4- j>- BS197. .Z .BSl BIBLE STORIES IN BIBLE LANGUAGE Moses. Michael Angela. S. Pietro in Vincoli, Borne. BIBLE STORIES IN BIBLE LANGUAGE (The King James Version) ARRANGED AND EDITED BY LORINDA MUNSON BRYANT AUTHOR OF "AX[ERICAN PICTURES AND THEIR PAINTERS," "FRENCH PICTURES AND THEIR PAINTERS," "THE children's book of CELEBRATED PICTURES," ETC. D. APPLETON AND COMPANY NEW YORK :: LONDON :: MCMXXII COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD INTRODUCTION Bible stories have a special fascination for children; and when these stories, printed in large type, are lifted out from the cumbersome genealo- gies and long names of minor characters the child is as eager to read them as to read fairy tales. The simple English of the King James Version, with its repeated words and phrases, has just the element of directness that catches the understand- ing of the child. This collection of Bible Stories in Bible Lan- guage is taken unchanged from the familiar and beloved Bible of our homes, with nothing added to, nor taken from, the original text. The King James Version of the Bible was made in 1611. The Old Testament, however, was not divided into verses until 1661, fifty years after its translation into English. Unfortunately the verses do not correspond to the punctuation of the original text. I have, therefore, done away with the verses and paragraphed the stories according to the Temple Bible — an edition printed at the beginning of the twentieth century and edited by English and American scholars. But let me repeat : No word has been changed from the King James Version. INTRODUCTION Surely these marvelous stories, told so simply and vividly about people who lived in Bible lands thousands of years ago, have just the same inter- est to-day, for they are stories which apply to real life. Every child and adult of the schools and homes of the world to-day should become familiar with Bible Stories in Bible Language. The underlying principle in the stories is elemen- tal and forms the foundation of all literature. CONTENTS PAGE The Creation 1 The Garden of Eden 5 Adam and Eve Driven from the Garden ... 8 Cain and Abel 8 Building the Ark 12 The Flood 13 The Ark on Ararat 15 The Rainbow Promise 17 The Tower of Babel 18 Three Angels Visit Abraham 19 Destruction of Sodom Revealed to Abraham . 21 Lot'sWifeBecomes A Pillar of Salt . ... 23 IsHMAEL, Isaac's Half Brother, Is Sent Away 26 God Tests Abraham 29 Purchase of Machpelah 32 Isaac and Rebekah 34 Esau Selleth His Birthright 41 Jacob Steals Esau's Blessing ...... 42 Vision of Jacob's Ladder , . 46 Jacob Loves Rachel > . 50 Jacob Is Called Israel „ . 54 The Twelve Sons of Jacob 55 Joseph's Dreams . 56 Joseph's Brothers Sell Him 57 Joseph in Egypt 61 Joseph Falsely Accused 62 Joseph Interpreteth Pharaoh's Dreams . . 65 Joseph Lays up Corn in Egypt 69 xi CONTENTS PAGE Joseph's Ten Brothers Come to Buy Corn . . 70 Benjamin Goes to Egypt 73 The Silver Cup 76 JuDAH Pleads for Benjamin 78 Joseph Says to His Brothers, ' ' I Am Joseph " .• 80 Jacob Comes to See Joseph 83 Moses Hid Among the Flags 85 Moses Kills an Egyptian 86 God Calls Moses 88 Moses' Rod Becomes a Serpent 91 Bricks Without Straw 93 Aaron's Rod Swallows the Other Rods ... 95 First Plague — Water Turned to Blood ... 96 Second Plague — Frogs 98 Third Plague — ^Lice 99 Fourth Plague — Flies 100 Fifth Plague — Murrain of Beasts .... 101 Sixth Plague — Boils 102 Seventh Plague — Hail 103 Eighth Plague — Locusts 105 Ninth Plague — Darkness 108 The Story op the Passover 109 Tenth Plague — The Firstborn Slain . . . Ill The Egyptians Are Drowned . . . ' . . . 112 Moses' Upheld Hands Win the Battle . . . 117 Miriam Becomes a Leper 118 The Brazen Serpent 119 Moses' Rod Brings Water from the Rock . . 120 The Golden Calf 121 Balaam's Ass Speaks 127 Moses Vieweth the Promised Land . . . . 131 xii CONTENTS PAGE Rahab and the Spies 133 The Walls of Jericho Fall Down .... 138 The Gibeonites' Craft 141 The Sun and Moon Stand Still 144 The Lefthanded Man 146 Jael Killeth Sisera 148 Gideon's Fleece 151 Gideon's Three Hundred Men 151 The Trees Choose a King 154 Jephthah's Rash V'ow 155 An Angel Comes to Samson's Parents . . . 157 Samson 's Marriage and Riddle 159 Samson's Revenge on the Philistines . . . 162 Delilah Betrayeth Samson 164 The Stolen Wives 168 Ruth 170 God Calleth Samuel 179 David and Goliath 183 Saul Hates David 190 Saul Seeks to Kill David ....... 193 David and Jonathan Swear Friendship . , „ 195 David Spareth Saul's Life . 198 The Story of Nabal . ; . 200 Saul and the Witch of Endor 206 David Sins Against Uriah 209 Nathan's Parable of the Ewe Lamb .... 212 The Story of Absalom 215 Rizpah's Care for the Dead 222 Giant with Six Fingers and Six Toes . . . 224 The Cave of Adullam 225 Solomon Judges Wisely 226 xiii CONTENTS PAGE The Queen of Sheba 229 The Disobedient Prophet 231 Elijah Fed by Ravens 235 Elijah and the Priests of Baal 238 God Appeareth to Elijah in Horeb .... 243 Elijah Taken Up in a Chariot of Fire . . . 245 Elisha Heals the Waters 248 Elisha Obtaineth Water 249 The Widow's Oil Increased 252 The Widow's Son Restored 253 Death in the Pot 256 Naaman's Leprosy 257 Iron Swims 261 An Army Struck with Blindness 261 Women Eat Their Own Children 263 Lepers Enter the Camp 265 Hazael Killeth His Master 267 Death of Jezebel 268 The Shadow Returns Ten Degrees .... 269 Nehemiah Builded the Wall of Jerusalem . . 271 Jeremiah's Linen Girdle 273 Jeremiah in the Lower Dungeon 274 Esther 276 Coming to Life of Dry Bones 292 Nebuchadnezzar's Dream 295 The Fiery Furnace 301 Nebuchadnezzar Did Eat Grass as Oxen . . , 305 The Writing on the Wall 310 Daniel in the Lion's Den 314 Jonah 318 Index 325 xiv ILLUSTRATIONS FIGTJKE PAGE Moses Frontispiece 3Iichael Angela (1475-1564) 1. The Creation of Adam and Eve .... 3 Raphael (1483-1520) 2. Adam and Eve Driven From the Garden of Eden 9 Masaccio (1402-1429) 3. The Story of Cain and Abel 11 Ghiherti (1378-1455) 4. Abraham and the Three Angels .... 20 Memlinc (abont 1430-1494) 5. Lot Fleeing From Sodom 24 Raphael 6. Hagar and Ishmael Driven From Home . . 27 Van der Werf (1659-1722) 7. Abraham Ready to Sacrifice Isaac ^ . , . 30 Ghiherti 8. Isaac Blesses Jacob 43 Raphael 9. Jacob's Dream 47 Murillo (1617-1682) 10. "And Jacob Kissed Rachel" ..... 51 Palma Vecchio (about 1480-1528) 11. Joseph Sold to the Ishmaelites 59 Raphael 12. Moses Waters the Sheep for Zipporah ... 87 Botticelli (1444-1510) ILLUSTRATIONS •PIGTJHE PAGE 13. Pharaoh and His Army Drowned in the Red Sea 113 Rosselli (about 1439-1507) 14. Worshipping the Golden Calf .... 123 Rosselli 15. The Fall of Jericho 137 Raphael 16. Manoah's Sacrifice 158 Rembrandt (1606-1669) 17. The Lord Speaks to Samuel ...... 181 Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) 18. David With the Head of Goliath .... 184 Yerrocchio (1435-1488) 19. Abigail Meeting David With Presents . . . 201 Rubens (1577-1640) 20. Solomon 's Wise Judgment 227 Raphael 21. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba .... 230 Raphael 22. Elijah Taken Up in a Chariot of Fire ... 246 William Blake (1757-1827) 23. Jeremiah 273 Michael Angela 24. Vision of Ezekiel 293 Raphael BIBLE STORIES IN BIBLE LANGUAGE BIBLE STORIES IN BIBLE LANGUAGE THE CREATION (Genesis i. 1-31; ii. 1-4) 111 the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void ; and darkness ivas upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which ivere under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear : and it was so. And God called 1 BIBLE STORIES the dry land Earth ; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas : and God saw that it ivas good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in it- self, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed ivas in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morn- ing were the third day. And God said, Let there be lights in the firma- ment of the heaven to divide the day from the night ; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years : and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth : and it was so. And God made two great lights ; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night : he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness : and God saw that it ivas good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. And God said. Let the waters bring forth abun- dantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after 2 BIBLE STORIES their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind : and God saw that it ivas good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the Fig. 1. — The Creation op Adam and Eve, Baphael. Loggia, Vatican, Rome. earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his 3 BIBLE STORIES kind: and God saw that it teas good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our like- ness : and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creep- ing thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them. Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it : and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said. Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed ; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, / have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it : because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. 4 BIBLE STORIES THE GARDEN OF EDEN (Genesis ii. 8-11; iii. 15-17) Aiid the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Ederi to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat : but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman. Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden : but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die : for God doth know that in the day 5 BIBLE STORIES ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree ivas good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her ; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day : and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him. Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked ; and I hid myself. And he said. Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said. The woman whom thou gavest to he with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said. The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed 6 BIBLE STORIES above all cattle, and above every beast of the field ; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life : and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it : cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life ; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb in the field ; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and imto dust shalt thou return. And Adam called his wife 's name Eve ; because she was the mother of all living. BIBLE STORIES ADAM AND EVE DRIVEN FROM THE GARDEN (Genesis iii. 21-24) Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them. And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever : There- fore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. CAIN AND ABEL (Genesis iv. 2-17) And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering : but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is 8 Fig. 2. — Adam and Eve Driven from the Garden of Eden. Masaccio. Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence. BIBLE STORIES thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted! and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, w^hen they were in the field, that Cain Fig. 3. — The Story of Cain and Abel. Ghiberti. Baptistry Gates, Florence. rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother! And he said, I know not: am I my brother's keeper! And he said. What hast thou done! the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, 11 BIBLE STORIES which hath opened her mouth to receive thy broth- er 's blood from thy hand; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength ; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth ; and from thy face shall I be hid ; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth ; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. And the Lord said unto him. Therefore whoso- ever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. BUILDING THE AEK (Genesis vi.) And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all jflesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me ; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood ; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch 12 BIBLE STORIES it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall he three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above ; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; tvith lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven ; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. THE FLOOD (Genesis vii. ) And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female ; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. 13 BIBLE STORIES And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him. In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the win- dows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; they, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had com- manded him : and the Lord shut him in. And the flood was forty days upon the earth ; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth; and the waters pre- vailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth ; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that ivcre under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits up- ward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creepmg thing that creepeth upon 14 BIBLE STORIES the earth, and every man. And the waters pre- vailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days. THE ARK ON ARARAT (Genesis viii. 1-22) And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark : and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged ; the fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; and the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated. And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month : in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen. And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made : and he sent forth a raven, w^hich went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; but the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark ; for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him 15 BIBLE STORIES into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days ; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; and the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove, which returned not again unto him any more. And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried. And God spake unto Noah, saying. Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons ' wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, hoth of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth ; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him: every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark. And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord ; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour ; 16 BIBLE STORIES and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake ; for the imagination of man 's heart is evil from his youth ; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and sum- mer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. THE RAINBOW PROMISE (Genesis ix. 8-17) And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying. And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you ; and with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my cove- nant with you ; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood ; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you, and every liv- ing creature that is with you, for perpetual genera- tions : I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh ; and the waters shall no more 17 BIBLE STORIES become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud ; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. THE TOWER OF BABEL (Genesis xi. 1-10) And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they jour- neyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said. Go to, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top map reach unto heaven ; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the Lokd came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said. Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language ; and this they begin to do : and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. 18 BIBLE STORIES So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth : and they left oif to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. THREE ANGELS VISIT ABRAHAM (Genesis xviii. 1-8) And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre : and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him : and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, and said. My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant : let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree : and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts ; after that ye shall pass on : for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said. So do, as thou hast said. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said. Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto 19 BIBLE STORIES -'I ! ^ . wM ^-- '▼■- Fig. 4.- -Abraham and the Three Angels. Memlinc. a young man; and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them ; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. BIBLE STORIES THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM IS REVEALED TO ABRAHAM (Genesis xviii. 16-33) And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do ; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his chil- dren and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judg- ment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. And the Lord said. Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous ; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet be- fore the Lord. And Abraham drew near, and said. Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Per- adventure there be fifty righteous within the city : wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far 21 BIBLE STORIES from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked : and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Loed, which am but dust and ashes : peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous : wilt thou de- stroy all the city for lack of five? And he said. If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak : peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. And he said. Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had 22 BIBLE STORIES left communing with Abraham : and Abraham re- turned unto his place. . LOT'S WIFE BECOMES A PILLAR OF SALT (Genesis xix. 1-3, 12-26) And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom : and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them ; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; and he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant 's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said. Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house ; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place : for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said. Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will de- stroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. And when the morning arose, then the angels 23 BIBLE STORIES hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while ttflH^^ ^^>W ■ ^^^H *J^M ■■ H^^HH^^^yJ^LJH ■i^Mi ^B\ ^Jh ll^'" ;i Fig. 5. — Lot Fleeing from Sodom. Raphael. Loggia, Vatican, Rome. he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters ; the Lord being merciful unto him : and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said. Escape for thy life ; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: 24 BIBLE STORIES Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my Ufe; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die : Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one : 0, let me escape thither, {is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. And he said unto him. See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not over- throw this city, for the which thou hast spoken. Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. BIBLE STORIES ISHMAEL, ISAAC'S HALF BROTHER, IS SENT AWAY ( Genesis xxi. 3-24) And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac, being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the sayne day that Isaac was weaned. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had borne unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son Ishmael: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, eveji with Isaac. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham 's sight because of his son. And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight be- cause of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman ; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and 26 Fig. 6. — Hagar and Ishmael Driven from Home. Van der Werf. Dresden Gallery. BIBLE STORIES wandered in the wilderness of Beer-slieba. And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. And she went, and sat her do^vIl over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot : for she said. Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her. What aileth thee, Hagar ! fear not ; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water ; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. And God was with the lad ; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. And he dwelt in the wil- derness of Paran : and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. GOD TESTS ABRAHAM (Genesis xxiii. 1-14) And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham. And he said. Behold here I am. And he said. Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah ; and offer him there for a burnt offer- 29 BIBLE STORIES ing upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and Fig. 7. — Abraham Ready to Sacrifice Isaac. Ghiherti. Baptistry Gates, Florence. saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men. Abide ye here with the ass ; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come 30 BIBLE STORIES again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son ; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife ; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said. My father : and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said. My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering. So they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of ; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said. Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him : for now I know that thou f oarest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind hi)n a ram caught in a thicket by his horns : and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. BIBLE STORIES PURCHASE OF MACHPELAH (Genesis xxiii. 1-20) And Sarah was a hundred and seven and twenty years old: these ivere the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan :. and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight. And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him. Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us : in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall with- hold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth. And he communed with them, saying. If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field ; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you. And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth : 32 BIBLE STORIES and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying, Nay, my lord, hear me : the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee : bury thy dead. And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land. And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there. And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him. My lord, hearken unto me : the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that be- twixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead. And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant. And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which ivas therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that ivere in all the borders round about, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city. And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre : the same is Hebron in the land of 33 BIBLE STORIES Canaan. And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a pos- session of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth. ISAAC AND REBEKAH (Genesis xxiv. 1-53) And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age : and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said unto his eldest serv- ant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: and I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell : but thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land : must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? And Abraham said unto him. Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying. Unto thy seed will I give this land ; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be 34 BIBLE STORIES clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. And the servant pnt his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concern- ing that matter. And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand : and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. And he said, Lord God of my master Abra- ham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water ; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water : and let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say. Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say. Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also ; let the same he she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. E.EBEKAH Comes to the Well And it came to pass, before he had done speak- ing, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. And the damsel was very fair to look 35 BIBLE STORIES upon, a virgin: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. And the servant ran to meet her, and said. Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. And she said, Drink, my lord : and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not. The Servant Gives Her Precious Jewels And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; and said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father 's house for us to lodge in? And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. She said moreover unto him. We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. And the man bowed down his head, and wor- shipped the Lord. And he said. Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not 36 ♦ BIBLE STORIES left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren. Rebekah's Brother Laban Invites Him Home And the damsel ran, and told them of her moth- er's house these things. And Rebekah had a brother, and his name ivas Laban : and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying. Thus spake the man unto me ; that he came unto the man ; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well. And he said. Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; wherefore standest thou without? for I have pre- pared the house, and room for the camels. And the man came into the house : and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men 's feet that were with him. And there was set meat before him to eat : but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. Abraham's Servant Tells His Errand And he said, I am Abraham 's servant. And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and 37 BIBLE STORIES maidservants, and camels, and asses. And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old : and unto him hath he given all that he hath. And my master made me swear, say- ing, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell: but thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son. And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. And he said unto me. The Lord, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father 's house : then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred ; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath. And I came this day unto the well, and said, Lord God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go : behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her. Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink; and she say to me. Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels : let the same he the woman whom the Lord hath appointed out for my master's son. And before I had done speaking in mine heart, be- hold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew ivater: and I said unto her. Let me drink, I pray thee. And she made haste, and let down her 38 BIBLE STORIES pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also. And I asked her, and said. Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor 's son, whom Milcah bare unto him : and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son. And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my mas- ter, tell me : and if not, tell me ; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left. Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the Lord hath spoken. And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's serv- ant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth. And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah : he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master. And her brother and her mother said. Let the damsel abide with us a few days, 39 BIBLE STORIES at the least ten; after that she shall go. And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered my way ; send me away that I may go to my master. And they said. We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth. And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man ? And she said, I will go. And they sent away Eebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men. And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thou- sands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them. Isaac Meets Rebekah And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man : and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai- roi; for he dwelt in the south country. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide : and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant. What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master : therefore she took a vail, and covered her- self. And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became 40 BIBLE STORIES his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was com- forted after his mother's death. ESAU SELLETH HIS BIRTHRIGHT (Genesis xxvi. 27-34) And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field ; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he tvas faint : and Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said. Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die : and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said. Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles ; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright. BIBLE STORIES JACOB STEALS ESAU'S BLESSING (Genesis xxvii. 1-40) And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son : and he said unto him. Behold, here am I. And he said. Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death: now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison ; and make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die. And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying. Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice ac- cording to that which I command thee. Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats ; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth: and thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death. And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man : my father 42 M^"-' M-^^'i Jr'^. ■^i^'i « 1 %:•! Hifli'i? Jw ■ '*'HI - mL l^r .^^lU^^^wM ,• ^^" "^ ^^WHBB^^^ '■'^ ' ■•^mK^.\^y'%.'''^ «5 '-J a rn CS a C/J rr; a U3 t^ m e C5> -^ ?>, <) Oi h-i 1 ^-:l 1 "5^ c; r*i rse n i^ kH c Ps BIBLE STORIES peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to hiiii as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son : only obey my voice, and go fetch me them. And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved. And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which tvere with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son : and she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck : and she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had pre- pared, into the hand of her son Jacob. And he came unto his father, and said. My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son? And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn ; I have done according as thou badest me : arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac said unto his son. How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said. Because the LoKD thy God brought it to me. And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not. And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father ; and he felt him, and said. The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him. And he said. Art thou my very son Esau? 45 BIBLE STORIES And lie said, I am,. And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank. And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell Of a field which the Lord hath blessed ; Therefore God give thee Of the dew of heaven, And the fatness of the earth, And plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, And nations bow down to thee : Be lord over thy brethren, And let thy mother 's sons bow down to thee : Cursed he every one that curseth thee, And blessed be he that blesseth thee. VISION OF JACOB'S LADDER (Genesis xxviii. 10-22) And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that 46 BIBLE STORIES place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a lad- der set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven : and behold the angels of God ascend- ing and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south : and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said. How dreadful is this place ! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city ivas called Luz at the first. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying. If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: and this stone, 49 BIBLE STORIES which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house : and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. JACOB LOVES EACHEL (Genesis xxix. 1-31 ) Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there ivere three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth. And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place. And Jacob said unto them. My brethren, whence he ye? And they said. Of Haran are we. And he said unto them. Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. And he said unto them, 7s he well? And they said. He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep. And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. And they said. We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep. And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father 's sheep : for she kept them. And 50 a ?s» R f^ 2 i BIBLE STORIES it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daugh- ter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Re- bekah's son: and she ran and told her father. And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. And Laban said to him. Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought ! tell me, what shall thy wages he? And Laban had two daughters : the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Ra- chel. Leah tvas tender eyed ; but Rachel was beau- tiful and well favoured. And Jacob loved Rachel ; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And Laban said. It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel ; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled. And 53 BIBLE STORIES Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he (Jacob) said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me! did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? And Laban said. It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also: and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. JACOB IS CALLED ISRAEL (Genesis xxxii. 24-32) And Jacob was left alone ; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh ; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said. Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him. What is thy name ? And he said, Jacob. And he said. Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel : for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said. Tell me, I pray 54 BIBLE STORIES thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day; because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank. THE TWELVE SONS OF JACOB ( Genesis xxxv. 23-27 ) Eeuben Joseph Simeon Benjamin Levi Dan Judah Naphtali Issachar Gad Zebulum Asher BIBLE STORIES JOSEPH'S DREAMS (Genesis xxxvii. 3-11 ) Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his chil- dren, because he ivas the son of his old age : and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them. Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed : for, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more ; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. 56 BIBLE STORIES JOSEPH'S BROTHERS SELL HIM (Genesis xxxvii. 12-36) And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed tlie flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him. Here am I. And he said to him. Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy breth- ren, and well with the flocks ; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And a certain man found him, and, behold, he ivas wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying What seek- est thou? And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks. And the man said. They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Jo- seph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan. And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another. Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now there- fore, and let us sla}^ him, and cast him into some pit, and we will sa}^, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands ; and said. Let us not kill him. And Reuben said unto them. Shed no blood, 57 BIBLE STORIES but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him ; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; and they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there ivas no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread : and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ish- meelites came from Gilead with their camels bear- ing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his breth- ren. What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him ; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen ; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to th'e Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver : and they brought Joseph into Egypt. And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph ivas not in the pit; and he rent his clothes. And he returned unto his brethren, and said. The child is not; and I, whither shall I go? And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; and they sent the coat of many colours, and they 58 I— I ^ H § H «-' e o K o S^ 0^ fe BIBLE STORIES brought it to their father ; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat ; an evil beast hath devoured him ; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him ; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. JOSEPH IN EGYPT (Genesis xxxix. 1-6; xl. 1-23) And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Jshmaelites, which had brought him down thither. And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord 61 BIBLE STORIES was upon all that lie had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. JOSEPH FALSELY ACCUSED And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king 's prisoners were bound : and he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison ; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked Hot to any thing that was under his hand ; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper. And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. And Pha- raoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them : and they continued a season in ward. 62 BIBLE STORIES PHARAOH'S BUTLER AND BAKER DREAM DREAMS And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according- to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they uwre sad. And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord 's house, saying, "Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? And they said unto him. We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God! tell me them, I pray you. And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him. In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; and in the vine tvere three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth ; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes : and Pharaoh 's cup ivas in my hand : and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand. And Joseph said unto him. This is the in- terpretation of it: The three branches are three days : yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place : and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. But think on me when it shall be well with 63 BIBLE STORIES thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house : for indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews : and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. When the chief baker saw that the interpreta- tion was good, he said unto Joseph, I also ivas in my dream, and, behold, I had three white bas- kets on my head: and in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pha- raoh ; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. And Joseph answered and said. This is the interpretation thereof : The three bas- kets are three days: yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee. And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants : and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again ; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: but he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but f orgat him. BIBLE STORIES JOSEPH INTERPEETETH PHARAOH'S DREAMS (Genesis xli. 1-44) And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fat-fleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed ; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the ill fa- voured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. And he slept and dreamed the second time : and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it urns a dream. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled ; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. Then spake the chief butler unto Pha- raoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, 65 BIBLE STORIES both me and the chief baker: and we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. And there tvas there with us a young man, an He- brew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and ho interpreted to us our dreams ; to each man according to his dream he did inter- pret. And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was ; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it : and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, say- ing. It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: and, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow: and, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and lean- fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: and the lean and the ill fa- voured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: and when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they tvere 66 BIBLE STORIES still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke. And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: and, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, cuid blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: and the thin ears devoured the seven good ears : and I told this unto the magicians ; but there was none that could declare it to me. And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one : God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good kine are seven years ; and the seven good ears are seven years : the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill fa- voured kine that came up after them are seven years ; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What Grod is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt : and there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt ; and the famine shall consume the land; and the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall he very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice, it is because the thing is estab- lished by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint 67 BIBLE STORIES officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food m the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. Joseph Is Made Goveenok of Egypt And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants. Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is9 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so dis- creet and wise as thou art : thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled : only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in ves- tures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck ; and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him. Bow the knee : and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 68 BIBLE STORIES JOSEPH LAYS UP CORN IN EGYPT (Genesis xli. 46-57) And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous j^ears the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities : the food of the field, which ivas round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left number- ing; for it ivas without number. And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Jo- seph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the peo- ple cried to Pharaoh for bread : and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians ; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands. 69 BIBLE STORIES JOSEPH'S TEN BROTHEES COME TO BUY CORN (Genesis xlii. 1-38) Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence ; that we may live, and not die. And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his breth- ren ; for he said. Lest peradventure mischief befall him. And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came : for the famine was in the land of Canaan. And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him ivith their faces to the earth. And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them ; and he said unto them. Whence come ye? And they said. From the land of Canaan to buy food. And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them. Ye are spies ; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. And they said unto him. Nay, my lord, but 70 BIBLE STORIES to buy food are thy servants come. "We are all one man's sons; we are true meyi, thy servants are no spies. And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, be- hold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not. And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying. Ye are spies: hereby ye shall be proved: by the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. Send one of you, and let him fetch 5'our brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there he any truth in you : or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. And he put them all together into ward three days. And Joseph said unto them the third day. This do, and live; for I fear God: if ye he true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses : but bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so. And they said one to another. We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying. Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, be- 71 BIBLE STORIES hold, also his blood is required. And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. And he turned him- self about from them, and wept ; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes. Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way : and thus did he unto them. And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence. And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money ; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth. And he said unto his breth- ren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us ? And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them ; saying, The man, ivho is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. And we said unto him. We are true m,en; we are no spies : we be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan. And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us. Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone : and 72 BIBLE STORIES bring your youngest brother unto me : then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land. And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack : and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. BENJAMIN GOES TO EGYPT (Genesis xliii. 1-34) And the famine was sore in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. And Judah spake unto him, saying. The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying. Ye shall not see my face, except your brother he with you. If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food: but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us. Ye shall not see my face, except your brother he with you. And Israel said. Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother? And they said. The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying. Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words : Could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your 73 BIBLE STORIES brother down? And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. I will be surety for him ; of my hand shalt thou require him : if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: for except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time. And their father Israel said unto them. If it must be so now, do this ; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts and almonds : and take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand ; peradventure it ivas an over- sight : take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man : and God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to t]ie ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph 's house. And the men were afraid, because 74 BIBLE STORIES tliey were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in ; that lie may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, and said, sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food : and it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money ivas in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight : and we have brought it again in our hand. And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks. And he said, Peace he to you, fear not : your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treas- ure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them. And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender. And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon : for they heard that they should eat bread there. And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which ivas in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth. And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? 75 he yet alive ? And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And 75 BIBLE STORIES they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, 7s this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me ? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. And Joseph made haste ; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother : and he sought where to weep ; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews ; for that is an abom- ination unto the Egyptians. And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth : and the men marvelled one at another. And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Ben- jamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. THE SILVER CUP (Genesis xliv. 1-13) And he commanded the steward of his house, saying. Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man 's money in his sack 's mouth. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn 76 BIBLE STORIES money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them. Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing. And he overtook them, and he spake unto them, these same words. And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God for- bid that thy servants should do according to this thing: behold, the money, which we found in our sacks ' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan : how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold? With whom- soever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen. And he said. Now also let it he according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless. Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest : and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city. 77 BIBLE STORIES JUDAH PLEADS FOR BENJAMIN (Genesis xliv. 14-34) And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house ; for he was yet there : and they fell before him on the ground. And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine? And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants : behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found. And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my serv- ^ant ; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father. Then Judah came near unto him, and said, my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant : for thou art even as Pharaoh. My lord asked his servants, saying. Have ye a father, or a brother? And we said unto my lord. We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one ; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him. And thou saidst unto thy servants. Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him. And we said unto my lord, the lad cannot leave his father : for if he should leave his father, 78 BIBLE STORIES his father would die. And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more. And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. And our father said. Go again, and buy us a little food. And we said. We cannot go down : if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down : for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother he with us. And thy servant my father said unto us. Ye know that my wife bare me two sons: and the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since : and if ye take this also from me, and mis- chief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life; it shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father. 