

1,
000,
000

121.Fr
iendl
yFi
re:
Godf
orced"
agr
eatmul
ti
tude"t
oki
l
l

eachot
her

Est
imat
e:30,
000

122.GodmadeJehor
am'
sbowel
sfal
lout

123.Godki
l
ledJehor
am'
ssons

Est
imat
e:3

124.Ahazi
ah(
ofJudah)

1
125.Joash,
thepr
inces,
andar
myofJudah

Manymor
ethan1

Est
imat
e:10,
000

126.Goddest
roy
edAmazi
ah

Mor
ethan1

Est
imat
e:1000

127.Godsmot
eAhazwi
tht
heki
ngofSy
ria

Manymor
ethan1

Est
imat
e:10,
000

128.Godki
l
led120,
000v
ali
antmenf
orf
orsaki
nghi
m

120,
000

129.Thef
all
ofJer
usal
em

Est
imat
e:10,
000

130.GodandSat
anki
l
lJob'
schi
l
drenandsl
aves
Mor
ethan10

Est
imat
e:60

131.Hanani
ah

132.Ezeki
el'
swi
fe

133.Anani
asandSapphi
ra

134.Her
odAggr
ipa

135.Jesus

Tot
als:
Bi
bli
cal
Number
sOnl
y:2,
476,
636

Est
imat
e:24,
634,
205

I
ll
ust
rat
ions

Cov
er:
Michel
angel
oBuonar
rot
i

I
ntr
oduct
ion:
Jul
i
usSchnor
rvonCar
olsf
eld(
Apocol
vpse)

1MaxKoch(
Genesi
s7.
21-
23)

2Gust
avePor
e(Genesi
s14.
17)

3Edwar
dAr
mit
aqe(
Genesi
s19.
24)

7Gust
avePor
e(Genesi
s41.
54-
57)

9Lawr
enceAl
ma-
Tadema(
Exodus12.
29-
30)

10Gust
avePor
e(Exodus14.
27-
28)
12Jul
i
usSchnor
rvonCar
olsf
eld(
Exodus32.
27-
28)

14JamesTi
ssot(
Lev
iti
cus10.
1-2)

15Ger
ardHoet(
Lev
iti
cus24.
23)

18Gust
avePor
e(Number
s14.
36-
37)

20Gust
avePor
e(Number
s16.
31-
33)

22JamesTi
ssot(
Number
s16.
49)

31Gust
avePor
e(Joshua6.
21)

32Gust
avePor
e(Joshua7.
24-
26)

33Gust
avePor
e(Joshua8.
21-
29)

34Gust
avePor
e(Joshua10.
10-
12)

49Gust
avePor
e(Judges9.
23-
57)

51unknown(
Judges11.
39)

54Gust
avePor
e(Judges15.
14-
15)
55Gust
avePor
e(Judges16.
27-
30)

57Gust
avePor
e(Judges21.
10-
14)

66unknown(
1Samuel
15.
32-
33)

67Gust
avePor
e(1Samuel
17.
49-
54)

73Gust
avePor
e(1Samuel
31.
1-4)

81Gust
avePor
e(2Samuel
11.
1,1Chr
oni
cles20.
1)

87Gust
avePor
e(1Ki
ngs13.
23-
24)

93Gust
avePor
e(1Ki
ngs18.
40)

95Gust
avePor
e(1Ki
ngs20.
29)

99Gust
avePor
e(2Ki
ngs1.
10-
12)

101Gust
avePor
e(2Ki
ngs2.
23-
24)

106Gust
avePor
e(2Ki
ngs9.
33)

113Gust
avePor
e(2Ki
ngs17.
25-
26)

114Gust
avePor
e(2Ki
ngs19.
35,
Isai
ah37.
36)

121Gust
avePor
e(2Chr
oni
cles20.
22-
23)
135Gust
avePor
e(Romans8.
32,
1Pet
er1.
18-
20)

Acknowl
edgment
s

I
'
dli
ket
othankt
hosewhocomment
edatmybl
og,

Dwi
ndl
i
ngi
nUnbel
i
ef,
asIwor
kedmywayt
hrough

God'
ski
l
li
ngs.Thedi
scussi
onst
her
ehel
pedmedeci
de

whi
chki
l
li
ngst
oincl
ude,
howmanydeat
hst
ocount
,and

hel
pedmecor
rectcount
lessmi
stakesi
nbot
hfor
m and

f
act
.Speci
alt
hankst
oAbi
ell
e,Baconsbud,
bust
erggi
,

Br
endan,
Brucker
,Cl
i
ntBur
ky,
Dani
el,
Fraggedmi
nd,

Fr
odoSav
es,
IAm,
Iam t
hewi
sef
ool
,I
anG.
,Joshua,

Mar
kusAr
eli
us,
mat
t311,
Mat
thewBl
anchet
te,
Mist
y,

psy
ber
monkey
,Rober
t,sconner
,skankst
a,t
eav
ee,

t
wil
l
ight
,uzza,
andv
_qui
xot
ic.

Aboutt
heaut
hor
St
eveWel
l
sist
hecr
eat
orofJheSkept
ic'
sAnnot
ated

Bi
ble/Qur
an/BookofMor
mon

(ht
tp:
//skept
icsannot
atedbi
ble.
com )andi
stheaut
horof

t
hebl
og,
Dwi
ndl
i
ngi
nUnbel
i
ef

(ht
tp:
//dwi
ndl
i
nqi
nunbel
i
ef.
bloqspot
.com 1)
.Hehasspent

wayt
oomucht
ime(
thel
ast20y
ear
s)anal
yzi
ngt
he

t
hreewor
stbooksev
erwr
it
ten.

Gi
ordanoBr
uno(
1548-
1600)was

anI
tal
i
anDomi
nicanf
ri
ar,

phi
l
osopher
,mat
hemat
ici
anandast
ronomer
,whoi
sbest

knownasapr
oponentoft
hei
nfi
nit
yoft
heuni
ver
se.Hi
s

cosmol
ogi
cal
theor
ieswentbey
ondt
heCoper
nicanmodel

i
nident
if
yingt
hesunasj
ustoneofani
nfi
nit
enumberof

i
ndependent
lymov
ingheav
enl
ybodi
es,
wit
hst
arsbei
ng

si
mil
ari
nnat
uret
othesun.Hewasbur
nedatt
hest
ake

Febr
uar
y17,
1600af
tert
heRomanI
nqui
sit
ionf
oundhi
m

gui
l
tyofher
esy
,andi
s,t
her
efor
e,r
ight
ful
l
yregar
dedas

amar
tyrf
orsci
enceandf
reet
hought
.