79 BIBLE STORIES JOSEPH SAYS TO HIS BROTHERS, ''I AM JOSEPH" ( Genesis xlv. 1-28) Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph ; doth my father yet live! And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren. Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine heen in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither he earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a pos- terity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him. Thus 80 BIBLE STORIES saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt : come down unto me, tarry not ; and thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: and there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine ; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him. And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come : and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren. This do ye ; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; and take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Also 81 BIBLE STORIES regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours. And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. To all of them he gave each man changes of rai- ment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them. See that ye fall not out by the way. And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father. And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive,, and he is gov- ernor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not. And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived : and Israel said. It is enough ; Joseph my son is yet alive : I will go and see him before I die. BIBLE STORIES JACOB COMES TO SEE JOSEPH ( Genesis xlvi. 1-6,28-34; xlvi. 1-10) And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices uiitD the God of his father Isaac. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and eaid, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And he said, I am God, the God of thy father : fear not to go down into Egypt ; for I will there make of thee a great nation. I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him. And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive. And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, 83 BIBLE STORIES and say unto fiim, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me; and the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle ; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have. And it shall come to pass, when Pha- raoh shall call you, and shall say. What is your occupation? that ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers : that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen ; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen. And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto his brethren. What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers. They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are w^e come; for thy serv- ants have no pasture for their flocks ; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan : now there- fore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen. And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee: the land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell ; in the land of Goshen let them dwell : and 84 BIBLE STORIES if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle. And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh : and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou? And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years : few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh. And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egyptj in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families. MOSES HID AMONG THE FLAGS (Exodus ii. 1-10) And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman bare a son : and when she saw him that he tvas a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein ; and she laid it in the flags' by the river's brink. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 85 BIBLE STORIES And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river ; and her maidens walked along by the river's side: and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had com- passion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children. Then said his sister to Pha- raoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? And Pharaoh's daughter said to her. Go. And the maid went and called the child 's mother. And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh 's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses : and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. MOSES KILLS AN EGYPTIAN (Exodus ii. 11-21) And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens : and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews 86 BIBLE STORIES strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow"? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the m'if"^'^' "■^^' 0!'?k. .; % ^ \^mr^ m ^M raniH*^^B i Fig. 12, — Moses Waters the Sheep fob Zipporah. Botticelli. Sistine Chapel, Rome. Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said. Surely this thing is known. Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters : and they came and drew tvater, and filled .the troughs to water their father 's flock. And the shepherds came and drove 87 BIBLE STORIES them away : but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day ? And they said. An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. And he said unto his daughters. And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread. And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. GOD CALLS MOSES (Exodus iii. 1-22) Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the moun- tain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I- And he said. Draw not nigh hither : put off thy shoes from off thy feet ; for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I 88 BIBLE STORIES am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face ; for he was afraid to look upon God. And the Lord said, I have surely seen the afflic- tion of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows ; and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me : and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said. Certainly I will be with thee ; and this shall he a token unto thee, that I have sent thee : "When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. And Moses said unto God, Behold, luhen I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them. The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you ; and they shall say to me, What is his name ? what shall I say unto them! And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM : 89 BIBLE STORIES and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, Hath sent me unto you : This is my name for ever. And this is my memorial unto all generations. Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them. The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abra- ham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you. And seen that which is done to you in Egypt : And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt Unto a land flowing with milk and honey. And they shall hearken to thy voice : and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him. The Lord God of the Hebrews hath met with us: And now let us go, we beseech thee, three days ' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I witl stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof : and 90 BIBLE STORIES after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians : and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: but every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment : and ye shall put the7n upon your sons, and upon your daughters ; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians. MOSES' KOD BECOMES A SERPENT (Exodus iv. 1-17) And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say. The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. And the Lord said unto him. What is that in thine hand ? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow. And he said. Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And 91 BIBLE STORIES he put his hand into his bosom again ; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land. And Moses said unto the Lokd, my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant ; but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. And he said, my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said. Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall 92 BIBLE STORIES do. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the peo- ple : and he shall be, even he shall be to thee in- stead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW (Exodus v.: 1-19) And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said. Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go ? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. And they said. The God of the Hebrews hath met with us : let us go, we pray thee, three days ' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the Lord our God ; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. And the king of Egypt said unto them. Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. And Pharaoh said. Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the task- masters of the people, and their officers, saying. Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore : let them go and gather straw for themselves. And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them ; 93"^ BIBLE STORIES ye shall not diminish aught thereof: for they he idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein ; and let them not regard vain words. And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not aught of your work shall be diminished. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, aud demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yes- terday and to day, as heretofore"? Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying. Wherefore deal- est thou thus with thy servants? There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten ; but the fault is in thine own people. But he said, Ye are idle, ije are idle : therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord. Go there- fore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks. 94 BIBLE STORIES AARON'S ROD SWALLOWS THE OTHER RODS (Exodus vii. 1-13) And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee : and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them, so did they. And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh. And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, say- ing. Shew a miracle for you : then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron 95 BIBLE STORIES cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers : now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like man- ner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents : but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them ; as the Lord had said. FIRST PLAGUE — WATER TURNED TO BLOOD (Exodus vii. 14-25) And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart ^5 hardened, he refuseth to let the people go. Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river 's brink against he come ; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand. And thou shalt say unto him. The Lord God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying. Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear. Thus saith the Lord, In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord : behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink ; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river. 96 BIBLE STORIES And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood ; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded ; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that tvere in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants ; and all the waters that ivere in the river were turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died ; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river ; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchant- ments : and Pharaoh 's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the Lord had said. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river. And seven days were fulfilled, after that the Lord had smitten the river. BIBLE STORIES SECOND PLAGUE— FROGS (Exodus viii. 1-15) And the Lokd spake unto Moses, Go unto Pha- raoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs : and the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs : and the frogs shall come both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants. And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt ; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. And the magi- cians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord. And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the 98 BIBLE STORIES frogs from thee and thy houses, that thev may remain in the river only? And he said, To mor- row. And he said. Be it according to thy word; that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the Lord our God. And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people ; they shall remain in the river only. And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh : and Moses cried unto the Lord because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh. And the Lord did according to the word of Moses ; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. And they gathered them together upon heaps; and the land stank. But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said. THIRD PLAGUE— LICE (Exodus viii. 16-19) And the Lord said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchant- 99 BIBLE STORIES ments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God : and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said. FOURTH PLAGUE— FLIES ( Exodus viii. 20-32) And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he Cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me. Else, if thou wilt not let my peo- ple go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses : and the houses of the Egyp- tians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my peo- ple dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou may est know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. And I will put a divi- sion between my people and thy people : to mor- row shall this sign be. And the Lord did so ; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt : the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies. And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, 100 BIBLE STORIES and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. And Moses said. It is not meet so to do ; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the Lord our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us ? We will go three days ' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God, as he shall command us. And Pha- raoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness ; only ye shall not go very far away : intreat for me. And Moses said. Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow : but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord. And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the Lord. And the Lord did accord- ing to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people ; there remained not one. And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go. FIFTH PLAGUE— MURRAIN OF BEASTS ( Exodus ix. 1-7 ) Then the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him. Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For if thou refuse to let them go, and 101 BIBLE STORIES wilt hold them still, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. And the Lord shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel. And the Lord appointed a set time, saying. To morrow the Lord shall do this thing in the land. And the Lord did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one. And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go. SIXTH PLAGUE— BOILS ( Exodus ix. 8-12) And the Lord said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth ivith blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pha- raoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. And the magicians 102 BIBLE STORIES could not stand before Moses because of the boils ; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had spoken unto Moses. SEVENTH PLAGUE— HAIL ( Exodus ix. 13-35) And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the He- brews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people ; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go? Be- hold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field ; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come 103 BIBLE STORIES down upon them, and they shall die. He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses : and he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field. And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast ; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time : the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Intreat the Lord (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my 104 BIBLE STORIES hands unto the Lord; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord's. But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the Lord God. And the flax and the barley was smitten : for the barley was in the ear, and the flax ivas boiled. But the wheat and the rye were not smitten : for they were not grown up. And Moses went out of the city from Pha- raoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord : and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. And when Pha- raoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thun- ders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hard- ened his heart, he and his servants. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go ; as the Lord had spoken by Moses. EIGHTH PLAGUE— LOCUSTS (Exodus X. 1-20) And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pha- raoh : for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him : and that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the Lord. 105 BIBLE STORIES And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the Loed God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me. Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: and they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: and they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us f let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God : knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them. Go, serve the Lord your God: hut who are they that shall go? And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daugh- ters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we 7mist hold a feast unto the Lord. And he said unto them, let the Lord be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones : look to it; 106 BIBLE STORIES for evil is before you. Not so : go now ye that are men, and serve the Loed; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's pres- ence. And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the Lord brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night ; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt : very grievous ivere they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was dark- ened ; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the Lord your God, that he may take away from me this death only. And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the Lord. And the Lord turned a mighty strong west wind, which took 107 BIBLE STORIES away the locusts, and cast them into the Red Sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. But the Lord hardened Pha- raoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. NINTH PLAGUE— DARKNESS ( Exodus X. 21-29) And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand to- ward heaven ; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days : they saw not one an- other, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said. Go ye, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the Lord our God. Our cattle also shall go with us ; there shall not a hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the Lord our God; and we know not with what we must serve the Lord, until we come thither. But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. And Pharaoh said unto him. Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my 108 BIBLE STORIES face tliou slialt die. And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more. THE STORY OF THE PASSOVER (Exodus xi. 1-8 ; xii. 21-28 ) And the Lord said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt ; afterwards he will let you go hence : when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether. Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people. And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maid- servant that is behind the mill; and all the first- born of beasts. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast : that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a differ- ence between the Eg^^ptians and Israel. And all 109 BIBLE STORIES these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee : and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger. Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the pass- over. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin ; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians ; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And ye shall ob- serve this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you. What mean ye by this service? that ye shall say. It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. And the children of Israel went away, and did 110 BIBLE STORIES as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did thev. TENTH PLAGUE— THE FIRSTBORN SLAIN (Exodus xii. 29-36) And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Eg^-pt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that ivas in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose np in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians ; and there was a great cry in Egypt: for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said. Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone ; and bless me also. And the Egyp- tians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste ; for they said, We be all dead men. And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading- troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And the children of Israel did accord- ing to the word of Moses ; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment : and the Lord gave the people favour 111 BIBLE STORIES in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. THE EGYPTIANS ARE DROWNED (Exodus xiv. 5-31 ) And it was told the king of Egypt that the peo- ple fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the jjeople, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pha- raoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the chil- dren of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon. And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyp- tians marched after them; and they were sore afraid : and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. And they said unto Moses, Because there ivere no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness I wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of 112 BIBLE STORIES Egypt ? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day : for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward : but lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it : and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And, I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them : and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them : and it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel ; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. And Moses 115 BIBLE STORIES stretched out his hand over the sea ; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, and took off their char- iot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians. And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it ; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the 116 BIBLE STORIES sea ; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians ; and Israel saw the Egyp- tians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyp- tians : and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses. MOSES' UPHELD HANDS WIN THE BATTLE (Exo.lusxvii. 8-16) Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek : to mor- row I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed : and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon ; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse 117 BIBLE STORIES it in the ears of Joshua : for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi : for he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. MIRIAM BECOMES A LEPER (Numbers xii. 1-15) And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married : for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us I And the Lord heard it. (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which ivere upon the face of the earth.) And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words : If there be a prophet among you, / the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord 118 BIBLE STORIES shall he behold : wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam he- cmne leprous, ivhite as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she tvas leprous. And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed. And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, 'Heal her now, God, I beseech thee. And the Lord said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days : and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in agam. THE BRAZEN SERPENT (Numbers xxi. 4-9) And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom : and the soul of the people was much discouraged be- cause of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye 119 BIBLE STORIES brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilder- ness! for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the peo- ple, and they bit the people ; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said. We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee ; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole : and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole ; and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. MOSES' EOD BRINGS WATER FROM THE ROCK (Exodus xvii. 1-7) And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim : and there was no water for the people to drink. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said. Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? And the people thirsted there 120 BIBLE STORIES for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst ? And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Mas sail, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying. Is the Lord among us, or not? THE GOLDEN CALF (Exodus xxxii. 1-35) And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gath- ered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break oif the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your 121 BIBLE STORIES daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said. These he thy gods, Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the Lord. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down ; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them : they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sac- rificed thereunto, and said. These be thy gods, Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people : now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may con- sume them : and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said. Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, 122 BIBLE STORIES and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth! Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy serv- ants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand : the tables were written on both their sides ; on the one side and on the other ivere they written. And the tables ivere the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables. And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. And he said. It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground 125 BIBLE STORIES it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? And Aaron said. Let not the anger of my lord wax hot : thou knowest the peo- ple, that they are set on mischief. For they said unto me. Make us gods, which shall go before us : for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is be- come of him. And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me : then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. And when Moses saw that the people tvere naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said. Who is on the Lord 's side ? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses : and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and 126 BIBLE STORIES upon his brother; that he may bestow upon a blessmg this day. And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin : and now I will go up unto the Lord ; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin — ; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee : nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made. BALAAM'S ASS SPHAKS (Numbers xxii. 2-41 ) And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they ivere many : and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of 127 BIBLE STORIES the Moabites at that time. He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying. Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt : behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me : come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people ; for they are too mighty for me : peradven- ture I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land : for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed. And the elders of Moab and the elders of Mid- ian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand ; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. And he said unto them. Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the Lord shall speak unto me : and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. And God came unto Balaam, and said. What men are these with thee? And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to over- come them, and drive them out. And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them ; thou shalt not curse the people : for they are blessed. And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said 128 BIBLE STORIES unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land : for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you. And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. And they came to Balaam, and said to him. Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me : for I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me : come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. And Balaam answered and said unto the serv- ants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more. Now therefore, I pray 3^ou, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the Lord will say unto me more. And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him. If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them ; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. And Balaam rose up in the morning, and sad- dled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. And God's anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing 129 BIBLE STORIES in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand : and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam : and Ba- laam 's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times ? And Balaam said unto the ass. Because thou hast mocked me : I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since / was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee ? And he said, Nay. Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and* he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. And the angel of the Lord said unto him. Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, 130 BIBLE STORIES I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: and the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times : unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned ; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it di's- please thee, I will get me back agam. And the angel of the Lord said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Ba- laam went with the princes of Balak. MOSES VIEWETH THE PROMISED LAND (Deuteronomy xxxii. 48-52; xxxiv. 1-12) And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho ; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: and die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people ; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people : because ye tres- passed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither 131 BIBLE STORIES unto the land which I give the children of Israel. And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho : And the Loed shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephr^aim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, and the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. And the Lord said unto him. This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his nat- ural force abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 132 BIBLE STORIES in all the signs and the wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, and in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel. RAHAB AND THE SPIES (Joshua ii. 1-24) And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying. Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into a harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying. Be- hold, there came men in hither to night of the chil- dren of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying. Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus. There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: and it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out; whither the men went, I wot not : pursue after them quickly ; for ye shall overtake them. But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon 133 BIBLE STORIES as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate. And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; and she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that •all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt ; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more cour- age in any man, because of you : for the Lord your Ood, he is God in heaven above, and in earth be- neath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token : and that ye will .save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives froni death. And the men answered her. Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house ivas upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. And she said unto them. Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers 134 BIBLE STORIES meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned : and afterward may ye go your way. And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. Behold, ivJien we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy breth- ren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall he upon his head, and we will be guiltless : and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window. And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them: And they said unto Joshua, Truly the Lokd hath delivered into our hands all 135 BIBLE STORIES the land ; for even all the inhabitants of the coun- try do faint because of us. THE WALLS OF JERICHO FALL DOWN ( Josliua vi. 1-27 ) Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel : none went out, and none came in. And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And ye shall com- pass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trum- pets of rams ' horns : and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout ; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them. Take up the ark of the cove- nant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the Lord. And he said unto the people. Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the Lord. 136 BIBLE STORIES And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the Lord, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them. And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rearward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. And Joshua had commanded the people, saying. Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout ; then shall ye shout. So the ark of the Lord compassed the city, going about it once : and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp. And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually, and blew with the trumpets : and the armed men went before them ; but the rearward came after the ark of the Lord, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. And the second day they com- passed the city once, and returned into the camp : so they did six days. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, when 139 BIBLE STORIES the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city. And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord : only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord : they shall come into the treasury of the Lord. So the people shouted when the priest blew with the trumpets : and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country. Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all 140 BIBLE STORIES her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. And they burnt the city with fire, and all that ivas therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Loed. And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father 's household, and all that she had ; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying. Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it. So the Loed was with Joshua ; and his fame was noised throughout all the country. THE GIBEONITES' CRAFT (Joshua ix. 3-27) And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, they did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; and old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. And they 141 BIBLE STORIES went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: nov therefore make ye a league with us. And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you ? And they said unto Joshua, We are thy serv- ants. And Joshua said unto them. Who are ye? and from whence come ye ? And they said unto him, Trom a very far coun- try thy servants are come, because of the name of the Lord thy God : for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them. We are your servants : therefore now make ye a league with us. This our bread W6 took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy : and these bot- tles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, be- hold, they be rent : and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. And the men took of their victuals, and asked 142 BIBLE STORIES not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live : and the princes of the con- gregation sware unto hem. And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them. And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. But all the princes said unto all the congrega- tion. We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. This we will do to them ; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them. And the princes said unto them. Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congrega- tion ; as the princes had promised them. And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying. Wherefore have ye beguiled us, say- ing. We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us? Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bond- men, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. And they answered Joshua, and said. Because 143 BIBLE STORIES it was certainly told thy servants, how that the Lord thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the in- habitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing. And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do. And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not. And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the con- gregation, and for the altar of the Lord, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose. THE SUN AND MOON STAND STILL (Joshua X. 1-15) Now it came to pass, when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king"; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. 144 BIBLE STORIES And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants ; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us : for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour. And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not : for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and Avent up from Gilgal all night. And the Lord discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died : they ivere more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the chil- dren of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou. Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher ? 145 BIBLE STORIES So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man : for the Lord fought for Israel. And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal. THE LEFTHANDED MAN (Judges iii. 15-30) But when the children of Israel cried unto the ' Lord, the Lord raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab. But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length ; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh. And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man. And when he had made an end to offer the pres- ent, he sent away the people that bare the present. But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, king: who said. Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him. And Ehud came unto him ; and he was sitting in a sum- mer parlour, which he had for him.self alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat. And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right 146 BIBLE STORIES thigh, and thrust it into his belly: and the haft also Avent in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dag- ger out of his belly ; and the dirt came out. Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them. When he was gone out, his servants came ; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the par- lour ivere locked, they said. Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber. And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour ; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord ivas fallen down dead on the earth. And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath. And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Eph- raim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them. And he said unto them. Follow after me : for the Lord hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suf- fered not a man to pass over. And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour ; and there escaped not a man. So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years. 147 BIBLE STORIES JAEL KILLETH SISERA ( Judges iv. 1-24 ) And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead. And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host ivas Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapi- doth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah, between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak the son of Abi- noam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him. Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, say- ing, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto thee, to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin 's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. And Barak said unto her. If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. 148 BIBLE STORIES And she said, I will surely go with thee: not- withstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, nad went with Barak to Kedesh. And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh ; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet : and Deborah went up with him. Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh. And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor. And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even mine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon. And Deborah said unto Barak, Up ; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee ? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. And tlie Lord dis- comfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak ; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles : and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left. Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent 149 BIBLE STORIES of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite : for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink : for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. Again he said unto her. Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No. Then Jael Heber 's wife took a nail of the tent, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground : for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him. Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and pre- vailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan. BIBLE STORIES GIDEON'S FLEECE (Judges vi. 36-40) And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor ; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it he dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so : for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once : let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece ; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. GIDEON'S THREE HUNDRED MEN (Judges vii. 2-22) And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying. Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying. Whosoever is fear- ful and afraid, let him return and depart early 151 BIBLE STORIES from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there re- mained ten thousand. And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there : and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whom- soever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. So he brought down the people unto the water : and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand : and let all the other people go every man unto his place. So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets : and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men : and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley. And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him. Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand. But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah 152 BIBLE STORIES thy servant down to the host : and thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host. And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude ; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude. And when Gideon was come, behold, there ivas a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. And his fellow answered and said. This is noth- ing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God de- livered Midian, and all the host. And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said. Arise ; for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian. Ajid he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. And he said unto them. Look on me, and do likewise : and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do. When I blow with a trumpet, I and 153 BIBLE STORIES all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say. The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. So Gideon, and the hundred men that ivere with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch : and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried. The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. And they stood every man in his place round about the camp : and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled. THE TREES CHOOSE A KING (Judges ix. 8-15) The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them ; and they said unto the olive tree. Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them. Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees ? And the trees said to the fig tree. Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees f Then 154 BIBLE STORIES said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them. Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees. If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow ; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. JEPHTHAH'S RASH VOW ( Judges xi. 29-40 ) Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jeph- thah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon. And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said. If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the chil- dren of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord 's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. So Jeplitliah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them ; and the Lord deliv- ered them into his hands. And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, 155 BIBLE STORIES with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel. And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances : and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daugh- ter ! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me : for I have opened my mouth unto the Lokd, and I cannot go back. And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord, do to me accord- ing to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth ; forasmuch as the Lord hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Am- mon. And she said unto her father. Let this thing be done for me : let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows. And he said. Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her vir- ginity upon the mountains. And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed. And it was a custom in Israel, that the daugh- ters of Israel went 3^early to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year. 156 BIBLE STORIES AN ANGEL COMES TO SAMSON'S PARENTS (Judges xiii. 8-24) Then Manoah entreated the Lord, and said, my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born. And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband ivas not with her. And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto him. Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day. And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him. Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am. And Manoah said. Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and Jiow shall we do unto him? And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware. She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe. And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee. And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah, 157 BIBLE STORIES Though thou detain me, I ^ ill not eat of thy bread : and if thou wilt offer a bn it offering, thou must Fig. 16. — Manoah's Sacrifice. Rembrandt. Dresden Gallery. offer it unto the Lord. For Manoah knew not that he ivas an angel of the Lord. And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour? And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret? So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the Lord : and the angel 158 BIBLE STORIES did wondrously ; and Maiioali and his wife looked on. For it came to pa. ' when the flame went up toward heaven from off ,..ie altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in th©- flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground. But the angel of the Loed did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the Lord. And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God. But his wife said unto him, If the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these. And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson : and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him. SAMSON'S MARRIAGE AND RIDDLE (Judges xiv. 5-19) Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath : and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. And he went down, and talked with the woman ; 159 BIBLE STORIES and she pleased Samson well. And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion. And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat : but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the car- cass of the lion. So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast ; for so used the young men to do. And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him. And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments : but if ye can- not declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it. And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat. And out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire : 160 BIBLE STORIES have ye called us to take that we have? is it not sof And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told if me. And he said unto her. Behold, I have not told it my father and my mother, and shall I tell it thee? And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people. And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not ploughed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house. BIBLE STORIES SAMSON'S REVENGE ON THE PHILISTINES (Judges XV. 3-20; xvi. 1-3) And Samson said concerning; them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure. And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails. And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vine- yards and olives. Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire. And Samson said unto them. Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease. And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam. Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi. And the men of Judah said. Why are ye come up against us? And they answered. To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us. Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Know- 162 BIBLE STORIES est thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us ? what is this that thou hast done unto us ? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them : And they said unto him, "We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them. Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves. And they spake unto him, saying', No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand : but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock. And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that tvere upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. And he found a new jaw-bone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. And Samson said. With the jawbone of an ass, Heaps upon heaps, With the jaw of an ass Have I slain a thousand men. And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath-lehi. And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord, and said. Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant : and now shall I die 163 BIBLE STORIES for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircum- cised? But God clave a hollow place that ivas in the jaw, and there came water thereout ; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he re- vived : wherefore he called the name thereof En- hak-kore, which is in Lehi unto this day. And he judged Israel in the days of the Phil- istines twenty years. Then went Samson to Gaza. And it tvas told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morn- ing, when it is day, we shall kill him. And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of a hill that is before Hebron. DELILAH BETRAYETH SAMSON (Judges xvi. 4-31 ) And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him : and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. 164 BIBLE STORIES And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and where- with thou mightest be bound to afflict thee. And Samson said unto her. If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man. Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines he upon thee, Sam- son. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known. And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies : now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man. Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him. The Philistines he upon thee, Sam- son. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread. And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies : tell me where- with thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her. If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web. And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him. The Philistines he upon thee, 165 BIBLE STORIES Samson. And lie awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web. And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me I thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; that he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Naz- arite unto God from my mother 's womb : if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying. Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head ; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said. The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Loed was departed from him. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down 166 BIBLE STORIES to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house. Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven. Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice : for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand. And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said. Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us. And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said. Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house ; and he made them sport : and they set him between the pillars. And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand. Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them. Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Sam- son made sport. And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the 167 BIBLE STORIES one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life. Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years. THE STOLEN WIVES (Judges xxi. 1-25) Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, say- ing. There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife. And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore ; and said, Lord God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel? And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day. How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by the Lord, that we will not give them of our daughters to wives'? And the people repented them for Benjamin, 168 BIBLE STORIES because that the Lord had made a breach in the tribes of Israel. Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, see- ing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin? And they said. There must he mi inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel. Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters : for the chil- dren of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed he he that giveth a wife to Benjamin. Then they said. Behold, there is a feast of the Lord in Shiloh yearly, in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the high- way that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah. Therefore they com- manded the children of Benjamin, saying. Go and lie in wait in the vineyards ; and see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin. And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes : because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war : for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty. And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught : and they went and 169 BIBLE STORIES returned unto their inheritance, and repaired the cities, and dwelt in them. And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance. In those days there ivas no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. RUTH (Ruthi.-iv.) Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man ivas Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi 's husband died ; and she was left, and her two sons. And the^^ took them wives of the women of Moab ; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth : and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them ; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where 170 BIBLE STORIES she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother 's house : the Loed deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her hus- band. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her. Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me I And they lifted up their voice, and wept again : and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. Ruth Goes with Naomi, Her Mother iisr Law And she said. Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods : return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee : for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge : thy people shall he my people, and thy God my God : where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Wlien she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. 171 BIBLE STORIES So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth- lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said. Is thi.i Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth- lehem in the beginning of barley harvest. Ruth Gleans in the Field of Boaz And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elim- elech; and his name ivas Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her. Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who tvas of the kindred of Elimelech. And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him. The Lord bless thee. Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers. Whose damsel is this? 172 BIBLE STORIES And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab : and she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves : so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house. BoAZ Speaks to Ruth Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens : let thine eyes he on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the ves- sels, and drink of tliat which the young men have drawn. Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her. It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine hus- band: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust, 173 BIBLE STORIES Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord ; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine hand- maid, though I be not like unto one of thine hand- maidens. And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left. And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz com- manded his young men, saying. Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: and let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean thern, and rebuke her not. So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley. And she took it up, and went into the city ; and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned : and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed. And her mother in law said unto her. Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said. The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz. And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed he he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And 174 BIBLE STORIES Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. And Ruth the Moabitess said. He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest. And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law. It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat har- vest ; and dwelt with her mother in law. Naomi Tells Ruth What She Must Do Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the thresh- ingfloor. Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor : hut make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. And she said unto her. All that thou sayest unto me I will do. And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merr}^, he went to lie down at 175 BIBLE STORIES the end of the heap of corn : and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her do\vn. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said. Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid : spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. And he said. Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter : for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not ; I will do to thee all that thou requirest : for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman : howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kins- man well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth : lie down until the morning. And she lay at his feet until the morning : and she rose up before one could know another. And he said. Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her : and she went into the city. 176 BIBLE STORIES And when she came to her mother in hiw, she said, Who art thon, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me ; for he said to me, Go not empty nnto thy mother in law. Then said she. Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. BoAz Consults His Kinsman About Ruth Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said. Ho, such a one ! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat do^vn. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech 's : and I thought to advertise thee, saying. Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know : for there is none to redeem it besides thee ; and I a77i after thee. . And he said, I will redeem it. Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise 177 BIBLE STORIES up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance : redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. Now this tvas the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things ; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour : and this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe. BoAZ Buys Naomi's Property And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people. Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi. Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place : ye are witnesses this day. And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel : and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Beth-lehem: And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare 178 BIBLE STORIES unto Judali, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman. BoAZ Marries Ruth So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and the Lord gave her a son. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. GOD CALLETH SAMUEL (I. Samuel iii. 1-21) And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days ; there was no open vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli ivas laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; and ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; that the Lord called Samuel: and he answered. Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said. Here am 1 ; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie do^vn again. And he went and lay down. And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said. Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son ; lie down again. Now Samuel 179 BIBLE STORIES did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of tlie Lord yet revealed unto him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I ; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say. Speak, Lord ; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel an- swered. Speak; for thy servant heareth. And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house : when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he an- swered. Here am I. And he said. What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee 180 Tig. 1y. — The Lord Speaks to Samuel. Sir Joshua Reynolds. National Gallery, London. BIBLE STORIES hide it not from me : God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said. It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good. And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to he a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh : for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord. And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. DAVID AND GOLIATH (I. Samuel xvii. 4-55) And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail ; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver 's beam ; and his spear 's head iveighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them. Why are ye come out to set your battle in 183 BIBLE STORIES Fig. 18. — David with the Head op Goliath. Verrocchio. Bargello, Florence. array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants : but if I pre- vail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard those words 184 BIBLE STORIES of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid. Jesse Sends David, His Youngest Son, for News OF THE Battle Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name was Jesse ; and he had eight sons : And David tvas the youngest : and the three eldest followed Saul. And the Philistine drew near morning and eve- ning, and presented himself forty days. And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; and carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how th)^ breth- ren fare, and take their pledge. And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army. And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the cham- pion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake accord- ing to the same words: and David heard them. 185 BIBLE STORIES And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. And the men of Israel said. Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up : and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father 's house free in Israel. And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? And the people answered him after this manner, saying. So shall it be done to the man that killeth him. And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab 's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness ? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, What have I now done? 7^ there not a cause? And he turned from him to- ward another, and spake after the same manner : and the people answered him again after the for- mer manner. And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him. And David said to Saul, Let no 186 BIBLE STORIES man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and light with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art hut a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. David Tells Saul How He Slew a Bear AND A Lion And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock : and I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth : and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear : and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head ; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go ; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these ; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. 187 BIBLE STORIES And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd 's bag which he had, even in a scrip ; and his sling ivas in his hand : and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David ; and the man that bare the shield went before him. Goliath Defies David And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him : for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield : but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth ; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and 188 BIBLE STORIES spear : for the battle is the Lord 's, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Phil- istine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead ; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there ivas no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the vallej^ and to the gates of Ekron. And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent. BIBLE STORIES SAUL HATES DAVID (I. Samuel xviii. 1-30) And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, tliat tlie soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely : and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tab- rets, with joy, and with instruments of music. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying dis-^ 190 BIBLE STORIES pleased him ; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed hut thousands : and ivhat can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house : and David played with his hand, as at other times : and there was a javelin in Saul's hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall tvith it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul. There- fore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand ; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways ; and the Lord itas with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he be- haved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain. And Saul commanded his servants, saying, 191 BIBLE STORIES Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law. And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed? And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David. And Saul said. Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired. Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men ; and Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife. x\nd Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David ; and Saul became David's enemy continually. Then the princes of the Philistines went forth : and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul ; so that his name was much set by. BIBLE STORIES SAUL SEEKS TO KILL DAVID ( I. Samuel xix. 8-24 ) And there was war again : and David went ont, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter ; and they fled from him. And the evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul, as he sat in his house Avith his javelin in his hand : and David played with his hand. And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin ; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall : and David fled, and escaped that night. Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain. So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped. And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth. And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said. He is sick. And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him. And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats ^ hair for his bolster. And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered 193 BIBLE STORIES Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee? So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth. And it was told Saul, saying. Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah. And Saul sent mes- sengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied like- wise. And Saul sent messengers as-ain the third time, and they prophesied also. Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah. And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah : and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, 75 Saul also among the prophets? BIBLE STORIES DAVID AND JONATHAN SWEAR FRIENDSHIP (I. Samuel xx. 17-42) And Jonathan caused David to swear again, be- cause he loved him : for he loved him as he loved his own soul. Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. And ivhen thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel. And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad. Be- hold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them ; then come thou : for there is peace to thee, and no hurt ; as the Lord liveth. But if I say thus unto the young man. Behold, the arrows are be- yond thee ; go thy way : for the Lord hath sent thee away. And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the Lord be between thee and me for ever. So David hid himself in the field : and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat. And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall : and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty. Nevertheless Saul spake not 195 BIBLE STORIES any thins: that day: for he thoii^-ht, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean ; surely he is not clean. And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second dajf of the month, that David's place was empty : and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to dav? And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leavp of me to go to Bethlehem : and he said. Let me ^o, I -pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to he there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the kinp:'s table. Then Saul's anp:er was kindled a,8:ainst Jona- than, and he said unto him, Thou son of the per- verse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own c(m- fusion, and unto the confusion of thv mother's nakedness? For as Ions: as the son of Jpsse liveth upon the ,2:round, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surelv die. And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him. Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slav David. So Jona- than arose from the table in fierce ans:er, and did 196 BIBLE STORIES eat no meat the second day of the month : for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame. And it came to pass in the morning, that Jona- than went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him. And he said unto his lad, "Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jona- than cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee? And Jonathan cried after the lad. Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan 's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master. But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter. And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry fhpm to the city. And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place tovv^ard the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times : and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, say- ing. The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed : and Jonathan went into the city. 197 BIBLE STORIES DAVID SPARETH SAUL'S LIFE (I. Samuel xxiv. 1-22) And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David, is in the wilderness of En-gedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave ; and Saul went in to cover his feet : and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him. Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee. Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass after- ward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men. The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord. So David stayed his ser- vants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My 198 BIBLE STORIES lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. ' And David said to Sanl, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying. Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave : and some bade 7ne kill thee : but 7ni}ie eye spared thee ; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand : for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee ; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee : but mine hand shall not be upon thee. As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked : but mine hand shall not be upon thee. After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue ? after a dead dog, after a flea. The Lord therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said. Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I : for thou 199 BIBLE STORIES hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me : forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. And now, behold, I know well that thou slialt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. Swear now therefore unto me by the Lord, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house. And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold. THE STORY OF NABAL (I. Samuel XXV. 1-42) And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Eamah. And David arose, and went down to the wilder- ness of Paran. And there ivas a man in Maon, whose possessions ivere in Carmel; and the man ivas very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. Now the name of the man ivas Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of 200 BIBLE STORIES a beautiful countenance : but the man ivas churlish and evil in his doings ; and he ivas of the house of Caleb. And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep. And David sent out ten Fig. 19. — Abigail Meeting David with Presents. Rubens. Detroit Museum of Art. young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name : and thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace he both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast. And now I have heard that thou hast shearers : now thy shepherds which were with us, 201 BIBLE STORIES we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel. Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Where- fore let the young men find favour in thine eyes : for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy serv- ants, and to thy son David. And when David 's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased. And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those say- ings. And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword : and there went up after David about four hundred men ; and two hundred abode by the stuff. But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal 's wife, saying. Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. But the men ivere very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: they were a wall 202 BIBLE STORIES unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. Now there- fore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hun- dred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. And she said unto her servants. Go on before me ; be- hold, I come after you. But she told not her hus- band Nabal. And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her ; and she met them. Now David had said. Surely in vain have I kept all that this felloiv hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him : and he hath requited me evil for good. So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any. And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and fell at his feet, and said. Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity he: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. Let not my lord, I pray thee, 203 BIBLE STORIES regard this man of Belial, even Nabal : for as Ms name is, so is he ; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him : but I thine handmaid saw not the yomig men of my lord, whom thou didst send. Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the Lord hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. I pray thee, for- give the trespass of thine handmaid : for the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house ; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days. Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul : but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling. And it shall ^ome to pass, when the Lord shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel; that this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the Lord shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid. And David said to Abigail, Blessed he the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet 204 BIBLE STORIES me : and blessed he thy advice, and blessed he thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any. So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her. Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person. And Abigail came to Nabal ; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal 's heart ivas merry within him, for he ivas very drunken : wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light. But it came to pass in the morning, when the Avine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And it came to pass about ten days after, that the Lord smote Nabal, that he died. And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed he the Lord, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. BIELE STORIES SAUL AND THE WITCH OF ENDOR ( I. Saimiol Nxviii. l>-25) Now Samuel was doad, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. And the Philistines gathered themselves to- gether, and eame and pitched in Sliunem : and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. And when Saul gaw the host of the Philis- tines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trem- bled. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants. Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him. Behold, there 'u< a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night : and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me liiw up, whom I shall name unto thee. And the woman said unto him. Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, 206 BIBLE STORIES out of the land : wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die ? And Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. And when the woman saw Samuel, slie cried with a loud voice : and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. And the king paid unto her, Be not afraid : for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods as- cending out of the earth And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said. An old man cometh up ; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stopped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou dis- quieted me, to bring me up ? And Saul answered, I am sore. distressed; for the Philistines make war against m.e, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make kno^vn unto me what I shall do Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou 207 BIBLE STORIES ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? And the Lord hath done to him, as he spake by me : for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and giveri it to thy neighbour, even to David: because thou obeyedst not the voice of the Lord, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee this day. More- over the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines : and to morrow skalt thou and thy sons he with me : the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of tlie words of Samuel : and there was no strength in him ; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night. And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him. Behold, thme handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me. Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way. But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed. And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she 208 BIBLE STORIES hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof r and she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night. DAVID SINS AGAINST URIAH (II. Samuel xi. 1-27) And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tar- ried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king 's house : and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself ; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. And David said to Uriah, Go doAvn to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. But 209 BIBLE STORIES Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house? And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents ; and my lord, Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields ; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day and the mor- row. And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him ; and he made him drunk : and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house. And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men ivere. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab ; and there 210 BIBLE STORIES fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; and charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king, and if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee. Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for. And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men pre- vailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the enter- ing of the gate. And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants ; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hit- tite is dead also. Then David said unto the messenger. Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing dis- please thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another : make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her hus- band. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. 211 BIBLE STORIES But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. NATHAN'S PAEABLE OF THE EWE LAMB (II. Samuel xii. 1-24) And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up : and it grew up together with him, and with his children ; it did eat of his owm meat, and drank of his o\vn cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. And David 's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die : and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; and I gave thee thy master's 212 BIBLE STORIES house, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if tJiat had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the com- mandment of the LoED, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to he thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Loed. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin ; thou shalt not die. How- beit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah 's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and ivent to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake 213 BIBLE STORIES unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice : how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child Avas dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped : then he came to his own house ; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. Then said his servants unto him. What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive : but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, AVhile the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept : for I said. Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live ? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. BIBLE STORIES THE STORY OF ABSALOM (II. Samuel xiv., xv., xvi., xvii., xix., xx. ) JoAB Procureth Absalom's Return • So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom, And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing : go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king : and Joab said. To-day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his ser- vant. So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. And the king said. Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face. But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it; because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's 215 BIBLE STORIES weight. And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance. So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face. Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him : and when he sent again the second time, he would not come. Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire. Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto Jiis house, and said unto him. Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire? And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, "Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me. So Joab came to the king, and told him : and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king : and the king kissed Absalom. Absalom's Treason and Rebellion And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate : and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy 216 BIBLE STORIES came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said. Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. x\nd Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover. Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice ! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment : so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron. For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring rne again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, sayings As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel 217 BIBLE STORIES the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong ; for the people in- creased continually with Absalom. David's Flight And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee ; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. And the king's servants said unto the king. Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over : the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot : and all the people that 2vas with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David 218 BIBLE STORIES said, Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. Then David arose, and all the people that ivere with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan. Absalom Defeated and Slain And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that ivas under him went away. And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said. Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying. Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life : for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me. Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. 219 BIBLE STORIES And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people. And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent. Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale : for he said, I have no son to keep my iiame in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name : and it is called unto tliis day, Absalom's place. David Mourneth for Absalom And David sat between the two gates : and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he he alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said. He also bringeth tidings. And the watchman said. Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the 220 BIBLE STORIES running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. And Ahimaaz called, and said nnto the king. All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed he the Lord thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. And the king said. Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered. When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it ivas. And the king said unto Mm, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still. And, behold, Cushi came ; and Cushi said. Tidings, my lord the king : for the Lord hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. And the king was much moved, and. went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept : and as he went, thus he said, my son Absalom! my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, Absalom, my son, my son! And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people : 221 BIBLE STORIES for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, my son Absalom ! Absalom, my son, my son ! RIZPAH'S CARE FOR THE DEAD (II. Samuel xxi. 1-14) Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year ; and David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them : What shall I do for you ? and where- with shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the Lord? And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you. And they answered the king. The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel. Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the Lord iij Gibeah of Saul, whom the 999 BIBLE STORIES Lord did choose. And the king said, I will give them. But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the Lord's oath that ivas between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. But the king took the two sons of Rizpah and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, and he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the Lord: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of bar- ley harvest. And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sack- cloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah had done. And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa : and he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jona- than his son ; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged. And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his 223 BIBLE STORIES father : and they performed all that the king com- manded. And after that God was entreated for the land. GIANT WITH SIX FINGERS AND SIX TOES (II. Samuel xxi. 15-22) Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought agjiinst the Philistines : and David waxed faint. And Ishbi-benob, which ivas of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a now sword, thought to have filain David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah suc- coured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, say- ing, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel. And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathile slew Saph, which ivas of the sons of the giant. And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan, a Beth-lehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number ; and he also was born to the giant. And 224 BIBLE STORIES when lie defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shi- meah the brother of David sleAv him. These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants. THE CAVE OF ADULLAM (II. kSamuel xxiii. 13-17) And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. And David was then in a hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then i)i Bethlehem. And David longed, and said. Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate ! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David : nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord. And he said. Be it far from me, Lord, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives! therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men. BIBLE STORIES SOLOMON JUDGES WISELY (I. Kings iii. 16-28) Then came there two women unto the king, and stood before him. And the one woman said, my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house ; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. And it came to pass the third day after that I was deliv- ered, that this woman was delivered also : and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. And this woman 's child died in the night ; because she over- laid it. And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead : but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. And the other woman said. Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No ; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king. Then said the king. The one saith. This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay : but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. And the king said. Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. And the king said. Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. 226 BIBLE STORIES Then spake the woman whose the living child ivas unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son. and she said, my lord, give her the liv- ing child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said. Let it be neither mine nor thine, hut divide it. Then the king answered and said. Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment. THE QUEEN OF SHEBA (I. Kings X. 1-13) And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones : and when she was come to Solo- mon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. And Solomon told her all her ques- tions : there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solo- mon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent 229 BIBLE STORIES Fig. 21. — Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Raphael. Loggia, Vatican, Rome. by which he went up unto the house of the Lord ; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I beheved not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to 230 BIBLE STORIES set thee on the throne of Israel : because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones : there came no more such abun- dance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon. And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones. And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king's house, harps also and, psalteries for singers : there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day. And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, besides that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants. THE DISOBEDIENT PROPHET (I. Kingsxiii. 1-32) And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the Lord unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. And he cried against the altar in the word of the Lord, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the Lord; Be- hold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name ; and upon thee shall he offer the 231 BIBLE STORIES priests of the high places tliat burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee. And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign whicl; the Lord hath spoken ; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out. And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord. And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the Lord thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the Lord, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before. And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward. And the man of God said unto the king. If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place : for so was it charged me by the word of the Lord, saying. Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou earnest. So he went another way, and 232 BIBLE STORIES returned not by the way that he came to Bethel. Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel ; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel : the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father. And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah. And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon, and went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God that earnest from Judah? And he said, I am. Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread. And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place : for it was said to me by the word of the Lord, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest. He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying. Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water. And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord came unto the prophet 233 BIBLE STORIES that brought him back : and he cried unto the man of God that came froni Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the Lord, and hast not kept the com- mandment which the Lord thy God commanded thee, but camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the Lord did say to thee. Eat no bread, and drink no water ; thy carcass shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers. And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him : and his carcass was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcass. And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcass cast in the way, and the lion stand- ing by the carcass : and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the Lord : there- fore the Lord hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake unto him. And he spake to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him. And he went and found his carcass cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcass : the lion had not eaten the carcass, nor torn the ass. And the 234 BIBLE STORIES prophet took up the carcass of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back : and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him. And he laid his carcass in his own grave ; and they mourned over him, saying, Alas, my brother ! And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, WJien I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried ; lay my bones beside his bones : for the saj'ing which he cried by the word of the Lord against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass. ELIJAH FED BY RAVENS (I. Kingsxvii. 1-24) And Elijah the Tishbite, tvJio ivas of the in- habitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but accord- ing to my word. And the word of the Lord came unto him, say- ing. Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook 235 BIBLE STORIES Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which he- longeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks : and he called to her, and said. Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said. As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse : and, behold, I am gath- ering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her. Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saitli the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of 236 BIBLE STORIES Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah. And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick ; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remem- brance, and to slay my son? And he said unto her. Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. And he cried unto the Lord, and said, Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child 's soul come into him again. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah ; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said. See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Eli- jah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth. 237 BIBLE STORIES ELIJAH AND THE PRIESTS OF BAAL (I. Kingsxviii. 1-46) And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria. And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord great- ly : for it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred proph- ets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks : peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts. So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went an- other way by himself. And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said. Art thou that my lord Elijah? And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. And he said. What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the land of Ahab, to slay me? ^45 the Lord thy God liveth, there 238 BIBLE STORIES is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee : and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and na- tion, that they found thee not. And now thou say- est. Go, tell thy lord. Behold, Elijah is here. And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee whither I know not ; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth. Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the Lord, how I hid an hun- dred men of the Lord 's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? And now thou sayest. Go, tell thy lord. Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me. And Elijah said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day. So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah. And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him. Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. 239 BIBLE STORIES So Aliab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord he God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord ; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them there- fore give us two bullocks ; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord : and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said. It is well spoken. And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud : for he is a god ; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a jour- 240 BIBLE STORIES ney, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must he awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut them- selves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. And Elijah said unto all the people. Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, ac- cording to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said. Fill four bar- rels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said. Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said. Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar ; and he filled the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and 241 BIBLE STORIES that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Loed God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said. The Lord-, he is the God ; the Lord, he is the God. And Elijah said unto them. Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them : and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there 242 BIBLE STORIES was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the Lord was on EHjah ; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. GOD APPEARETH TO ELIJAH IN HOREB (I. Kings xix. 1-21) And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying. So let the gods do ^o me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he him- self went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree : and he requested for himself that he might die ; and said. It is enough ; now, Lord, take away my life ; for I am not better than my fathers. -- And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him. Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said. Arise and eat ; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and 243 BIBLE STORIES drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him. What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts : for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword ; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And he said. Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; hut the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake : And after the earthquake a fire; hut the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts : because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword ; and 244 BIBLE STORIES I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was ploughing ivith twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth : and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said. Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then 1 will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. ELIJAH TAKEN UP IN A CHARIOT OF FIRE (II. Kings ii. 1-18) And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal, And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee ; for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I 245 BIBLE STORIES will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy Fig. 22. — Elijah Taken Up in a Chariot of Fire. William Blake. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee ; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said. As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets that ivere at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Know- 246 BIBLE STORIES est thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him. Tarry, I pray thee, here ; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan, And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off : and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said. Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me ivhen I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee ; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asun- der; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried. My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah 247 BIBLE STORIES that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; and he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither : and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground be- fore him. And they said unto him. Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master : lest peradventure the Spirit of the Lord hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said. Ye shall not send. And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said. Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. And when they came again to him (for he tarried at Jericho), he said unto them, Did I not say unto you. Go not ? ELISHA HEALS THE WATERS (II. Kings ii. 19-25) And the men of the city, said unto Elisha, Be- hold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleas- ant, as my lord seeth : but the water is naught, and the ground barren. And he said. Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. And he went forth unto the spring of the 248 BIBLE STORIES waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake. And he went up from thence unto Bethel ; and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him. Go up, thou bald head ; go up, thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them. And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria. ELISHA OBTAINETH WATER (II. Kings iii. 0-27) And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel. And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judali, say- ing. The king of Moab hath rebelled against me : wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle ? And he said, I will go up : I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses. And he said, Which way shall we go up! And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom. So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom : and they fetched a 249 BIBLE STORIES compass of seven days' journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that fol- lowed them. And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the Lord hath called these three kings to- gether, to deliver them into the hand of Moab ! But Jehoshaphat said, 7^ there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may inquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said. Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah. And Jehoshaphat said. The word of the Lord is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee ? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay : for the Lord hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab. And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee. But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. And he said. Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle. 250 BIBLE STORIES and your beasts. And this is hut a light thing in the sight of the Lord ; he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand. And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones. And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water. And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border. And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood : and they said. This is blood : the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil. And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israel- ites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country. And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees : only in Kir-haraseth left they the stones thereof ; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it. And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hun- 251 BIBLE STORIES dred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom : but they could not. Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land. THE WIDOW'S OIL INCREASED (II. Kings iv. 1-8) Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead ; and thou know- est that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said. Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. Then he said. Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels ; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thj^ sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her 252 BIBLE STORIES son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. THE WIDOW'S SON RESTORED (II. Kings iv.S-37) And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where ivas a great woman ; and she con- strained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband. Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick : and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunam- mite. And when he had called her, she stood be- fore him. And he said unto him. Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host! And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. And he said, What then is to be done for her? 253 BIBLE STORIES And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said. Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad. Carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day ? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall he well. Then she saddled an ass^ and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, ex- cept I bid thee. So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, 254 BIBLE STORIES Behold, yonder is that Shunammite : run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her. Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband! is it well with the child ? And she answered, It is well. And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet : but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone ; for her soul is vexed within her : and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. Then she said. Did I desire a son of my lord ? did I not say. Do not deceive me ? Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. And when Elisha was come into the house, be- hold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon 255 BIBLE STORIES the child ; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro ; and went up, and stretched himself upon him : and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shu- nammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said. Take up thy son. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out. DEATH IN THE POT (II. Kings iv. 38-41) And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and tliere ivas a dearth in the land ; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not. So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, thou man of God, the7~e is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. But he said. Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said. Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot. 256 BIBLE STORIES NAAMAN'S LEPROSY (II. Kings V. 1-27) Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and hon- ourable, because by him the Loed had given deliv- erance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, hut he ivas a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away cap- tive out of the land of Israel a little maid ; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress. Would God my lord tvere with the prophet that is in Samaria ! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying. Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, A m I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? 257 BIBLE STORIES wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. And it was 50, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought. He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said. My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saitli to thee. Wash, and be clean. Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. And he returned to the man of God, he and all 258 BIBLE STORIES his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel : now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. But he said. As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. And Naaman said. Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord. In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon : when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing. And he said unto him. Go in peace. So he de- parted from him a little way. But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said. Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naa- man saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said. Is all well? And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons 259 BIBLE STORIES of the prophets : give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. And Naaman said. Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. And he said unto him. Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men- servants, and maidservants? The leprosy there- fore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. BIBLE STORIES IRON SWIMS (IT. Kiniisvi. 1-8) And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered. Go ye. And one said. Be con- tent, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said. Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Therefore said he, Take // up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it. AN ARMY STRUCK WITH BLINDNESS (II. Kings vi. 8-23) Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying. In such and such a place sliall be my camp. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Be- ware that thou pass not such a place ; for thither the Syrians are come down. And the king of 261 BIBLE STORIES Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them. Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? And one of his servants said. None, my lord, king : but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bed-chamber. And he said. Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying. Behold, he is in Dothan. Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host com- passed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do ? And he answered. Fear not : for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And EKsha prayed, and said. Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man ; and he saw : and, behold, the mountain ivas full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said. Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with 262 BIBLE STORIES blindness according to the word of Elisha. And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city : follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw ; and, behold, they ivere in the midst of Samaria. And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them. My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite iliemf And he answered. Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel. WOMEN EAT THEIR OWN CHILDREN ( II. Kings vi. 24-33) And it came to pass after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria. And there was a great famine in Samaria : and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver. 263 BIBLE STORIES And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a Avoman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, king. And he said. If the Lokd do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress? And the king said unto her. What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me. Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. So we boiled my son, and did eat him : and I said unto her on the next day. Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son. And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes ; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh. Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day. But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him? And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him : and he said. Be- hold, this evil is of the Lord ; what should I wait for the Lord any longer? 264 BIBLE STORIES LEPERS ENTER THE CAMP (II. Kings vii. 1-11) Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord ; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour he sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said. Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said. Be- hold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. And there were four leprous men at the enter- ing in of the gate : and they said one to another. Why sit we here until we die f If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there : and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians : if they save us alive, we shall live ; and if they kill us, we shall but die. And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians : and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, be- hold, there tvas no man there. For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to 265 BIBLE STORIES come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it icas, and fled for their life. And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid if; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it. Then they said one to another, TVe do not well : this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us : now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household. So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there icas no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they icere. And he called the porters ; and they told it to the king's house within. And the people went out and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord. And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate : and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him. And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two 266 BIBLE STORIES measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria : and that lord answered the man of God, and said. Now, behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said. Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died. HAZAEL KILLETH HIS MASTER (II. Kings viii. 7-18) And Elisha came to Damascus ; and Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the Lord by him, saying. Shall I recover of this disease? So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels ' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying. Shall I recover of this disease? And Elisha said unto him. Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover : howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. And he settled his countenance stedfastly, un- til he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. And Hazael said. Why weepeth my lord? *267 BIBLE STORIES And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and mlt dash their children, and rip up their women Avith child. And Hazael said. But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lokd hath shewed me that thou slialt he king over Syria. So he de- parted from Elisha, and came to his master ; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover. And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died : and Hazael reigned in his stead. DEATH OF JEZEBEL (II. Kings ix. 30-37) And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said. Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? And he lifted up his face to the window, and said. Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. And he said. Throw her do^vn. So they threw her down : and some of her blood was sprinkled on the 268 BIBLE STORIES wall, and on the horses : and he trode her under foot. And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed tuoman, and bury her : for she is a king 's daughter. And they went to bury her : but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said. This is the word of the Lord, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying. In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: and the carcass of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel ; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel. THE SHADOW RETURNS TEN DEGREES (II. Kings XX. 1-11) In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that ivhich is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord 269 BIBLE STORIES came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Heze- kiah the captain of my people. Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears : behold, I will heal thee : on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years ; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. And Isaiah said. Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day? And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? And Hezekiah answered. It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. BIBLE STORIES NEHEMTAH BUILDED THE WALL OF JERUSALEM (Xehemiali vi. 1-16) Now it came to pass, when Saiiballat, and Tobiah, and Gcshcm the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein ; (thons^h at that time I had not set up the doors upon the ^^ates;) that Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in so7ne one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you 1 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort ; and I an- swered them after the same manner. Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand ; wherein tvas written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou a]id the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words. And thou hast also ap- pointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying. There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel to- gether. Then I sent unto him, saying, There are 271 BIBLE STORIES no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, God, strengthen my hands. Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who ivas shut up ; and he said. Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple : for they will come to slay thee ; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee. And I said. Should such a man as I flee f and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him ; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me : for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. Therefore ivas he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil re- port, that they might reproach me. My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear. So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that ivere about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes : for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God 272 BIBLE STORIES JEREMIAH'S LINEN GIRDLE (Jeremiah xiii. 1-0) Tims saitli the Lord unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put Fig. 23. — Jeremiah. Michael Angela. Sistine Chapel, Rome. it not in water. So I got a girdle according to tlie word of the Lord, and put it on my loins. And the word of the Lord came unto me the sec- ond time, saying. Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a nole of the rock. So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the Lord commanded me. 273 BIBLE STORIES And it came to pass after many days, that the Lord said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there. Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing. Then the word of the Lord came unto me, say- ing. Thus saith the Lord, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judali, and the great pride of Jerusalem. JEREMIAH IN THE LOWER DUNGEON (Jeremiah xxxviii. 2-13) Thus saith the Lord, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence : but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live ; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live. Thus saith the Lord, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it. Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death : for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that re- main in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt. Then Zedekiah the king said. Behold, he is in 274 BIBLE STORIES your hand : for the king is not he that can do any thing against you. Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah thp son of Hammelech, that ivas in the court of the prison : and tliey let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there icas no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon ; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; Ebed- melech w^ent forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying. My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is : for there is no more bread in the city. Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die. So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah. And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags un- der thine armholes under the cords. And Jere- miah did so. So they drew up Jeremiah with 275 BIBLE STORIES cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison. ESTHER (Esther i.-viii) Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (Xerxes) (this is Ahasuerus which reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty provinces,) that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which 2vas in Shushan the palace, in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants ; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the prov- inces, being before him: when he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even a hundred and fourscore days. And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; where ivere white, green, and blue hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black marble. And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the ves- sels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the 276 BIBLE STORIES king". And the drinking ivas according to the law ; none did compel : for so the king had appointed to all the oflQcers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty : for she was fair to look on. Queen Vashti Befuses to Appear before THE King But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: there- fore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times. What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall 277 BIBLE STORIES despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported. The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the qneen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. If it please the king, let there go a royal com- mandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. And when the king 's decree, which he shall make, shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. And the saying pleased the king and the princes ; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: for he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people. After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him. Let there be fair young vir- gins sought for the king : and let the king appoint 278 BIBLE STORIES officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young vir- gins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king 's cham- berlain, keeper of the women ; and let their things for purification be given them: and let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. Noiv in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name ivas Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconi^h king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. And he brought up Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid ivas fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. Esther Pleases King Ahasuerus So it came to pass, when the king's command- ment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the cus- tody of Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him ; and he speedily gave her her things for puri- 279 BIBLE STORIES fication, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king 's house : and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred : for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins ; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead cf Vashti. Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people, as 280 BIBLE STORIES Mordecai had charged her : for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, Uke as when she was brought up with him. In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai 's name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both ha7iged on a tree: andvit was written in the book of the chronicles before the king, Haman Plans to Desteoy the Jews After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king's servants, that tvere in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai 's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, 281 BIBLE STORIES nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone ; for they had shewed him the peo- ple of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scat- tered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom ; and their laws are diverse from all people ; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed ; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman, the Jew 's enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had com- manded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to 282 BIBLE STORIES the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language ; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little chil- dren and worcen, in one day, even upon the thir- teenth dai/ of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the writing for a command- ment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed. MoRDECAi Urges Esther to go to the King When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry ; and came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. And in every province, whithersoever the king's com- mandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weep- ing, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and 283' BIBLE STORIES ashes. So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told if her. Then was the queen exceed- ingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. Then called Esther for Hatach, o)ie of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at' Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Morde- cai. Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai. All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these 284 BIBLE STORIES thirty days. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, tJien shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who know- etli whether thou art come to the kingdom for sucli a time as this! Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this ansiver, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day : I also and my maidens will fast likewise ; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. So Moi decai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. Esther Invites the King and Haman to A Banquet Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight : and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. 2S5 BIBLE STORIES So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the king- dom. And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Hamaii come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. Then the king said. Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee : and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. Then answered Esther, and said. My petition and my request is; if I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my peti- tion, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said. Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart : but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mor- decai. Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all fltr things wherein the king 286 BIBLE STORIES had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so Jong as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him. Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon : then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made The King Is Sleepless On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's cham- berlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said. What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's ser- vants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him. And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mor- decai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 287 BIBLE STORIES And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, Wliat shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart. To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? And Haman answered the king. For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, let the royal apparel he brought which the king usetJi to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head ; and let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man ivithal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him. Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king 's gate : let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him. Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delightf^th to honour. And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. And Haman told Zeresh his 288 BIBLE STORIES wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his Avise men and Zeresli his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. And while they ivere yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared. So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee : and what is thy reauest ? and it shall be performed, even to the half (jf the king- dom. Then Esther the queen answered and said. If I have found favour in thy sight, king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request : for we are sold, I and my people, t(} be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bond- men and bondwomen, T had held my tongue, although the enemy could not couiitervail the king's damage- Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen. Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said. The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. And the king arising from the banquet of wine 289 BIBLE STORIES in his wrath went into tlie palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther tvas. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified. On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, and said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and 1 he pleasing in his 290 BIBLE STORIES eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: for how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. AVrite ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring : for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple : and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. BIBLE STORIES COMINO TO LIFE OF DRY BONES (Ezekiel xxxvii. 1-10) The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the Spirit of the Loed, and set me down in the midst of the valley which tvas full of bones, and caused me to pass by them round about : and, behold, there ivere very many in the open valley ; and, lo, they tvere very dry. And he said unto me. Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, Lord God, thou knowest. Again he said unto me. Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live : and I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live ; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. So I prophesied as I was commanded : and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shak- ing, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above : but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me. Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God ; Come from the four winds, 292 Fig. 24. — TIte Vision of Ezekiel. Rajihael. Pitti Palace, Florence. BIBLE STORIES breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM (Daniel ii. 1-35) And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchad- nezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, where- with his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriak, king, live for ever : tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me : if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour : therefore shew me the dream, and the interpre- tation thereof. 295 BIBLE STORIES They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the inter- pretation of it. The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you : for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed : therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof. The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said. There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter : therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise onen of Babylon: he answered and said to Arioch the king's cap- tain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that 296 BIBLE STORIES he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions : that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God For ever and ever: For wisdom and might are his : And he changeth the times and the seasons : He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise. And knowledge to them that know understand- ing: He revealeth the deep and secret things : He knoweth what is in the darkness, And the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, Who hast given me wisdom and might, And hast made known unto me now What we desired of thee : For thou hast now made known unto us The king's matter. 297 BIBLE STORIES Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy tlie wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; De- stroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof f Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magi- cians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter : and he that reveal- eth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou might- est know- the thoughts of thy heart. 298 BIBLE STORIES A Great Image Thou, king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness ivas excellent, stood before thee ; and the form thereof ivas terri- ble. This image 's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that ivere of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors ; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became^a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. This is the dream ; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. Thou, king, art a king of kings : for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the chil- dren of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch 299 BIBLE STORIES as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of pot- ters ' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided ; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet tvere part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men : but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, hut it shall break in pieces and con- sume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold ; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass here- after: and the dream is certain, and the inter- pretation thereof sure. Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of 300 BIBLE STORIES gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon : but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. THE FIERY FURNACE (Daniel iii. 1-30) Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits : he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, tile treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the princes, the govern- ors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedi- cation of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up ; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is coqj- 301 BIBLE STORIES manded, people, nations, and languages, that at what time, ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of piusick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up : and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebu- chadnezzar the king had set up. Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, king, live for ever. Thou, king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image : and whoso falleth not down and worship- peth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, king, have not regarded thee : they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury com- manded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- nego. Then they brought these men before the 302 BIBLE STORIES king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, 75 it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and al kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; ivell: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands ? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, king. But if not, be it known unto thee, king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego : therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast tJiem into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, 303 BIBLE STORIES and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's command- ment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors. Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king. True, king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsel- lors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said. Blessed 304 BIBLE STORIES be tlie God of Sliadracli. Mesliacli, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his serv- ants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree. That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Me- shach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon. NEBUCHADNEZZAR DID EAT GRASS AS OXEN (Daniel iv. 1-33) Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, na- tions, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders ! his king- dom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace : I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. There- fore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men 305 BIBLE STORIES of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them ; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name ivas Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods : and before him I told the dream, saying, Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, be- cause I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. Nebuchadnezzae's Vision Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed ; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof tvas great. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth : the leaves thereof ivere fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it tvas meat for all : the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from heaven; he cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut 306 BIBLE STORIES off his brandies, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: nevertheless, leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field ; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion he with the beasts in the grass of the earth: let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, Belteshazzar, declare the interpreta- tion thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me • the interpretation : but thou art able ; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee. Then Daniel, whose name ivas Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof,' trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream he to them that hate thee, and the inter- pretation thereof to thine enemies. The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose 307 BIBLE STORIES height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all ; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation : it is thou, king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying. Hew the tree down, and de- stroy it ; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion he with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him ; this is the interpretation, king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king : that they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the king- dom of men, and givetli it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kinj^dom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. Wherefore, king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, 308 BIBLE STORIES and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor ; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquilHty. The King Becomes Insane All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he walked in the pal- ace of the kingdom of Babylon. The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, king, Neb- uchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken ; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall he with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomso- ever he will. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Neb- uchadnezzar : and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claivs. And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine under- standing returned unto nie, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting domin- ion, and his kingdom is from generation to genera- 309 BIBLE STORIES tion: and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing : and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhab- itants of the earth : and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me ; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness re- turned to me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me ; and I was established in my king- dom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment : and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. THE WRITING ON THE WALL (Daniel V. 1-31) Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem ; that the king and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem ; and the king and his princes, his wives, and his con- cubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and 310 BIBLE STORIES praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace : and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king 's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, and Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise 7nen of Babylon, AYliosoever shall read this writing, and shew *me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. Noiv the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house : and the queen spake and said, king, live for ever : let not thy thoughts trou- ble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: there is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him ; whom 311 BIBLE STORIES the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, / say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers ; foras- much as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shew- ing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar : now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry ? I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof : but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: and I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts : now if thou canst read the writ- ing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel Reads the Writing Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to 312 BIBLE STORIES another ; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchad- nezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: and for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up ; and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him : and he was driven from the sons of men ; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwell- ing was with the wild asses : they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he ap- pointed over it whomsoever he will. And thou his son, Belshazzar, hast not hum- bled thine heart, though thou knewest all this ; but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven ; and they have brought the vessels of his house be- fore thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them ; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know : and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified : then was the part of the hand sent from him ; and this writing was written. 313 BIBLE STORIES And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing : MENE ; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES ; Thy kingdom is di- vided, and given to the Medes and Persians. Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and p^t^ a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the king- dom. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN ( Daniel vi. 1-28) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hun- dred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; and over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first : that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the president and princes, because an excellent spirit ivas in him ; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; 314 BIBLE STORIES but they could find none occasion nor fault ; foras- much as he ivas faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him. King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted to- gether to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, king, establish the decree, and sigii the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house ; and, his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree ; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition 315 BIBLE STORIES of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, king, shall be cast into the den of lions"? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the cap- tivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den ; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords ; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of 316 BIBLE STORIES music brought before him: and his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lament- able voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions ' mouths, that they have not hurt me : for- asmuch as before him innocency was found in me ; and also before thee, king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel Avas taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives ; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. Then king Darius wrote unto all people, na- tions, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree. That in every dominion of my kingdom men trem- ble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his 317 BIBLE STORIES kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall he even unto the end. He deliver- eth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and won- ders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospereth in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. JONAH (Jonah i.-iv.) Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it ; for their wickedness is come up before me: But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa ; and he found a ship going to Tarshish : so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that uwre in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto 318 BIBLE STORIES him, What meanest thou, sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. Then said they unto him. Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us ; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country! and of what people art thou? And he said unto them, I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him. Why hast thou done this! For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. Then said they unto him. What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us! for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. And he said unto them. Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you : for I know that for my sake this great tem- pest is upon you. Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land ; but they could not : for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon 319 BIBLE STORIES us innocent blood : for thou, Lord, hast done as it pleased thee. So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea : and the sea ceased from her raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows. Jonah in the Belly of the Fish Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly, and said, I cried by reason of mine affliction Unto the Lord, and he heard me ; Out of the belly of hell cried I, And thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep. In the midst of the seas ; And the floods compassed me about ; All thy billows and thy waves Passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight ; Yet I will look again Toward thy holy temple. The waters compassed me about, Even to the soul : The depth closed me round about, The weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains ; 320 BIBLE STORIES The earth with her bars was about me for ever : Yet hast thou brought up my life From corruption, Lord my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: And my prayer came unto thee, Into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities Forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying. Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. Jonah in Nineveh So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, accord- ing to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said. Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be over- thrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and pro- claimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the 321 BIBLE STORIES greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water : but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God : yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way ; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them ; and he did it not. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, Lord, tvas not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish : for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me ; for it is better for me to die than to live. Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry? So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, 322 BIBLE STORIES and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city. And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death. Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow ; which came up in a night, and perished in a night : and should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern be- tween their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? INDEX Aaron, 92-127, 131 Abed-nego (Azariah), 301- 305 Abel, 8-12 Abigail, 201-205 Abner, 195 Abraham, 19-22, 26-40, 90, 91, 125, 241 Absalom, 215-222 Adam, 4-8 Ahab, 235, 238-243 Ahasuerus, 276-291 Ahimaaz, 221 Ahithophel, 217, 218 Arioch, 298 Asher, 55 Baal, 238-242 Balaam, 127-131 Balak, 127-131 Barak, 148-150 Bath-sheba, 209-212 Belshazzar, 310-314 Belteshazzar, 298 Ben-hadad, 267, 268 Benjamin, 55, 70, 73-82 Boaz, 172-179 Cain, 8-12 Cushi, 221 Cyrus, 318 Dan, 55 Daniel, 296-318 Darius, 314-318 David, 179, 183-205, 270 Deborah, 148-150 Delilah, 164-166 Ebed-melech, 274-276 Eglon, 146, 147 Eli, 179-183 Elijah, 245-248 Elisha, 245-268 Ehud, 146, 147 Ephron, 32-34 Esau, 41-46 Esther, 276-291 Eve, 4-8 Ezekiel, 292-294 Gad, 55 Gehazi, 253-256, 259, 260 Gideon, 151-154 Goliath, 183-189 Hagar, 26-29 Ham, 14 Haman, 281-291 Hazael, 267, 268 Heber, 150 Hezekiah, 269, 270 Hiram, 231 Hur, 117 325 INDEX Isaac, 26-31, 90, 91, 125-241 Isaiah, 269, 270 Ishbi-beiiob (Goliath's brother), 224 Ishmael, 26-29 Israel, 54, 56, 57, 70, 73, 82, 83, 125, 131, 132 Issachar, 55 Jacob, 41-55, 57, 61, 70, 72, 83-85, 90, 91 Jael, 148-150 Japheth, 14 Jehoshaphat, 249-252 Jehu, 268, 269 Jephthah, 155, 156 Jeroboam, 231-235 Jeremiah, 273-276 Jesse, 179, 185 Jezebel, 239, 243, 268, 269 Joab, 209-211, 215-222 Jonah, 318-323 Jonathan, 195-197 Joseph, 55, 56-85 Joshua, 117, 132-146 Judah, 55, 73-75, 78, 79 Laban, 37-40, 50-54 Leah, 178 Levi, 55, 85, 126 Lot, 23-25 Mahlon, 170, 178 Manoah, 157-159 Mephibosheth, 223 Meshach (Michael), 301- 305 Michal, 193, 194 Miriam, 118, 119 Moab, 127-131 Mordecai, 279-291 Moses, 85-127, 131-133 Naaman, 257-260 Nabal, 200-205 Nahor, 35, 36, 39 Naomi, 170-179 Naphtali, 55, 149 Nathan, 212-214 Nebuchadnezzar, 295-310 Nehemiah, 271, 272 Noah, 12-18 Nun, 132, 133, 136 Obadiah, 238-240 Obed, 179 Orpah, 171 Pharaoh, 63-71, 78-87, 89, 93-116 Potiphar, 61, 62, 65, 66 Queen of Sheba, 229-231 Rachel, 50-54, 178 Rahab, 133-138, 139-141 Rebekah, 34-41 Reuben, 55, 57, 58, 71 Reuel, 88 Rizpah, 222, 223 Ruth, 170-179 Samson, 157, 159-168 Samuel, 179-183, 200, 206- ' 208 Sanballat, 271, 272 Saph (Goliath's brother), 224 326 Sarah, 19, 26-29 Saul, 186, 187, 190-199 Shadrach ( Hananiah ) , 301-305 Shem, 14 Simeon, 55, 72 Sisera, 148-150 Solomon, 226-231 INDEX Uriah, 209-214 Vashti, 277-279 Witch of Endor, 206-209 Zebulnm, 55, 149 Zedekiah, 274-276 Zipporah, 88 (1)